Sussex weekly round-up: 8 June - 14 June 2024

The story about a white stork breeding programme having its most successful year proved a popular read this week.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Sussex and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Chagos Islanders sleep in leisure centre in Sussex

Chagos Islanders are sleeping in emergency shelter at a leisure centre in West Sussex after a "significant number" arrived from Mauritius at Gatwick Airport.

It comes after the government launched a British citizenship route for people of Chagossian descent in November 2022.

Chagossians were forced to leave their homeland when Britain bought the islands in the Indian Ocean in the 1960s.

The government said its guidance to Chagossian British citizens moving to the UK sets out that they should make their own accommodation arrangements before travelling.

Read more here

BBC Radio Sussex heard from the Chagos Islanders.

'It's been incredibly traumatic' - baby-loss parents

The parents of a baby who died at two weeks old are launching a compensation claim after a coroner ruled that failure to recognise his mother's rare medical condition contributed to their son’s death.

Robyn and Jonathan Davis from Steyning in West Sussex say they are seeking damages for the physical and mental impact following the death of their baby, Orlando, 14 days after he was born by emergency caesarean at Worthing Hospital in September 2021.

New figures obtained by BBC South East show £143 million has been paid in claims and legal fees for maternity cases on behalf of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust between 2006/7 and 2022/23.

Dr Tim Taylor, chief of service for the Women and Children’s Division said: “Our sincerest condolences go out to Mr and Mrs Davis, and I would like to repeat our apologies and regret for their devastating loss of Orlando, and any additional distress they experienced as a result of our investigation, or the inquest process.”

Read more here

Parents asked to put away phones at school gate

A head teacher is asking parents to put their phones away when collecting their children from his East Sussex school.

Andy Best, who runs Pashley Down Infant School, in Eastbourne, sent out the plea in a newsletter in the hope of encouraging conversation.

He said pupils often leave the classroom "excited or relieved to see whoever is picking them up only to find their adult scrolling [on] their phone, typing a message or on a phone call. It's sad to see".

The head teacher said his no-phones request was an attempt by the school to "resurrect the joy of conversation back into the community".

Read more here

Businesses may face annual fee for pavement seating

Bars and restaurants may have to pay an annual fee to place chairs and tables for customers outside their premises.

Applications for pavement licences in West Sussex increased during the pandemic as businesses struggled to stay afloat while observing social distancing rules.

Chichester District Council, which is responsible for processing the applications, has been providing the service for free since 2020, but is now proposing charging an administration fee.

Liberal Democrat councillor James Vivian said: "I do question why we are considering adding yet another cost to local businesses at a time when the administration wants a more active and competitive high street.”

Read more here

Bluey cartoon disrupts election count plans

Bluey's residence at the Brighton Centre has proved a nightmare for the city council

Children's cartoon character Bluey has caused headaches for a council trying to arrange a general election count in East Sussex.

Brighton & Hove City Council had hoped to book the Brighton Centre from 3 to 5 July, but officials were left scratching their heads after learning the venue was already booked for Bluey's Big Play.

The city's election count will instead be held 5 miles (8km) away at Portslade Sports Centre, meaning customers will be unable to use the facility during the count period.

The sports centre will be closed to customers from 3 to 5 July with its members being given access to other gyms and studios across the city during the closure.

Read more here

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.