YOUTH FACILITIES ARE GETTING BETTER

She cited the merger of the 24-hour Lifeline support service with Eastbourne Borough Council, the development of community help points at Wealden's Crowborough and Hailsham offices, new local action teams in towns and villages and a new initiative exploring the possibility of improving ways benefits are administered.

She said Freedom Leisure, an early example of successful partnership working between parish, district and county council, goes from strength to strength.

This emphasis is important she said because of the forthcoming Government White Paper on local Government reform.

She presented a cheque for 2,395 to this year's chairman's charity, the Sussex Air Ambulance appeal.

The Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal was originally designated by Councillor John Vincent who died last July six weeks into his term of office as chairman.

Air ambulance flights are now being made into Sussex from Kent and the appeal is half way towards the 250,000 target needed to order a dedicated air ambulance for Sussex.

Cllr Kennedy paid tribute both to Cllr Vincent and the late Councillor Ian Nottage who died in April.