New chair for police authority

Dr Laurie Bush, who lives in Bexhill, joined the authority as an independent member in 2005 and served as vice-chairman from 2007 until last Thursday when he was elected chairman at the annual meeting at County Hall in Lewes.

Laurie has dedicated his career to working with children with special needs '“ his last post before retirement was as head teacher of Inglesea EBD day school in St Leonards.

Speaking of his new role, he said: "I am delighted and honoured to be the first independent member to be elected as chairman of Sussex Police Authority.

"It is the primary task of the authority to work with Chief Constable Martin Richards and his force to provide an effective policing service for the people of Sussex and wherever possible, to improve on that service.

"These are challenging financial times and the police are not exempt from these pressures.

"Members of the authority are working hard to ensure that the force has the resources necessary to do their job and that they are being used as efficiently as possible.

"Above all, we must ensure that the people of Sussex continue to receive a service that gives them satisfaction and confidence."

West Sussex county councillor, Steve Waight, from Worthing, was elected vice-chairman.