A small victory for local sense

I am pleased to tell you we had another small victory this week: although we did not get CDC’s Cabinet to agree to an additional Towns and Villages Recovery Group, similar to the one for the City, Donna and I were added to the District Economic Recovery Team. 

You may recall consideration of our proposal was recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, avoiding a constitutionally required delay until January. We wanted action now because of the worsening situation, even though a lot has been done including £37 million paid out in Business rate grants and £237,000 in Council Tax Hardship Fund payments.

The return of national measures, means Senior Briefings have resumed, plans are in train to maintain essential services like household refuse collections and more financial assistance for CDC to pass on to affected businesses is on the way: the easiest way to learn when business assistance becomes available is to follow your parish council online, e.g. @SelseyTownCouncil.  

This year, because of the coronavirus pandemic, CDC are not be running the free Christmas Park and Ride service from Chichester College, but instead are offering incentives to assist with social distancing, help shoppers and support local businesses: -

• Free parking in the Avenue de Chartres car park each weekend in December
• When using the MiPermit app, receive a free hour of parking when choosing two hours within any car park in the district (except Westgate Leisure Centre and Avenue de Chartres) in December. 
• In addition and in response to customer demand, they will also be looking to trial a part-time season ticket, based on a three-day week from 1 April 2021.

Finally: -

• More concerns about the sustainability of development have appeared in our local press;
• You are invited to have your say on housing standards in the District;
• Homeless charity Stonepillow and the Chichester Greyfriars Housing Association will each receive £100,000 to go to specific projects;
• The WSCC COVID-19 Community Hub is still providing support, information and guidance to the most vulnerable in our county.

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim