A rare event

What falls ever more infrequently on our District’s beaches? That’s right, snow! The recent cold weather is a reminder to reduce the risk of your pipes bursting by regular boiler servicing. fixing dripping taps and lagging tanks and pipes, particularly close to doors and other cold spots. It is also a good idea to make sure you know where your stopcock is so you can quickly limit the damage, if water starts gushing, and check empty premises regularly.

With Half term upon us, the wonders of the “red planet”, live tours of the night’s sky, stunning astrophotography, nocturnal wildlife talks, children’s colouring activities and a chance to win a top-of-the-range telescope are among the highlights of the South Downs National Park’s Dark Skies Festival, which includes a real-time tour of the night sky with acclaimed astronomer Dr John Mason.

Speaking of young people, did you spot this news story about our County’s Youth cabinet and the national award they have won? 

I recently came across this interesting read about Sussex’s ghost villages where residents never returned, including Apuldram. In similar vein, I also came across this article about deserted places where you are unlikely to see anybody else.

This week, in addition to the usual plethora of meetings, Donna and I joined other Opposition District Councillors in a short Q&A with our MP Gillian Keegan. Discussion centered around wastewater discharges and local housing targets & the problems meeting them.

I also joined a Ministerial Webinar from the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, which mainly focused on arrangements for May’s Local Elections. They are definitely going ahead but the ‘mechanics’ depend on progress in fighting the pandemic. Consideration is being given to the choice of polling stations, measures inside them like screens, ensuring campaigning (e.g. leaflets & meetings) is in keeping with the Public Health advice at the time, and increasing postal & proxy voting. Register to vote (by April 10) and find out about the local picture here.

Local businesses can join CDC’s live webinar at 2pm on Friday 19 February to find out more about the range of financial support available to them. Officers will run through the available Government grants and will explain which businesses are eligible for each scheme and how they can apply. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.

And finally: -

• An update on CDC’s services can be found here;
• The Westgate Centre will be used for vaccinations;
• The latest County vaccination briefings are available here;
• Information on support for the vulnerable can be found here;
• You can request a free recycling bin upsize/additional bin if you need one..

As always from the whole Team, stay safe

Tim