Different Views

-


Are you part of the big debate? We all value the NHS and may quite rightly wonder what this winter will or will not bring - as COVID-19 continues, and it faces the return of its normal winter burden, the question of whether a return to restrictions will be necessary, and if so when, remains a common talking point.


The other big talking point at the moment is on a happier note as we approach the Festive season. You may already have seen lights turn on, put up decorations, been to a market, or have plans to do some or all of these things. (Val and Donna have been working with groups of local people to stage a couple of events this weekend.) Seasonal events, or advertisements for them, are all around us so I suspect your Christmas plans are taking shape. 


This is the budget season for Councils and things are very tight because other income streams are still negatively impacted. The smallest part of our Council Tax bills will probably be decided soon by our City, Town or Parish Councils. Like Selsey, pre-COVID, they may have stepped in to save services once provided by WSCC or CDC.


At the Full CDC on Tuesday, a multi-part motion regarding sewage was proposed by Cllr J Brown of Southbourne. As well as writing to various bodies about discharges, runoffs and quality restoration, it was agreed to formally ask Southern Water to install live update signs at each outfall site in our District. We also agreed to pilot some evening meetings to see if a change would be positive for the next CDC from 2023.


The other main decision to share with you relates to money and wildlife corridors. We agreed to release £575,000, spread across five years, from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to cover most of the costs associated with a District project. Network Rail are paying £90,000 for enhancements where the railway crosses the corridors. As you may realise, wildlife corridors are essential for allowing species to move and migrate. They also allow species to adapt in response to changes, both natural and man-made, making them resilient and helping to ensure their survival over the longer term.


Also on Tuesday, Donna and a few other Councillors at West Sussex formally 'called in' the decision regarding the Peninsula's intermediate care facility, Marjorie Cobby. This is a mechanism for Cllrs to intervene when they feel that a decision made by Cabinet needs to be revisited or changed. In this case, Cabinet Members were not in possession of information regarding the recommendation made by the Task and Finish Group 'in a timely manner' because they were only given it on the day of the meeting. 


And finally: -


As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim 

Comments

Post a Comment