A Little Extra

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Have you come across Easter eggs in the shops yet? Amazingly, we did last Sunday, nearly three and a half months before Easter itself. Valentine’s events are popping up too, but that's understandable with only four weeks to go. (I mention that for other married men so they can start planning, rather than do a last-minute dash to the fuel station!) February 12th is the 23rd anniversary of our first date, so I have booked something special on the 14th in one of Donna’s favourite hotels (Yes it’s on the Isle of Wight!)


The Step By Step Project that began the aptly nicknamed Men in Sheds has drawn to a close. It contributed to improving men’s health and wellbeing by bringing them together in a new generation of Sheds. These were the basis of the SBS Model: welcoming places where men met to (re)create social links, find peer-to-peer support, share and learn skills, and support each other in terms of their health and employment, in an environment free of judgement.  A particular focus was socially isolated men, and those with poor mental health or wellbeing. Selsey's Men in Sheds is very well supported and is a valued group within the community.


We quite often mention Chichester Harbour which is a lovely spot; however it was reported this week that rising temperatures have led to it becoming a breeding ground for bacteria ‘not recorded before in the UK’, according to new research. Also in the news this week, are plans for a momentous year of culture in our District this year. Culture Spark aims to give everyone – including every child in the district - the chance to participate in an amazing cultural experience, and it also celebrates multiple milestones of some of its cultural organisations: 60 years of Chichester Festival Theatre, 40 years of Pallant House Gallery, 30 years of Chichester Cinema at New Park’s International Film Festival, 10 years of The Novium Museum and the Festival of Chichester and 200 years of the Canal Trust.


There are fewer meetings next week, which for Donna is helpful because she had a large number last week, and wants to spend more time working on resident-specific matters. I have the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, and on the 25th it is Full CDC again.


CDC has been awarded over £5 million to support businesses who have been affected by the Omicron variant, through three new Government schemes: a Hospitality and Leisure Grant (based on the premises’ rateable value), an Additional Restrictions Grant (for those who may not be eligible for the first grant) and the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund, a new business rates relief scheme. There may also be further assistance from  their Economic Development Team.


Finally, some useful COVID links: -


And: -


As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.


Tim

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