Cold Start

 

Happy New Year - as always, where did the holiday go? We hope you had as good a Christmas as you could in the circumstances we all found ourselves in, and managed the sudden switch from mild, but wet, weather to the more wintry experience we have had in the last few days. Some good news you may have missed, is that next Christmas will see Chichester’s first chalet-style market. 

In our last two posts we discussed the importance, to our local tourist industry, of our area’s particular appeal and the need for it to remain relatively unspoilt. This was in the context of the Southern Gateway regeneration project, something that is of wider interest as this letter about the bus station demonstrates. 

Another important financial consideration, of course, is our area's contribution to our country’s £120 billion food chain. Development on any scale in our greenbelt is a worry to a large number of us, particularly when there are still unused Brownfield sites. I was particularly saddened by this article which brings home how much more countryside we are about to lose.

Many of us like to learn more about local history, and explore the odd site of interest. If that includes you, near Petworth, there are the ruins of Bedham Church and School. Nearer to home, should you be seeking a more contemplative experience, you can take a silent walking pilgrimage from Stoughton to the Cathedral. Plus, of course, these spots on the Downs might also be worth considering, and, if you enjoy a long walk, there's a 26-miler from Haslemere across the District to the Cathedral. 

Just before Christmas, the Government informed CDC that they would be allocated £2.8 million to distribute in rates relief to those businesses who did not qualify for Extended Retail Relief.  The latest details are placed here. 

This week Donna had Planning at CDC while next week she has a briefing on progress with the emerging Local Plan and STC meetings, while I have Corporate Governance and Audit. 

Finally, some useful COVID links: -

• West Sussex data dashboard. 

• The BBC NHS postcode tracker.

• The latest snapshot of the impact on our area's economy. 

And: -

• Alcoholics Anonymous GB are celebrating their 75th Anniversary with a free exhibition roadshow highlighting the history of alcoholism which starts in Chichester this month

• Three useful links: firstly CDC’s help with finances, secondly disposal of your Christmas tree and lastly WSCC's winter road service information. 

• This is CDC’s Calendar of Meetings, and this is West Sussex.

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim