Always Excellent

Did you ever learn, or try to learn, to drive? A very long time ago, I was once a driving instructor and my youngest daughter is currently learning. I was recently spotted by my barber taking her out - a different sort of close shave! On Saturdays I like to get some mileage under her belt, so last week she drove us to Midhurst, then on to Petworth. Part of the route bordered its lovely Park, which is famed for its deer and historical Royal appeal. If you have never been, you might fancy a change of scenery.

If you use the A27, and have not heard, this is the week that “Oving starts going.”

Last week I shared a story about a 3D printed house, so I thought you may be interested in something much nearer to home, a barn conversion in Fishbourne, that also shows how a little imagination with housing can go a long way. 

Interest in the Southern Gateway project continues, demonstrating how much we care about our area. Whatever your views of the merits of any or all of its proposals, it is good to see continued debate and all views being heard, as this letter to a local paper demonstrates. 

 

Last week was quite intense: we had Full Council and quite a lot of other meetings at CDC, plus Donna had things at County Hall and STC whilst I had a parents’ evening  and several other things at school. This coming week looks a bit quieter, but Donna has West Sussex, Planning at CDC and several sensitive cases at the moment, whilst with Covid still very prevalent, I never entirely know what each day at school will hold until I get there and it unfolds.

 

Climatic matters have featured prominently this week: at Full CDC we reviewed progress after the first year since we declared a climate emergency. Our Emergency Climate Action Plan has a target of a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions year on year until 2025 for both the council and for the District as a whole. On Tuesday, we heard that the council has reduced its emissions by 16% year-on-year. This decrease is largely thought to be a result of the lockdown and an increase in renewable energy available through the National Grid, but we were also updated on CDC’s progress in other areas.

 

CDC is shortly launching a campaign to highlight the range of home energy efficiency measures that you can take, to save you money and protect the environment. In the meantime there are tips and advice on reducing your carbon footprint here and further advice here.  There are also a range of grants available to help you to insulate your home and make sure that it has an efficient heating system.

 

Good news if you live in Selsey, Bracklesham and the Witterings (or enjoy their beaches), the Bathing Water Quality Ratings for 2021 have recently been announced and all three of our District’s beaches have been rated “Excellent.” Our region boasts 700 miles of coastline and 83 designated bathing waters; one of the South East’s greatest assets and vital to the local economy. Bathing waters have never been cleaner, and the way its quality is measured is now twice as stringent as before, following the implementation of the revised European Bathing Water Directive in 2015. Things that can affect it include rainwater running off roads and agricultural land into watercourses and the sea, wastewater from privately-owned treatment works, and boats and animals on the beach such as dogs and seabirds. Learn more here. 

If that makes you want to celebrate, a funding pot of £10,000 has been set aside by CDC to help communities celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.Parish Councils can apply for grants of up to £250 to pay for lasting tributes such as tree planting, street furniture and equipment for celebrations that can be reused.It is hoped that the funding will help support events over the bumper Bank Holiday Weekend of Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June marking Her Majesty’s 70 years as reigning monarch. 

The UK has a long history of throwing street parties to celebrate national events and lighting Jubilee beacons. Another way to mark the event is by planting trees through the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.More than three million saplings are available to schools and community groups to plant through The Woodland Trust, on a first come, first served basis. The Queen’s Green Canopy is another chance for residents to play their part in celebrating our monarch’s incredible milestone in a meaningful way. The official tree planting season ends in March and begins again in October 2022. initiative runs until the end of the Jubilee year.

Finally: -

• National Storytelling Week. 

• The BBC NHS postcode tracker.

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

• WSCC's winter road service information. 

• CDC’s Calendar of Meetings, and WSCC's. 

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim