Only 5th???

As our thoughts continue to stay with Ukraine, we are keeping the charitable links we have been sharing since the present situation began, at the end of this post. You may be aware that the Government has now launched the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, which allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses across the UK to offer a room or home rent-free to Ukrainians escaping the war, regardless of whether they have ties to the country. Those who are interested can nominate a Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them for at least six months. Sponsored Ukrainians will be granted three years’ leave to remain in the UK, and will be able to work, claim benefits and access public services during this period. People offering accommodation will receive an optional payment of £350 a month.

 

CDC has also created a web page, which lists the many ways people can help.

Why are kitchen sinks under a window? The reasons might surprise you as there is a financial element to the decision, something I had not realised. Apologies, by the way, because what I thought would be quite a brief post this week has actually broken our previous record and passed the 1000 word count.

Our District, unsurprisingly, has been named the fifth best countryside spot to visit in the UK, is one of the eight best places to live in Sussex, but on the flip side Centrepoint believes it is one of the areas where Housing Benefit does not cover the cost of a room. 

I have put a reminder in my calendar for this summer because the Flying Scotsman is spending five days on the Bluebell Railway. My father loves old trains, and Donna’s maternal grandfather drove steam engines. If you are out for a walk in our County’s more rural areas, you might spot an interesting animal that originated in Australia. 

I shared Donna’s post about International Women’s Day last week - as a follow up, somewhere I once knew well has been found by the Body Shop to be the fourth most empowering place for women in the UK. My eldest daughter works there and has done well in her legal career, so that may well be true. 

On Monday, I achieved a minor victory over the size of CDC’s proposed new Housing & Communities Panel when we discussed its terms of reference. A member of each of the largest two groups argued it should have 8 members, resulting in there being 2 panel seats less than the total number of Members, rather than there being 36 panel seats overall. Fairness to smaller groups like ours won through in the end, and it was agreed to recommend it had 10 Members on it, thereby meaning each Group will have the same number of Panel seats overall as it has elected Members.

On Tuesday we had the ordinary bi-monthly Full CDC, following on from the Budget Special the week before. As well as gaining support for our objection to the proposed boundary Parliamentary changes that would split the Peninsula in two, we agreed on was a motion calling on WSCC, our Highways Authority, to do more to advance quiet lanes and improve road defects - as a commuter I am sadly learning where an awful lot of potholes actually are as I traverse our District every day: my impression is they are growing in number.   

This coming week I have the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Donna has Planning at CDC and training at West Sussex for her new role as this year's Leader of her Group at West Sussex. The team have the next regular Full STC on Wednesday whilst I will get some extra steps in on the delivery trail for the two current by-elections. We are pleased with how things are going so far, but the biggest challenge will be the turnout on April 7th. 

An update on the shingle works protecting our District coastline at Medmerry West Beach in Selsey. During Storm Eunice the beach was overtopped and breached in a number of locations. Environment Agency operatives were on site over the weekend of the 19/20 February to assess the damage. Their contractors attended the site as soon as it was safe to do so to push the shingle which had washed landward back onto the embankment. The EA has subsequently conducted a GPS survey, which has shown this emergency work has filled the gaps in the embankment and returned the crest to the previous height however it has narrowed in places and remains vulnerable to another large storm. They have therefore developed contingency plans for this site: in the event of further damage their field team and contractors will re-profile available shingle as they did on this occasion. They also have pumps available to deploy if required and will be doing further work in the coming months.

We can happily tell you more about Culture Spark 2022. Everyone is welcome to the free launch evenings of music, dance and light, kicking off a year of culture with a thrilling show that will inspire and delight. It includes Programme Mexican percussionist Alonso Mendoza on African and Brazilian drums whilst local primary school children light the stage with their home-made lanterns. Lila Dance will also be premiering ‘Seasoned’ their new duet created during lockdown and Emily Barden brings her 50 strong West Sussex Sings choir. Acoustic band Big Gust of Wind will accompany five exceptional poets whilst Helen Solly embarks on the creation of her ‘recycled’ sculpture. The evenings culminate in a stunning video projection by artists/technologists MakeAmplify and take place on Tuesday 29th March in Chichester Cathedral from 6.30pm -7.45pm, Wednesday 30th March at Medmerry Mill in Selsey from 6.30pm – 7.45 pm, and Thursday 31st March at The Cowdray Ruins in Midhurst from 6.30pm -7.45pm.

As I mentioned earlier, the by-election campaigns are going well and have raised some philosophical questions as Donna shared this week: 

"I found myself talking to a few people at a bus stop on Tuesday. I normally divest myself of my council badge when I leave either CDC or West Sussex, but I was in a rush and forgot on this occasion. I was therefore clearly identified as a Councillor and fair game for my fellow passengers! We had an interesting conversation about the political realm. Someone referred to politics as a 'game' and I explained that even we Independents have to understand the nature of politics in order to play the real 'politicians' at their own game; that way we find an advantage.  But, politics isn't a 'game', it is, as Churchill famously said, 'an earnest business'.  We make decisions which impact people's lives - we should never, ever forget that."

Finally: -

• This is the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine appeal.

• This is the Facebook page of Sussex Aid for Refugees.

• This is a children's charity helping in Ukraine. 

• Refilled Chichester are taking donations of things like clothes.

• Chichester Festival Theatre have published details of their new season.

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

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim