Worth Protecting

 

The most important thing we must do this week is wish all our young people taking exams the best - we recognise that you've done amazingly well, under challenging circumstances!

 

Have you visited the beauty spot where the Kings of Sussex were buried? Come to that, what do you think of the view at Uppark or the one at Petworth House? (More about something new there later.) 

 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned the Flying Scotsman's visit to the Bluebell Railway this Summer. Another famous steam engine, the Mayflower, is coming to Chichester with the opportunity for you to take an extended journey on it from London. 

 

We all value our District highly and it is, like other parts of Sussex, undeniably a 'top spot' for visitors. A couple of news stories gave me, a lifelong Sussex resident, pause for thought: firstly this one draws attention to the major housing developments that could change our countryside for good; meanwhile this other story features arguments relating to the potential destruction of habitats that are similar to ones that are made about development on the Peninsula.

 

Sadly, there has been a pollution incident near a Peninsula beach. Southern Water have told Donna and I, as District Councillors, that on Tuesday evening they were notified of a report of pollution in East Beach Pond in Selsey. They attended the site that evening and confirmed that diesel had entered the pond from a third party. They have been on site since, using tankers to remove the diesel from the pond and believe this will take until Saturday to complete. Although they believe the situation is now under control, they are continuing to investigate the source and plan to leave protective equipment (such as oil absorbing floating barriers) in place and will have regular checks until early next week. 

 

Radcliffe First, who we mentioned last week, have been noticed by the BBC. There are 349 registered Independent parties in the UK, so we are far from being alone. The rapid growth of our number reflects widespread feelings of abandonment across communities and concern that national priorities are running roughshod over local needs. 

 

We also mentioned last week that David Walliams was spotted nearby, so it seems apt to share with you more celebrities living in Sussex. Another interesting read is ideas for how you can use your old smartphone, e.g. as a CCTV camera; it is easy to forget for many years smartphones have had more processing power than the computers that put the first man on the moon. For the gardeners amongst you, this article about Japanese knotweed points you to a heat map you may find helpful, while this story has a simple solution (literally) to control ivy.

 

This week at CDC’s Annual Full Council I was reminded that representing the views of your residents can literally mean going it alone. Donna had to give apologies because she is supporting someone who is Clinically Extremely Vulnerable during the exam season. Following unease about the optics of a situation indirectly pertaining to a nominee, I was the only Member voting against the Committee appointments. 

 

In happier news, we approved new actions aimed at improving the energy efficiency of Westward House, which delivers part of CDC's short stay accommodation, by upgrading the building’s current heating system. 

 

CDC has also secured another round of Government funding to help residents install energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in their homes. They will be working with a delivery partner, Agility Eco, who will be contacting eligible homeowners by letter over the coming months to let them know how they can apply for a grant.

 

A special photographic exhibition – ‘We the People’ – opens at Petworth House on 30 May, celebrating our District's volunteers within the arts communities and local charities. This is the first of four headline ‘Ignite’ events in the Culture Spark calendar, which celebrates a momentous year of art and culture in our District.

 

Visitors to ‘We the People’ will be able to see large scale photographic portraits of local volunteers and scan the QR codes under each photo to hear their stories brought to life in short audio and video clips. The portraits will include volunteers from a range of organisations and charities, and will be on display at Petworth House until 6 June before touring cultural venues across the District. 

 

The Government is keen to help dispel some common misconceptions that might deter people from claiming Pension Credit. This includes making people aware that even though someone may have modest savings, retirement income or own their home, they may still be entitled to claim. The scheme can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence. If you are in touch with anyone over State Pension age, you might want to encourage them to have a look here. 

 

This week the Chair of trustees of the FuelBank Foundation was interviewed in a national newspaper. I have known tough times in my 59 years but was horrified by his explaining that families struggling to cope with energy bills are seeking shelter in Mcdonald's to keep warm, buying their children a Happy Meal then washing and brushing their teeth in the sinks and watching television for hours on the free WiFi. Others use the showers in leisure centres or tea lights to heat pans at home. If you are struggling there is a link at the end that might be useful. There is also the Trussell Trust and smaller charities, depending on where you live, like Selsey's Full Up. 

 

If you want to do something to help, the Trussell Trust has a fundraising initiative in June we can all take part in, Tea for Trussell. 

 

If you have a question for your local County Councillor, the next Chichester County Local Forum is due to take place on Thursday 16 June at 10am at County Hall, but you don’t need to go to Chichester to contact Donna.

 

Don't forget, you are being asked to nominate your favourite family business as part of a national campaign being run by ShopAppy, the online shopping platform that can be used to browse and buy products and services from local businesses. Nominations need to be made by 12 June and each person nominating will be entered into a free prize draw to win £50 to spend on ShopAppy.com or ShopLocalOnline.org.

One business will be selected by a panel of judges to receive a professional photography session for their family and an award as the UK's Favourite Family Business. Family businesses in each area will be informed that they have been nominated which can be used in promotions to help boost their business. The winner will be announced on 27 June.

Local businesses can also apply for a Growth Project Grants of up to £2,000 or a Start-up award of up to £500. Guidance is here, and needs to be fully read before submitting any application.

 

Please remember the link about helping Ukraine near the bottom of our website homepage, between tbe Facebook and Twitter feeds, above the CDC news feed. 

Finally: - 

• Roman Week at the Novium is back. 

• West Sussex are seeking volunteers for this year's Summer Reading Challenge. 

• Report flooding, blocked drains and overgrown vegetation on Council land, and learn more about tree and hedge maintenance responsibilities here. 

• CDC’s guide on the help they provide.

• CDC’s Meetings and WSCC's. 

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim