What a Day
A Belated, Happy Sussex Day!
We want to start this week by thanking all of you who got in touch after our last post. There were three particu;arly interesting ones: was Stephanie from New Hampshire missing our locally-grown strawberries, Steve who suggested a change of link colour and Joe who got in touch with Mick, appropriately on the day many of our young people sat their second English GCSE paper, to ask us to include more semicolons. Joe’s feedback sparked a brief debate about using FANBOYS; for those of you who do not teach English, like me, or are not studying it, also like me, that is an acronym for “For And Not But Or Yet So” which helps clarify when semicolons should be used.
Please keep getting in touch - it's encouraging to realise how many of you appreciate our efforts.
We mentioned food again last week as hunger is an increasing concern everywhere. This week we learnt Lidl have launched a new range of products badged “Good to Give” to help shoppers more easily choose products to donate. The range includes things like tinned fruit, noodles and veg. This is a welcome step because, as we explained in more detail last week, Food Banks fear they may soon not be able to meet demand; if you are able, please also consider getting in touch with local organisations like Selsey’s Full Up or play a part in Tea for Trussell.
Many of us worry about Climate Change, and for those of us on the coast, erosion is a concern. Projections of disappearing land spark intense debate, but no one can deny that our country spends a lot each year maintaining sea defences. If you relate to any of this, you might like to read about the discovery of Ravenser Odd.
We are often asked how CDC is getting on with their Climate Emergency Action Plan, which sets a target of a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions year on year until 2025 for the District. They are helping to reduce fuel poverty and excess cold by offering financial assistance towards the cost of energy efficiency improvements, introducing electric vehicles across their fleet and carbon emissions from Westgate Leisure Centre will reduce by almost a quarter after they successfully bid for a £1.3 million government decarbonisation grant. CDC has also funded computer training in Petworth to give residents confidence online, worked with partners in Selsey to raise awareness of walks in the area using QR codes, and worked with partners in Midhurst on a better pedestrian-friendly and greener environment.They have also provided 8,000 free trees to plant across the District. Finally they are trialling a kerbside collection to help people recycle old textiles, small electrical items and used coffee pods.
CDC has joined forces with Coastal Partners to protect its nine miles of coastline by sharing coastal and environmental management expertise and resources. Coastal Partners are a team of engineers, surveyors, project managers, environment and finance experts who deliver a comprehensive coastal management service, which manages the coastal flood and erosion risk across 162km of coastline. CDC will be joining Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth and Havant councils, who are the founding members of the partnership.
CDC has issued over £4 million to nearly 30,000 households in the District as part of the government’s energy rebate scheme. Of the 34,050 qualifying households, 29,183 have been issued with their payments. CDC is now urging the 4,867 households that have yet to claim their £150 energy rebate to come forward. Most householders in Bands A to D qualify for this rebate. If you don't know which band your property is in, click here.
CDC’s Licensing Committee has agreed to bring the council’s registration fees in line with national legislation on skin piercing. This will help ensure that the premises and equipment of acupuncturists, tattooists, ear piercers and those practising cosmetic piercing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin colouring in the District are clean and safe for customers. Currently, there is a single fee for the registration of both premises and practitioners in one single registration. However, from 1 July 2022, anyone whose business involves skin piercing must apply for a Premises Registration and a Personal Registration — these will be one-off fees that are not charged annually.
Residents are being offered the opportunity to secure an affordable new home, in Loxwood. Stonewater has built 50 high-quality, affordable, energy efficient houses and flats at Pond Copse Lane, off Guildford Road. It is anticipated that the homes will be available from September, either for rent, or to buy through one of the government’s home ownership schemes. Of the, 30 are affordable rental properties that will be allocated through CDC’s housing register.
Meanwhile, WSCC have been in the news; the BBC reported that they are desperately trying to recruit social workers.
The Novium Museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary this July with a birthday party and special exhibition.on Saturday 9 July. Historical characters will bring the museum to life throughout the day, with activities including:
Meet Brutus, the brave Roman Centurion.
A mini-dig with ‘Dr Forbes’, founder of the original Chichester museum.
Code breaking with ‘Joan Clarke’.
Traditional parlour games with a Victorian teacher.
Meet an astronaut-in-training and learn about life in space.
Craft activities and trails.
CDC’s Summer Street Party is back, 10am to 4pm, Sunday 17 July, showcasing city centre businesses as well as food and entertainment from across the District. The event is also being held in conjunction with the popular Cross Market & More. Visitors can expect to find a wealth of family friendly activities, an array of local food vendors, and many local businesses offering giveaways along Chichester’s high-street. It will also feature music from local artists, in store events, giveaways,. children’s entertainment and interactive challenges.
Don’t forget Culture Spark is inviting young people between the ages of 16–25 to take part in a new TikTok challenge to create a short video expressing what culture means to them. The competition runs until 30 June. To take part, you need to submit a portrait video one to two minutes long. Prizes include a £100 iTunes voucher; a free annual membership for Everyone Active Leisure Centres; two tickets to Chichester Festival Theatre shows; and the chance to take part in a Pallant House Gallery workshop. Find out more by emailing Veronika.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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