We still have...
Last week we recalled the blackouts of the 1970s because of their possible return this winter, and the steps we may have to take to avoid them like cooking after 8pm, delaying clothes washes and turning the lights off.
Sadly there have been further warnings suggesting each one could last longer than first thought. Anything we can do to help reduce our country’s energy consumption is therefore worth considering. Water is a good example: reducing usage saves the energy needed to pump it to our homes. The Water's Worth Saving website has some useful tips.
Food prices in the UK have soared by a record 10.6% during September, up from 9.3% in August, as the war in Ukraine continues to drive up the cost of staples such as margarine, pasta and tinned tomatoes. Overall, shoppers faced 5.7% inflation in September, up from 5.1% in August, the highest monthly rate since the British Retail Consortium-NielsenIQ index began in 2005.
It has caused additional concern on the Peninsula because of the worries raised by RSPB and other wildlife organisations about the potential consequences of plans to remove a range of protections. (The National Trust described it as “a free-for-all for nature and heritage”.) On the Peninsula we are lucky to have so many rare species of plants, its remaining unspoilt natural beauty and of course places like Pagham Harbour. Are they under threat?
CDC’s pilot of textiles, small electricals and coffee pods is going well. They wish to thank everyone who helped them collect and recycle 1,300 bags in August. The trial started in July and initially covers approximately 75% of households in our District and has been designed to make recycling at home even easier.
Interestingly, a refurbished walking stick, frame or crutches is on average 87% lower in carbon emissions than a new one. You can help reduce waste & carbon emissions by returning them to your Recycling Centre by 23 October.
Another interesting pilot is this time from WSCC: a new ‘food rescue’ pilot is about to get underway in parts of West Sussex designed to reduce food waste and help people with the rising cost of their weekly shop. Working with UKHarvest, district and borough councils, and other partnerships and charities, the pilot will start in October and run for six months in Bognor Regis, Crawley (Broadfield area), and Southwick (in Adur). Read more here.
WSCC are also looking for views from all parents and carers of children aged 0-14 years (and up to 18 for children with SEND) about how you use childcare, how this has changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this may continue to change in the future. As part of the Local Authorities statutory duties around sufficiency tbey are required to have an understanding of the supply and demand of childcare places and any gaps in provision, including how these gaps will be addressed.
This week has been very busy. We are pleased to report that on Tuesday at CDC’s Full Council, approval was given for a 3-year funding formula to continue the Community Warden Service. Donna withdrew as she sits in Selsey Town Council who are one of the funding partners, but I was pleased to speak in favour of the retention of the service, and the proposal to even up the percentile contribution from parishes to match that of Selsey, amongst others.
Because of a short timescale, we also agreed to delegate authority to enable an addendum to CDC’s UK Shared Prosperity Investment Plan to enable the release of the Rural England Prosperity Fund. This aims to strengthen the rural economy and rural communities - our District is eligible for around £700,000.
The meeting began at 6pm as part of a trial of later meetings, ahead of the next Council from May 2023. The next morning Donna had CDC’s Development, Planning and Infrastructure Panel and the Team had Full Selsey Town Council that evening; meanwhile I pulled a late one on Thursday inside the M25 at school because we had our Open Evening which also did not begin until 6pm.
Also this week a very special man was laid to rest. Kevin Hughes was elected to CDC at the same time as Donna and myself. He was caring, compassionate and courageous in standing up for his residents. Donna remembers her mother used to say that the 'good' people are often taken early, this was certainly true in Kevin's case. Neither of us could get to the funeral, I was working and Donna had a West Sussex meeting, but we know Kevin wouldn't mind. RIP Kev, it was an enormous pleasure and privilege to have known you.
If you like our more rural areas and cycling, a new event is being held on Sunday 9 October - Cycle the Manhood - organised by the Manhood Peninsula Action Group, along with Cove Communities and Chichester Harbour Conservancy. It offers the opportunity to cycle the whole Peninsula, or take shorter routes.
The route will start and finish at Seal Bay Resort in Selsey (formerly Bunn Leisure.) There will be a water station, refreshments, parking and toilet facilities. Dr Bike will be there to offer repairs and guidance. Facilities will also be provided at Medmerry.
Following on from the success of the first Cross Market & More event in March, and the combined Summer Street Party and Cross Market & More in July, CDC are excited to be hosting their final market of 2022 on Sunday 16 October, 10am until 4pm in East Street and North Street, Chichester. They have been working with Petworth Pop Up who will bring an array of traders from the north of our District, while Chichester College will be bringing Traders of Tomorrow selling their amazing creations.
This autumn the NHS is offering an autumn booster Covid-19 vaccination to people who are:
Residents in care homes for older people
People aged 50 years and older (currently people aged 65 and over are eligible)
Pregnant
Aged 5 and over and at high risk due to a health condition
Aged 5 and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
Aged 5 and over and lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
Aged 16 and over and is a carer
A frontline health and social care worker
There is a warning to parents about a new social media platform, BeReal. There are no filters, no photo editing, no celebrities posting perfect photos and, also, no ads. Rivalling other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, who are accused of showing a distorted view of reality, BeReal encourages users to show their real selves and life, without any filters or editing within 2 minutes. The app works by prompting its users to post a photo of what they are doing at random times of the day and share the image with friends your real self and your real activity.
BeReal has no filters, keeping its motive of showing real people as who they really are and what they are actually doing. There are of course safeguarding concerns to be aware of for either yourself or for young people when using this app. Click here for more information and advice on what to look out for.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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