Food for Thought

Whenever we can, we like to start by thanking you for taking an interest in our blog. This week we particularly wish to thank another Timothy who shared a memory of his father, in response to my sharing one of my memories of my paternal grandmother's family, heating bricks to keep themselves warm, over 100 years ago, which is what some people are doing  again to save on heating.

We are noticing an increase in the number of housing and financially related residents’ issues being raised with us. Sadly we also hear concern locally that the hospitality industry (which is one of our District’s biggest ‘earners’) may suffer greatly from the effects of the current economic crisis, with venues potentially closing, or planned venues not being able to open. Clearly there is not very much consumer confidence at the moment.

The news items we have to share, relating the cost of living crisis, are slightly more positive this week: 

• The UK has passed a milestone with over half of our electricity needs in a day being met by wind alone.

• However, insufficient storage (particularly near our largest urban centres) means we are sometimes turning off wind farms. 

• You could potentially save £400 a year on heating bills by copying simple German-style energy reduction tips. 

• ITV News reports that research has shown air fryers run at an average cost of £55.71 a year, while an electric oven runs at £335.57 a year.

• Energy saving expert Martin Lewis suggests 9 things we can do to help prevent blackouts this winter. 

• There is some controversy, whatever your national position, about whether our MP has visited local foodbanks or not. 

I recently mentioned my participation in the Zoe Health Study contributing to their research into Intermittent Fasting; for three weeks I have reported my hunger, mood and energy levels each day, eating within a 10-hour window. I am pretty sure I feel better for it so I intend to continue, even though it took nearly two weeks for me to start noticing an improvement; I have volunteered to extend my participation. 

This is broadly linked to this week's petition, calling for the age for bowel cancer screening in England to be lowered.

WSCC, remember, has launched The Safe Clubs for Children campaign to support parents and carers with advice and guidance on out of school activities. 

As Donna shared earlier this week, parenting is hard enough at the best of times, so if you think you could do with a bit of advice or support, there is a short free online course available (use the drop down menu and select WSCC funded.) 

Many of us, including Selsey Town Council, were pleased to hear that the Boundary Commission for England has revised its initial Constituency proposals and no longer suggests that the Peninsula should be split into two. The Commission took into consideration over 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation as well as comments made at the Boundary Commission Hearing earlier this year by Donna and Andrew Brown, our Chair of Selsey Town Council. Due to this feedback, nearly half of the initial proposals have been changed. A third and final consultation on the new map of revised constituency proposals is open now until 5th December 2022. 

A reminder once again that on Saturday 19th November, Selsey First Responders have a Christmas Fair in Selsey Town Hall. The Friends of Selsey Medical Centre, who you may remember have guest posted here before, will be there with a few items to sell & Membership Forms in the hope to collect new members.They hope you will call in & browse the various stalls & maybe drop a donation in their bucket. 

In December, East Street and North Street in Chichester will be abuzz with festive cheer as CDC welcomes the return of the Christmas Market from the beginning of December. It will feature an array of stalls offering an exciting range of quirky and quality gifts, beautiful artwork, handmade crafts, and seasonal and specialty food and drinks stands, offering festive delights to enjoy as you browse or at home.

There are light-turning on events being planned elsewhere too, e.g. Selsey Community Events are staging a Grinch event on November 26th funded by a grant from Selsey Town Council. If we can publicise your shopping centre’s plans, please get in touch. 

This week Donna had CDC’s Planning Committee meeting, amongst other things and on Tuesday I have the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which is being held online.  

Advance notice that the next Full CDC is being held in person, Tuesday week, on November 22nd. 

Sign up for flood warnings here. 

The second set of findings from the 2021 Census, which focus on demography and migration, have been released by the Office for National Statistics this month. This follows results released in June revealing total population changes across England and Wales. The new demography statistics focus on distinct characteristics such as age and the relationships between people within a household.

Across our District, the median age was found to be 48 — eight years higher than the average age across England (40). In Chichester, 38.8% of households were comprised of two people, while one-person households made up 31.1%. The Census also revealed information on marital status, with those married or in a registered civil partnership dropping from 46.8% in 2011 to 44.6% across England and Wales. Statistics also include, for the first time, the number of married same-sex couples.

Finally: - 

• Suicide in Sussex should you have a concern

• CDC’s help for local businesses

• Government help for households

• WSCC's cost of living information

• Other suggestions from CDC

• Warmer Homes help site

• CDC Meetings

• WSCC

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim