a place to call home
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Last week many of you joined us in welcoming the Peninsula’s zero strategic housing allocations in CDC’s new Local Plan and its commitment to "Reinforcing the role of the Manhood Peninsula as a home to existing communities, tourism and agricultural enterprise." Donna sits on the Development, Planning & Infrastructure Panel which has been working most on it so, considering when we were elected in 2019 that 100s of new houses were envisaged, this is a vindication of the arguments we have been making about the effects of climate change, overstretched infrastructure and the negative impact on our tourism and agricultural dependent economy.
You can inspect the Local Plan here, which is out to consultation until March 17.
We also welcomed Donna’s success in finally getting a Local Foodbank Basket in Selsey's Asda and the Team’s success in keeping STC's increase in residents’ next Council Tax Precept at 4.1% which works out at about 9p per week.
Before moving on to this week’s news, we should remind you that following the success of Culture Spark in 2022, CDC has announced that they will fund another two and a half years of events, live entertainment, and community projects to celebrate the rich and diverse range of cultural and heritage experiences in our District. This year’s activities will start on Sunday 29 January between 9.30am and 1pm with a Community Sand Drawing Workshop on West Wittering Beach at East Head car park.
CDC are also arranging a free laser extravaganza show at the Canal Basin in Chichester on 17 and 18 February to mark the half-term holidays. They will be running two 20-minute laser shows which will be set to music on both days – one at 6pm and the other at 7.30pm.
I had a personal celebration this week because my British built Civic passed its MOT first time again. Obviously a testament to my garage and tyre centre both of which are within our CDC wards, which is also positive because it gives me more opportunities to hear from our highly valued local traders.
Since 2019, Donna and I have helped local businesses, as well as dealing with many other issues residents have needed help with. It is perhaps an indication of where the priorities of national party Councillors may lie that, whilst the majority have been in Selsey or Sidlesham, we have also been approached by people in other parts of the Peninsula and Chichester. It came as no surprise, therefore, to read that the poorest parts of our District start with Selsey and East Wittering.
In other District news, Bosham is getting positive reviews again. I can remember taking some students there years ago, who were fascinated by its tidal nature. They also liked the church and its link to the Norman conquest. At the other end of our District is somewhere else that is also quite rare because it lies in three counties.
Between them, Annie Morris and Idris Khan’s guide to the Petworth area.
We have a further story about Southern Water to share - it may not surprise you to learn that our area is not the only one in which they seem to have fallen rather short. Winchester is, like the Peninsula, a lovely, unique spot too.
Staying with Southern Water. Donna posted on Monday, "Today was the Chichester Harbour Conservancy meeting at County Hall. It's one of my favourite appointments and the discussions are always relevant to us, here, on the Manhood. There was a presentation by a representative from Southern Water which was extremely interesting - she pointed out that work is being done in Sidlesham and Medmerry to help mitigate the issues we have with surface water. She also mentioned the issues of concreting areas to make hard standing and building on green fields - all of which we are only too aware of here. This isn't going to be fixed overnight, and there are serious infrastructure deficiencies, but there are some natural mitigations which will help."
It was the bi-monthly Full CDC this week. When we considered a report on The Procurement and Allocation of Temporary Accommodation for Homeless Applicants Policy I was able to point out that this is a worsening situation, creative solutions are needed particularly as the number of Buy to Let landlords is declining and any moves in this area are therefore welcome.
I warmly welcomed the making of an Urgent Decision to carry out emergency repairs on part of the sea wall in Selsey, as several houses were threatened.
We also received several reports including the second annual progress one on CDC’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. Although Officers were thanked for their work, disappointment was expressed by several Members at progress to date, e. g. in 2020 - 2021 the percentage change in emissions was down 4 points but it had dropped 12 the year before. Having said that, the report highlighted over 60 actions that CDC has taken, or is currently taking, to reduce its own carbon emissions by putting climate change at the heart of its operations, as well as introducing campaigns and projects to help residents, businesses and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint too. You can learn more here.
Moving to family matters, ITV reports that eating ultra-processed foods such as ice cream, ham, crisps, mass-produced bread and breakfast cereal may increase the risk of cancer.
Safer Internet Day 2023 will be celebrated on Tuesday 7th February 2023, and this year, the theme is "Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online". It's all about the Youth Voice, and listening to the issues that really matter to children. Perhaps you might know a parent or someone else who might find their resources helpful?
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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