Oceans New
Last week, we closed with a late arriving tweet from Martin Lewis that was quite insightful so we thought we could start with it this week: “Water companies - we privatised but didn't introduce competition - so you can't switch. Meaning there's no competitive pressures so we must fully rely on regulatory not market influence. It could be argued that's the worst of both worlds.” He is of course absolutely correct, which is even more worrying when you consider our local situation with sewage pumping into the Harbour and this report that England could face severe water stress from climate change in future.
Wednesday saw the first meetings of the new Chichester District Council and the new Selsey Town Council. We are in the process of updating the “About” page of our website to clarify what our LA members on STC/CDC/WSCC are doing; this will show, more clearly, the impact of our forming the Green and Local Alliance group at CDC, to become the official Opposition (gaining extra insight and more input.) For now, we can clarify that I am the Leader of the Opposition and Donna is Chair of the pivotal Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which means that should an urgent decision be needed between meetings, e.g. if something like Midhurst happens again, she takes the decision along with the Leader and the Chief Executive. Tim Young, the new Green Member, is on the Environment Panel, which without this grouping, would not have happened, and Sarah Sharp, the other Green, gets to sit on the Planning Committee and other groups she can bring her expertise to.
We have not formed a coalition, but have a 'meeting of minds' on key issues. We each act autonomously, although we seek to be supportive and cooperative. Sometimes, it's helpful just to talk things through and get an objective opinion. Donna and Sarah formed a similar group with two other Independents at WSCC which came out of the trust we built, through working together on CDC, since we were first elected in 2019. As I said, on Wednesday, at the first Full CDC when I congratulated the new Leader, we see our role as a constructive, critical friend; the Liberal Democrats won 25 of the 36 seats so have an indisputable mandate, but so do we - to fight for Chichester South, Sidlesham and Selsey; we stand by our pledges: to protect the hard won zero housing allocations for Selsey and the Peninsula, to help local businesses and seek more action on social housing. You can use the Contact page on our site to get in touch, should you wish to, also our social media channels or email: -
tjohnson@chichester.gov.uk
djohnson@chichester.gov.uk
vweller@chichester.gov.uk
sboulcott@chichester.gov.uk
Residents were able to watch the Full CDC live following investment by the council to film meetings to make them more accessible to all. This was the first time a Full Council meeting had been broadcast live from the council’s committee rooms.
Some Voter ID information has been shared with us: in Chichester South which is represented by our two Green colleagues, 2 people were turned away and did not return while a further two were turned away but did return. In both Sidlesham & Selsey North and Selsey South 1 person was turned away in each ward and neither returned. Across our District, 119 people were turned away, and did not return while a further 70 were turned away but later returned with ID.
This week was dementia awareness week. Mick posted something quite moving: "Someone once said when you love someone with dementia you lose them more and more everyday. When they are diagnosed, when they go through different stages, when they go into care and when they die. This is called “Ambiguous Loss”. ‘Rapidly shrinking brain’ is how doctors described it. I wouldn't wish Dementia on anyone. As the persons brain slowly dies, they change physically and eventually forget who their loved ones are. They can eventually become bedridden, unable to move and unable to eat or drink. There will be people who will scroll by this message because dementia has not touched them. They may not know what it's like to have a loved one who has fought or is fighting a battle against Dementia."
Meanwhile Donna shared a personal memory: "Today marks the beginning of Dementia Action Week. My mum had Vascular Dementia, and, (she wouldn't mind me saying) was very challenging sometimes with her moods, her memory and her inability to process new information. On one occasion she mistook my son for her brother - it was hard sometimes, but she never forgot who I was, and I'm thankful for that. Obtaining an early diagnosis of Dementia can be really helpful in getting prepared and understanding what might happen. Dementia Action Week is focusing on the importance of a diagnosis, given that rates have 'stagnated' according to Alzheimers.org.uk. There is a lot of help available, and a diagnosis will open doors to advice and support which can be really valuable."
Mick also shared a post from Selsey Town Council this week, confirming a sixth seal for the much appreciated Publuc Art Trail in East Beach car park, "alongside naturalistic looks, Sealsy displays a map with highlighted routes around Selsey as a saddle. These routes lead you to places of interest, retail areas, open spaces, and the position of its five seal neighbours! Each route is colour coded on the map in spray paint with approximate walking times. The five routes are named after a Selsey sea creature, as an example there’s the red lobster route, which guides you to the Selsey Pavilion on the High Street.
At a time when many of us appreciate getting out and about in the fresh air, this latest addition will give you, your family and friends, as well as visitors, an excuse to explore the town on foot. Selsey Town Council would like to thank Chichester District Council who through their Vision grant has funded a sixth seal for Selsey!"
Selsey Open Gardens is getting near
Texts that include these 2-words may end up draining your bank account.
This new Gmail feature might prevent your bank account being drained.
Several Sussex establishments have received new food hygiene ratings.
The Daily Telegraph includes three Sussex villages amongst it's choices of the best in Britain. There are plenty I could add, having been born and brought up in a couple myself, so like me, you might know the ones they selected.
I recently read a piece discussing the neglect, by Westminster, of coastal communities which feature in a new book, The Seaside: England’s Love Affair by Madeleine Bunting (published by Granta £20.) Something that resonated with me is that coastal towns are often not just distant from Westminster, but also on the periphery of local government districts, and therefore neglected even by their own councils. That could describe the views of many people I have met in Selsey or those of you in. East Wittering & Bracklesham who have got in touch with us since 2019.
Energy bills continue to be a challenge for far too many people. However there might be some welcome news around the corner because it seems possible wholesale energy prices are noticeably falling.
Whether they do or don't, developments for alternative fuel sources continue. The government is backing schemes, including one that is drawing heat from deep underground, to provide low-cost heating for nearly 4,000 homes. This is their press release.
Continuing with news relating to the cost of living crisis, the BBC has confirmed plans to help those who are struggling to pay their TV licence.
West Sussex County Council recently shared this advice.
On a more personal note, today is World IBD Day. For anyone who doesn't know IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease - very different from IBS. It's an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. It's invisible, incurable (at the moment) and can impact people's mental health as well as physical. All we can do is manage the disease, often with biological meds which can, themselves, have implications. Someone very close to Donna and myself has IBD, it's been a challenge, and it continues to be. So, to all the IBD warriors out there, keep fighting.
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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