January 26, 2024
Welcome to our last blog this month, which means that 2024 is already going quite quickly. This blog is being published the day before this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day on Saturday January 27, so whenever you read it, and thank you for doing so, we urge you to spare a little time to read more here.
The Selsey sea defences recommendation, to apply for a grant to undertake an extensive study into future proofing solutions that might better safeguard 1300 homes here, was approved by Full CDC on Tuesday: Jonathan Brown (Liberal Democrat), the Deputy Leader, described it as the single biggest action CDC could take to mitigate the impact of Climate Change. I welcomed it on all our behalf and pointed out that as our District struggles to find land for houses, we could not afford to lose as many as 1300 homes. CDC’s coastal engineering service, Coastal Partners, has carried out early feasibility work that highlighted more than 700 properties are at tidal flood risk. This number is predicted to increase over the next 100 years, along with the number of properties at risk from erosion. The current defences are now nearing the end of their life and although a lot of work has been carried out over the years to help prolong them, a long-term solution is now a priority. This week on Wednesday there is a presentation, to Members of Selsey Town Council, by Coastal Partners on this. Meanwhile the day before I have CDC’s next Budget Review Group.
Last Tuesday’s Full CDC was quite a Selsey-centric agenda, We were notified that as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Donna with Adrian Moss (Liberal Democrat), the Leader, had given urgent approval to plans to refurbish several public toilets including those at East Beach, as well as Priory Park and Market Road in the City and the set in the car park in Bosham. We were also notified that urgent approval had also been given to release part of the Section 106 development monies earmarked for the Selsey Centre. In this instance, Donna’s Vice Chair had to depute for her because Selsey Town Council is CDC’s tenant and Donna therefore, as its Vice Chair, had a conflict of interest.
Increasing parking charges, something Steve as a local trader is quite concerned about, was also considered - you can watch CDC’s public meetings live here. Steve put forward a amendment seconded by Val, to keep free parking on Sundays in rural car parks, and only extend evening parking in the City by one hour, not two. These were voted upon separately, following my request, because Donna, Steve, Val and I were concerned these could be counterproductive because a 2 hour extension in the City would encourage people to park elsewhere, while Sunday charges in rural areas could negatively impact the local economy. Needless to say, the amendment sparked an extensive debate. The rural amendment was defeated 16 - 12 with 2 abstentions (6 Members were absent.) The City amendment was defeated 19 - 8 with 3 abstensions. The final vote on the original proposals was carried 18 - 9 with 3 abstensions. Other items included: -
A Commuted Sums Spending Policy (Affordable Housing) to try to ring fence sums to meet local housing needs.
A Housing Covenants policy to make possible their removal on properties bought under a right to buy scheme whilst ensuring the properties concerned remain affordable to local people and are not sold as second homes.
Considering the responses to the consultation on CDC’s Draft Infrastructure Business Plan 2024 - 2029 and approving modifications.
Amendments to the Corporate Plan to reflect the change of priorities of the new administration.
Extending the cultural grants to Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery by one year while social and economic assessments are fully completed.
When I was a child, the TV series Thunderbirds foretold the smartphone and smartwatch. It seems now that Star Trek has foretold something else because the Ministry of Defence has been testing a defensive laser weapon in the Hebrides - read more here.
As technology evolves, it is able to do more and more. In the Midlands there are new speed cameras capable of detecting drivers committing other offences in addition to speeding. As we often share, there are dangers too. Millions of new devices were gifted over the Christmas period, including new mobile phones, consoles, tablets and computers, but in the excited rush to get them up and running, many people neglect to set them up safely making them more vulnerable to viruses and cybercrime.
This year, WSCC’s Worth domestic abuse service has its 20th anniversary. Since the service opened on 4 January 2004, it has supported over 25,000 adults and young people and worked in partnership with Children's and Adult Social Care as well as other agencies, including My Sisters' House, Hersana, Switchboard and Sussex Police, to support the victims of domestic abuse and to hold perpetrators to account for their harmful behaviours. On a weekly basis the service receives an average of 100 referrals and at any one time they are supporting over 700 victim-survivors. Learn more here.
Some reminders: -
CDC has also given the go-ahead for Chichester’s first ever Vegan Street Market in East Street on Sunday 28 January between 10.30am and 4pm.
Local artists are being invited to create new art to celebrate the beauty of the Medmerry Nature reserve. Three unique commissions offer the opportunity to use different art forms and styles to celebrate the reserve. Artists are asked to submit initial expressions of interest by emailing a CV and examples of their previous work by 29 January 2024. The art pieces will be displayed in these locations: a sculpture at the Earnley Viewpoint, a soundscape at Easton Viewpoint, and a structure that allows people to house their mobile phones to capture photos at The Breach Viewpoint.
The agenda for the next meeting of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel to be held on 26 January 2024 has been published. The meeting will be available to watch live.
From February 12 you will need to pre-book a timed slot to visit one of the West Sussex Recycling Centres (on the same day or up to 14 days in advance, and are for either 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the site you choose to visit.)
West Sussex Trading Standards have been carrying out inspections at pubs, restaurants and cafes over the last 6 months and in particular they have been looking at the accuracy of descriptions made. They have been finding many misdescribed food items on menus, which is a criminal offence. It may help you to know: -
If a meal or food item is “homemade” then it has to be made on the premises, in a kitchen that is very much like your home kitchen and is made using the usual domestic processes not those that would be found in a factory.
Parmesan cheese cannot ever be described as vegetarian as it has to be made with animal rennet.
Sussex lamb must be from sheep farmed in Sussex.
Further information on food descriptions can be found here.
There are ongoing concerns relating to Salmonella in poultry meat and egg products imported from Poland. Since 2021, there has been an increase of cases of Salmonella in the UK, and six outbreaks have been investigated, linked to these imported products. If you use any of the mentioned products in your business, please remember the importance of thorough cooking and good hygiene when storing, handling and preparing poultry meat. If you use Polish eggs in your kitchen, please ensure these are thoroughly cooked, especially if you cater for vulnerable groups such as elderly, children, and pregnant women. Further information can be found here.
On a personal note, our youngest daughter who is studying a Masters in Nursing at Southampton began her first placement this week, as you may have seen from Donna’s post: -
“Sometimes, when we look at people, we assume because they look 'okay' that they are - but that may not be the case. So many have silent struggles that only those closest to us can really 'see', but these struggles can mould us into resilient and strong individuals. As I left our daughter at the hospital, for her induction for her first student nurse placement, I recalled a time when we could never have imagined this were possible. Our daughter is the strongest, most robust person I know, but she's also kind, and empathic. Words cannot describe how proud Tim and I are of her. Go Em! Xxx”
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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