July 12, 2024

 

Welcome to this week's blog. As always, thank you for sparing the time to have a read. 

If you haven’t already, book for WSCC's Holiday Activities & Food programme and remember, from July 13 until September 14, children can visit West Sussex libraries and join Amelia, Riley, Bob the dog and friends to complete the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers. WSCC is recruiting volunteers aged 14 and over to support staff in promoting the Summer Reading Challenge.

On Wednesday, Val had CDC’s Planning in the day, then in the evening there was STC's Assets & Amenities Committee after theirPlanning. Donna has been dealing with a family bereavement this week. This coming week there is CDC’s Corporate Governance & Audit Committee on Monday afternoon, then Tuesday evening Steve, Val, Donna and I have Full CDC. The following day, Donna and Val have CDC’s Development, Planning & Infrastructure Panel and later the Housing, Communities, Culture & Sport Panel. In the evening, the whole team has Full Selsey Town Council, which includes a community grant application and considering quotes for the Warners Yard toilets, but the latter may be considered in confidential session. Donna also has the next Full WSCC on Friday.

Watch CDC’s public meetings here, and Full WSCC here. 

This week’s interesting reads include is why we alone in the Universe under our feet and, in the debate about protein vs fibre, Vogue suggests seven foods that may increase your longevity. Meanwhile Tim Spector particularly recommends olive oil. 

It is Plastic Free July so if you are interested this is the official website. In similar vein, as part of their collaboration with UKHarvest to reduce food waste across homes in our County, WSCC has launched a series of short videos to help residents learn about preparing, storing, and cooking Britain's top wasted food. he "Veg While You Wait" video series will be available at their Community Food Hubs in the coming months but can also be found here. You can also download UKHarvest’s “Fight Against Food Waste booklet. 

WSCC  is also warning about doorstep crime: bogus tradesmen and door-to-door sales are all common terms associated with fraudsters who try to scam victims after knocking at their door. This usually involves someone promoting goods or services that are either never delivered or are of a very poor quality. Fraudsters may also bill for work that was not agreed to. 68 reports were made to Operation Signature between January and March, a 172% increase on the same period last year. In total, just over £221,000 was lost, with most scammers commonly paid in cash (34.6%) or cheque (20%).

Although horticulture and tourism are the biggest economic sectors within our District, food and drink businesses also represent a major slice of our economy, with just under 1,500 businesses of this type registered here. We have also seen an increase in the number of small, local food producers like Berries on Tap in Sidlesham who sell raspberries, strawberries and other local produce from an innovative vending machine on their farm.

As part of their commitment to supporting these local, independent businesses CDC has put money towards a new campaign called ‘Sussex Six’ which aims to increase the amount of local produce featured on menus and shop shelves in our District. Participating businesses are encouraged to stock at least six locally produced products or use at least six locally produced ingredients in their menus over the coming year. They are then encouraged to highlight this to their customers in a variety of ways including on their social media channels, in their menus and by including special labelling on their shop shelves. The aim is to help build a robust circular economy where producers, hospitality and retail help strengthen our local community by using each other’s products. Of every £1 spent in a local business, around 63 pence stays within the local area. It also benefits the environment, reduces food miles and keeps us connected to our local farms and producers. The campaign includes a dedicated food and drink directory where people will be able to find all the different food and drink producers in our District and the places that serve and sell it. 

Finally: - 

• Report potholes to WSCC

• Housing Health & Safety

• Warmer Homes UK

• Suicide in Sussex

• Domestic Abuse

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim