December 6, 2024

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

This week, Donna and Val had CDC’s Planning on Wednesday, then Donna and I were joined by Ian and Andrew for a further STC Personnel Committee meeting looking at the Personnel element of next year’s budget before Andrew was joined by Val, Mick and Ali for STC’s Planning Committee. Donna also had a Chair’s briefing in advance of CDC’s Overview and Scrutiny Meeting this coming Tuesday in the afternoon, after Steve has their Standards Committee in the morning. That evening Ian, Andrew, Donna and I have a further STC Personnel Committee meeting.

Watch CDC’s public meetings.

For most of this year, Mick and Val, helped by Mike, mended and fixed Selsey's civic Christmas lights ready for last weekend’s switch-on. (Unfortunately all the rain we have had is causing some problems with the ageing connection boxes.) Mick, Val, Gareth, Ali, Donna and I helped The Friends of East Beach's event which once again was extremely well attended and a great success. I was running the queue for Santa’s grotto so did not see much of the two Disney princesses, but I obviously had to help stop the Grinch from stealing the presents before every waiting child had seen Santa. Thanks to STC for the grant ensuring a good time was by all without having to spend loads of money! It was a busy week for Christmas events last weekend in Selsey - many thanks to all involved with organisation and help on the day.

I learnt this week that I have had a small victory at CDC and in future they will provide Remembrance wreaths to Members wanting to lay one on their behalf. 

Don’t forget: - 

• Until the 15th, the City has a programme of events in The Guildhall in Priory Park.

• CDC has teamed up with St Wilfrid’s Hospice for their Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme and Selsey Town Council’s Offices are an official donation point for the V2 Radio Christmas Toy Appeal, which is asking for new, unwrapped toys.

• The Novium museum is running their annual Gonk Trail throughout December - £1.50 per child, including a small treat, if you find all those pesky gonks! Great fun for the family. Simply pop into the museum and get your trail from reception.

Our interesting read this week relates to AI, which is appropriate as Cate Blanchett spoke to the BBC to express concern at its impact. You may remember films like The Terminator series that imagined a future when a computer becomes sentient and turns on humanity. Apparently AI has taken another step forward by moving beyond just answering questions and outperforming humans in predicting study outcomes,

New volunteer walk leaders have recently completed their training to start leading walks on the latest HeartSmart Walks programme run by Chichester Wellbeing. The five new leaders come from a range of backgrounds, including some who have completed walks on the programme before, and some who are new to the programme but have a keen interest in walking and the outdoors.

The HeartSmart walks are completely free and range from 30-minute walks of one- mile, to all day walks of 10 miles. The walks take place at different locations across the Chichester District and have been running for over 23 years. These walks are designed to cater for all ages and abilities, and the latest programme has started with walks available for booking until the end of January 2025. New walkers are always welcome, and the walks offer opportunities to exercise and meet new people in a safe and friendly environment.

Finally: - 

• Report potholes

• Warmer Homes

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim