Very Convenient?

I start this week with a contentious question, dog or cat? Actually, let's soften it by adding “or both” as a third option. If truth be told, I'm quite, but not entirely, dogged and Donna's a bit catty while the rest of the team are one, the other, both or neither. All of this is relevant because there is a major new exhibition (in Arundel) exploring our love of dogs. 

 

Staying with the creatures theme, if you are a local twitcher or ornithologist you can be forgiven for thinking this, rather than Christmas, is the most wonderful time of the year. This is because the Cathedral peregrines are about to hatch (or may have done so depending on when you read this) something the rest of us may not have realised. 

 

May is National Walking Month. I previously gave you an idea of how many steps the team did during the recent by-elections in Selsey. When Donna and I go over to Cowes for the afternoon we either walk up to Osborne House (and down to Victoria's beach) or along the coastal path to Gurnard. Both notch up 25,000 steps which is helpful. When schools had a year of bubbles, I criss-crossed my school several times a day and managed a similar amount, but nowadays it is around 15,000. CDC has produced a guide to local health events and campaigns. 

 

This week's interesting reads are aimed at a more diverse audience: for those of you who mainly watch terrestrial rather than stream OfCom are looking at the future of Freeview because more space is needed for mobile signals; another District Councillor sent Donna and I this story about community groups wanting to grow food in abandoned places; lastly a little bit of a diversion with this online questionnaire that tells you what your car personality is (apparently I am Porsche Patrol.) 

 

Annual Council meetings are coming up, at which decisions on Committee places and appointments are made. The 1989 Housing & Local Government Act makes sure each political group gets their share of seats, but if you are on your own, you have no entitlement; that's why Donna at WSCC is in an informal grouping with two other COunty Councillors. This week it is STC's Annual Meeting so your parish should be soon; this is the first one with their new Clerk who is well versed in these matters from his time working for WSCC'S Democratic Services. CDC’s is Tuesday week.

 

CDC’s Cabinet has agreed to start a project which will result in the refurbishment of five public conveniences across the District. The initial stage includes site surveys, designs and costings. The five sites were chosen based on a number of factors including public and partner feedback and level of use: Priory Park, Chichester; East Beach, Selsey; Tower Street, Chichester; Bosham Lane, Bosham and Market Road, Chichester.

 

Don't forget businesses can either apply for a Growth Project Grants of up to £2,000 or a Start-up award of up to £500. Guidance is here, and needs to be fully read before submitting any application.

 

Please remember the link about helping Ukraine near the bottom of our website homepage, between tbe Facebook and Twitter feeds, above the CDC news feed. 

Finally: - 

• CDC’s information on energy rebates.

• CDC’s guide on the help they provide.

• CDC’s Meetings, and WSCC's. 

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim