Getting Closer

We are seeking your views on significant local issues. Last week you agreed we need to find more creative ways to deliver social housing, but not by further extending the outermost limits of places that have borne so much development, like Selsey. 

One resident asked for more detail on what we intend to do. Housing comes under CDC, which is now administered by the Liberal Democrats. Residents have noticed there are several long term empty properties and wonder if some might be suitable. We have noticed this too so will be asking what the Liberal Democrat’s plans are and suggesting the feasibility of using empty properties in suitable locations is investigated and also what use could be made of Brownfield sites. The current system of delivering social and affordable housing isn't working so some 'out of the box' thinking is needed.

I spoke to a range of CDC Officers, when I was in East Pallant House this week, to see how they were adapting to the new situation (because historically CDC has been Conservative controlled.) One senior officer pointed out that my being Leader of the Opposition and Donna being Chair of the pivotal Overview & Scrutiny Committee means we will be consulted more so our influence, given that the council is no longer effectively 'hung,' will be different, but significant.

This week we are asking whether you agree our independent traders need more recognition and support. Since 2019 Donna and I have helped local businesses obtain grants and other support from CDC's Economic Development team, who sadly many did not know existed prior to our election. COVID brought home how important 'local' can be, and people across the Peninsula found a greater appreciation for our local retail areas, two are in Selsey (the High Street and East Beach), and the other two are of course in The Parade / Shore Road area of East Wittering and the lower part of Bracklesham Lane. The cost of living crisis is making trading harder for them all, so we are lucky our team includes Val & Mick with their strong connections to East Beach, particularly the Fruit Basket, and also Steve who helps runs one of our District’ highly rated takeaways (according to TripAdvisor), Den’s Fish Bar in Selsey's High Street.

On Tuesday Steve had his Standards Committee training and inaugural meeting at CDC, whilst on Wednesday, Val and I had our Licensing training which, because the Committee deals with quite complex matters, was delivered by an external legal expert, a barrister from Southampton. Other members of the team have also been at work, e.g. Ali has been networking, while Curt is reaching out to young people, now he has had his inaugural meeting of STC’s Assets and Amenities Committee; he wants to better advocate for their needs and wishes. This is his new Instagram and this is his new Twitter. 

Donna had West Sussex Full Council last Friday and is now a member of the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee, which is a committee she has wanted to sit on since her election in 2021. Housing has formed a lot of Donna's casework recently, and she was happy that two families she had been supporting were offered properties at the new Asda development, meaning they can stay in Selsey. She is also happy to be assisting The Care Shop with a number of their clients who need housing support.

In other news, surprisingly, the size of your legs could be a major factor in heart failure, so if you think yours are a bit 'chunky' it may not be so bad after all. If you fancy walking along a different beach, this article includes a search tool for you to find blue flag ones in England and Wales.

Another search tool from the Environment Agency helps you avoid swimming in polluted water.

If you like an interesting read, this article on coastal towns and second homeowners (register for free if you aren’t a Premium subscriber) makes several interesting points including, “the problems of tourist areas are just a special version of the deep problems besetting modern Britain: an unbalanced economy, dictated largely by distance from Charing Cross, and a dysfunctional housing market layered on top of that.”

This coming Tuesday, Get Safe Online and WSCC’s Digital Safety Experts will be on hand with the support of their Digital Ambassador Volunteers to give advice and free resources to people who want to learn how to stay safe online and prevent themselves and others from becoming victim to online harm. The event is being held by the Cross in Chichester from 1pm - 3pm.

June 11th is Selsey Open Gardens Day. It was a lovely day last year and many of us really enjoyed a wander around some of the amazing gardens, which are usually hidden from us! Thanks must go to all our gardeners who are all working hard and opening their gardens to us. 

Foodbanks are struggling to cope with demand even though the weather is improving. Sadly, donations to our local food bank have gone down, so if you can manage an extra packet of something it would be enormously appreciated, and will go directly to someone local who could do with a bit of help at the moment. You could also consider throwing a tea for Trussell. 

You might, whatever your age, want to sign this petition urging free prescriptions are kept for Over-60s.

Finally: - 

• Suicide in Sussex

• Domestic Abuse

• Supporting You

• CDC Meetings

• WSCC

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim