The Peninsula Connection

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Thank you once again for your continued messages thanking us for this blog - we are glad so many of you take a local interest.

Please remember: - 


It's been over a week since I went back to school for an INSET day last Friday, ahead of our students' return this week. On Saturday we were at the Bournemouth Air Festival which, to my surprise, linked to some of the different strands of my life: firstly my closest school colleague comes from Bournemouth and his father still lives there. Secondly the theme of one of the most famous films of all time, which was written by Eric Coates as he marvelled at the view from Selsey's seafront, was played during a special 80th anniversary flight. I was woken as a young child to watch this film - my first "staying up late." The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight opened Saturday's flying and at the end of their display the Lancaster was joined for this special flypast by its modern day 'successor' (a Typhoon) to commemorate,,.yes, you guessed correctly, The Dambusters..


The hot weather will end soon, but until it does remember the UKHSA and Met Office have issued an Amber Heat-Health Alert. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Please stay cool and well by: -

  • Shutting windows and pulling down the shades when it is hotter outside.

  • Avoiding the heat, staying out of the sun and wearing cool clothing.

  • Having cool baths / showers, and drinking cold drinks regularly.

  • Not forgetting about the animals in your care.


Last week was very busy for meetings: on Monday Donna, with our Green Colleague Sarah, had CDC’s Economic Development Panel, then on Tuesday, Val had CDC’s Cabinet which discussed the wooden ramp on Selsey's East Beach. Wednesday had Selsey Town Council's Finance and Administration Group for some of us before the whole Team had a further Business Plan meeting. Whilst Donna and I also had our casework and briefings. Val and Mick are  continuing to repair Selsey’s Christmas lights.


Donna has her second meeting of CDC’s pivotal Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, which she Chairs, as we lead the Opposition. Meanwhile, I am going on two extra groups the new Liberal Democrat administration is forming, to review the existing Budget and look at options for East Pallant House which is expensive to run. On Wednesday, the potential removal of seven redundant mooring rings on Selsey’s seawall, that many of you consider part of our fishing heritage, is being discussed by STC, before CDC reach a decision. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in Selsey Town Hall and everyone is welcome but, if you wish to speak, register your interest to avoid disappointment. 


Don't forget: - 

  • WSCC is urging organisations including clubs and local community groups to apply for funding that could help increase the number of potentially life-saving defibrillators across the county, from the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1million Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund.

  • WSCC also has an opportunity for tourism or hospitality businesses to take part in a free al fresco dining, networking event and gain practical advice to help propel their business forward, on September 27.

  • From Saturday 7 October, one of the UK’s finest collections of Star Wars toys and original cinema posters is going on display in The Novium Museum, May The Toys Be With You.


Our County recycled over 200,000 tonnes of waste last year - read more about this achievement here. Please remember to not dispose of small electricals in either your recycling or waste bins at home. This is because they often contain hazardous materials which can start a fire when the items are crushed during the collection and sorting processes. These fires put staff at risk, damage facilities and vehicles, and take up valuable time and resources from the Fire and Rescue Service 


During the holidays, over 80 safeguarding professionals were at various locations, including train stations, the rail network, taxi ranks and parks and open spaces where criminal activity can be more frequent, talking to people about their experiences of crime. This is an entirely new approach, and all the information collected will be fed back to the Safer West Sussex Partnership, who WSCC work with, alongside a number of other partners, to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our County.


Do you have a landline phone like us? When we renewed our contact earlier this year, we thought we would switch it, when it expires, to the Internet alternative. If that's already got you slightly confused, have a read, because in 2025 we are all going to have to switch regardless. 


If you have been following this blog for a while, you will be aware I have been part of a national study looking at Intermittent Fasting. I had to contain my eating within a 10-hour window each day and log my hunger, mood and energy levels. It finished this week, and the results are here. I feel I have benefited from it and intend to continue, although when not in your normal daily routine it is harder to contain your eating to a 10-hour window. Related to this, last week we shared an article about research into whether beer may or may not be good for your gut so, as a follow up, have a read of this article on well known beers. 


Until September 17, Heritage Open Days offer you the chance to explore Chichester’s heritage free of charge. Chichester Family Arts Network is made up of six organisations from the north to the south of the City, working together. Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history giving visitors the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences.


In other news, a document which sets out how stakeholders across our District can expect to be engaged with over planning matters will go out for consultation this month. All local authorities are required to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), which sets out how the council will engage with members of the public and other stakeholders on planning policy and development management matters. The aim is to ensure that people are involved in planning decisions that affect them. The document is then reviewed every five years and updated as necessary. 


The draft statement has been updated with factual amendments to reflect minor changes to planning processes, and to provide new web links to relevant guidance and supplementary information that stakeholders may need. The document includes a description of CDC’s commitments to ensuring that its engagements are clear; inclusive; accessible; transparent; and accountable. It explains how these commitments are applied within planning policy and development management. It also illustrates the different stages of how certain planning policy documents are produced, for example, a Supplementary Planning Document. It provides a list of statutory consultees and other consultation bodies, plus information on neighbourhood planning and associated council support and describes the processes for Development Management consultation, publicity and decision making.


Also going out consultation is a plan for how CDC will secure money to help fund improvements to the A27 as a result of new residential development. The aim of the document — which is separate to the emerging Local Plan — is to secure around £27 million from developers to meet the hugely increased costs of delivering changes to the Fishbourne and Bognor junctions which at the moment have a combined cost of about £43.3 million. The money is secured through Planning Obligations which are specific legal agreements used to make sure new development is acceptable in planning terms and that any improvements are carried out and / or funded.


If you are thinking about building your own home, you are encouraged to register your interest with CDC. 


Finally: - 


As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.


Tim

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