November 10, 2023
Last Saturday we popped to the Christmas Crafts Fair at West Wittering Memorial Hall - events like it make you proud to live on the Peninsula because you meet some genuinely nice local people selling quality local produce - and of course it helps boost our local economy. Meanwhile on Sunday, we did some festive shopping to help the Friends of East Beach for their Selsey Christmas event on November 25th, from 3pm to 6pm. Santa has confirmed he will pay a visit, as has an elf 'helper'.
In our last post we shared some advice for bus users at bus stops because more journeys are being made in the dark: shine a light, perhaps the torch on your mobile, onto the road, and gradually rotate it as the bus approaches - but be careful not to shine it into the driver's eyes. Whilst on the subject of autumnal advice: -
This week Steve had CDC’s Standards Committee on Monday and Cabinet on Tuesday; Donna had CDC’s Planning on Wednesday which included an application from Sidlesham, so Val went with her. Ian, Andrew, Donna and I had other meetings with Officers at STC and I also had the first meeting of CDC’s East Pallant House Task & Finish Group yesterday and several other school Meetings and commitments after school across the week.
Copies of Selsey Town Council's Council Plan 2023 - 2027 are currently being delivered to residents. Comments would really be appreciated as it is important everyone has a chance to voice their opinion. Next week, there is an Extraordinary STC Panning Committee then Mike, Ali, Ian, Andrew, Donna and I have a further STC Finance and Administration meeting, and CDC is running some training for Members on Custom Self-Build Housing.
I told you last week CDC had put out a Scam Alert after being made aware that a resident had received a telephone call about home insulation from an individual or company that is falsely claiming to be working them. Ironically, I had someone a few days later try it with me so I immediately hung-up. Then I had a different scam call last Saturday, when someone phoned claiming to be from Amazon and wanting to verify whether I had placed an order the previous evening, and if so what I had ordered. When I said that if they were genuinely form Amazon they would know the answer to that question, they immediately hung up.
CDC is also encouraging community groups and businesses to apply for the second round of two pots of government grant funding for projects to be delivered from April 2024 and completed by March 2025. If you are interested in progressing a tree planting project, whether it’s a community initiative or on private land, CDC is encouraging you to contact their dedicated Tree Project Office.. Meanwhile, if you are looking at care options for a loved one, whether that be residential, respite or some help at home, WSCC's Care Guide can help.
Here’s a thought for keen gardeners, and possibly the rest of us: do you understand what makes a well-maintained compost heap? In a follow-up to our recent updates on the 3-bin household waste collection proposals, this related article considers which bin you should put compostable packaging in. One manufacturer blames their product’s failure to compost on our perceived ignorance, but some research would beg to differ.
In April, the Royal British Legion announced plans for their plastic-free poppy, which is made from 100% paper and available as part of the Poppy Appeal. They can be recycled in your burgundy bin. The Poppy Appeal will continue to sell the old plastic poppies to use them up and reduce waste. They cannot be recycled at home and will need to be returned to Sainsbury’s stores for recycling. Have a read here about poppies through the ages.
Meanwhile, as part of the countdown to Christmas, WSCC has shared some tips to reduce waste over the festive period: -
Start with a list to prevent panic buying more than you intended: Before you start Christmas shopping ask your loved ones what they would like or need.
Shop second-hand: it’s cheaper, better for the planet and saves you money.
Make your own presents: perhaps you could bake sweet treats or make stockings from leftover materials.
Wrap low waste: use scarves or cloth (these can then be reused!), make gift boxes out of old cards and give gifts in reusable bags.
If you have old Christmas cards from last year, use them as gift tags: cut out the picture, write on the back and stick it down.
When planning a party, ditch the disposables: avoid disposal cups, plates, and cutlery in favour of reusable alternatives when you can.
Reduce your food waste: get creative with leftovers and think before you buy particular foods for the festive season.
Recycle all you can! – make sure you are recycling all the items that can br, either at home or via other means such as participating supermarkets.
Plan your Christmas clear out: use Recycling Centres and other collections available to you at the kerbside to dispose of everything safely and correctly.
I recognise that this is a bit random, but someone has counted how many actual sweets you get in tins like Rose's and Celebrations. Yes it is rather nerdy, but possibly worth a read?
What do you think our future housing should be like? Do you like terraces, semis, bungalows, something more historic? This article suggests a place I have intended to go to, ever since it featured in a dystopia drama I watched, may provide a blueprint.
Whatever our future Homes may look like, they may be kept warm by a new completely renewable energy source. This is not only an interesting read, but an encouraging one too. It also looks like the world's largest wind farm, which may power 6 million Homes, will be operational in the near future.
CDC is shortly consulting on a series of amendments to parking charges which, if approved, will come into force from 1 April 2024. The proposals include increasing existing pay and display tariffs by the current rate of inflation – 6.7% with some local variation. Season tickets will also be increased by the same amount. In the city centre’s long stay car parks, the current Sunday flat rate would be changed to reflect the Monday to Saturday tariff. The charging period for the city’s short stay car parks would also be extended from 6pm to 8pm while Sunday charging will be introduced to CDC’s rural car parks
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
Comments
Post a Comment