November 3, 2023

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Thank you if you signed the petition we shared calling for railway ticket offices to stay open - on Tuesday the Government asked train operators to not lose them. 


In view of the recent wet weather, CDC has  provided information about where you can get sandbags.


Last week’s blog included two items people were particularly interested in. We followed up an older post, in which we shared advice on how to turn empty wine bottles into winter bird feeders, with a tip that putting garlic around the edge could discourage unwanted visitors who might eat the feed you intended for the birds. A resident gave us some further advice, we think is worth sharing with you all: - 


“To prevent mammals from eating your bird feed mix chilli powder in with the feed. Chilli acts on a receptor in your mouth, which all mammals have, but birds don't, so they don't feel the burning heat of the chilli!”


However, a different perspective came from another resident: - 


"I don't agree with feeding wild animals or birds. They should not rely on humans otherwise they become dependent on humans and that is not natural. Garlic is actually the most potent of alliums and therefore poisonous to dogs and cats. There are always consequences to our meddling in nature." 


It was also pointed out that the RSPB does encourage the feeding of birds in the winter, as they need high energy, high protein foods which tend to be scarce because in the last 50 years we have lost over 70 million wild birds, largely because of loss of habitat.


The other story that proved of particular interest was the Government’s decision to move everyone to a 3-bin domestic refuse collection by 2026. We will keep you updated as more detail emerges about this, but this article goes into greater detail about what will be collected in each of the three different collections. 


Before we move on, this is a great read about a nurse who turns 80 this month - and the 80 is not a typo! 


A quick winter round-up: those eligible can book a Covid-19 and flu vaccination online; If you have a real fire at home, make sure that your chimney is swept before you start using it, any wood you use is dry and you complete your own home fire safety check; if you have extra communication, access or safety needs, it is worth signing up to the free Priority Services Register which helps utility companies, including energy suppliers, electricity, gas and water networks to tailor their services to support households who need extra help with everyday energy matters, like bills, and also in the unlikely event of a power cut, gas or water supply interruption.


Of course, now the clocks have changed, Christmas is coming and before it the Christmas Markets. One of the most highly thought of in Sussex is held in our District, as you can read here. There are also different events across our District in the run up to the big day.


Related to this is some advice I was emailed for bus users at bus stops because more journeys will be made in the dark and obviously passengers are keen to ensure drivers can see them wishing to board. Not all bus stops are lit - especially those in more rural areas. Anyone wearing dark clothes and standing still whilst waiting for their bus may not be seen. You can help drivers at these unlit stops by shining a light onto the road, and gradually rotating it as the bus approaches - being careful not to shine it into the driver's eyes. The torch on your mobile phone is potentially of use here.


On Monday I left school early and hurtled back for CDC’s Corporate Governance & Audit Committee meeting - you can watch all public meetings live here. I also had a Briefing from Senior Leaders at CDC today, which included an update on progress with the Local Plan and the Waste Reforms. Donna, meanwhile, continues to have a very high caseload as she covers, at West Sussex, for our Green colleague Amongst other meetings she attended CDC’s Housing, Communities, Culture & Sport Panel yesterday and a case meeting today.


This coming week, Steve has CDC’s Standards Committee on Monday and CDC’s Cabinet on Tuesday. Donna has CDC’s Planning on Wednesday which includes an application from Sidlesham. My understanding is that a Selsey application I red-carded because of public interest, is coming up at the other CDC Planning Meeting later this month.  Ian, Andrew, Donna and I have an STC Personnel meeting that evening, focused on staff appraisal processes.


Copies of Selsey Town Council's Council Plan 2023 - 2027 are being delivered to residents over the next 14 days.


It was World Stroke Day recently. Donna posted that she has friends who have had their lives severely impacted by strokes, and we have a good friend whose husband has been in hospital for some weeks with a stroke that came out of the blue - without very fast action, he may not have survived. It's something that can affect anyone and its well worth making sure we can recognise the signs. Ali added from personal experience: - 


"This is my brother. Still young in his head and still a hard working chef until he had 2 strokes within a few month, 2 years ago. It's ruined his life. He can no longer drive or think "properly". So so so unfair." 


Please remember WSCC is facing significant budgetary challenges and is consulting on where to implement cuts, as you can read here. You won't be surprised to learn it is not the only Council facing such challenges in the current crisis, Which is why we have the new Budget Review Group at CDC. WSCC’s budget proposals include reductions of £11.8m alongside a possible increase of council tax of 2.99%, plus an additional adult social care precept of 2%. The proposals also include an extra £53m in revenue spending on vital services including an additional £31.2m for vulnerable children and young people, £12.3m more for adults’ social care, and an extra £5m to maintain the county’s 4,000km of roads. If approved, the current proposals would still leave a budget gap of £4.4m to be bridged, something which has been described as ‘challenging but achievable’. The consultation asks residents:

  • what they think are the most vital county council services

  • where they’d spend or reduce money

  • which options they feel the county council should focus on to achieve a balanced budget



Last week CDC 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 for Chichester District Council. Ironically, I had someone a few days later try it with me so I immediately hung-up.


CDC is 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.


With the recent rain, particularly last weekend, it seems sensible to remind you that flooding can cause disruption to travel, damage to property and present some health hazards, so: - 



I find it very sad that hardship is increasing again and regularly share snippets, e.g. the rise of bed poverty, with you. Alarmingly TB, the Victorian disease, is making a comeback across England: this article includes an interactive map. 


The other health story I wish to share this week is that research has confirmed a link between fruits, veggies & our microbiome for the first time. 


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. Donna has a couple of hard copies, if anyone would like one. 


CDC’s ‘Tree Chichester District’ scheme is being extended. It will benefit from a £120,000 funding boost thanks to the Government’s Shared Outcomes Fund Trees Outside Woodland programme, which is delivered in partnership with DEFRA, The Tree Council, Natural England, and five local authorities, including our own. The new funding means that CDC can continue researching ways to increase tree cover in rural and urban areas over the next two years. This will include the launch of a new targeted scheme that will incentivise planting in areas where new trees and hedgerows could help improve habitat connectivity, allowing different species to move and migrate for food and to breed, as well as supporting environmental resilience. 


As part of this scheme, CDC is currently developing an interactive map, which will be made available so that landowners can see if they fall within one of these targeted areas. If so, they can then apply to us to find out if they are eligible for funding to plant trees and hedgerows on their land. They will also be progressing two existing initiatives, which look to support tree planting in urban areas and on farmland. In addition, we’ll be supporting The Orchard Project — a national charity — who will be conducting a research study that aims to identify what makes a community orchard successful, with a view to increasing the success rate of similar projects in the future.


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. Since the Tree Chichester District scheme was launched in January 2021, nearly 25,000 trees have been planted across our District through 175 individual projects, improving biodiversity, enhancing the local landscape for community enjoyment, and boosting carbon storage.


Up until the end of the 2022 planting season, CDC ran a subsidised tree scheme — which was open to residents, community groups, schools, parish councils, charities, businesses, landowners, and tenant farmers — through which nearly 7,500 trees were allocated. More recently, CDC has supported parish councils and local community groups with grant funding that helped develop seven community orchards in Selsey, Chichester, Fishbourne and Goodwood; two community tree nurseries in West Wittering and Selsey; and five new mini urban forests in Hambrook, East Broyle, Summersdale, East Beach Walk and Midhurst.


The scheme is also an integral part of CDC’’s Climate Emergency Action Plan . From launching a ground-breaking project that aims to safeguard and enhance strategic wildlife corridors, to introducing comprehensive carbon literacy training for councillors and staff to help them better address climate change within the council’s work, the Climate Emergency Action Plan sets out over 60 actions aimed at reducing the CDC’s carbon footprint and to encourage residents, businesses and organisations to reduce their footprints. 


That section of CDC’s website also includes details of a range of grant schemes that could help you improve the energy efficiency of your home, cut your carbon footprint, and reduce your bills. CDC is also urging homeowners and landlords to check whether they could be eligible for free insultation and renewable heating systems. Further advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, tips to help save money on household bills, and details on the range of different grants available for homeowners and landlords, can also be found here and a downloadable leaflet that summarises all of the different schemes that are available..


Finally: - 


As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.


Tim

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