February 2, 2024

Welcome to our first blog of February 2024. This week we have our fifth birthday, and what a rollercoaster since 2019 it has been. We remain one of the smallest, if not the smallest, registered group of the 300 plus on the Electoral Commission’s books, but because of the trust you continue to place in us, have the second highest number of Councillors in our District and lead the Official Opposition on CDC. 

It has been a busy week again. Donna has had meetings most days including the Harbour Conservancy on Monday and CDC commitments during the week. On Tuesday, I had CDC’s Budget Review Group, while on Wednesday evening the whole team had a presentation to Members of Selsey Town Council from Coastal Partners about the Selsey sea defences. CDC is applying for a grant to undertake an extensive study into future proofing solutions that might better safeguard 1300 homes in the long term. That was a bit of a rush for me because we had external training after school - an interesting 2-hour session on ADHD. 

Selsey is an erosive peninsula and has a long history of flood management, so some defences are coming to the end of their intended life. (Between 1923 and 1942 Selsey was reported as having our country’s fastest eroding coastline.) Since the current ‘Hold the Line’ strategy was implemented in 2009 there has been a change in guidance and funding approach. Coastal Partners conducted a feasibility study to assess how long the different range of existing defences would last if nothing else were done to see if there was sufficient a business case to secure government funding for a detailed options appraisal.    

Last week we reported on January's Full CDC at which the decision to apply for the grant was taken. We also reported we came close to stopping parking charges being introduced in rural car parks on Sundays: defeated 16 - 12 with 2 abstentions (6 Members were absent.) - you can watch CDC’s public meetings live here. Many of you share our concerns that Sunday charges in rural areas could negatively impact the local economy. Consequently I am looking into whether a budget amendment could replace the estimated £30,000 this would generate through a low cost annual Sunday permit scheme and have a meeting to discuss it on Tuesday with relevant Officers.

Star Wars will descend on Chichester City Centre tomorrow, Saturday 3 February, as members of the 501st UK Garrison return to The Novium Museum! The UK Garrison is the principal Star Wars costuming group in the UK, renowned for its ‘movie accurate’ costumes, professionalism and fundraising for charity. They will be returning to Chichester to celebrate The Novium Museum’s ‘May The Toys Be With You’ exhibition. It showcases one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters and features hundreds of incredible vintage toys, posters and memorabilia, as well as some interactive features, including the opportunity to dress up as a Star Wars character.  It runs until 20 April 2024 and has already attracted thousands of Star Wars fans to the museum and has been enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

Please remember that from February 12 you will need to pre-book a timed slot to visit one of the West Sussex Recycling Centres (on the same day or up to 14 days in advance, and are for either 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the site you choose to visit.)

Whilst taking a County view, I came across an interesting article which includes a map of flytipping across Sussex by District in 2122 and 2223. This is quite topical at the moment because the Vice-President of the National Farmers Union, who lives in our County, has called for more action as flytipping is increasing. 

Last week we mentioned Holocaust Memorial Day. The recent film 'One Life' tells the story of the Kindertransport which rescued Jewish children from Europe during the 1930s. Selsey played its part because the Under-18 girls were sent off to Broadreeds Holiday Camp before they were placed with families or found jobs and accommodation. 

Meanwhile, the watchdog responsible for regulating the water and sewerage industry, Ofwat, has pledged to work more closely with local authorities across the south coast to hold Southern Water to account. They made this pledge at a meeting organised by the Southern Water Stakeholder Group on 19 January 2024. It was set up to put pressure on Southern Water — which is responsible for wastewater across the region and for drinking water in other parts of the southeast — in light of pollution and flooding concerns. 

Ofwat’s pledge follows criticisms by councils that they have not been effective in holding Southern Water to account. During the meeting, which was attended by Southern Water, council officials said responses from the organisation have been continuously slow and unacceptable and the company failed to deliver promised upgrades. They asked Ofwat what local authorities could do to expedite complaints about Southern Water and how Ofwat carried out compliance checks against the company. There were also criticisms that Ofwat is not monitoring Southern Water closely enough or ensuring that the water company is working efficiently. Council representatives explained that a much clearer understanding was needed of how councils can work with Ofwat to resolve problems and called on the water regulator to proactively help local authorities. They also asked for reassurance that water companies are delivering on their promises to invest in infrastructure improvements.

We recently shared an article about an experiment in restoring bends to rivers to slow own stream flows and its effect on surface flooding (on the Knepp Estate near where I spent part of my childhood in Shipley.) Several of you responded saying the solution lay in starting to dredge waterways again. You may be interested to learn that there is dredging in our District, for instance, at South Pond in Midhurst in early February. The work, carried out by CDC’s contractor will run from 5 to 9 February 2024. The work is carried out at regular intervals to remove sediment that is naturally washed downstream into the pond. Parts of the pondside will be closed for the duration of the works to enable the council’s contractor to work safely. Sediment will be dredged from a central channel through the pond and placed among the reed beds and on the bankside in the north-east corner.  This is normal practice and means the job can be completed with minimum disruption. People with questions about the work are asked to email.

WSCC is asking for your views on proposals for transport improvements along the A259 between Bognor Regis and Chichester. The proposals being developed are part of the county council’s transport plan, which includes making walking, cycling and public transport more attractive options for short trips. The A259 is a key route used by many to access education, jobs and local services. The proposed improvements are part of a wider strategy that also includes improving the performance of the A27 and supporting the transition to an increased use of electric vehicles.   

Two nights of colourful laser light shows will be returning to Chichester Canal Basin during the February half term break, following the success of the first event that was held in 2023. This free event is being organised by CDC thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The shows will be taking place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February, with two performances scheduled to take place each night at 6pm and 7.30pm. The laser performances will be projected directly over the Canal Basin. Each show will last for around 15 minutes and will be choreographed to music.

This year is also the 40th anniversary of the Turner Prize, an art award named after the artist J. M. W. Turner. His famous painting of Chichester canal, with Chichester Cathedral in the background, is part of the Tate Collection and located at Petworth House. To mark this anniversary, the laser show will feature a visual spectrum of colours in reference to Turner and this renowned painting which is considered to be one of his finest works. Turner was inspired by the area’s natural beauty that we still enjoy today. Musically, the performance will start with the 1812 overture, written by Tchaikovsky to commemorate the successful defence of the French invasion by Napoleon, which again has a connection with Petworth House as some of the scenes from the new Ridley Scott film; Napoleon were filmed at the house. 

Finally: - 

• Report potholes to WSCC

• Housing Health & Safety

• Warmer Homes UK

• Suicide in Sussex

• Domestic Abuse

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim