January 31, 2025

Welcome to this week’s blog - thanks for having a read.

We hope to learn in the next fortnight the outcome of the Sussex devolution bid. If the government agrees, the 1.8 million residents of Sussex will be electing a mayor next year to formulate regional strategy instead of the government and oversee some public services like the police. In 2027 we could elect new Unitaries to replace WSCC and CDC: East Sussex could form one, part of our County could join with Brighton & Hove to form a second and the rest of us make a third (in which our District might have about a fifth of the Councillors.)

Monday was Holocaust Memorial Day. If you have seen the film One Life you will understand the significance of a blue plaque that was unveiled in the morning in Selsey. 75 young women, aged 16 to 18,  arrived via the Kindertransport and stayed at Broadreeds Holiday Camp, which later became Pontins. A few years ago, when steps were discovered under a neighbour's back garden leading to a disused boiler room, we learnt our house is where the swimming pool once was. Gareth can remember passing the camp in his youth. 

Donna was joined at the unveiling by Ali, Mick, Val, Gareth, Ian and Steve

Also on Monday our Green colleague Tim Young had CDC’s Environment Panel. Donna went on from the unveiling to a Harbour Conservancy meeting, then had WSCC’s Employment Appeals Panel on Tuesday and on Wednesday CDC's Grants & Concessions Panel. That evening, Mick, Val, Ali, Gareth and Andrew had STC’s Planning Committee. Yesterday, Thursday, Ian and I had our fortnightly Liaison Meeting with STC’s Senior Officers.

You can watch meetings live: CDC and WSCC.

A new community exhibition celebrating the lives and stories of local LGBTQ+ individuals opens at The Novium Museum in Chichester tomorrow, February 1, developed in collaboration with Chichester Pride. It features personal stories, objects, and archival materials and celebrates the journey of Chichester Pride. Later in February two laser light shows are at Petworth House on the 15th at 5.30pm and 6.45pm, and in the Canal Basin on the 21st and 22nd, at 6pm and 7.30pm on both days.

Advance warning that in April there will be some drop-in exhibitions at the Selsey Centre about the options for possible new sea defences.

Welcome news, this week: the two lowest polluting places in the UK are in Sussex - 

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24876984.brighton-worthing-named-lowest-polluting-places-uk/ 

We quite often mention CDC’s Tree Chichester District scheme. A new Miyawaki-style tree plot has been planted in the City’s Florence Park, as part of a trial to test the success of different planting methods across our District. This is the tenth Miyawaki plot to be planted in our district but unlike the other Miyawaki plots, this project is trialling the effectiveness of this planting method for individual trees, rather than a ‘mini-urban forest’ or hedgerow which feature a number of densely planted trees. The Miyawaki planting method was originally developed in Japan in the 1970s and typically involves high density planting in specially prepared soil. Although almost unknown in the UK a few years ago, this planting method has proven to be a great way to establish young trees in areas where conditions aren’t ideal. A number of trees have also been planted using a typical method of planting as a ‘control’ to gauge the growth and survival success of the trees planted using the Miyawaki method

Finally: - 

• Report potholes

• Warmer Homes

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim