April 11, 2025
Welcome to this week’s blog - as always, thanks for having a read.
On Sunday, Gareth presented the Local Alliance trophy at this month's Selsey Scooter Club meeting, while on Tuesday Val, Donna and I had Full Chichester District Council which included a successful motion I put forward, seconded by Donna, asking the Leader to write to: -
The Local Government Association to ask them to make urgent representations to central government to fully fund a fairly negotiated NJC pay award that helps local government staff catch up from previous years of low settlements and ask our MPs to lend their support.
The Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be fully funded with new money from central government.
I pointed out that much of the work is white collar in nature, so the low pay settlements since 2010 have disproportionately affected women. As the UK tax burden is over 36% an increase would not be as costly as it might seem and most of any increase would be spent in local communities helping our independent traders. The pandemic reminded us that businesses' greatest need is customers with money to spend. They also need public services like fire & rescue to safeguard premises and health care to keep staff fit. Looking at just two of the many things CDC does, I asked where our area would be without bin collections or planning regulation? I also acknowledged the professionalism and helpfulness of Officers.
We also agreed to the main modifications to the Local Plan, so they can go out to consultation and to make changes to the way CDC’s senior management team will work. The current Director of Corporate Services, John Ward, has been made Chief Operating Officer. He will take on the day-to-day management to enable the Chief Executive, Diane Shepherd, to focus on preparing for local government reorganisation and will continue to be responsible for the strategic overview.
Earlier on Tuesday, Donna and I manned the front desk in Selsey Town Hall so Officers could continue with an important VE80 celebration meeting which otherwise would have been postponed due to staff absence. We also went on a fact finding trip around Goodwood, which permanently employs 700 local people and is worth £350 million pounds to our local economy. I mentioned to Ali, Roman remains were found when work began on a new robotic milking shed and discovered she grew up in an ancient Roman Staging Post village, Rocester. When her father dug the garden, he always found pieces of Roman pottery so she tried to join them back together..
On Wednesday Ali, Gareth, Ian, Mick and Val had Selsey Town Council’s Planning Committee. On Thursday Steve, Val, Donna and I had a briefing with Officers from Chichester District Council. Whilst there, Donna and I had two further meetings each before travelling to East Pallant House where Donna had an Overview and Scrutiny Committee workshop while I had the Regeneration Panel.
The main meeting next week is Full Selsey Town Council on Wednesday. You can watch council meetings live: CDC and WSCC.
Selsey Town Council has a vacancy for a Maintenance person and two office staff, one full-time and the other during school hours to help a local parent gain suitable employment. Consequently all aspects of bookings for Selsey Town Hall rooms and the Selsey Centre are being managed via the Selsey Centre.
Donna and I occasionally visit my paternal grandparents' grave in Wiggonholt where my grandfather was once churchwarden. It has been in the news again for its high temperatures: -
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25065786.uks-hottest-temperature-2025-recorded-
Finally: -
As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.
Tim
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