May 23, 2025

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

On Monday Donna had a West Sussex Working Group meeting about local government reorganisation while on Tuesday it was Full Chichester District Council for Val, Steve and our Green colleagues Sarah Sharp and Tim Young. The main business was the annual appointments to Committees. On Wednesday Donna had a Chichester District Council meeting about Selsey’s sea defences then in the evening we went to Sidlesham’s Annual Parish Meeting while Mick, Val, Ian and Andrew had Selsey Town Council’s Planning Committee. Next week Donna and Val have Chichester District Council’s Development, Planning and Infrastructure Panel on Wednesday. In the evening, Ali, Andrew, Ian, Donna and I have Selsey Town Council’s Finance and Administration Group. You can watch council meetings live: CDC and WSCC

As we mentioned last week, Donna and I weren't at Tuesday’s Full Chichester District Council because we were at a garden party at Buckingham Palace. To her surprise, Donna's invitation came via West Sussex County Council -  I was her plus one. Regular readers will know Donna loves gardens and afternoon tea, so that made the day even more memorable. We were also very lucky with the weather. Mick kindly sent us an early good luck message to wish us on our way. 

While we waited to be let in, we chatted to a couple from North Wales who knew Bear Grylls (amazing the people you can meet!) When the garden party began, we strolled round the lake and explored the grounds, then had afternoon tea before the Royals, William, Kate and Zara appeared. After managing to get some photos of them, we walked round the gardens again before the national anthem brought the event to an end. It was great to have access to the grounds without restriction and the tea was, unsurprisingly, excellent. 

Chichester Roman Week returns on Monday, May 26. The live re-enactment in Priory Park is on Thursday, 29 May, and there are themed events across the district.

Chichester District Council’s new free ‘Energy Saving Plan Builder’ website enables residents to explore and customise the energy efficiency improvements that could be most appropriate for their home and budget. The personalised plan provides estimated costs and savings for each measure, which residents can use as a starting point before seeking professional advice because the Plan Builder tool creates a summary of energy improvement ideas.

We mentioned last week that The Novium Museum has been awarded a grant of £117,266 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate women’s history in our district: a psychoanalyst who fled Nazi Germany, a suffragist fighting for women's rights and an award-winning author will be just a few of the fascinating individuals included in a major women’s history exhibition being planned as a result. ‘ChichestHER: Their Story, Our Inspiration’ is a key two-year project that will shine a light on the lives, work, and achievements of women, past and present. It will include a headline exhibition, a new interactive website, and a series of community-led initiatives. It will celebrate local female pioneers and begin to redress the historical imbalance that has so often seen women’s contributions overlooked or underrepresented in local heritage, providing a platform for the voices and experiences of local women.

Finally: - 

• Selsey Sea Defences

• Report potholes

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

• STC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim