July 11, 2025

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

Donna and Val had Chichester District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, while on Thursday Mike, Ali, Ian, Andrew, Donna and I had Selsey Town Council’s Finance & Administration Working Group before Ali joined Ian, Andrew, Donna and I for her first Personnel Committee meeting. She made some very good points which showed how well, since her recent appointment, she has updated herself. Next  week I have a minor operation on Monday so will unfortunately miss CDC’s Corporate Governance and Audit Committee and probably Full CDC on Tuesday. Donna, Steve and Val will be there. I hope to join the rest of the team on Wednesday for Full STC. Unfortunately for Donna this is the second year a Council meeting has fallen on the evening of her birthday. You can watch meetings live: CDC and WSCC.

On Tuesday, 15th July, CDC is inviting residents to attend its first free Men’s Health Fair at Petworth Park Sports in Petworth, from 10am to 3pm. It is designed to support men’s health and wellbeing, offering free health checks, expert advice and practical support to help residents take positive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

There is an alternative to boiling potatoes which apparently is quicker and locks in more flavour. Have a read and see what you think: - 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/brits-urged-stop-boiling-potatoes-35494625 

A reminder that the long, sunny days during the Summer are great for trips out with family and friends, but heat, fire and water hazards can quickly spoil the fun. West Sussex County Council suggests a little forward planning helps keep everyone, including pets, safe and well. Be mindful of: - 

• Heat alerts and heat safety.

• Hydration.

• Checking up on friends, family, neighbours, pets and animals.

• Your health, including sun safety, sexual health, and tick awareness.

• Fire safety and summer fire safety advice.

• Water safety.

• Festivals and plan before attending events or travelling to places where they are being held.

• Travelling abroad, travel vaccinations and avoiding diseases like Maleria.

A date for your diary from West Sussex County Council - Fire engines, police ​vehicles, ambulances, and helicopters will be taking over Oaklands Park on Sunday 24 August for Chichester’s first Emergency Services and Community Day. The event is free to attend, and people are invited to come along between 10am and 4pm for what promises to be a fun-filled and interesting family day out. 

From Spring 2026, Chichester District Council will start rolling out a new weekly food waste recycling collection for households. Each household will receive a small food waste caddy to use in the kitchen and a larger bin for outdoor collection. These will be distributed next year in time for the service rollout, which will take place between March and the end of May 2026. The rollout for properties who share communal bins will start later in the year and more information will be released nearer the time.

Food waste collections will be every week, with all household recycling, waste, and garden waste (if subscribed to) continuing as usual every two weeks. Currently, about a third of the waste in the average household bin in our District is food so by collecting it separately, it can be recycled via Anaerobic Digestion, which breaks it down to produce biogas and bio-fertiliser.

Finally: - 

• Selsey Sea Defences

• Report potholes

• Supporting You

• WSCC Meetings

• CDC Meetings

• STC Meetings

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim