Dear Residents,
This year seems to be flying by! As I write this update in April the weather is just starting to improve, hopefully by the time you read this in May we will be enjoying more sunshine. Gareth and I have been out and about with the better weather, speaking to people across the Ward. If we haven’t bumped into you and there’s anything you want to discuss, please do get in touch, details below.
Local Updates:
Foxbridge Golf Club – This application will have been considered by the Planning Committee at CDC in April and we will be able to report on the outcome in our next update. Disappointingly it is recommended for approval, despite all of the sound and well-prepared local objections. Officers consider the economic benefits outweigh the harms. Gareth and I intend to object on the day (subject to me being allowed to speak – I am ‘predetermined’ having voted against the application at Loxwood Parish Council before being elected to CDC and will not be allowed to be on the Committee for this item).
Planning Enforcement – We are assisting locally with a number of Planning Enforcement cases. Please let us know if there is anything you would like to bring to our attention or need help with.
Local Businesses – We were pleased to see the re-opening of the Forester’s Arms in Kirdford recently. Gareth and I are proud to support our local shops, cafés and businesses and hope other residents continue to do so too!
Heating Oil Costs – We are aware that many people across the Ward may be struggling with the increased costs of heating oil. If you are in this position, please contact the West Sussex Crisis and Resilience Fund, who are distributing Government support for those affected: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-community/crisis-and-resilience-fund/
Local Government Reorganisation – We were expecting the decision on the future structure of West Sussex’s Unitary Councils in mid-March, however the Government have decided to postpone this decision for Sussex until after the May elections! They plan to run another consultation, this time on a revised proposal that would combine Chichester, Mid-Sussex, Horsham and Crawley into a proposed new Unitary Authority and Arun, Adur and Worthing into another Unitary Authority, plus some changes to expand the footprint of Brighton. This is incredibly frustrating as the decision has been delayed, however the overall timeline for re-organisation stays the same. Whilst this structure may be better for Chichester District in the long run, it was not an option that originally fit the criteria set out by Government! We will share the consultation link once it goes live .
CDC Wide Updates
Food Waste Collections – The roll-out of our new household food waste collection service is progressing well since it began on time and on schedule last month. At the beginning of April, over 25% of the district have now received their food waste starter packs, and the first collection round has started. Uptake has been high, meaning there have been some teething delays, but please bear with the crews as the rounds settle down. If you have not received your bins yet and collections have started in your area, please report this here: www.chichester.gov.uk/article/40671/Report-a-foodwastebin-delivery-issue
Chichester Wellbeing Service – The council is looking to extend our Wellbeing Service, which is delivered in partnership with West Sussex County Council. The offer includes weight management, stop smoking, physical activity classes, blood pressure checks and NHS Health Checks. Over the last year the service has introduced several new programmes and continues to go from strength-to-strength. To access any of these services, please visit:
https://chichester.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/
Supporting You Team – The Supporting You Team continues to make a real difference to residents and the success of this team is very evident. A budgeting calculator is available for residents:
www.chichester.gov.uk/benefitsandbudgetingcalculator.
This can be used by residents to self-serve or to work with a Supporting You Officer to identify budget changes and quick wins such as applying for discounts and benefits or accessing social tariffs.
Meeting your District Councillors
Cllr. Gareth Evans is available to meet residents face to face via one of his regular surgeries. Gareth plans to start the next round of his surgeries from May. Look out for the dates on Facebook or in our next update. If these dates and
Our contact details:
Cllr. Gareth Evans, email: gbevans@chichester.gov.uk or telephone 07958 918056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarethEvansLoxwood
Cllr. Charles Todhunter, email ctodhunter@chichester.gov.uk or telephone 07500 577777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charles4Loxwood