News: Chichester District Council

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What's on
Sir David Attenborough shows his support for project to help protect marine habitat off the Selsey coast

Sir David Attenborough has written to show his support for a project that has been launched off the Selsey coastline to help protect marine habitat.
New Culture Spark community events kick start the summer

Residents and visitors are invited to join two free community events taking place this summer in Chichester and Midhurst, as part of the Culture Spark calendar.
Chichester is celebrated as one of the finest cultural capitals in the UK in new exhibition

A new exhibition at The Novium Museum in Chichester will highlight the huge range of unrivalled cultural experiences that the district has to offer when it opens on 25 June.
District Dispatch - 21 June 2022

I hope that you managed to enjoy the beautiful weather we experienced last week. Although the temperature has now dropped slightly, it is likely that we may experience more of these hot weather spells over the coming months.
East Wittering launches new online shopping service

Residents and visitors to East Wittering will soon be able to browse, book and buy products online from local businesses and shops, thanks to a new online platform provided by ShopAppy. More than thirty East Wittering businesses have already signed up for the service and more are expected to join over the summer.
Pop-Up Shop initiative welcomes year-round applications

Chichester District Council's Pop-Up Shop initiative is now welcoming applications from budding entrepreneurs and start-up businesses at any time throughout the year.
Chichester's Summer Street Party returns this July

Chichester District Council's Summer Street Party is back on Sunday 17 July, running as an all-day event for the very first time, and showcasing city centre businesses as well as food and entertainment from across the district.
Council joins partnership to deliver coastal protection work

Chichester District Council has joined forces with Coastal Partners to protect its nine miles of coastline by sharing coastal and environmental management expertise and resources.
Celebrating 10 years of The Novium Museum

The Novium Museum is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate its 10th anniversary this July with a birthday party and special exhibition.
Hot Weather Alert

A Level 3 Heat Alert is in place for Sussex on Friday 17 June.
District Dispatch - 15 June 2022

Taking steps to make a big difference to our environment.
30,000 households have received their energy bill rebate

Over £4 million has been issued in total, to nearly 30,000 households in the Chichester District, as part of the government's energy rebate scheme.
Changes to registration process for skin piercing practitioners

Chichester District Council's Licensing Committee has agreed to bring the council's registration fees in line with national legislation on skin piercing businesses in a meeting this month.
Rare opportunity to rent or buy affordable homes in new Loxwood development

Residents in the Chichester District are being offered a rare opportunity to secure an affordable new home in Loxwood, West Sussex.
District Dispatch - 8 June 2022

Now that the sun has finally started to appear, many of us will take advantage of visiting our fantastic coastline.
New short stay homeless accommodation making a real difference

A project to increase the amount of much-needed short stay accommodation in the Chichester District is already making a real difference to the lives of local people facing homelessness.
Council moves forward with plan to tackle increase in graffiti

Leading councillors at Chichester District Council have agreed to allocate £30,000 to tackle a recent increase in graffiti and fly posting across the district.
Platinum Jubilee bank holiday closure

Our offices will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 1 June, and will reopen at 9am on Monday 6 June 2022.
Culture Spark social media challenge launched

Young people between the ages of 16-25 in the Chichester District are being invited to take part in a new TikTok challenge to create a short video expressing what culture means to them.
District Dispatch - 30 May 2022

I hope you are looking forward to the extended bank holiday weekend and that you enjoy some of the many Jubilee celebrations that are being held across the district.
District Dispatch - 25 May 2022

Next week will be filled with activities and celebrations and I for one can't wait! The Novium Museum's award-winning Chichester Roman Week begins on Saturday 28 May, which also marks the start of the school holidays. It offers a diverse range of activities and events across the city and surrounding areas, designed to engage visitors of all ages.
Culture Spark lantern parades taking place across the Chichester District

An impressive display of willow lanterns will parade through Chichester city centre on Friday 10 June as part of the 'Carnival of Lights' event.
District Dispatch - 18 May 2022

The past couple of years have been incredibly tough on everyone, and a significant rise in the cost of living is adding further pressure on people. A top priority for us is to make sure that people are aware of the support that is available and this is why I have dedicated many of my district dispatch columns to focus on the different schemes and initiatives that are available.
Culture Spark touring photographic exhibition opens at Petworth House

A special photographic exhibition - 'We the People' - opens at Petworth House on 30 May, celebrating Chichester District volunteers within the arts communities and local charities.
Roman Week returns to Chichester

The award-winning Chichester Roman Week is back this May half term, celebrating Chichester's vibrant Roman history with a packed programme of district-wide events, including a spectacular re-enactment in Priory Park on Wednesday 1 June.
Council approves new energy efficiency project

Chichester District Council is progressing a package of measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings across the Chichester District.
Celebrating 20 years of HeartSmart Walks in the Chichester District

To mark 20 years since Chichester Wellbeing's first HeartSmart Walk, over 50 volunteers and residents gathered to celebrate the anniversary with a special walk on Monday 9 May.
District Dispatch - 11 May 2022

Helping people to get on the housing ladder and access affordable housing is a top priority for us. We don't own housing stock, but we can use our planning policies to make sure that at least 30% of all large housing developments is affordable housing.
The search is on for your favourite family business

Residents and visitors are being asked to nominate their favourite family business as part of a national campaign being run by ShopAppy, an online shopping platform that can be used to browse and buy products and services from local businesses.
District Dispatch - 4 May 2022

Over recent weeks our officers have been working incredibly hard to issue Government Energy Rebate payments to customers who live in council tax bands A to D.
Council agrees plan to refurbish public conveniences in the district

At a cabinet meeting this week leading councillors at Chichester District Council agreed to start a project which will result in the refurbishment of five public conveniences across the district.
Council moves forward with plan to improve Bosham car park

Leading councillors at Chichester District Council have agreed to invest £20,000 in assisting with identifying options for Bosham car park that will both improve the welcome to visitors and enhance links with the village.
New grant funding to offer extra support for local businesses

Small enterprises across the Chichester District will be able to take their business further thanks to a new round of Enabling Grant funding, which will be launched by Chichester District Council on Monday 9 May 2022.
May bank holiday closure

Our offices will be closed from 4pm on Friday 29 April and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 3 May.
District Dispatch - 27 April 2022

As the weather starts to improve, many of us will be out and about enjoying our beautiful district.
District Dispatch - 19 April 2022

Making sure our residents feel safe is a top priority for the council and its partners.
Last chance to apply for temporary road closures for Platinum Jubilee street parties

As preparations gather pace and street parties are being planned across the district to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Chichester District Council is reminding residents that the deadline for applications for temporary road closures is 5pm on Wednesday 20 April.
District Dispatch - 12 April 2022

We are all more than aware of rising energy bills and the impact that this is having on our monthly outgoings. As countries around the world come out of Covid-19 lockdowns, surging demand for energy has meant energy prices have increased. Over the past year, the price of gas alone has quadrupled. Whilst the problem is global, the effect is being felt by millions of households here in the UK.
Easter closure

Our offices will be closed from 4pm on Thursday 14 April 2022 and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 8 April 2022

There has been a lot of coverage in the local media about housing targets and how they are reached. We thought it might be worth reminding you of how our housing targets are set and the process we have to follow in order to identify if and how this housing target can be met.
District Dispatch - 6 April 2022

It's hard to believe that we are already in April and fast approaching Easter! There's lots going on, and many things for us to look forward to. I especially enjoyed attending the Culture Spark launch event last week.
People invited to comment on updated Chichester District Conservation Area Character Appraisals

Chichester District Council is inviting people to share their views on updates to its Westbourne Conservation Area Character Appraisal, which includes a recommendation to extend the conservation area, as part of a public consultation that will run from Friday 8 April until Friday 6 May 2022.
Council moves forward with a range of new energy efficiency measures

Chichester District Council is progressing a package of new measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings across the Chichester District.
The Big Swanfield Event to offer free health and wellbeing activities and support for the local community

Chichester District residents of all ages are being invited to attend the Big Swanfield Event, an exciting health and wellbeing afternoon on Monday 11 April at Swanfield Community Centre.
£1.3 million grant enables leisure centre to boost its green credentials

Carbon emissions from Westgate Leisure Centre in Chichester will reduce by almost a quarter thanks to a £1.3 million government decarbonisation grant.
Culture Spark ignites year of cultural celebrations for the Chichester District

Culture Spark 2022 has officially launched with hundreds of people attending the First Spark launch events in Chichester, Selsey and Midhurst this week.
Chichester city centre's virtual high street launches

Shoppers will be able to buy online from local businesses in Chichester city centre thanks to a new online shopping and e-commerce platform - ShopAppy.com - from Friday 1 April.
District Dispatch - 29 March 2022

The pandemic and the rise in the cost of living has impacted on all of us in many ways. This is why it is more important than ever that people are aware of the support that is available to them. Whether someone is struggling to pay bills, feels isolated; or is concerned about rising energy costs, the council and its partners are here to help.
District Dispatch - 22 March 2022

Many people have been asking how they can help those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Our communities across the district have a long history of helping others in their hour of need, and I know that many of you are keen to support those who have been affected. You will have seen that last week the Government launched the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme. This programme allows individuals, charities, community groups, and businesses across the UK to offer a room or home rent-free to Ukrainians escaping the war, regardless of whether they have ties to the country.
District Dispatch - 17 March 2022

Last week, we met as a council to agree the budget for the year ahead. This is quite a complex task, because we look at the income we are generating from services we charge for; funding from government; and your council tax. All of these elements form our budget for the year.
Vital new short stay homeless accommodation opens its doors

A Chichester District Council project to increase the amount of much-needed short stay accommodation in the district will be ready to support residents who are facing homelessness from the end of this month.
Cultural celebration gets ready to launch in the Chichester District

A wonderful season of events, performances, live entertainment and community projects will launch in three beautiful heritage sites at the end of March to mark a momentous year of culture in the Chichester District.
The Art of Chichester exhibition celebrates 60 years of Chichester's culture

Sixty years of artistic and cultural achievement across the Chichester District will be celebrated at an inspiring new exhibition being staged by The Novium Museum this June.
Chichester District Council agrees to extend funding of back to work service

Leading councillors at Chichester District Council have agreed to accept funding to extend a successful programme of getting people back into work.
£5 council tax rise is agreed to protect vital services

Chichester District councillors have agreed to increase the average council tax bill by £5 a year for a Band D property in order to protect vital services across the district.
Call to businesses to find out more about free virtual high street

Business owners across Chichester District are being encouraged to sign up to a free information event where they can find out more about a virtual high street that could help their business thrive.
District Dispatch - 08 March 2022

I want to start by saying how deeply saddened and shocked we are by the situation in Ukraine. The scenes on the news reports are horrific and distressing. As a council, we stand with the people of Ukraine, and want to offer our support.
New dates announced for free health and wellbeing programme
Nominations to open for Selsey Town Council by-elections

Candidates are being sought to fill two councillor vacancies at Selsey Town Council in the run up to by-elections on Thursday 7 April 2022.
Platinum Jubilee street party road closures

Excitement is building for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Chichester District Council is reminding residents to check if they need to apply for road closures.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 31 January 2022

Last year, we told you that the Government housing targets for the Chichester Local Plan area are unlikely to be met due to complex infrastructure and funding issues.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 03 December

We're pleased to say that we have now reached the point where we can show that we have a 5 year housing land supply. This improved position strengthens our ability to protect the area against inappropriate development.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 16 July 2021

Planning for our future - Housing
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 22 June 2021

We recognise that planning can sometimes seem incredibly complex and confusing. In this newsletter, we want to answer some of the most common questions people are asking about the Local Plan Review process and to correct some of the myths and misinformation surrounding this.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 20 May 2021

Planning affects where we live, work and relax; where new shops and community facilities are built; and it protects our historic buildings and the natural environment.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 26 March 2021

This month, the council announced its timetable for the Local Plan Review.
Chichester Local Plan Review update: 26 February 2021

The council is currently working on the Local Plan Review. This will set out our vision for the future of the district's economy; it will plan for transport and housing needs; it will look at how we can improve the lives of children and young people; it will consider the area's environmental needs; it will support our health and wellbeing; and will ensure that we continue to have a rich arts and cultural environment.