District Dispatch - 30 May 2023

Due to this, please do keep an eye out for vulnerable friends and relatives. The NHS provide lots of good tips on coping with the hot weather (opens new window). 

If you are thinking of venturing out for the day to enjoy the weather, please consider visiting Midhurst. If you haven't visited Midhurst in a while, then you may be interested to know that this historic town has more than 100 independent shops, cafes and restaurants, with many hidden off the main street. On the first Saturday of each month the town also holds a Midhurst Farmers' and Artisan Market between 9am and 2pm in the Market Square. The Great Sussex Way has also created an insider's guide to spending 48 hours in Midhurst (opens new window), which is well worth referring to. The town needs our support more than ever, so please do visit if you can.

I am pleased to tell you that the Government will be extending its funding for our popular Tree Chichester District scheme. The money will fund projects that test new ways to increase tree cover and strengthen biosecurity, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. This means that we will be able to begin new tree planting projects. Nearly 25,000 trees have been planted thanks to the first round of funding and we are very much looking forward to increasing this number with the new funding. In the long term, it will help to increase tree cover within our local communities. The funding will help the council's work to protect and enhance the local environment and is an integral part of its Climate Change Action Plan.

I also want to remind you that there's still time to take part in our 'Let's Talk: Dogs in Public Spaces' consultation, which is live until 5pm on 7 June. We're reviewing the dog control rules that apply to public spaces within the district, including rules around dog fouling, dog exclusion areas, and areas in which dogs must be put on a lead when directed. These rules are all outlined in a Public Space Protection Order, which we are proposing to extend for a further three years. To find out more and to share your views, please visit Let's Talk: Dogs in Public Spaces. 

You may also not be aware that many of our council meetings can now be viewed online. You have the option of watching these live, or at a time that suits you. We have introduced this to make our meetings more accessible - so from planning issues, through to our monthly cabinet meeting and quarterly full council meeting - you can keep in touch with the decision making that is taking place on your behalf. We know that people have very busy lives and can't necessarily come to the council to watch the meetings and so this provides another option. However, we would be delighted to see you in person at our council meetings if you can make them, and we welcome questions from the public.

There are many ways to keep in touch with the work of the council. You can view our latest news, you can read our magazine 'initiatives' which is delivered to every household three times a year; you can sign up to our monthly email newsletter initiatives+; and you can now download our Chichester District Council app. The app also provides you with personalised notifications of any changes to waste and recycling collections and so it is well worth downloading if you haven't already.

Best Wishes

Cllr Adrian Moss

Leader of Chichester District Council