New museum? How can we possibly afford that?

I am truly amazed at the actions of Chichester District Council executive board in approving vast sums of money on its legacy project of a museum.

Surely even they must realise we live in frugal times and the next government of whatever hue will be cutting back left, right and centre to meet the interest demands of its huge borrowings.

Local government will be a major target for its cuts. But what does CDC do? Waste colossal sums of money on a money pit.

What has never been properly addressed is what are the benefits to the community? How many new jobs is it going to bring to the district? What sort of jobs are these?

We need skilled jobs created for local people so they can pay their tax. I remain to be convinced this is the right way for the council to spend our money.

The current estimate cost is the equivalent of £55 for every person in the district and we haven't been told how much it is going to cost us to run it per year. That will no doubt put more pounds on our council tax bill.

I for one would like to have the opportunity to vote for this madcap scheme.

They will say you can at the next local election, but that's two years away and I suspect the politicians who have made this decision will not be standing. Their actual legacy will be debt and increased council tax.

The design is a monstrosity that looks like it has come out of the East European dictators' mausoleum catalogue, perfect for a site opposite the cathedral.
Come on CDC, give us, your electorate, a choice. What are you afraid of?

Or are we to be left with Myles Mausoleum?

Joan Daly, St Agnes Place, Chichester


Two reports in last week's Observer led me to despair regarding the decision-making ability of our district councillors.

Firstly, the decision to allow a one-year trial of 24-hour opening of the Tesco Superstore. This is just a feeble cop-out of their decision-making responsibility, in an attempt to assuage the many hostile local representations.

Past experience of these so-called trial periods shows at the end of the trial year, the 24-hour opening will be nodded through, hopefully unnoticed by the local residents.
Then there is the decision to allow the 'big three projects', totalling £17m, to go ahead.

It would appear to me that in the current financial position, with severe cutbacks in central and local government expenditure not just likely but inevitable, that any prudent council would postpone all large capital projects and perhaps even consider lowering its tax take.

Even if the district council has the financial reserves to cover this expenditure now, surely these should be held against an unknown financial future.

But never mind, perhaps as usual the PBR (poor bloody ratepayer) will be forced to stump up for the grandiose schemes of our councillors.

Ken Wright, Birdham



So we can afford to help other countries, but can't help ourselves

Why doesn't the government spend money to defend this country against climate change?

The government has apparently pledged £½bn per year to underdeveloped countries but will not spend a mere £55m to adequately defend Selsey from flooding.

As a resident of Selsey I am concerned and alarmed about the plans set out by the Environment Agency to protect Selsey from rising sea levels, because of climate change, by a scheme of 'breached realignment'.

This madcap scheme would breach the existing sea bank defence at Selsey and it is planned that, by building inland low clay walls (grassed), flood defence would be achieved.

This scheme also relies on Bunn Leisure building a sea defence in front of West Sands Caravan Park; otherwise much of this facility could be flooded.

This scheme is deigned to create wetlands, under an EU directive which is big on 'maximising habitat gain and adding environmental enhancement' but is low on effective flood defence for people, their homes and jobs.

All those who live and work on the Manhood Peninsular need a proper scheme of sea defence as sea levels are projected to rise.

So please, Mr Prime Minster, can you allocate £55m of this £½bn to provide concrete/rock revetment along the entire Medmerry frontage (between Selsey and Bracklesham).

Also, please tell the Environment Agency to breach the sea defences elsewhere to provide the wetlands for wildlife.

Paul Sandbrook B Sc (Eng), M Sc, Selsey



Post office is dreadful – apart from lovely Hannah

I have to confess to causing a mini-riot in the Chichester Post Office. With three members of staff walking the floor, only four tills open and a queue of 40 people, I just couldn't help it!

As we all moaned about a self-service machine that does not sell second-class stamps, or cope with recorded delivery over £35, or allow a lady to send a package to her partner in the forces, the line began to grow.

I asked for five complaint forms from lovely Hannah behind the till and handed them out to a baying crowd as I left. Ask for the form if you're not too chuffed with the service this Christmas – oh, and be nice to Hannah!

Chris Casburn, Salthill Road, Chichester



Welcoming Festival Theatre knocks spots off the opposition

How very fortunate we are to have the hospitable Chichester Festival Theatre, where one can stroll into the foyer at any time of the day, admire the photographs, or sit and consider the many offers for forthcoming productions from the vast collection of box office leaflets.

Coffee is available nearby and plenty of chairs and tables are placed outside for sunny days.

What a different experience it is to make a trip to The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

Firstly, don't go by coach.

Being dropped off soon after 6pm (the performance began at 7.30pm) by a tower block in a dark precinct we paddled through the flooded walkways in the strong winds and rain.

We arrived at The Mayflower Theatre looking forward to the warmth of the foyer and a hot drink. No chance, the theatre was locked! Staff shouted to us from their warm kiosks that they didn't open until 7pm.

In the dark and rain we battled against the gales to the nearest pub – another mistake. Saturday night and the football fans were gathered, the biggest TV ever blasted the match across the room.

Eventually we were allowed into the theatre, wet and very cross to steam in our coats throughout the evening.

This is no way to encourage theatre-going. Thank heavens for Chichester.

Ophelia Hampton, East Drive, Bracklesham Bay



Mystery holes could be the work of foxes

In reply to Sally Gould's letter about the mystery holes in her garden, we have experienced the same thing.

The programme Springwatch told you if you thought you had foxes in your garden, to put out some golf balls and the fox would take them and bury them, thinking they were eggs.

We went one better and put out a dozen out-of-date eggs. To our surprise they all disappeared overnight. We also put out other eggs later on.

We are now experiencing the same holes in our lawn, so presumably the fox is now coming back to dig them up.

The giveaway is sometimes there is broken shell beside the hole where the egg gets broken during retrieval. The eggs are only buried just beneath the surface and the resulting holes are just as described by Ms Gould.

I suggest she must have a fox and whatever it was that was buried earlier on, the fox is now coming back to retrieve it.

Just as dogs with bones and squirrels with nuts, foxes obviously store food in the good times ready for the leaner times ahead.

Over the summer the fox family, mum, dad and baby, have become quite bold and have actually appeared in daylight when I have managed to get some photos of them.
I hope this is helpful to Ms Gould in solving her mystery. The holes certainly fit with our experience and our lawn is also quite messy now. They seem to like it like that.

Pamela Evans, North Ham Road, Littlehampton



Old-fashioned rose food

I have been amused by the letters about 'road apples' as I have never heard that expression before.

When I was young there were very few motor cars and all deliveries were made by horse-drawn vehicle.

I recall the keen competition to be first with the bucket and shovel to gather this valuable material to put on the roses.

Does no-one in Little London grow roses or have we all become accustomed to buying 'rose food' in cardboard packets from the garden centre?

Leslie Devenish, Willow Gardens, Westbourne



Sounds like fun...

As a self-employed, semi-retired widowed pensioner, I no longer have an office Christmas party to be invited to. The picture Barkes conjures up sounds damn' good fun. I suppose it's too late for me to take his place at the Chichester Observer bash?

Douglas Wood, Highleigh Road, Sidlesham



Spelling the end of democracy...

The Closure programme to destroy democracy in Arun is instigated yet again by Cllr Lionel Barnard, deputy leader of the county council.

Yet again some county councillors appear to have so little to do than to continually try to remove the voices of the electorate and those of locally elected members of the enviable joint area local committees.

These local committees are almost the only voice local people have to ask questions and voice dissatisfaction with the higher tier of local government.

In a period of uncertainty and financial restraint, there is even greater reason to ensure the way is open for discussion.

Their own information leaflets state Come Talk With Us. They add: "The committees are designed to make sure local people can help shape services provided by your councils in your local area."

They say 'the services they provide must meet your needs – that's why your voice is so important'.

All this is fine until times get tough and county listen and give lip service – and ensure county councillors are less accountable and harder to call to task over actions taken that are not in the interests of the local community.

Arun is exceptionally lucky to have the only three joint local committees in Sussex, a very enviable situation. We have all three ties sitting at the table, not always in agreement but each with the local community in mind.

Arun has modified the voting and allowed equal rights to vote on all issues raised at the joint area local committees, but county will not, and are sometimes even fearful of 'straw polls' to gauge the feelings of the other tier councillors.

So to counteract any other voices of those elected and those of the electorate, they try to close down the committee and those voices.

The last time this was tried by Cllr Barnard, local county elections were approaching and his ideas were defeated. Interesting, that.

Everything with the area committees has been to do with giving the public local access to all three tiers at one meeting.

You can imagine the surprise (not) that Cllr Barnard had moved forward in his plans.

We are told: "The deputy leader has considered the need, in future, to find ways of using County Local Committees (CLCs) to support the Better Together programme (by removing joint committees and making them more remote) with borough and district councils and the joint drive to achieve greater integration for customers in all the services provided by the county council and those authorities (by removing and reducing venues for openness and discussion).

"In addition there is the importance of improving local governance on key services, including children's services, where the role of borough and district councils is increasingly recognised, and shaping the future jointly on Local Strategic Partnerships (by removing joint committees and making up new ones with new names).

"The deputy leader is therefore proposing the county council should be asked to agree in principle (this means give a rubber stamp) the boundaries of the CLCs should be revised to reflect those of the borough and district councils (by removing democracy) with one covering the Worthing and Adur areas, making a total of six CLCs covering the county.

"A member group, established by the deputy leader (to ensure the outcome he wants) will consider the detailed plans for the operation of the six CLCs (by removing all joint committees that are the envy of Sussex) and how members will engage (by removing much hope for the other elected ties or electorate to vote or speak) with local communities outside formal committee meetings, and will report to the Governance Committee in March 2010."

It reminds one of Orson Wells' 1984 where the ministries of Policy and Democratic Services actually really means the opposite. Double speak reigns supreme.

This appears very autocratic.

You will also notice almost all reference has been removed of parish council participation.

As a Conservative district councillor, I find this quite reprehensible and the methods undemocratic.

Cllr Barnard must certainly be a very powerful councillor. One can only hope the other county councillors put him back in his place. I hope the joint committees of Arun continue and that in time all the areas of West Sussex push to have the marvellous situation we have.

Paul English, Arun district councillor, Felpham East



We must send message to developers: no relief road, no homes

The Site 6 Saga is a tale of pitiful government.

May I point out the developers are not the ones 'moving the goal posts'.

In response to requests from the developers and following advice from West Sussex Highways' Site 6 Advisory Group, on December 2 Arun's Development Control Committee approved changes to the S106 document covering the construction programme for the Bognor Regis Relief Road (BRRR).

This S106 forms an integral part of the planning approval granted for 700 new homes in Felpham and 650 in North Bersted.

The minimum estimated cost for the BRRR is £24m – £6m for the Bersted element and £18m for Felpham, ie 700 homes have to contribute three times as much as the 650 at Bersted.

Having originally decreed the two developments be treated as one – hence Site 6 – Arun have now agreed to break that link.

Consequently there is no guarantee the BRRR will be built in the foreseable future.

Thank you WSCC and ADC for failing to promote the interests of your council tax payers. No BRRR, no houses should have been your stance.

Thanks, too, for planning to increase the traffic density around North Bersted and on the A259.

Don Lambert, Cardinals Drive, Bognor Regis


While the Observer article mentioned West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council Development Committee rubber-stamped the demands from the developers to vary the Section 106 agreement, it did not mention the three same developers had made planning applications BE/101/09 and FP/174/09 to remove conditions 56, 57, 58 & 59 from planning approvals BE/45/04 and FP/92/04.

These conditions relate to improvement to junctions on the A27 with the A259 at the VinnetrowRoad/Bognor Road Roundabout; the B2144 Oving Road junction: the B2233 Crockerhill junction and the A29 Fontwell roundabout.

These conditions were imposed to produce a significant amount of highways improvement to cope with additional traffic from Site 6.

It does not seem unreasonable to ask Arun District Council Development Committee why the developers were not required to submit a planning application to vary the Section 106 arrangement for the Bognor Regis Relief Road which is just as important as the improvements to the junctions with the A27.

Does this mean Arun District Council did not follow its obligation to consult on any variation to a Section 106 agreement?

It does not give the residents and council tax payers of Bognor Regis confidence in the commercial acumen of West Sussex County Council or Arun District Council if they bend at the first sign of pressure from the developers to renege on the Section 6 arrangement they willingly accepted in 2004.

Roy Fairchild, Kingsway, Bognor Regis


So the three developers at Site 6 are 'insisting' the original agreement of two years to complete the Bognor Regis Relief Road be extended to three years 'or risk the potential collapse of the housing deal'.

I strongly urge Arun District Council, on behalf of the local residents and all road users in this area, to resist these demands.

The construction of the relief road was considered to be an absolute necessity as part of the terms of the original agreement, and there is no guarantee whatsoever further requests for extension of time to meet these conditions will not be sought further down the line.

In fact, what guarantee is there the road construction will be completed at all?

Now is the time to declare an emphatic 'not negotiable' response.

While it is hard to believe the developers have any intention of pulling out at this stage, surely it would be better they do so now rather than wait until they have constructed 650 homes without a relief road, leaving behind them a traffic nightmare for all who have to negotiate the A259 on a regular basis.

C Mahy,Babsham Lane, Bognor Regis



Stop and chat to me, the granny on the scooter

When my grandchildren come to visit me (ages six, eight and 11) they always bring their roller blades and go along to the promenade, in any season, and have been doing so for many years.

I usually sit on the bench and enjoy watching them. Sometimes it can get quite chilly and my walking distance is limited.

One day a scooter poodled by and I began to wonder if I could hire one and enjoy trailing along behind them.

We laughed at the time but the thought stayed with me.

I made enquiries and found a group of people who are providing a valiant and essential service in Bognor. I thought I would need to be registered with a blue badge, but no!

The next time the children came, we went off to hire one. What a delightful experience. There were these very helpful, happy, patient and kind people who encouraged me.

Please be aware that for any person, young or older, it is not easy to acknowledge the need for help and lose a little independence.

What a great time I had, sailing along the promenade like a stately Spanish galleon.

Since then I have plucked up courage to go on my own into Bognor shops and back on to the promenade – such freedom.

Don't be afraid to try – it can open new possibilites. You will receive caring and sensitive help from these cheerful people.

I am very thankful and really enjoy this service.

What is it? Where is it? Shopmobility, on 01243 830077.

I'm be the one with the windmill stuck in the basket as I sail along the prom!

Stop me and talk if you spot me – weather permitting.

BA Waldron, Pagham



Our councillor should have right to speak out

If alleged 'prejudicial interests' are to bar Mrs Janet Duncton, our elected district douncillor for Petworth, voting in the all-important debate on the introduction of car parking charges, who is to represent Petworth in this most controversial of issues?

Is there to be no voice raised on our behalf?

Given the scale of local opposition to this matter, the amount of time and no doubt cost of the 'consultation saga', is this not a totally unacceptable situation in a democracy?

Of course, it is not a democratic process. It has already been decided that money is required by Chichester District Council and it is to be raised from car-park charges whatever the local objections.

They need it, they will have it. It is a soft option.

But that Mrs Duncton is actually to be disallowed from voicing her views, be they personal or those of her ward, just demonstrates how little those south of the Downs really care how disadvantaged communites north of the Downs, such as ours, are becoming with respect to public facilities.

Mrs MJ Rudkin, Petworth


I wonder, if Cllr Janet Duncton had let it be known she would be voting in favour of the car-parking charges, would Chichester District Council still be quite so anxious to keep her out of the debate and subsequent vote?

R Tyler, Petworth


Yet another disgraceful move by Chichester District Council to ensure its completely unjustifiable agenda goes through without proper objection by the rural community.

The whole process has been a cosmetic exercise to appear to be listening to valid objections, when in fact the result had already been decided.

The statement at the Petworth parking meeting by Paul Over that he is 'not a public servant' underlines the contempt the council has for us mere citizens.

May one ask: Who pays his salary...

Ronald G Chambers, Petworth



Individuals believe they know better than us all...

Most people agree there is a top group of bankers who are so arrogant the message has still not got through to them the bonus culture is completely unacceptable in the current social and political climate.

But there are other people, closer to us in the northern part of West Sussex, whose arrogant posture is equally objectionable.

Take, for example, Chichester District Council, and in particular its leader, who, despite a huge measure of local opposition, still insist on pushing through the unpopular parking proposals for Petworth and Midhurst.

He at least can be voted out of office, and I for one, a committed Tory, will on no account vote for his party in the next council elections.

A pity, because there are some council members who understand the position, and have strongly opposed him.

Even closer to home, we in Duncton have a new path in our church. Yet we have seen a 60 per cent increase in the original cost, imposed upon us by a decision of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, who insist we use a sawn sandstone rather than the much cheaper Indian stone.

This, again, is a decision that has been forced upon us, strongly against the advice and experience of the contractor and local architect.

So what have we got? We have individuals who believe they are above the common populace.

Marie Antionette was also guilty of this attitude. Let them eat cake, she said. And look what happened to her.

Patrick Darley, Duncton, Petworth



Let's promote our quiet lanes so they don't stay quiet for long

It beggars belief what 'they' will come up with next.

West Sussex County Council's North Chichester County Local Committee appear to be considering – which usually means will implement whether we like it
or not – a scheme in the Rogate-Trotton-Hithurst region to promote quiet lanes.

If that isn't an oxymoron, I can't imagine what is.

Why then is the open public meeting to discuss this being held in Lodsworth which, incidentally, is approximately 13 miles away from the proposed area.

They already admit a similar proposal in the Bury-Bignor area got a chilly reception from local people. Well, what do they expect?

This cash-strapped council is considering spending £25,000 looking into an idea which is 'not identifiable at the present time, and may actually generate more traffic by making the area more attractive.'

Then it proposes another £25,000 to implement it – meaning, presumably, ugly signage.

The lanes it is considering are narrow, mostly deep and used by the people of the area who live, work and commute in and through them, as well as those who enjoy them for leisure activities.

They are, however, very poorly maintained, riddled with potholes and in desperate need of repair and continued maintenance.

Surely simply keeping them in a usable state would enable more people to enjoy them and be the most sensible use of the funding.

But, of course, that has no 'spin'.

Dawn Nelson, Elsted



To the point...


It's the old, old story and typical Labour policy.

On page 11 of last week's Chichester Observer we read: 'No Christmas cheer in annual grant handout' meaning West Sussex County Council gets a Scrooge-like miserly increase from central government next year of only one-and-a-half per cent. Some county authorities are being awarded as much as seven per cent.

Yes, we've seen it all before.

CNC Peters, North Road, Selsey


I would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who braved the elements and came along to the Jubilee Village Hall in Oving to support the Mount Noddy Christmas fayre on November 29.

We had a terrific turnout and not only raised in the region of £1,400 on the day but received a large quantity of donated items, such as food, treats and toys for the animals in our care.

As we are currently full to capacity, these items and the money raised will really help us look after the dogs, cats and small furries that are currently staying at the centre.

Advertising the centre in the Observer's Christmas magazine really has helped to raise our profile and we look forward to welcoming a lot more potential adopters through our doors in 2010.

Once again, thank you and merry Christmas to all our supporters.

Sharon Holder, centre manager, Mount Noddy Animal Centre, Blackmill Lane, Eartham


May I thank a very good and honest bus driver.

I left my carrier bag with £80 of M&S vouchers and three pairs of socks on a 51 bus travelling to Selsey. The driver handed them in at the depot and I collected them the next day, much to my relief.

Thank you once again, it redeems my faith in human nature. It has made my Christmas.

Mr C Garland, Chichester Way, Selsey


Surely the point of Christmas lights is to make our streets look festive and seasonal at this time of year. Clearly this has not happened.

The contractors, and those responsible on the council, have got things just about as wrong as it's possible to get.

1 Modern long-life bulbs glow. They do not twinkle.
2 They should be wired so the failure of a single bulb cannot take out an entire string.
3 Why are they not turned on during the day? They finally come on when many of our stores are about to close.
4 They worked perfectly well for many years before someone decided to 'improve' them a couple of years ago.
5 Failures have nothing to do with the weather. They are designed for exterior use – if it were weather-related, they would be unfit for purpose.

I could go on.

If we can't get them right, scrap them, and give the money saved to a deserving charity.

Bill Bray, Bognor Road, Chichester


My wife and I have recently bought a Labrador puppy. He has already given us a great deal of enjoyment and we looked forward to the time when we could take him for walks including time on Felpham beach.

However, it quickly became apparent there are a significant number of irresponsible dog owners who allow their beloved pets to foul and blatantly refuse to clear up the mess.

It must be pointed out the majority of people we see with their dogs are of a 'mature' age group. It is a natural conclusion to assert the irresposible dog owners come from a group that should know better.

I apologise on behalf of all dog owners for the disgusting mess left.

It is the owners' fault and no blame should be attached to the dog, so can the ignorant minority please start to clear up after their pets or forego the joys of dog ownership.

Simon Cooke, Bognor Regis


The switch-on event for Bognor Regis Christmas illuminations took place on Saturday, November 28. I was granted a permit to make a collection during the event which made £62.17 towards the Illuminations Fund for next year.

Sue Holmes, events officer, Town Hall, Clarence Road, Bognor Regis


We would like to thank the shops and businesses and all the residents and local people who donated prizes and items and came to our fayre.

This was a great success and raised more than £800 into the fund to stop Places for People building on this estate and to save the garage compounds, trees, grass areas which are habitats for local wildlife and an amenity for this estate.

Anne Bass, secretary, Willowhale Farm Residents Association


Early this year I booked for approximately 20 people, including children, to dine at the Robin Hood, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday on Saturday, December 5.

I am wanting to thank all the staff for a fantastic time. The lunchtime food was excellent as was the service, and there wasn't a single thing that disappointed any of us.
I would especially like to thank Gemma, who helped me put the whole lunchtime event together. She communicated with me via telephone or post at every stage.
My family travelled from all over the country to be together.

The management should be very proud of their staff. I do not hesitate to recommend the Robin Hood for quality, customer service and especially for friendliness and kindness towards my parents and the children on the day.

The public, generally, are quick to complain when necessary, but not as quick to praise.

A very merry Christmas to all the staff at the Robin Hood.

Mrs A Bull, Leyburn, North Yorkshire


On Sunday I had the privilege to attend the Petworth Town Band Christmas Concert at St Mary's Church.

It was brilliant and a wonderful way to begin the Christmas celebrations.

We have every right to be proud of our town band – they delighted the audience with a great variation of pieces. The enthusiasm and agility of the musical director
and conductor Paula was a delight to behold.

Not only did the band give a great performance but also made £1,000 for the Injured Jockeys' Association during the afternoon.

Well done and thank you for a truly memorable concert.

Janet Hester Crowsole Mill, Little Bognor, Fittleworth


We would like to say a big thank you to all the health services who were involved with my father's battle against cancer.

This thank-you extends to NHS, Macmillan, including their drivers, the ambulance service, and Pendean Nursing Home, where he spent his last six weeks.

All the help and support through the past 18 months has been gratefully appreciated by all our family.

The Kemp Family, Midhurst


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