initiativesinitiativesissue 74 • spring 2017

Enter our big giveaway

Remarkable Roman discovery in Priory Park

TIM PEAKE VISITS THE

NOVIUM MUSEUM

WIN a pair of tickets for the first preview of Fiddler on the RoofTerms and conditions apply. Please see page 13 for details

ContentsFeaturesKeep it clean, keep it green: keep Chichester District beautiful................10

Stop mucking about! ........................... 11

Supporting you 24/7 ..........................18

Walking to health and happiness .......19

NewsPay for parking with your mobile phone ....................................... 5

Chichester city market is proving popular ................................................. 5

Village hall improvements .................... 5

Planning enforcement – report it online ...................................... 5

Thank you for increasing your recycling .........................................14-15

Helping you ‘stick’ with our recycling mission .................................15

Funding will help communities build their own homes ........................16

Offering you value for money ............. 20

Museum could be managed by a trust ............................................ 22

Cover storiesTim Peake returns home ................... 8-9

Enter our big giveaway ......................... 6

Remarkable Roman discovery........... 4-5

Celebrating our 20th year!We are very pleased to celebrate the 20th year of initiatives. Throughout that time we’ve shared your stories, highlighted the incredible people that live within our community and kept you up to date with major issues and projects happening in the district. Most importantly, we’ve drawn attention to the key services we provide to make sure that you are accessing the support that’s on offer.

The magazine is one of the key ways that we communicate with you and inform you of the work that we are doing on your behalf. Over the years we have reduced the cost year on year, with the magazine now costing 3p per issue because of the amount of income we make through advertising.

As your council we have a duty to inform you of our work and to make sure that you are accessing the vital services that we provide. We hear many heartfelt stories where people have accessed services that have ended up making a considerable difference to their

Chief Executive: Diane Shepherd

Editorial Team: Sarah Parker and Clare Hawkin. For further information/enquiries, please ring 01243 534537/534679.

Designed by: StudioMoo, Chichester

Printed by: Wyndehams, Peterborough

Published by: Public Relations, Chichester District Council

Because initiatives enables other groups and individuals to publicise their work and consult with members of the public, the views expressed may not be those of the District Council.

lives after finding out about them through the magazine.

One lady was terminally ill and couldn’t afford to pay to heat her house. Through reading the magazine she was able to access a scheme that paid for a new central heating system to be fitted that made her last days far more comfortable.

Another lady saw that we were offering a free trial on our lifeline service through our Chichester Careline service. This involves pressing a red button on a pendant in an emergency, or if you need help. This can be placed around your wrist or neck. She didn’t think that she needed the pendant, but thought it was worth trying. In the end it saved her life!

In the summer issue of initiatives, we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of the key events that have happened in the district over the past 20 years. We want to hear what you think about initiatives and how we can improve it. Make sure you enter our big giveaway competition on page 6 and let us know your thoughts at the same time.

As per usual, the magazine is packed with news from across the district. Make sure you read about Tim Peake’s surprise visit to our Novium Museum on pages 8 and 9. It was a real honour to meat Tim and to hear all about his space adventures. Local pupils from Westbourne Primary School and Chichester High School were awe inspired. Who knows, it could result in another Chichester astronaut!

Another big story is the discovery of significant Roman remains in Priory Park. Make sure you read more about this on pages 4 and 5.

Thank you for reading! Best Wishes, Cllr Elizabeth Hamilton Chairman of Chichester District Council

Follow us

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Welcome to the spring issue of initiatives!

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This publication is available in large print. Please telephone 01243 534679 for further details.

District Council officesEast Pallant House 1 East Pallant Chichester West Sussex PO19 1TY

Tel: 01243 785166 Fax: 01243 776766

Internet: www.chichester.gov.uk Email: helpline@chichester.gov.uk Emergencies out of hours: 01243 785339

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Front cover photo: Tim Peake visiting the exhibition at The Novium Museum.

To advertise with us, please email advertising@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 521059.

Inclusion of advertisements does not constitute a recommendation by Chichester District Council of the products or services offered or the organisations involved, nor will the council incur any liability whatsoever for any claim relating to them.

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Archeologists have been stunned to find the footings of three almost complete Roman buildings, which have survived over 1,600 years in the centre of our thriving city.

The scans appear to show two large masonry houses, which would now be the equivalent to Chichester’s grand Pallant House Gallery building, and would have been owned by someone of great importance. The third building is of great interest because of its unusual shape.

The discovery was made after local geophysics specialist, David Staveley, used ground penetrating radar equipment to scan the parks in Chichester. This was done in agreement with Chichester District Council’s archaeologist, James Kenny, who felt that the parks were the most likely place to discover remains that will have survived. Following the results from the scans, James and the local archaeology society carried out a very small dig in the park which confirmed his thoughts.

“What’s remarkable about this discovery is that it has survived over 1,000 years in a currently occupied city. The only reason they have survived is because they are under a park that has never been built

on,” says James Kenny, Archaeologist at Chichester District Council.

“It’s almost unique to see Roman houses survive in this type of setting and to be so complete.

“The location marks what may have been one of the more affluent parts of the Roman Town, with these houses being the equivalent to a property worth millions of pounds in today’s society. The two houses have walls surrounding complete rooms, which are set around a courtyard or atrium. There is also a deep masonry building with a rounded end. We are intrigued to find out what this building is. It could be a cellar, part of a bath house, or something even more exciting. We can’t wait to find out.

“These are definitely going to be some of the best surviving Roman remains that have been uncovered in a city environment.”

James believes that the houses were originally located on a street, but that this hasn’t survived because of the World War Two reservoir that was built in the park. The scans reveal that another Roman street ran further east under Priory Park, but this will not be uncovered.

“We are just going to focus our attention on the area south of The Guildhall building that is located in the park. We’re very lucky, because this is an area that is not regularly used and so we should be able to carry out a dig to uncover the buildings that we have found. This is sure to unlock even more buried secrets and items of importance,” adds James.

Chichester District Council has now agreed to fund a more detailed dig to gather more evidence.

“We want to be certain what the archaeology is and demonstrate its significance. We also want to encourage residents and visitors to come and look at it and find out more about the discoveries that we uncover. We hope to use this evidence to bid for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund a series of excavations over successive years,” says James.

“As soon as we have more details on this, we will let people know, so that they can come down to watch and find out more. We hope to run site tours and provide information during the dig, which we aim to carry out between 22 May and 4 June. This discovery is a unique part of

News in brief

Boundary changesFollowing recommendations by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England which have been supported by Chichester District councillors, the number of councillors looks set to be reduced from 48 to 36.

The changes mean that there will be 21 wards instead of the current 29.

It is anticipated that the recommendations will take effect for the next District and Parish Council Elections in May 2019. To find out more about the changes and see how your ward will be affected visit https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/6923

Village Hall improvementsWe have awarded a series of grants to parish councils across the district to make improvements to local village halls. Cocking Parish Council and Tillington Parish Council have received £2,000 and £10,000 respectively to build extensions on their village halls. Duncton Parish Council has also received a £1,000 grant for a new floor for its village hall.

Planning enforcement – report it onlineIf you spot a planning breach you can now report it online thanks to a new form on our website. For more details and to make an enforcement complaint please see www.chichester.gov.uk/planningenforcement

Chichester’s – and this country’s – history, and so it is important that we make this accessible so that people feel involved.

“At this stage, we are not thinking of keeping the remains on permanent display – when the work has been completed it is more likely that we will return the ground to its current state. Instead, the likelihood is that we will create 3D imaging and information that will provide people with all of the information that they need in the long term. This will form part of the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund,” he adds.

Priory Park is located in the centre of Chichester and was given to the people of the city by the Duke of Richmond as a World War One memorial. Next year will mark the centenary of the park and the end of the first World War. The council is hoping to arrange some events and digs to tie in with this.

“This discovery is very exciting and is of national historical importance,” says Cllr Susan Taylor, Cabinet Member for Planning at Chichester District Council.

“Chichester’s rich Roman history already attracts people from far and wide, due to its city walls and the Roman Bath House at our Novium Museum and the nearby Fishbourne Roman Palace. We hope that these further discoveries will encourage even more people to visit our beautiful city and district.”

The council hopes to organise a community dig between 22 May and 4 June. For more information on this, please visit the news section of our website www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

Last August, a new Wednesday market arrived in Chichester city centre on the North and East Street precincts for a one year trial, with the existing traders market continuing to operate in the Cattle Market car park every Saturday.

The market has been incredibly popular with customers and traders and has attracted many new stall holders. A public consultation took place in March to seek the views of customers, stall holders and other retailers and businesses in the city centre. The council’s cabinet will be asked to consider the future of the market when it meets in June.

Chichester city centre market is proving popular

Pay for parking with your mobile phone

It’s now easier than ever to park in one of our car parks. You are now able to pay with your mobile phone following significant investment in our car parks across the district.

Payment can be made either via an online app www.mipermit.com or by simply calling a dedicated number. You will also be able to opt to receive a reminder by text when your parking is about to run out, with the option to extend your time if you wish to do so. Look out for more improvements which will follow over the coming months.

An exploratory dig that took place in May 2016 with members of Chichester District Archaeological Society.

Volunteer archaeologists examine some finds.

Remarkable Roman discovery in Priory ParkFoundations of complete Roman town houses have been discovered under one of Chichester’s city centre parks and they are expected to be some of the most remarkable Roman finds yet.

One of the scans showing the outline of the buildings discovered.

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To celebrate 20 years of producing our magazine ‘initiatives’, local

businesses have kindly donated a number of prizes for us to give away.

Goodwood Racecourse Win four Richmond Enclosure tickets for the Goodwood Festival of Food & Racing (Saturday 27 May 2017). The event is a fabulous combination of award-winning food and high-quality racing.

Chichester Festival Theatre Win a CFT Friends membership and two tickets to a show. Membership includes priority booking, discounts and much more.

West Dean Gardens Win an ‘Afternoon Escape’ voucher. Win entry and enjoy afternoon tea for two in the beautiful surroundings of West Dean Gardens, one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public in England.

The Novium Museum Win a private evening viewing of the Tim Peake exhibition. Be inspired by Tim Peake’s extraordinary journey with a VIP viewing for you and up to 30 guests.

Weald and Downland Living Museum Win a family entry ticket. Discover traditional buildings in a rural landscape, which tell the stories of the people who lived and worked in them over a 950-year period.

The Garden Show Win a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to The Garden Show at Stansted Park (Saturday 9 – Sunday 11 June 2017). The perfect event to find all you need for your garden and home.

Adsdean Farm Shop Win a £50 voucher. A local, family-run farm that sells only the best and healthiest meat from sources that achieve a high welfare standard.

Pallant House Gallery Win two tickets to visit Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. Pallant House is one of the most important galleries for British modern art in the country.

Westgate Leisure Centre Win a six-month Hot Yoga membership. Hot Yoga is one of the fastest growing styles of yoga, practised in up to a 42 degree heated studio.

Summersdale Publishers Win a set of Summersdale titles. Summersdale is a Chichester-based book publisher of travel writing, general non-fiction,

health and wellbeing and gift and humour titles.

CrossEyesWin a pair of prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. CrossEyes is an established Danish optician, bringing unique designs, professional care and the latest ophthalmic equipment to Chichester.

Garden Recycling Service Win a one-year subscription. Our fortnightly collection service gives you the chance to recycle your garden waste in a convenient and cost effective way.

The Woodhorn Group Win an Earth Cycle Compost Soil Conditioner. A nutrient dense organic soil conditioner based on composted plant material, which is an all round product for your general gardening and horticultural needs.

The

BIGgiveaway

celebrating 20 years

To stand a chance of winning one of the fantastic prizes on offer, all you need to do is email us at publicrelations@chichester.gov.uk or write to us at: Public Relations, Chichester District Council, East Pallant House, Chichester, PO19 1TY by 5 May and provide us with the following information:

• name;• address;• email address;• contact number;• tell us what you like about initiatives

and how it could be improved.

Terms and conditions apply. Please see www.chichester.gov.uk/initiativesmagazine for details. Good luck!

T O T H E N O V I U M M U S E U M

TIM MAKES A SURPRISE VISIT

Chichester astronaut Tim Peake made a surprise visit to The Novium Museum in January, so that he could meet local schoolchildren and view the museum’s

exhibition charting his amazing space mission.

www.chichester.gov.uk www.chichester.gov.uk8 9

Thanks to our sponsors:

Pupils from his former schools, Westbourne Primary School and Chichester High School, were invited to attend the visit and be part of a question and answer session with Tim.

“It’s fantastic to be back here in my home town of Chichester and to be here at the wonderful exhibition at The Novium Museum,” said Tim. “I am absolutely delighted – you’ve done an absolutely wonderful job so thank you so much.

“Mission Principia has been such an outstanding success in terms of the education outreach. Myself, and the team at the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency have just been so overwhelmed at the wonderful response that we’ve had from everybody around the UK.”

Tim was asked a wide variety of questions by the enthusiastic pupils which included what was the funniest moment in space, what was his favourite button to press, did brussel sprouts taste any better in space and whether space had good internet access?

He enjoyed a tour of the exhibition with his family and then chatted to volunteers and VIPs before spending time with the pupils and signing autographs.

Councillor Gillian Keegan, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services at Chichester District Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the day was so special. The pupils from both Westbourne Primary School and Chichester High School got to ask lots of questions and Tim gave them an amazing insight into life in space.

“We are so grateful to Tim, his parents and his sister for supporting this exhibition in the way that they have. We know that all of the pupils were inspired by what Tim has said and we are sure that this will encourage them to follow their dreams.

“This exhibition has been fantastic for The Novium Museum. We’ve seen a significant increase in visitor numbers since introducing the exhibition – with thousands of people visiting the exhibition in its first couple of months. It’s had great reviews and the best thing is that it is free.”

Museum Manager, Cathy Hakes said: “It was a wonderful day. We are so pleased that Tim came down to Chichester to visit the exhibition and chat to the schools. It was a really inspirational visit and we are very grateful that Tim was able to take time out from his hectic schedule.”

Special thanks must be also extended to Nigel Peake, Tim’s father, who helped curate the exhibition. Nigel said:

“Looking around this magnificent exhibition we know how much hard work has been put in by a lot of people. From my point of view, it has been great fun, especially as, at the last minute, we were able to get a real flown in space flight suit and the constriction leggings that he wore on his bumpy journey back to earth. Tim is delighted with it. He came up with ideas and supplied me with material.”

Exhibition sponsors, Air Products, Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth and Vanderbilt Homes, were also delighted to be part of the day and hear Tim’s inspirational words to the schools.

Tim’s insight into spacePupils from Westbourne Primary School and Chichester High School asked Tim some brilliant questions when he visited The Novium Museum. To read all of the questions and answers, please visit The Novium’s website www.thenovium.org or www.chichester.gov.uk/timpeakeexhibition

When did you first decide to go into space?

It was more of a progression really, because when I was your age I was in the Chichester High School cadet force. I was in the Army Cadets, I’d go flying with the air force section at the weekend because I loved flying. I love being in the army, so it was quite natural I’d join the army air corps – it’s kind of a combination of both. And I loved flying at that stage, flying was my passion. I did follow the space programme. At the time I was growing up it was the shuttle programme that was capturing everybody’s imagination. I’ve always followed the shuttle launches that were going on, but at the time in the UK there was no obvious path for anybody in the UK to become an astronaut and it was only much, much later in my career as a test pilot that the ESA opened the doors to all member states, regardless of whether they were involved in the human space programme or not. It was not really until 2008 that I even had the opportunity to become an astronaut. So it was as late as that, that I saw the opportunity and thankfully, I was at the right age. I was coming to the end of an 18-year career in

the military, I’d been a test pilot for five years, I recently had a degree in flight dynamics – so everything came together just at the perfect moment to apply to the space agency.

What was your favourite button in space?

There are a couple of great buttons – and there are some that you really shouldn’t push!

But there are a couple of good buttons I love pushing: one of them is in the Japanese air lock where we send experiments out into space via the air lock door. It’s always great when you get to open the door into outer space. So the open hatch button was a great button to push, definitely. And I think the separation button in the Soyuz space craft – that blows the spacecraft into three pieces – is a great button to push.

What was your favourite past time in space?

Definitely taking photographs. I speak not just for myself but every crew member there. What was strange was whilst I was on board, after three months, we had three new crew members arrive. One was a NASA astronaut called Jeff Williams. He was on his third long duration mission to space and the first thing he did when he got on board was go to the window and start taking photographs and this is somebody who’s been in space for over a year. They’re still so passionate and interested in taking photographs and trying to kind of capture the images from our mission to space. So that was definitely my favourite past time.

Congratulations to the winners:

• Holly from Lavant Primary School;

• Elleanor from Duncton Junior School;

• Oscar from Camelsdale Primary School;

• Daniel from Shelley Primary School;

• Tilly from Compton and Up Marden Primary School;

• Arlo from Saint Mary’s Bentworth Primary School;

• Cameron from North Heath Primary School;

• Josie from Crofton Anne Dale Junior School;

• Ella from Queens Park Academy;

• Ella from Wonersh and Shamley Green Primary School; and

• Louis from Carisbrooke Primary School

Visit our Tim Peake exhibition now!The Tim Peake exhibition is on throughout this year and it’s FREE!

The Novium Museum, Tower Street, Chichester PO19 1QH Tel: 01243 775888

Writing competitionwinners

Schools from across the south battled it out against each other for the chance to win an out of this world space themed sleepover in our Tim Peake exhibition for their whole class. To enter, children had to create a piece of writing titled ‘My Dream Space Job’.

Tim poses for pictures with pupils from Chichester High School and Westbourne Primary School.

Tim during the Q&A at The Novium Museum.

Tim standing by the flight suit he wore in space.

www.chichester.gov.uk10 11

Dog fouling is disgusting, poses health risks and blights our environment. Although we have two dog wardens who patrol the district and we provide hundreds of waste bins, we cannot stop this alone. We need your help!

As well as making a mess of our public areas, did you know dog fouling can also pose a serious risk to our health?

A single gram of dog waste is estimated to contain 23 million faecal coliform bacteria which can cause a series of symptoms including cramps, diarrhoea and even serious kidney disorders in humans.

Dog mess can also be host to roundworm eggs. The roundworm parasite is found in the digestive system of dogs which have not been de-wormed and can cause a serious illness in humans known as toxocariasis. This can cause symptoms including skin rashes, breathing difficulties, seizures and even blindness.

If picked up immediately, these eggs pose no risk to humans as they only become infectious after 10 – 21 days. However, if left, the eggs will pass into surrounding sand or soil where they can survive and are infectious for many months.

Bag it and bin it or face a fine!Failure to clean up after your dog is an offence. If you are caught allowing your dog to foul and not cleaning up after it, you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75. If this is not paid, the owner may be taken to court and if found guilty of the offence, fined a maximum of £1,000.

We’ve also seen an increase in people putting dog mess into a bag, but then leaving it wherever they see fit. This is littering and is a danger to wildlife. It can also result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75. Please remember, once you’ve bagged up the dog mess, you can place it in any litter bin.

STOP MUCKING ABOUT!KEEP IT CLEAN, KEEP IT GREEN:WE WANT TO JOIN FORCES WITH YOU TO CRACK DOWN ON DOG FOULING.KEEP CHICHESTER DISTRICT BEAUTIFUL

THE PARASITES IN DOG MESS CAN SURVIVE UP TO 21 DAYS

BAG IT and BIN IT!

Most dog owners are responsible and make sure that they clean up after their pets while out and about. But there are also those who leave their dog’s mess for people to walk in and spread in homes and other locations.

How can you help?If you spot a dog owner failing to clean up after their pet, you can report them to our Dog Wardens. If you can provide details of time/day, location, a description of the owner and the dog, and if relevant a car registration number, our Dog Wardens will be able to investigate. Just email environmentalhealth@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 785166.

We are lucky to be surrounded by stunning countryside, picturesque towns and villages, and scenic coastline. We have an attractive area and we know that most people want to keep it that way, but unfortunately we receive regular reports about litter and fly tipping in a variety of locations across the district.

Join the fight against fly tipping You will be prosecuted if you dump waste. That is the message from Jez Todd who is our new weapon in the fight against fly tipping. Last autumn, Jez took on the role of pursuing prosecutions for fly tipping and since he began, three are already underway. But, it’s not easy and it can take lots of detective work to trace those responsible.

“Fly tippers usually know that what they are doing is illegal and often go to great lengths to avoid detection,” says Jez. “The best way to ensure prosecution is from an eyewitness account. If there isn’t an eyewitness account then sometimes there is evidence in the fly tip, such as receipts. Through these, we trace the householders who may have paid for their waste to be removed and then we can trace the fly tippers. If you come across a fly tip I would urge you not to rifle through it as it could contain hazardous material. Give us a call and we’ll investigate.”

“Fly tipping is a real scourge on our countryside,” says Councillor Roger Barrow, Cabinet Member for Contract Services at Chichester District Council. “Not only does it look unsightly and leaves a bad impression, but it is harmful to the land and also poses a great danger to animals who

end up eating it or getting caught up in the materials.

“Last year, Chichester District Council spent more than £52,000 clearing away 618 cases of fly tipping. In the last three years we have spent more than £142,000 clearing away illegally dumped waste. If people didn’t dump their waste then this money could be spent in other ways such as more planting in our parks and gardens or improving the district’s play parks. This is just for fly tips on public land. Private land owners also pay to remove waste dumped on their land so the cost to the district is even more.”

Who is responsible? Most people aren’t aware that by law it is the householder who is responsible for making sure their waste is disposed of safely and legally. Whether you have finished decorating, are a student clearing out your house or been busy sprucing up the garden, it is down to you to ensure your waste is disposed of properly.

Fly tipping is often carried out by illegal waste carriers who promise to take your waste away for a bargain fee but then dump it. Very often the waste can be traced back to the householder, but not necessarily to the fly tipper, meaning the householder could be prosecuted.

As part of our campaign we are urging people who are about to embark on a household project to ‘think waste first’ by considering what waste they may generate and how they will dispose of it once done. You might get a skip or hire another waste carrier. This is where we urge you to be extra careful as not everyone who claims to be a legal waste carrier is.

Check first Please take time to check any company or individual first. Waste carriers are registered by the Environment Agency and all those who are licensed are listed on its website. Before hiring, it’s sensible to take down the individual / company details and check with the Environment Agency first.

We would also advise that when the waste is collected you make a note of who came plus a description, vehicle registration, make, model and colour and what they took away. It may seem onerous, but if the waste is dumped illegally, it could be traced back to you rather than the fly tipper and you could be held responsible.

REPORT A FLY TIP: call 01243 534619 or go to www.chichester.gov.uk/flytipping and use the ‘report it’ section.

This year, we want to work together with residents to help keep our district looking beautiful as part of our Keep it Clean, Keep it Green campaign.

We’ll be looking at how we can reduce littering and tackle fly tipping and dog fouling. We’ll also be offering advice on how we can make sure we are getting rid of our waste safely and legally.

Cabinet Member for Contract Services, Councillor Roger Barrow says: “Most people are proud of where they live and want to see it looking clean, tidy and litter free. While our teams work really hard across the district to do this, we’re also aware that it’s about everyone working together. As part of this

campaign we want to increase people’s knowledge about waste responsibility, how they can report fly tipping and some tips on how to prevent it.”

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Every week or seasonal

Traders Market Cattle Market Car Park, Chichester: Every Saturday

City Market North and East Street, Chichester: Every Wednesday

Farmers’ Market North and East Street, Chichester: 21 April, 5 & 19 May, 2 & 16 June, 7 July

21 AprilWeird and Wonderful! Family fun at Chichester Cathedral. Take part in some exciting activities suitable for children aged 3-12. 10am-3pm. £2.50 per child. CC

24 AprilThe RAF’s ISTAR Force: delivering battle-winning knowledge & effect. A talk by Wg Cdr Stewart. Chichester Park Hotel. 7.30pm. Admission £5. www.airaces.org.uk 01243 823007

29 AprilAll Sewn Up. A sale of beautifully made and unique stitched items by Chichester Embroiderers’ Guild. All proceeds to St. Wilfrid’s Hospice Appeal. Drapers Yard, 16 The Hornet, PO19 7JG. 9.30am-5pm.

29 AprilSpring Fair. GC

29 April-1 MayFood & Folk Festival. The very best of the South East’s produce, crafts books and plants showcased. 10.30am-5pm. Standard admission applies. WDOAM

29, 30 April and 1, 7, 8, MayChichester Open Studios Art Trail. Discover art on your doorstep. 149 local artists at 114 venues in Chichester and surrounding countryside. Studios open 10.30am-5.30pm. www.chichesterarttrail.org

29-30 April, 27-28 May and 24-25 JuneCostume encounters. Hear what life was like below stairs in the early 1800s as our costume interpreters bring the Historic Kitchens to life. PH

1 MayMosaic Mayhem. A day of mosaic activities for all ages including tours, demonstrations and a chance to make an edible mosaic. FRP

2 May – 20 JuneLunchtime Concerts at Chichester Cathedral. Tuesdays, 1.10pm-2pm. Free admission. CC

6 MayMidhurst Rother College Community Day. A community day promoting all things local. Lots for all to see and do. 10am-2pm. www.mrc-academy.org

8-14 MayHats4Headway. Give people with Brain Injury independence, happiness and support by raising money during Hats4Headway. Download a fundraising pack at www.headwaywestsussex.org.uk/fundraising/hats4headway

9 MayEvening with West Dean Gardeners, Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain. Tickets from £12. WD

9 May- 28 JulyWatercolour classes. Ten week term. Join anytime, all abilities welcome. Tuesdays 10am-1pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 12.30pm-3.30pm. Rousillon Park Community Hall. www.johnhillwatercolour.com

13 MayOving Village Scarecrow Day. A fun filled family event. Hunt the scarecrow creations around the village. Take part in arts and crafts and enjoy refreshments. 12pm-5.30pm. www.ovingscarecrows.org

20 May, 17 June & 15 JulyMonthly Market. GC

21 May, 18 June and 16 JulySteam on Sunday. Chichester and District Society of Model Engineers open afternoons. Enjoy a train ride and light refreshments. Free admission. 2pm-5pm. Blackberry Lane, PO19 7FS. www.cdsme.co.uk

22 May‘Bull’ Halahan. A talk by Phillip MacDougall about the Hurricane squadron commander’s impact on the Battle of Britain. Chichester Park Hotel. 7.30pm. Admission £5. www.airaces.org.uk / 01243 823007

27 May – 3 JuneChichester Roman Week. Discover Chichester’s rich Roman heritage, with family activities throughout the week. NOV

29 MayGardens in Time. Talks, tours, demonstrations and workshops covering everything from herbal

medicine to ancient garden design, Roman cuisine to natural dyes. FRP

30 May & 1 June50 Things adventures. Make a home for a wild animal, plant some seeds or create your own binoculars and go bird watching. Standard admission applies. PH

31 May, 1 & 2 JunePhotography workshops for under 18s. Improve your photography skills in a workshop run by Sharp Shots Photo Club. 7-11 years or 12-15 years. http://sharpshotsphotoclub.co.uk/petworth-house-west-sussex/ PH

2-4 JuneWest Dean Arts and Craft Festival. An outstanding showcase of arts and craft activities. Tickets from £10. WD

3-4 JuneLiving History Festival. Walk through history with themed zones and actors depicting eras including the 1940s, Victorians, Georgians, Tudors, Saxons and more. Standard admission applies. WDOAM

3-4 JuneMixed emotions photography weekend. Celebrate the launch of submissions for our ‘Mixed Emotions’ exhibition with photography tips and activities for all the family. Standard admission applies. PH

5 JuneFrom the 1st Loop to the Red Arrows. A talk by Chris Roberts on the history of the Red Arrows. Chichester Park Hotel PO19 7QL. 7.30pm. Admission £5. www.airaces.org.uk / 01243 823007

From 10 JuneFive things for under-fives. Pick up a bag of activities to encourage little ones to engage with the art as you explore the Mansion. Standard admission applies. PH

15 JuneFinds ID. Bring your finds to be identified and recorded. Drop in. 11am-5pm. NOV

16 JuneSussex Day Celebration Walk. A six mile walk to celebrate Sussex Day. Tillington to Midhurst via the Midhurst Way. Leaving The Horse Guards Inn, GU28 9AF, at 9.30am. Booking not necessary. Geraldgreshamcooke@gmail.com / 01798 342151

24 JuneChichester Singers Concert. Works by Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and John Rutter. Conducted by Jonathan Willcocks. Chichester Cathedral. 7.30pm. www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-chichester-singers / 01243 931243

24 JuneOving Village Summer Fete. Stalls include books, bric-a-brac, cakes, raffles, tombola, toys and refreshments. Oving Jubilee Hall. 2pm-4pm. Admission 50p.

24-25 JuneHistoric Gardens Weekend. Discover the herbs, vegetables and flowers that rural households would have grown and used from Tudor times until the Victorian era. 11am-5pm. Standard admission applies. WDOAM

26 June – 8 JulyPergola Open Air Theatre. Enjoy a picnic and live theatre in the beautiful surroundings of West Dean Gardens. Tickets from £10. 7.45pm. WD

28 JuneOpen air performance of ‘Comedy of Errors’. Performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. 7.30pm. www.chichestercathedral.org.uk / 01243 782595

1-2 JulyGladiators. Britannia return for an exciting weekend of Roman gladiatorial combat, hands-on activities and displays of daily life 2,000 years ago. FRP

1-2 JulyMid-Summer Fair. GC

15 JulySee behind the scenes at Chichester Cathedral. Come along and see areas of the Cathedral normally closed to the public. Free entry. www.chichestercathedral.org.uk / 01243 782595

9 JulyToy Fair. Up to 50 varied and fantastic stalls. GC

13 JulyTalks at 6 – Tim Peake. A talk about Tim Peake’s journey to the International Space Station, with an opportunity to view the exhibition after. Booking essential. 6pm. Donations to Princes Trust. NOV

What’s on?Venue codes and useful numbersCC Chichester Cathedral (01243 812497) or www.chichestercathedral.org.uk

FRP Fishbourne Roman Palace (01243) 789829 or bit.ly/eventsatfishbourne

GC Grange Centre, Midhurst (01730) 816841 or www.everyoneactive.com/centre/the-grange-community-leisure-centre

NOV The Novium Museum (01243) 775888 or www.thenovium.org

PH Petworth House www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park

WDOAM Weald & Downland Museum (01243) 811363 or www.wealddown.co.uk

WD West Dean College 01243 811301 or www.westdean.org.uk

WLC Westgate Leisure Chichester 01243 785651 or www.everyoneactive.com

Tickets for a variety of events are available from Chichester Tourist Information Centre at The Novium Museum, Tower Street. For more information contact (01243) 775888.

While every effort has been made to make sure the accuracy of this information is correct, Chichester District Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or inconvenience caused. We would advise you to check the details with the organiser before attending any of the events published. Apologies to those people who will get the magazine after some of the events listed. The list runs from when the first deliveries of ‘initiatives’ are made, but delivery to all properties normally takes two weeks.

Life is good in the garden! Browse over 350 handpicked stalls with affordable and unique wares: plants, garden and home furniture and accessories, art, design, sculpture and fashion. Relish tempting foods and wines. Enjoy artisan workshops and cooking demonstrations.

There’s plenty of family entertainment: juggling, face painting, puppet shows, the maze, archery, toddler funfair and model railway. Wander the lovely parklands, tour Stansted House, admire the flower filled Chapel and watch Huxley Birds of Prey.

The Garden Show at Stansted Park9 – 11 June 2017 10am – 5pm Daily

For more information on our services, please call us on

Services we offer at Dovecote ViewResidential Care Home:• Long-term Care• Respite/Convalescence Care• Day Care

01243 779080 or www.dovecoteview.com

WIN a pair of tickets for the first preview of Fiddler on the Roof

This summer Chichester Festival Theatre present the inaugural season from new Artistic and Executive Directors, Daniel Evans and Rachel Tackley. Festival 2017 continues the CFT tradition of epic productions in the Festival Theatre including a summer musical – this year’s offering is a new production of the Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof – and compelling, intimate dramas and world premieres in the Minerva Theatre.

For your chance to win a pair of tickets for the first preview of Fiddler on the Roof, on Monday 10 July at 7.30pm, email marketing@cft.org.uk with your name and contact details, and the subject line ‘Initiatives CFT Competition’ before midday on 1 June. Terms and conditions apply.

T&Cs: The prize tickets are valid on the performance stated only and are non-transferable. The winner will be contacted on 2 June.

Adults £9, Seniors £7, Child £3 (4yrs & under free), Family £22 (2A + 4C)

Tel: 01243 538456 www.thegardenshowonline.com

Mobility For You: 01784 451258 www.mobilityforyou.co.uk

www.chichester.gov.uk14 www.chichester.gov.uk 15

reduce + reuse + recycle = result reduce + reuse + recycle = result

We want to say a big thank you for helping to increase the district’s recycling rate from 39.9% to 43.3% in just six months!

The measurement was taken between April and September of last year.

Last year was definitely a busy one! We launched a big recycling campaign, which was supported by Tesco, Waitrose, Budgens and the Co-op, as well as local media organisations and West Sussex County Council.

During Recycle Week 2016, councillors and officers visited supermarkets in Midhurst, Chichester and Selsey, answering questions on recycling and providing people with information. We created a new recycling leaflet, which aimed to make recycling easier and clearer and we improved the recycling advice on our website.

We increased our social media activity with helpful recycling advice and created pull out recycling guides in every issue of this magazine last year.

A new residents’ recycling forum has also been created in order to gather ideas and feedback on how recycling can be made easier. This has already had a very positive effect, with a number of residents joining and providing really useful feedback in relation to the campaign and other forthcoming activities.

An innovative trial was launched to help increase recycling in flats and shared houses where space can often be a barrier to recycling. The scheme has been introduced in partnership with West Sussex County Council. Free reusable recycling bags have been issued to a trial number of properties, which have helpful imagery showing what can and can’t be recycled. The bags can be used to transfer glass jars and bottles; plastic pots, tubs and trays; paper and card, foil and aerosols to the communal recycling bins. We are looking forward to reviewing the results of the trial.

We are placing stickers onto rubbish and recycling bins in selected areas to help residents identify items that are going into rubbish bins that could be recycled. This includes areas of Chichester, Selsey and Westbourne. If it’s a success, we aim to roll it out across the district.

Research carried out last year showed that in Chichester District up to 20% of the contents of our rubbish bins could have been recycled in some form, and up to 12% of their contents could have gone into your burgundy recycling bin.

The stickers aim to provide residents with helpful information about items that can be recycled. The project is based on research from other councils in the UK. Evidence has shown that stickers such as these can lead to an increase in recycling, and a reduction in the amount in your black rubbish bin. This will help us on our way to our target of recycling 50% of all our waste by 2020.

Cllr Roger Barrow, Cabinet Member for Contract Services at the council says: “We have to recycle 50% of all

household waste by 2020. This initiative is one of many that we are exploring to help us reach this target.

“We’re trialling this scheme because we want to make sure that this works before rolling it out to the 56,000 properties in our district. We’re keen to hear what you think.”

The stickers have been rolled out in the trial areas, so please keep an eye out for them on your bins or around the district and let us know what you think of them. You can contact us on 01243 534619 or you can email the team on wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk

The designs for the stickers were produced in consultation with various groups including the Residents’ Recycling Forum, which is made up of local residents who are interested in helping steer the way we approach waste and recycling in the district. If you are interested in joining the forum, we would love to hear from you, please contact us by emailing wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk

Helping you ‘stick’ with our recycling mission! A new scheme is being trialled in areas of Chichester District to help residents reduce waste and encourage more recycling.

Residents can access more advice and support by www.chichester.gov.uk/recyclingadvice and www.recycleforwestsussex.org/home-recycling

“We want to say a massive thank you to all of our residents for increasing the amount that they are recycling. We also want to thank everyone who supported this campaign, including our local supermarkets and local media organisations,” says Cllr Roger Barrow, Cabinet Member for Contract Services at Chichester District Council.

“We know that people are keen to recycle and that they understand its importance. However, regular reminders on what you can and can’t recycle go a long way to reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Such a sharp increase in the amount of recycling collected shows that this approach appears to be working. As part of our communications campaign, we also relaunched our garden recycling scheme, which has been going from strength to strength and is adding to the amount that we are recycling.

“This is only the start. We now have an action plan for the year ahead, which is going to involve a number of further activities planned to help local residents recycle more and build upon the work already achieved. By 2020, all areas across

Why recycle?

• By recycling, together we can save money; support jobs; and, protect the environment.

• Some of the materials we throw away are valuable and can be recycled. The money generated from your recycling is reinvested into local services and helps to keep costs down.

• Recycling is more efficient. It uses less energy and reduces the carbon emissions compared to using raw materials.

• West Sussex County Council has estimated that we are currently sending £8 million of recyclable material to landfill. This is money that could be invested in local services.JOIN

ONLINE TODAY

www.chichester.gov.uk/gardenrecycling

Thank you for increasing your recyclingthe country are expected to be recycling 50% of all waste and so it is vital that we continue working together to reach and exceed this target,” adds Roger.

In the next couple of months, certain areas will take part in a bin sticker trial, which aims to provide a prompt for residents illustrating what they can and can’t recycle. We also hope to continue our partnership with local supermarkets during Recycle Week 2017, which starts on 25 September.

“It’s the simple things that make a big difference, such as making sure items are separate – including lids and tops; not placing plastic bags in the recycling bin; and making sure that your recycling is clean and dry.

www.chichester.gov.uk 17www.chichester.gov.uk16

Funding will help communities build their own homesDoes your area lack affordable homes? Funding is now available to help your community launch its own house-building project to meet the needs of the area and provide genuinely affordable homes.

In December, Chichester District Council was awarded over £1.3 million by the Government to help support community-led housing schemes. The money was awarded in recognition of the high number of second homes in the district and the effect this has on affordability.

“One of the council’s key priorities is to improve the provision of and access to suitable housing,” says Louise Rudziak, Head of Housing and Environment Services at Chichester District Council. “Community-led schemes are an important tool to help achieve this and have many benefits such as creating stronger neighbourhoods, creating permanent affordability and giving greater local accountability.

“Currently, the average house price in the district is more than 13 times the average salary which makes it difficult

for local people to remain living in the area where they have grown up. This funding is being made available to help people address local housing needs and provide unique solutions to meet them. The Government’s focus has changed from a ‘top down’ approach to actively encouraging communities to devise their own tailor-made schemes. We see this funding as a huge opportunity for people to make a lasting difference and support future generations.

“There are many different ways for communities to set up their own housing project. We can provide all the support and guidance they need, it doesn’t have to be demanding, we just need people to contact us with their ideas as soon as they can. Depending on take-up of this funding, more could become available in future.”

Group led:

A group forms in response to local housing need, or to deliver its own homes. These groups usually emerge from existing networks such as parish councils or residents’ associations. The group accesses expertise to support the development.

Extension of community based activity:

An existing local organisation that decides to provide housing in addition to its current activities. This would involve accessing expertise to help them understand this new area of provision.

Developer-led partnership:

A local authority, landowner, housing association, or local developer that wants to provide housing that incorporates a community-led element. They recruit founder members from the community and support them to take over ownership and management of the homes.

The council’s housing delivery team is able to provide technical help and support to those who want to kick-start schemes in their community, including funds towards start-up costs. Projects can take a variety of models:

How can we help?

Examples of projects include housing co-operatives, self-build schemes, co-ownership and housing for older people. Community schemes can access a wider range of funding opportunities not available to large developers and give communities control over design and affordability, as well as ensuring local traders are employed.

This funding is in addition to money allocated by the council last summer to help people set up Community Land Trusts (CLTs). This funding includes grants towards the purchase of land and low-cost loans for developing homes. The National CLT Network also provides grants. So far eight community groups have expressed interest in setting up a CLT.

Find out more: if you are interested in setting up a local housebuilding project please go to www.chichester.gov.uk/communityledhousing for more information.

The council is also compiling a list of those interested in self-build schemes, please sign up at www.chichester.gov.uk/selfbuild.

You can find out more by visiting www.helptobuy.gov.uk and www.chichester.gov.uk/housing; emailing housing@chichester.gov.uk or calling our Housing Delivery Team on 01243 785166.

www.chichester.gov.uk www.chichester.gov.uk18 19

Supporting carers

Carers work incredibly hard, looking after relatives and friends. Our support can mean that they can get a well needed break without having to worry, or it can provide them with additional peace of mind. People often think that our devices are just used for older people, but that’s not the case. A mother who has a child with health problems uses our devices to give her extra peace of mind at home. Our movement detectors alert her if her child has got out of bed. This means that she can relax when she goes to bed, or is located in another part of the house. Something as simple as this has made a significant difference to her daily life.

Supporting businesses

We support a range of businesses and Local Authorities. We supply devices to lone workers, who may be working in remote locations or those who deal with difficult situations. Our devices give them the peace of mind that we are always with

them at the touch of the button. If they get into a difficult situation they can also press a button that allows us to listen and record the situation without them having to say anything. One school provides their teachers with our devices as extra security while they are out and about with groups of students. We also work with a number of sheltered accommodation and care homes who use a range of devices to support their clients.

Supporting those who live alone or need reassurance

We have a range of devices that support people to continue to live safely and independently in their own home. These are used for those who are leaving hospital with medical issues and those who just want a bit of extra reassurance. Our customers are all ages, including the very young, university students, middle aged people and older people. Our solutions allow people to get on with their everyday lives, knowing that we are with them if there’s a problem. Our solutions have even enabled a university student

who suffers with epilepsy to study away from home. This has given her and her parents the reassurance they need – and when she experiences problems, we call someone immediately so that she gets the support she needs.

Supporting you while you’re out and about

Our ground breaking solutions have saved many lives. This is especially the case for those customers who have dementia. Our GPS locating devices mean that you can keep your independence while being reassured that your family and our Chichester Careline service can locate you if you forget where you are. Family members can access a secure website where they can locate you or they can call our 24/7 centre for assistance. We also have a version with a button, which means that if you are feeling unwell you can press the button, which will allow you to talk directly to us. This is especially good for people with health conditions, who might want the peace of mind of knowing that we are always with them at the touch of a button.

OFFER: Try our lifeline FREE for 13 weeks – and free key safe for the first 20 customers*Whether you are new to the service, or you want to switch from another provider, we are currently offering 13 weeks free on our lifeline units. You will receive a pendant, or red button as it is sometimes known, that can be placed around your neck or wrist. When you press it, you will be connected to our 24-hour monitoring centre in

Chichester, where our highly trained staff can assist you. Just call us now on 01243 778688 or visit www.chichestercareline.org.uk to find out more. To celebrate 20 years of initiatives, we are also giving away a free key safe to the first 20 customers to sign up to Careline.*Terms and conditions apply

Supporting you 24/7Whoever you are, whatever your circumstances, our Chichester Careline service could be supporting you. Regardless of your age, or whether you are an individual or business, we have a variety of solutions to support you.

Organised by the Chichester Wellbeing Team and a dedicated group of Volunteer Walk Leaders, HeartSmart Walks are free walks ranging from one and a half to six miles in various locations across the district.

As well as helping people to get outdoors and discover more of the local area, the walks are also good if you are not too sure where to go, or if you are nervous about being out and about on your own. Each route offers people the opportunity to walk at their own pace, chat with others, meet new people and enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery.

The walks are good for providing a wellbeing boost and keeping you active and healthy. They are accredited by Walking for Health, a joint project led by The Ramblers Association and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Keen Volunteer Walk Leader, Gerald Gresham-Cooke says: I know how much our walks are appreciated by everybody who comes. I’m always amazed at how many turn up on an early Monday morning, happy to come for a walk. It gives me so much pleasure as a leader. People chat and make new friends, as well as see sights of West Sussex which they would never discover for themselves.

Anne Adamson, another Volunteer Walk Leader of 15 years, says: “After glorious walks in some golden weather towards

the end of last year, a dear regular walker said to me: “These walks make Monday for me, I can’t wait,” which is so wonderful to hear.”

Councillor Eileen Lintill, Cabinet Member for Community Services, says: “Walking is good for both mind and body and people really enjoy the HeartSmart walks. Walking has a wealth of benefits and so if you fancy a change of scenery, meeting new people and seeing more of the district then come along. Between three and eight walks take place a week to suit a range of abilities.”

Join our walksMost walks start at 10.30am, there is no need to book but please arrive ten minutes before the walk is due to start. Please wear comfortable and appropriate footwear and clothing. You may also want to bring a bottle of water. If the weather is poor, the walk may be cancelled, so please phone to check before setting out. New walkers are welcomed throughout the year.

For a copy of the latest programme, or to find out more about being trained as a volunteer Walk Leader, please call 01243 534589 or see www.chichester.gov.uk/heartsmart

Walking to health and happiness HeartSmart Walks celebrate 15 years Over the past 15 years, HeartSmart walkers have notched up hundreds of miles between them and enjoyed many hours getting to know our district.

Spring Weightloss WorkshopsPut a spring in your step and feel fitter and healthier with Chichester Wellbeing’s Weightloss Workshops.

The workshops are led by a registered nutritional therapist and involve advice and information on eating a healthy diet for life, taking a detailed look at your eating habits and lifestyle to help you lose weight, get back on track and feel good.

Workshops start on:• Tuesday 25 April:

7pm – 8pm, Westgate Leisure Chichester;

• Wednesday 26 April: 10am – 11am, Westgate Leisure Chichester;

• Wednesday 3 May: 3pm – 4pm, The Grange Community and Leisure Centre, Midhurst

• Thursday 4 May: 12.15pm – 1.15pm, Selsey Centre.

They run for 12 weeks and cost £2.50 per week. Anyone paying for ten weeks at the start of will receive two weeks free.

Other programmesThe team also runs the First Steps to Fitness, Wellbalanced falls prevention and Cook and Eat courses – to find out more about these or to sign up for the Weightloss Workshops please contact Chichester Wellbeing on 01243 521041 or email info@chichesterwellbeing.org.uk

www.chichester.gov.uk 21www.chichester.gov.uk20

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The Canal Centre is one of the most beautiful locations in Chichester to relax and watch the water activities.

• Hot & cold refreshments• Daily canal boat trips• Angling and rowing• Walking and cycling down

the 4 mile towpath.

Call 01243 771363www.chichestercanal.org.uk

Offering you value for moneyKeeping your council tax low has always been a big priority for us.

Contact details

West Sussex County Council Tel: 01243 642113 Email: county.treasurer@westsussex.gov.uk

Chichester District Council Tel: 01243 785166 Email: finance@chichester.gov.uk

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Tel: 01243 481561 Email: pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk

Over the past few years, we have been working really hard to make major savings to cope with cuts to our Government funding. This was so that we could minimise any impact on you and continue to provide you with quality public services. This means that our council tax charge is one of the lowest in the country.

This year, we are increasing the average tax bill by 10 pence a week, so that we can protect vital services that we deliver to you. The average family spends £83.60 on a weekly food shop*. In comparison, we charge the average taxpayer just £2.90 a week for over 80 services.

We collect your council tax, but this is then distributed to a number of public services. Our share amounts to around 9% of the amount you pay each year. This is equivalent to £2.90 per week if you are a Band D taxpayer. Of the 91% remaining, 79% goes to West Sussex County Council, about 9% goes to Sussex Police and roughly 3% goes to parish councils. Each authority makes its own decisions about its council tax increases independently.

You may not realise it, but you come into contact with our work every day. We provide more than 80 services, which are delivered to you over a 24-hour period. We empty your bins, check food hygiene standards, licence taxis, clean your streets, look after the coastline, care for

our parks and open spaces and provide support and reassurance to the vulnerable.How do you work out my council tax?The Valuation Office places your property into a band. This depends on the value of your property. If you think your home is in the wrong band, you should contact the Valuation Office. For more information, call 03000 501501, or visit www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/index.html

To work out the amount for each tax band, we divide the amount of council tax required by a number known as the council tax base. This gives us the council tax for band D, with the other bands calculated as a proportion of this.

Business ratesIf you use a building, or part of a building, to run a business, you will pay business

rates. Although we collect business rates, most of this money goes directly to Government. We retain a small proportion of this money (about 5%) to supplement Government funding.

Help us to save moneyIf you pay your council tax or business rates by direct debit, you are helping us to save money. The payment method is simple, secure and helps us to reduce costs.

You can also pay:• online at www.chichester.gov.uk; or

• by post – by following the instructions on your bill.

For more information on how to pay by direct debit, or other payment methods, please contact us on 01243 534501 (council tax) or 01243 534504 (business rates).

*According to a study carried out by the Office for National Statistics

delivered to you over a 24-hour period. We

£83.60

a week for an average

family of four*£2.90

a week for

Band D taxpayers

www.chichester.gov.uk22 www.chichester.gov.uk 23

• A collection of brand new and beautifully refurbished homes, just one mile from Chichester City Centre‡ and set within 85 acres of glorious parkland

• Saving for a deposit holding you back? Speak to our team about how we can get you moving with as little as a 5% deposit with Help to Buy* or Forces Help to Buy*

• House to sell before you can move? We can help you sell your existing home with Assisted Move† or o� er a full market guarantee with Part Exchange†

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. Credit is secured against your home. Photographs show typical Linden homes. Interior may include optional upgrades or extras available at additional cost. *Subject to status, Help to Buy Terms & Conditions and available on selected properties in England only. Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan up to a maximum of 20% of the purchase price (based on the open market value). Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a conventional mortgage, savings/deposit where required. The equity loan is provided by the HCA and held as a second charge. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Full details will be provided on request. †On selected homes only. Subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. ‡Distance approximate. Source: Google Maps. Details correct at time of distribution.

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Museum could be managed by a trust to build on current success Our leading councillors are exploring the option of commissioning a charitable trust to manage The Novium Museum, in order to build and expand on its current success.

The decision follows work that was carried out to look at future opportunities and improvements that would enable the museum to continue to provide best value to local residents.

“In the current economic climate we have to look at ways of reducing costs and providing services more efficiently,” says Cllr Gillian Keegan, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services at Chichester District Council. “The museum and tourist information centre are constantly doing this, and have made huge strides by introducing weddings at The Guildhall and increasing visitor numbers through exhibitions and activities.

“Since offering free entry, things have really started to turn around. Visitor numbers and the museum’s income have significantly increased, and the museum has introduced some fantastic new exhibitions, including the Tim Peake exhibition featured on pages 8 and 9. Visitor numbers in December, compared with the same month a year earlier have doubled. This is great news and the museum team is doing a great job. What we need to do, is to look for the most efficient way of continuing this good work.”

“We regularly review all of our services to make sure that we are operating them in the most efficient way and that we are

meeting the needs of our residents. This gives us the opportunity to look at new ways of doing things in order to continue to deliver the services that our residents expect,” she adds.

“We have already looked into the benefits of a trust running the museum on our behalf. This option would enable the museum to access and attract grants and funding that the council cannot. At the moment, we feel that this is the best option.

“Trusts are able to operate differently to the council, which leads to savings and economies of scale. Some organisations operate numerous sites, and so they are able to share their systems, technology, marketing and buying power. Plus, a trust may have charitable status, which has certain tax saving advantages. This opportunity has the potential to give our museum the chance to build on its current success and expand on it.

“It is important to point out that we would still own the museum and we would manage the operational contract. The service to our customers would continue as usual,” explains Gillian.

The council will now start a procurement process to explore the option of working with a partner. If this goes well, the council hopes to bring back a report early next year outlining a preferred bidder.

Charlwood Street, Bognor Regis PO21 2PQ01243 866753

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