Welcome to our February 2025 newsletter
Greens win extra protections for Arun waterways
On 30 January, the Environment Committee of Arun district council (chaired by Green councillor Sue Wallsgrove), passed a motion to explore ways to improve river health, water quality and biodiversity.
This motion was originally introduced to the council by Green councillor Steve McAuliffe, who was also invited to speak in support.
All the main rivers in Arun, including the River Arun, are currently classed as having moderate or poor condition by the Environment Agency. Likewise, our streams and rifes face daily pressure from sewage pollution, urban and agricultural runoff and fly tipping.
Although there are limited legal powers for district councils to improve rivers, there are many things that can be done at department level. This motion now means that officers, committees and council partners will be encouraged to come up with a wide range of simple ideas for positive impacts.
What next for county council elections?
Thank you to all the concerned members who have contacted us about the upcoming changes to local government. Although we have now had confirmation that Sussex will be a ‘fast-track’ area, the actual details of this are still to be worked out. Please be wary of some of the scare-mongering that is going on in various places!
As your local Greens, we will be pressing for local voices to be heard throughout the process. We’ll be working hard to ensure that we can all benefit from a more positive and democratic vision of devolution, rather than being subsumed into a huge unitary authority.
The May 2025 elections will NOT be going ahead. But we will continue to campaign, and encourage members to get involved in their local areas too. Please get in touch for more details:
Local litter pick and social meet
On the last Sunday of every month, local members join the regular litter pick on Littlehampton beach. This is followed by a coffee and a chat in The Beach Cafe, Sea Road, Littlehampton (opposite The Wave leisure centre).
The next meet will be: Sunday 23 February
To join us on the beach clean, please meet at 9.30am by the Shack, where the grabbers, gloves and bags are all provided by the Cafe (as part of Surfers Against Sewage). A member of the Beach team usually leads the clean. Afterwards, we’ll be in the cafe, from around 11am. Please RSVP so we know to look out for you!
Members updates and events
Each month we hold an online policy discussion for members. It’s a chance to look at an important and topical area in more depth, in a relaxed and respectful setting. On Friday 21 February our next topic is: solar power and we are delighted to have Tom Broughton (from Meadow Blue) and our own councillor Tim Young talking with us. They both have a wealth of experience and knowledge on this subject. Solar is an important topic locally, with controversial plans for the South Mundham Solar Farm. It’s important that we understand and discuss these issues as a local party. Please click here to register.
Local councillors and members will be helping to plant a new wildlife hedge in Bognor Regis on Wednesday 19 February. This is to celebrate the fourth year of the Arun district council’s tree planting strategy, and will help increase wildlife corridors and biodiversity in the area. More details on the council website, or please contact us.
Our next branch meeting will be on Monday 10 March, 7pm on Zoom. All members are welcome to join us, and non-members can also be admitted by prior arrangement. We look forward to seeing you there.
As spring slowly arrives, members are getting involved with their nearest Toad Crossing Patrols. Would you like to help? More details here, or please contact us.
We were very sorry to hear of the sad loss of local campaigner Philip Davidson. Many of you will have known him for his activism and support for green causes across our local area. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
Can we help you? Want to join us? Have skills to share?
Keep in touch with your local Chichester and Arun Greens
Join the party: join.greenparty.org.uk
Ask a question: contact@chichesterarun.greenparty.org.uk
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Help us grow: We rely on one off donations or regular standing orders to help us cover the cost of our local campaign work. All support is very gratefully received. Please always include your last name and postcode as a reference, so we know who to thank.