Talks signal movement on sewer discharges
Last week, I joined my Sussex colleagues in Westminster to hold Southern Water to account for excessive discharges in areas like ours, and to keep up the case for investment and change.
It’s a long-term challenge – with a centuries-old sewer system at the heart of it – but meetings like these are key to pushing things in the right direction, and we have some positive signs of movement. Southern Water has agreed to look at a few of the measures I have pushed for around Chichester Harbour, such as additional UV treatment sites and sewer sealing programmes. These are small steps, and I’ll be keeping the pressure on until we get the investment we need.
I know NHS services are always high on the agenda for residents, and it was great to touch base with our Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) team last week to get an update on how our services are performing and the plans to improve access to services. I was pleased to hear we are seeing an increase in the number of face-to-face and same-day GP appointments compared with the last two years. In the meantime, work on the proposed Acute Stroke Centre at St Richard’s continues, the new plans would bring 24-hour/ seven-day-a-week access to specialist stroke services across Chichester and other parts of West Sussex, providing timely care to those that need it. Make sure to share any views over on the ICB’S consultation before April
21: www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/ our-priorities/our-work/ improving-health-services/ stroke/improving-strokeservices-in-west-sussex/ I also had another catchup with Chief Inspector Nick Bowman to touch base on a range of local policing priorities. While I can’t provide any more specific detail due to the ongoing police investigation, I am aware of the recent incident at the city centre Superdrug and have shared my concerns over the video that’s been circulating; I’ve asked to be updated on the situation as it continues to evolve. Elsewhere, I understand the police presence around the Midhurst site has been scaled back quite a bit since the fire at the Angel Inn, and work is well underway to prepare the road for a full reopening as soon as possible. Midhurst shops and businesses remain open, however, so make the most of the District Council’s free parking programme to support the town centre.