Tim Ridgway Latest News
BUDGET BAFFLER
In little more than a month’s time, Brighton and Hove City Council will set its budget. The question over how much council tax we’ll pay is still up in the air.
What is clear is that £25 million worth of savings must be found if the books are to be balanced. However, the whole plan has been thrown up in the air after a group of ruling Greens said they disagreed with making any cuts at all. This goes directly against what the party has been saying all along – that a 5.9% council tax rise will be enough to keep vital services running.
But despite backing their opponents into a corner, some Greens have now turned around and said this is not enough – handing the advantage straight back to Conservatives and Labour.
There’s a lot still to come on this, no doubt, until the budget is set in February. And for those interested, some of the issues will be debated at a Have Your Say event in the Brighthelm Centre this evening (Tuesday 27 January) from 7.30pm.
CARNIVAL CANCELLED
More than 20,000 people attended last year’s Kemptown Carnival. But, despite it being one of the most popular outdoor events in the city, 2015’s version has been cancelled.
The reason? Well, organisers put it down to money – claiming that not enough can be raised to support the event and pay for things like suspending parking bays and policing.
Not everyone appears that upset however, with some local traders claiming the event forced them to shut up shop and lose out on a day’s income.
SAFEHAVEN
It is one of the biggest issues affecting older people. And now Brighton and Hove Bus Company has got on board with a plan to make things easier for those with dementia.
The firm has created two ‘safehavens’ – which means those with the condition can receive support, advice and even just a cup of tea if they are out and about and feel confused.
The area at the OneStop travel shop in Brighton’s North Street opened last week. With thousands from the city suffering, this support will make a massive difference to some.
SALT ‘N’ PEPPER
Last week saw Sussex hit with the first sprinkling of the white stuff.
And, with the temperatures now hovering just above freezing daily, it seems that snow preperations are well underway.
One of the more novel ideas is putting salt in the Pepperpot near Queens Park. It’s all part of a plan by community activists to make sure that if heavy snow does come then there are enough supplies to clear the roads, and pathways to ensure people can get out and about.
HOTEL PLANS
After years of false hope it seems that plans to redevelop the Shoreham Civic Centre site are moving forward.
The original plan was to put a supermarket on the site. But my sources tell me that Adur District Council chiefs now hope to attract a hotel chain to take on the key site.
Expect more developments in the coming months.
TOURISM BLOW
As cuts to public funding deepen, Worthing Borough Council has announced it will close its Visitor Information Centre.
The building opened with much aplomb three years ago. And despite more than three million people a year visiting the town, councillors believe they have no other option.
It’s not all bad news though, as three red phone boxes are to be turned into mini pop-up centres, while online info will be developed for those who are tech-savvy.
But coming hot on the heels of Brighton and Hove doing a similar move, lets hope that there’s limited impact on visitor numbers to our area.
CHANGING TIMES
It used to be ridiculed as a retirement town, where new trends and fads were laughed at.
But Worthing is changing – not least with the opening of a new pioneering cafe.
Daisy Moo’s Bakehouse in Bath Place serves only vegetarian and vegan food – a common site in Brighton, but not so much along the coast. But given the reaction it has provoked in the first few months, it seems like residents have taken the shop to their hearts.
It’s yet further proof that Worthing is a town on the up.
