New City Council’s Busy First 100 Days
Chichester City Council Conservative Group has recently issued a progress report to mark 100 days since taking back control of the historic City Council for the first time since 1983.
The new ruling group has already set a target of not increasing the city share of council tax bills for the four year lifetime of the council.
Councillor Tony Dignum, chairman of the Finance Committee, said: “It is an ambitious aim and we must stress, of course, that this is subject to no material change in circumstances. But it is something we are determined to achieve. It will not mean cuts. In fact we are confident we can also make significant improvements to life in the city by prudent management of our income.
“For example, we have already pledged that city council support for our network of community wardens will be maintained. They do a really important job and are widely respected in the city.
“We have also made it clear that we will continue funding Chichester in Bloom and I am sure people will agree the current hanging baskets dotted around the city look splendid.”
The new administration has decided to shelve proposals put forward before the May 7 elections to illuminate externally the Council House headquarters of the council in North Street.
Councillor Jane Kilby, Leader of the Conservative Group, explained: “Instead we believe that it is much more important that we use that money on the fabric of what is a very important building in the street scene and on other essential works. I am sure people will agree that the brick and stone work needs attention and we are commissioning a survey to establish what needs to be done.
“However, we have not ruled out lighting the building at some stage in the future if financial circumstances allow.
“The council is also commissioning a survey to look at what repairs or restoration may be needed to the Market Cross given its landmark importance to our city. As with the Council House all the repair work will be subject to approval by Historic England.”
In another significant development, the City Council is also discussing with the District Council incorporating a tourist information facility at the Council House in North Street to complement the service delivered at the Novium Museum in Tower Street.
Councillor Kilby said: “Because the Council House is such a prominent building in the heart of the city, we get a large number of visitors looking in to ask about things to do and places to see in and around Chichester.
“Tourism is vital to the city so we are exploring establishing some sort of facility inside the building that will help visitors and I am sure this is something the local tourist industry would welcome.”
It has been a busy few months for the council which has included a special meeting to look at applications by local organisations keen to improve their services to the community through a share of the fund known as the New Homes Bonus.
The City Council is now supporting a series of bids totalling £152,000 for the Chichester District Council’s New Homes Bonus Fund. The final decision on each bid will be taken by the District Council.
City Mayor Peter Budge said: “We had some excellent presentations at our special Council meeting, and we were delighted that we have been able to help a wide variety of groups firm up their bids which have now gone to the District Council with our full backing.
“The projects involved will have a real impact, and I think we were all particularly pleased that many will help groups working with young people in Chichester.”
Councillor Budge has also chosen two youth groups for the 2015/16 Mayoral Charity fund – Chichester Boys Club and the drop-in centre for teenagers at the Bell Tower of Chichester Cathedral.
He said: “I am always looking for ways of raising money for these two excellent causes and even visited the Bull Inn recently to work behind the bar and pull people pints in return for a donation!”
Councillor Kilby said: “It has been a busy time for the new council, and another of our aims is to try and ensure that local residents are aware of the work we do. So we will issue regular progress reports.”
The New Homes Bonus schemes which the City Council has voted to support are:
Chichester Boys Club - £25,000 towards its roof project and £20,000 towards a mini-bus.
Chichester Rugby Club - £20,000 towards new equipment for its upgraded kitchen scheme.
New Park Community and Arts Centre - £13,500 towards upgrading WC and washing facilities for visitors.
South Downs Planetarium - £25,000 towards upgrading exhibition and display areas.
Swanfield Park Community Centre to redesign and refurbish facilities and create an open plan youth area - £25,000
School Puffin Crossing – £20,000 towards the cost of a crossing in Whyke Road to improve safety for parents and schoolchildren.
The council is also supporting a bid for £3,500 to pay for a survey and estimate for works needed to improve another city landmark – the Abel Smith Mausoleum in Portfield cemetery which was built in memory of a former Chichester MP.