Post Election (My Sussex Local Monthly report for June 2014)

Every 18-20 years there is an election that is ground breaking and the political ramifications are seismic. I believe the recent General Election is such an election; it was as much a surprise to me as you that the Conservatives got an overall majority. One thing is now sure, that we will get our by-pass, but the route and ALL the details are still to be decided and fully consulted on, I know some people have mentioned a concrete flyover similar to Shoreham, but this is speculative nonsense,

Arundel & Walberton Ward is a huge area and includes Arundel, Burpham, 
Wepham, Poling. Lyminster, Crossbush, Blakehurst, Houghton, Madehurst, 
Slindon, Walberton, Warningcamp South Stoke, Offham,Peppering, Fontwell, 
& parts of Eastergate, Angmering & Aldingbourne

I have heard that the first shovel won't be in the ground until 2021 and the By-Pass won't be completed until 2023, this seems a very long time to me, but I don’t think the government can be accused of rushing ahead without forethought.

On the local election, myself, Norman Dingemans and Robert Wheal were elected to the Arundel & Walberton ward as your District councillors, Thank you for your support and votes, we are committed to keeping your council tax low, to protect your countryside from inappropriate development and our focus on this will be across the whole ward, we will increase recycling, continue to promote cycling initiatives, some of you may not have voted for us, but we will serve all the residents in the best way we can,

The town Council elections were interesting this time round as there were so many candidates (23) stood for the 12 seats, the following councillors got elected, Lucy Ashworth,Matt Bodimeade, Wendy Eve, Lorinda Monaghan, Karin Moorhouse, Mark Phillips, Angela Standing, James Stewart, Michael Tu, Kay Wagland, Anne Harriott, Colin Heriot,

I look forward to working with them all, they normally meet most Thursdays at 7pm at the Town Hall, it's always good when members of the public come along and ask questions at the beginning of the meeting, so I hope to see some of you there.

I think all people were agreed that the election campaign was too long, but our democracy is something we can be very proud of, many other countries look at the integrity of our process with envy, it’s something to cherish, the British people have spoken and it's something to celebrate!