Jemima Bland, prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for Worthing East & Shoreham, who led the petition campaign, said: “People were flocking to our stalls to sign up. It’s clear local residents believe Katy Bourne, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, has got her plans for police station closures badly wrong. Few people we spoke to realised that the plan would mean that there won’t be a single proper police station between Worthing and Brighton.” (Jemima Bland Press Release)

Monday 8th July – Today we can confirm Shoreham Airport has been saved from the immediate threat of redevelopment. We have seen an email from deputy leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Geoffrey Theobold which confirms that the discussion on the possible sale of Brighton Shoreham historic airport will now be removed from the agenda of the council’s meeting next week (11th July). We have also had confirmation from senior representatives at Worthing Borough council, who own a one-third share of the freehold, that they would not be willing to sell their share. Shoreham Airfield is the oldest airport in the UK. It was used in the first and second World Wars, and contains unique listed buildings dating back to the 1920s. It hosts the very popular Shoreham Airshows and serves as a base for several local businesses including Ricardo. It is also a hub for our local branch of the RAF Air Cadets, and for students of aeronautics at Worthing’s Northbrook College. To join the campaign, go to www.jemimabland.com and register your support.
Jemima Bland, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Worthing East and Shoreham, said today: “This is terrific news. I’d like to thank everyone who has got in touch so far to support the ongoing campaign. We will simply not allow the oldest airport in the country, a national and local treasure, become yet another block of flood-risked flats.”
Alan Rice, Leader of the Lib Dem Group on Worthing Borough council, said: “This is good news but this story is not over yet. We will continue our fight to save the airport and retain its current community uses.” (Jemima Bland Press Release)

Thursday 10th July – Worthing’s Tory Cabinet Member for Customer Services Mary Lermitte was interviewed tonight on her portfolio by the members of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Cllr Lermitte is responsible for Housing Strategy and Housing Enabling Role; Housing non HRA, including Homelessness and Advice, Private Sector Housing, other Housing Services; Culture (Theatres and Museums); Customer Contacts; Public Consultation; Housing and Council Tax Benefits and Concessionary Fares. Lib Dem Councillor Norah Fisher asked the Cabinet Member how much theatres were now costing a day on the same basis Council Leader Paul Yallop said to the media two years ago theatres cost £3000 per day. Cllr Lermitte wasn’t able to give a figure without prior advice but did say theatres had incurred extra costs on catering including agency staff being employed as staff had left; and increased employment costs from bringing catering in house. According to a recent budget report theatres overspent the 2011-12 budget by £222,000. Although there are reports of better attendances, better programmes and better catering we have yet to see proof of an effect on the bottom line. Rather than wait Worthing Lib Dem Leader Alan Rice has put in a written request to Cllr Yallop for Tuesday’s full council asking again “how much per day?”

Alan said: “Nobody wants to see a theatre closed but in view of the continued drain on Worthing’s council tax payers over the years it is important we know exactly where we are and to see if the Tory decision to keep them in-house has had the desired effect on the bottom line. Any normal business would expect to know performance on a monthly basis – all we ask is to see those figures in the public domain.”

Thursday 10th July – CenSus consultant Ian Henderson was in trepidation as he was put in the hot seat at tonight’s Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee to explain progress on rectifying the council’s IT systems following the catastrophic disaster last year when it collapsed. Theatre bookings could not be placed, officers and councillors could not access their e-mails or diaries and the internal telephone list was lost. Ian prresented a very full report and members were pleased with the progress that had been made. The nettle does indeed appear to be well and truly grasped. But the Worthing Lib Dem Group we will be monitoring the situation closely over the coming weeks and months to ensure the council remains on track.

Tuesday 16th July – WBC Full Council Meeting (meeting wil be recorded live and available on WBC website afterwards) – Council Chamber, Town Hall at 6.00 pm

Wednesday 17th July – Lib Dem Northbrook/Durrington Ward Surgery – The Durrington Community Centre 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Friday 19th July – WSCC Full Council (meeting will be webcast) – County Hall Chichester at 10.30 am

Saturday 20th July – Lib Dem Castle Ward Surgery – St Richards Church, Maybridge 10.00 am to 10.30 am

Saturday 20th July – Lib Dem Castle Ward Surgery – The Strand Parade shops 10.00 am to 11.00 am

Saturday 20th July – Lib Dem Gaisford/Tarring Wards Surgery – West Worthing Baptist Church 10.30 am to noon

Wednesday 24th July – WSCC Pensions Panel – County Hall, Chichester at 10.30 am

Wednesday 31st July – WBC Licensing & Control “B” Committee – Gordon Room, Town Hall at 6.00 pm

Saturday 3rd August – Lib Dem Broadwater Surgery – Muldoons Coffee Shop, Cricketers Parade, Broadwater 3.00 to 4.00 pm

and every first Saturday in the month

Saturday 3rd August – Lib Dem Central Ward Surgery – Sidney Walter Centre, Sussex Road 10.30 am to noon

and every first Saturday in the month

Sunday 4th August – Lib Dem Worthing West Strawberry Tea at 45 Salvington Road at 4.00 pm

tickets £10 from Jackie Cranefield – 01903 266143 or 07973 961003 or jcranefield@live.co.uk

Wednesday 7th August – WBC Planning Committee – Gordon Room, Town Hall at 6.00 pm

Saturday 10th August – Lib Dem Selden Ward Surgery – Jason’s Cafe, Ham Road at 10.00 am to 11.00 am

and every second Saturday in the month

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Published and promoted by Worthing Liberal Democrats, 18 Woodlea Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BN