Post Election, Post Covid?

For the second, definitely not (until much of the rest of the world has been vaccinated, unless UK border controls are dramatically strengthened).

The elections are over though, with noticeable national Green Party gains.  Locally, Sarah Sharp was elected to represent Chichester South on West Sussex County Council, and Gabe Crisp was elected to Adur District Council.  Both will have their work cut out as a 'lone Green', but I'm sure that they will rise to the challenge.  Not so much a case of 'history on their side' as 'forecasts' - we're going to need every green change we can employ to reach stable sustainability.  In Bramber Castle the majority of voters chose a candidate who lives out of the division, but that's democracy for you!

Back at Horsham DC, there's a new Leader (Cllr Clarke) with a (mostly) new cabinet.  What effect this will have on the draft Local Plan is yet to be ascertained, but Bob & I will be putting a motion forward at the next full council meeting to delay the plan for a minimum of a year so that the effects of the pandemic on housing / employment space demand can be better assessed.  This is based on the requirement for plans to be 'evidence based': at the moment all we know is that the evidence isn't there (AKA a 'known unknown')!

Mike was asked to join Horsham DC's Climate Change Group, comprising a mix of public representatives, officers and councillors 'to help draw up a climate change action plan for the Horsham District'.  Although the council itself has a plan to achieve carbon neutrality for its own emissions by 2030 (finance permitting), persuading the district along that path is going to be exceedingly challenging (with much larger financial issues)!  More on this in the months to come.