Editors Column

Many of you will know of my interest in the environment. In Goring we are particularly fortunate in the amenities we enjoy. Excellent beaches, an attractive sea front - the greensward is unique - and we have one of the few "Gaps" on the whole of the South coast where the countryside carries through to the sea.

Sadly, there are those who would wish to take these amenities away from us.

Goring residents know well that the Goring Gap Is continually under threat from developers and how hard we have fought to protect that heritage. But now linked to this is the proposal to "improve" Titnore Lane - to be followed with seven or eight hundred new houses in West Durrington.

• Do we really need more properties?
  
• The influx of an additional three thousand people?
  
• Can our already hard pressed doctors, hospitals, schools, transport system cope with an additional two to three thousand people?
  
• And where would they come from?

Graffiti Out

Last year your Conservative County Councillor was able to secure £20,000 from West Sussex County Council to fund Project Genie. This project is helping councillors to work with local police to fight graffiti and youth problems in our Goring.

Graffiti in Goring and Castle wards seems to be on the decrease and youth disorder around some of our schools has been tackled.

Your Conservative Councillors have also been working with British Transport Police to help stamp out graffiti at Goring Station.

All change at the Council

Worthing Borough Council has recently followed West Sussex County Council's lead and adopted the new Leader-and-Cabinet style Council. Your Goring Councillors have once again been appointed to challenging and demanding positions.

Cllr Patricia Farrell is Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Regeneration and Development.

Cllr. David King is Vice-Chairman, General Purposes Committee.

Cllr. Steven Waight is the Executive Member for Resources as well as being your County Councillor.

Rates Increase

A reduction in Government grant, means that Worthing Borough Council will need to impose a substantial increase in its Council Tax this April.

Figures released with the Local Government Finance Settlement in December by Secretary of State Stephen Byers showed that Government funding of Borough councils would be much lower than expected. The settlement for Worthing was about £188,000 less than it should have been on the Government's own formulae, This under-funding by Central Government equates to an increase of about 4.5% in Council Tax for the Borough Council!!

Tne Government has made increased spending pledges on health and education that it needs to fund. It is now clear that Worthing Council Tax payers are going to be hit hard by the Government who are aiming to raise the extra revenue for this national expenditure at local level, in the naive hope that already under-funded and severely stretched local councils rather than the Government, will be blamed for the Council Tax hike.

Why not 'GET IN TOUCH" if would like to comment on the promises that the Government have made and will be paid for by increased Council Tax!

Fighting Back

Illegal camps set up by travellers in the Goring Gap have caused fear, and cost residents dear, in recent years.

Positive action by Conservative Goring Councillors set up obstacles and height barriers to deter illegal campers in the Goring Gap. For the following 12 months this tactic worked well - only one incursion when a lock was smashed.

We must continue to be vigilant and discourage travellers. One way you can help, as advised by the Police, DO NOT EMPLOY itinerant workmen. Use local bona fide known tradesmen,

Thank You

Thank you to all neighbourhood watch wardens for keeping us informed about security issues in Goring

Your views wanted!!

Do you want to join the Conservatives in Goring for political or social gatherings. If so, please get In Touch with us.

Cllr Mrs, Patricia Farrell: 01903-242170
Cllr Steven Waight: 01903-244207
Cllr David King: 01903-235168
Chairman: Mrs Mia Elderkin: 01903-246611
Editor: David Marchant: 01903-235168