It was a much livelier and crowded AGM of the Shoreham Beach Residents Association than usual at the Church of the Good Shepherd Hall last Saturday. Alas it wasn’t on account of my annual report to members but rather the controversy surrounding Adur’s decision to give ‘Preferred Developer’ status to an outfit called Wilbo’s to build a café and something approaching a’ mini-Disneyland’ on Shoreham Beach Green, one of the few remaining green spaces on Shoreham Beach. Certainly anything is welcome to spruce up the old loo block eyesore which I remember opening when they were last given a makeover many years ago and had to cut a loo roll rather than the more usual ribbon but clearly these plans were deemed a step far too far.
Adur Cabinet member for Regeneration who gave a presentation and took questions made a brave fist of it but was on a hiding to nothing I am afraid as Shoreham Beach residents are not known for the timidity of their views and left him in no doubt whatsoever that this was a barmy idea. After a presentation about the continued failure to finish the landscaping work at Ferry Road on the south side of the Adur Ferry Bridge and details of the Shoreham Beach neighbourhood Plan thins calmed down a bit for me to give a rundown on everything topical from the A27 Campaign Group report to plans to close ticket offices at local stations.
It was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Liza McKinney who has announced she is standing down as the independent councillor for Shoreham Marine ward having served the people of Shoreham Beach tirelessly for the last 16 years. Throughout my years as MP she has been involved with countless local good causes such as the Old Toll Bridge Appeal, Marlipins Museum and the Shoreham Centre and it is hard to see that she will have a ‘quiet’ retirement from council duties but we wish her well.
Back to the more mundane stuff at Westminster the EU Referendum debate continues to dominate the headlines and I will announce the dates for my constituency meetings next week. I am also pleased to announce that we will again be holding a Pensioners Fair at Worthing’s Guildbourne Centre on April 22nd with more details to follow on my website.