Like many Sussex residents over the weekend, I was frustrated to learn of the illegal rave near Steyning. This “super spreader” event put West Sussex in the national headlines for all the wrong reasons. These events are illegal at the best of times with fly-by-night operators and no safety precautions, no age restrictions and no site access by an ambulance if needed. By contrast, this same weekend our local NHS was working flat out on vaccination to give us back our freedoms with walk in clinics and the vaccine now available to everyone over 18.
I recently visited Petworth House to hear from General Manager, Adam Hastie how National Trust properties have coped over the past year. We are immensely fortunate to have such a national treasure on our doorstep. The mansion and historic interiors reopened to the public in May so do go and visit again. The deer park remained open throughout the lockdowns and saw a 33% increase in visitors compared to normal times.
The petition I launched last week against the proposed Rock Road development in Storrington quickly gained well over 250 signatures. Development should be community led and sustainable, but this proposal is quite the opposite and is not part of the neighbourhood plan. You can read more and sign the petition on my website. One way to allow better use of existing housing stock, would be to remove stamp duty for downsizing homeowners. The current tax system disincentivizes natural turnover, by penalising people for moving into a more manageable property, which in turn prevents families from being able to access the larger homes that they need. I was pleased that Roger Bootle, one of the City’s top economists, wrote in Sunday newspapers supporting this very campaign that I have spoken about in parliament.
Finally, next week in the House of Commons, I will introduce a Bill to create a national “Doggie DNA” database as a more modern replacement for the current microchips which can cause pain, fall out or be removed by unscrupulous dog thieves. My speech introducing the bill is likely to be just after PMQs, so tune in from 12.30 on Wednesday 7th July.
