Cllr Richard Bates 🔶

Planning for your future care needs is important for you and the people who support you. Come along and speak to an advisor at one of our October library drop-ins: Littlehampton: Wednesday 14 Oct, 1.30 – 3.30 pm Worthing: Thursday 22 Oct, 10.30 – 3.30 pm Bognor: Tuesday 27 Oct, 10.30 – 3.30 pm

In West Sussex, we are obliged by statute to provide services for vulnerable adults and children. We really do need extra funding from central government for these services.

On BBC Politics South, speaking about the crisis in #MentalHealth among young adults Chichester MP @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social describes negative the knock-on effects on social and economic life on constituents.

Going to the family court can have a significant impact on people. We want to make improvements to minimise or eradicate any trauma associated with proceedings, and to improve safety, communication, support and understanding across the family justice system. www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/share-y...

“I am old enough to recall the 1970s Tory privatisation of #SocialCare, and I remember sales of council facilities being forced through by rate-capping.” Council facilities are still being sold because government funding of local authorities falls short. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Stoptober is a national campaign that encourages smokers to quit for 28 days. Research shows that people who stay smoke free for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good. Figures for 2022-2024 show 11.6% of the adult population (aged 18+) are smokers. www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/thousan...

Hospitals are showing “ominous” signs of an early #flu season. Prof Frankie Swords said hospital admissions for the virus were the “highest” she could remember for the time of year, coinciding with an expected increase in Covid admissions. #Vaccinate = prevention www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Sharing a clip from Friday’s Full Council which highlights why many of us ran to be elected to West Sussex County Council. @cllrizabelamayne.bsky.social puts it very eloquently. We have a duty to look after our most vulnerable residents. Thank you, Izabela.

“At WSCC, we are maintaining a strong focus on key priorities including support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and ensuring vulnerable adults receive the care and support they need,” says Cllr Jay Mercer. www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/w...

‘Casey urges insourcing to council or voluntary services: “If it’s public money, it should mainly be publicly run.” She wants to stop private-equity owners profiteering from care homes,’ notes @pollytoynbee.bsky.social. We all await the #CaseyReport recommendations next year.

Adults’ Services is overstretched and under underfunded in every council throughout the UK. Recent letters to the Guardian highlight some of the challenges councils face caring for adults with #disabilities: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Improving our roads remains a key priority and this trial forms part of West Sussex County Council’s wider Better Roads commitment. www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/new-ai-...

The three amigos, Chichester District Council members for Harbour Villages Ward, at a new housing development. We all opposed at the Planning stages but was granted on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate. Still highly controversial with local residents because it was built before #infrastructure.

#SocialCare is not free, and most people will pay something towards the cost of their care. It’s never too early to think about how you’ll manage care costs and what support is available. #PlanningForYourFuture helps you make informed decisions about your care. www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/pl...

Did you know that 1 October is International Day of Older People? We will be at Rustington Library to promote our new strategy for Planning for Your Future. ageing-better.org.uk/internationa...

Reforming #AdultSocialCare: Burnham was careful in his speech to thank care workers, recognising them as underpaid and undervalued. He apologised to them, saying politicians had let them down for too long. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Prime Minister Burnham gives hope to everyone that he will implement proposals put forward by the Casey Commission, explaining that unless we fix broken #SocialCare, we cannot #SaveOurNHS. Caring for people on trolleys in hospital corridors is the most expensive and least effective way to care.

Yesterday I attended Chichester & District Cycle Forum. We wish to promote the use of the #BikeBus to encourage more children to use their bicycles to travel to school, instead of parents driving them. This will improve health, reduce traffic congestion, and alleviate parking problems at schools.

All of us interested in #AdultSocialCare are eager for the Report, due next year. Meanwhile, Baroness Casey has indicated her approach in this recent interview: www.itv.com/news/2026-09...

At #LibDemConference today, @markpackuk.bsky.social speaking In Defence Of Democracy

Good support from @libdemcycling.org.uk for the motion at #LibDemConference this morning to Get The Nation Walking Wheeling and Cycling. If we make it safer, many more people will get out of their cars!

Today’s keynote speech by @alpinkerton.bsky.social was the highlight. So optimistic, focused, confident about rejoining #EU to revive our ailing economy. 🔶🇪🇺🎯

#LiberalDemocratsConference: @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social speaking against Domestic Abuse today, in favour of fixing family courts.

Thinking about your future care can feel overwhelming but ignoring it is like setting off on a long journey without a map. Planning early gives you a map, puts you in the driving seat, and helps you towards securing the care you want, using this free support. www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/new-sup...

#UnpaidCarers: Emily Holzhausen, at @carers-uk.bsky.social, said: “These figures represent real people who have had to make difficult decisions about their careers, their financial security and their futures due to the pressures of balancing work and care.” www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

This kind of racing also occurs at night on the A27 Chichester bypass. Horsham Cllr Alex Jeffrey is right about anti-social driving: it’s intimidating, noisy, and dangerous. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What would happen to someone with a broken hip, left in a corridor on a trolley for more than 72 hours? Try to imagine the pain, even before the bed sores start to form. This is happening to people today.

When you receive an email or letter from me, I enjoyed writing it myself.

US data centers face further backlash over wastewater pollution: From rare bacteria to ‘forever chemicals’, a series of cases of violations or alleged pollution has prompted alarm www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026... #DataCenters #pollution #environment #climate #ForeverChemicals #Blues

#ClimateEmergency

#ActiveTravel would ease traffic congestion around schools, and increase children’s health, wellbeing, independence, and self-confidence.

#AdultSocialCare: Many people prefer to live independently, even after being in care. By helping people do more for themselves and reducing the need for longer-term care, reablement improves individual outcomes while helping the council manage growing demand. www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/r...

The first European participants in the trial, which is recruiting about 1,600 people aged 55 to 80 from around the world, will be screened on Monday by the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS foundation trust. Participants from across the UK will be tested. #WorldAlzheimersMonth

#WorldAlzheimersMonth. 💜 Over 55 million people are living with some form of #dementia worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. It affects families, friends, and loved ones. 👉Learn the early signs 👉Check on a friend who is a caregiver 👉Share reliable resources and facts to combat stigma.

We have challenges with e-bikes in Chichester, yes. We have much greater challenges accommodating motor vehicles.

Today in West Sussex County Council, cross-party cabinet members rainbow alliance of LibDems, Greens and Labour watched The People’s Emergency Briefing and afterwards debated what action the Council can take to prevent the climate from deteriorating. www.nebriefing.org/the-film

We were also pleased that the PM began cross-party talks about #SocialCare, on which 9,000+ vulnerable and disabled constituents in West Sussex depend. Thank you, @andyburnham.bsky.social

#CovidIsNotOver, but it may soon be:

10 years on, the very same politicians who caused the Brexit mess say nobody can dare try to fix it. We say enough. It's time for a bold new deal with Europe to make Britain safer, richer and stronger. Watch our new film here ⬇️ youtu.be/ihdhBLT6YYM

This bank holiday weekend, why not explore the natural beauty of West Sussex?

Walk, ride, or cycle