Minutes – Community Liaison Sub-Committee – 19 February 2026
The agenda and papers for this meeting are available here: Agenda and papers – Community Liaison Sub-Committee – 19 February 2026
The minutes of this meeting are presented below.
You can also download a PDF copy of the minutes here: Minutes – Community Liaison Sub-Committee – 19 February 2026
COMMUNITY LIAISON SUB-COMMITTEE
Minutes
Date: Friday 21 November 2025
Time: 10.30am – 12.05pm
Location: The Council Chamber – The Council House • North Street • CHICHESTER • West Sussex • PO19 1LQ
PRESENT: Councillors Apel (CA), J. Gershater (JG), McHale (SMH), Russell (NR)
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Deputy Town Clerk, Council Services and Support Manager, Communities Officer, Inspector Dave Lyons (Sussex Police), Debbie Kimpton (Chichester District Council Gypsy Traveller Liaison Officer), Dawn White (Chichester District Council Community Warden) Natasha McLeod (Chichester BID CEO), West Sussex County Councillor Oakley (East Division), Jennifer McNeil (Friends of Ravenna), Graham Pound (Friends of Valetta), Julia Sanders (Friends of Chartres), Bob Long (Friends of Speyer), Paula Chatfield (Chair, Chichester Tree Wardens)
CLSC28 / 2026 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Committee NOTED apologies from Cllrs Butler and Quail.
Cllrs Chant was absent.
CLSC29 / 2026 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No declarations were made.
CLSC30 / 2026 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 21 November 2025 were APPROVED and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
CLSC31 / 2026 POLICING AND SECURITY IN THE CITY
The Chair moved to agenda item CLSC32 / 2026
Inspector Lyons passed on Sergent Hickling’s apologies for her absence and summarised her report. The issue of roof running was highlighted. Cllrs were advised that this issue was not unique to Chichester and that it was happening in other nearby cities. Intervention with identified youths was noted as ongoing and had proven effective so far.
Cllrs asked were police still having success signposting to the local youth centres.
It was advised that there are three Youth Officers who are actively engaged through schools and there are no current vacancies. Items being tackled range from knife crime to online safety.
Cllrs also asked how the situation with homelessness was in the city.
It was noted that there are still quite a few cases in the city, and the underpass was noted as being challenging. The police were still working alongside Stonepillow and monitoring the situation in the city.
The Gypsy Traveller Liaison Officer provided insight into her role supporting the Traveller Community. This was noted as a relatively new position which focused on engagement, signposting and was not an enforcement role.
Literacy and not having somewhere safe to settle and send their children to school were noted as main challenges faced by the community.
The importance of breaking down misconceptions was emphasised.
The meeting returned to the published agenda order.
CLSC32 / 2026 TO NOTE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS
- Friends of Chartres
- Friends of Ravenna
- Friends of Speyer
- Friends of Valletta
- Chichester BID
- Community Wardens
- Chichester Tree Wardens
Friends of Chartres (FoC):
A report had been provided. The trip to Chartres will take place from 30th April to 4th May with Friends travelling as foot passengers on the ferry.
FoC have managed to make a link between Fishbourne Primary School and L’Ecole Jean-Paul II in Chartres which will hopefully develop and be a long-term relationship.
Cllrs were advised that the schools link had been made possible due to the Chair having a local connection to the school and that FoC were hopeful of a positive future for the relationship.
Friends of Ravenna (FoR):
The report which had been previously circulated was summarised. It was noted that the group membership count was 214 people and 28 new members had recently joined. FoR advised they offered Italian language lessons, and this had probably
helped attract new members.
Ravenna’s exchange will take place in May this year with just under 30 people attending. This year marks 30 years since the signing of the Twinning agreement here and it will be marked with special celebrations. The Mayor and Mayoress are also attending.
Friends of Speyer (FoS):
FoS is just 3 years into its Twinning with Chichester with the agreements being signed at the end of 2022.
A group from Speyer visited in August 2025 and the trip was successful. A second trip to Speyer has been planned for September 2026 and 25 people are currently signed up. Events such as a German film evening and quiz nights have been
organised, as well as opportunities for language lessons.
FoS asked what was planned for Christmas celebrations in Chichester and suggested that a collaboration maybe possible due to enthusiasm expressed by market attendees from Speyer.
Cllrs asked what the price of membership to the FoS was and was there a rate for people who want to be Friends with all the Associations. FoS advised they followed the same pricing as the other groups and that pricing was similar among each group.
Friends of Valletta (FoV):
A report was received. FoV updated the group on past and upcoming talks. FoV are currently working on setting up a link between the Cathedral in Chichester with the Cathedral in Valetta.
Chichester BID:
Retail crime including low level opportunists and repeat offenders are still an issue.
High value items were particularly a target over Christmas. Ambassador presence has been important to deter offenders and recover stolen goods.
It has been identified that youth-related antisocial behaviour is higher during school holidays.
The Portico and the underpass were both identified for being an issue with rough sleepers. Engagement with Stonepillow was noted as positive with some successful housing placements and welfare interventions having happened recently.
Cllrs praised the event ‘Let It Glow’ which took place in December 2025 on the Cathedral Green. Cllrs were advised that the company would love to come back and recreate the event next year. It was noted that retailers didn’t benefit as much as was
hoped from the free event, but food outlets did benefit.
Community Wardens:
Reports were received. The Community Warden for the City Centre summarised her report. It was noted the ATM on Market Avenue which is in an old phone box has exposed metal workings and they are working towards getting it moved.
Cycling in the city was also noted as being a problem.
There was discussion regarding busking and the noise level this brings, and there was a short discussion about licence requirements for busking in the city centre as there was perceived to be an oversupply of performers.
The Council Services and Support Manager advised that busking licenses were the responsibility of WSCC and CDC used to issue the licenses, but they do not anymore.
Chichester Tree Wardens:
The report was previously circulated and summarised.
Chichester Tree Wardens were not directly involved in the public realm scheme design for the city centre, but they contributed to the original public consultation. The West Sussex Tree Warden Coordinator has been involved with the design stage and
has fed reports back. He had encouraged the planning group to ensure that the Tree Wardens were included once it got to a Community Liaison stage.
The Community Tree Nursery initiative is progressing with the tenancy terms having been agreed. There is an upcoming project on Terminus Road for further tree planting. Local businesses will be considered and worked alongside.
Cllrs asked had the Tree Wardens applied for a stall at the Chichester Gala to promote the cause. The Tree Warden advised they do not currently have the capacity to commit to the Gala.
CLSC33 / 2026 ESTABLISH PRINCIPLES FOR OBSERVING KEY CULTURAL AND FAITH FESTIVALS
The Deputy Town Clerk recommended a Working Group be established for this item.
It was RESOLVED that this item be brought to Full Council so that a working group be formed to establish key principles for observing cultural and faith festivals in Chichester.
CLSC34 / 2026 ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AGENDA
- Friends of Brandy Hole Copse to be invited to submit a report to the next Community Liaison Sub-Committee.
CLSC35 / 2026 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Date of next ordinary meeting: Thursday 21 May 2026
The meeting closed at 12:05pm