Whispering Smith Column published in the Littlehampton Gazette February 2nd. 2017

What’s done is done but was it well done?

 As Lady Macbeth so famously said: “Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what’s done, is done”. True enough and I don’t want to chew over old bones here but the increased salary awarded to Arun’s chief executive is still a new bone of contention for a good many people. It also raises an important question. As reported, it was voted through Arun District Council by 27 votes for, to 6 against with 12 abstentions. So, what was the thinking behind those 12 abstentions? A lack of interest? Couldn’t make up their minds one way or the other? Or was it that some disapproved but did not want to vote against party lines? I am guessing it was the latter. It has always been my contention that party politics thus practised have no place in local government and we should be electing more independently minded district councillors, members who do not wear their gang colours to council meetings. Sadly it will be a while yet before we get the chance to do just that…

WATCHED and listened as around thirty regular lady and gentlemen pitch and putters gathered in Norfolk Road’s Toast Café to cheerfully discuss, crow or lament on the wintery, misty morning’s thrash around this excellent little course. The Pitch and Putt course is a real asset to the town and I am hoping that the work and space required to accommodate the machinery and large workforce needed on site for the building of the new leisure centre does not impact too heavily upon its usage. I also hope that given the time and effort spent on the centre a few improvements could even be made to this all year-round excellent little golfing facility.

SUNDAY morning hike around our very own special Mewsbrook Park, lovely. Dogs of all shapes and sizes and not a ‘message’ anywhere. However, along the new river walk it was not so sweet