LETTER: Stop digging

He writes as though the Littlehampton Swimming Centre is the only public pool in Arun District. It isn’t, as there is the Arun Leisure Centre at Felpham (and I don’t remember residents in the east of the district being given a say in its siting), and the seasonal open air pool at Arundel (which Arun was set to close until a community trust stepped in and took it over). The earlier survey was carried out by Arun District Council across the whole district, and showed an overwhelming preference for retaining it on its present site. So why go on surveying the public until you get the answer you want? In addition, Littlehampton has a uniquely open seafront with large open public spaces, and we want to keep its special charm and not despoil it with more urbanization and seafront flats. He also has a bee in his bonnet about me being elected to county, district and town councils by local residents. That is democracy Paul! I have never been confused, and neither have my electorate, about whom I am speaking for. I speak for myself and for my electorate, on health and social services, highways, schools and libraries at West Sussex County Council; on leisure services, housing and waste collection at Arun District Council; and on local Littlehampton issues (police, museum, harbour) at Littlehampton Town Council and Harbour Board. The current government, which he supports, espouses “localism”. That means listening to local people, hearing it, and acting on it, and not just telling them what you think is good for them. It is high time Paul Dendle and the Arun cabinet started practising localism. Dr James Walsh councillor, Littlehampton East and Beach The Street Rustington • Want to share your views? Send your letters by email or post them to Letters, Littlehampton Gazette, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA. Remember to include your full name and address. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette 3) Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out! The Littlehampton Gazette – always the first with your local news. Be part of it.