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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 9h

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.

Chichester District Councillors for Harbour Villages Ward, Cllr Richard Bates, Cllr Adrian Moss, and Cllr Stephen Johnson near new housing development in Bosham. The attenuation pond behind them is full of murky water that is breeding mosquitoes. Local drainage capacity is sadly lacking.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

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.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

You spoke powerfully today at the #LibDemConference in Brighton. Your optimism is infectious 🔶 📈

Daisy Cooper MP speaking at Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton, 20 September.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

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!

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Today at #LibDemConference @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social states that 65% of UK maternity services are rated Inadequate by the CQC. Every mother in the country should be able to give birth safely.

Baroness Caroline Pidgeon speaking at Liberal Democrats conference, Saturday 19 September in Brighton.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#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.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month.
Awareness leads to action. Action leads to change.
Right now, over 55 million people are living with some form of dementia worldwide. The most commonly diagnosed is Alzheimer’s disease.
Behind that number are families, friends, and loved ones. This month, and always, we’re raising our voices for them.
Silence can be isolating. A conversation can be a lifeline. Let’s break the stigma, offer support, and educate ourselves. Awareness is the first step toward action.
How you can help:
• Learn the early signs.
• Check on a friend who is a caregiver.
• Share reliable resources and facts to combat stigma.
Together, we can make a difference. #WorldAlzheimersMonth

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

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

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

#UnpaidCarers play a vital role in supporting people of all ages. From my own lived experience as a carer, I understand some of the challenges carers face. We are sincerely grateful for all you do and will do all we can to support you across West Sussex.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Some abandoned boarded-up buildings owned by West Sussex County Council have become a crime scene and a source of anxiety for local residents. With the Chair of Chichester District Council, we visited it today with a council officer who can help redevelop the site for much-needed housing.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Yesterday’s invitation to Strawford Centre in Horsham for its Culture Day was enlightening. Their motto, Unity In Diversity, showcases the inclusive provision for adults with a variety of special needs such as autism and physical or learning #disabilities. Many happy faces being together summertime!

Arriving at WSCC Strawford Centre for their Culture Day, 22 July. So glad they invited me!

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Cllr Mayne also asked me how residents who are less “digitally confident” can have access to technology that can help them? I answered #AdultSocialCare is only one part of the story: neighbours, family and the whole community needs to be aware of disabled and vulnerable people, and assist them.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

At WSCC Full Council on Friday, Cllr Mayne asked a great question about technology-enabled care. I answered that new developments in AI could help residents in Witterings and across the County, increasing both their own independence and our #AdultSocialCare staff’s efficiency.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

And since Adult Services are sustainable, how can we also make improvements to them? Cllr Baynham asked. Referring to the CQC upgraded assessment of WSCC’s services as “Good”, I answered him:

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

At WSCC the overspend on #AdultSocialCare caused Cllr Mark Baynham to ask if Adult Services are sustainable at Full Council last Friday. Here’s my answer:

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Great to see at today’s PMQs @alisonebennett.bsky.social asking Starmer if he will require water utilities to confirm they have capacity before new housing developments get planning approval. 👏

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Local Government Association Conference: Workshop session on Adult Social Care this morning, which sadly didn’t identify the location of the Magic Money Tree, but acknowledged the vital role of unpaid carers who save the NHS £184billion annually.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Yesterday’s visit to Chichester Harbour Conservancy was instructive on many levels. Reed beds, coastal squeeze, biodiversity, ecology and natural conservation are subjects we learned more about. What to do when a building has no mains drainage? Install a Klargester to biodegrade the sewage.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Chichester Harbour, a beautiful AONB and SSSI, attracts nearly 2M visitors a year. Bosham is on the edge of the water, seen here in a drone shot by Carl Rizzo. Tonight at Bosham Parish Council, many concerns about housing overdevelopment were aired, mainly to do with pollution in their seawater.

Arial photo by Carl Rizzo of Old Bosham village at sunset. Chichester Harbour AONB and SSSI since 2021 has been designated as “in decline” by Natural England.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

This is #LibrariesWeek! Chichester Library changed my life, over the many years I’ve been reading and working in its building.

Interior of Chichester Library, a spacious and studious circular building in Tower Street, Chichester.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Today is #WorldBicycleDay West Sussex is a great place for both recreational and commute #cycling. But WSCC has not succeeded in implementing the 6-mile #ChEmRoute between Chichester and Emsworth along the A259. Signposts and green paving strips are not enough to increase road safety.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

West Sussex County Council’s new LibDem Alliance Administration was formed with the support of the Green Party and Labour Party. Here are all 23 LibDem members outside County Hall Chichester yesterday.

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Cllr Richard Bates 🔶 @cllrbates.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Such an exciting campaign running for West Sussex County Council – getting elected for Chichester West Division with the largest majority in the county. Thank you for all your support!

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