Please help us to show the council that music is so much more important than the they are giving it credit for. It is vital for our young people’s growth! It is a way for young people to engage with each other, it is so inclusive and people of all abilities can interact together; music is proven to have benefits to mental health, in particular stress and anxiety, in addition to this can give young people the ability to express their creativity and develop a great sense of worth and self esteem. Research shows that pupils who learn music perform better in many subjects and have a greater ability in problems solving and mathematics. Music helps young people to work collaboratively, cooperatively in smaller and larger groups. All of these points show that music helps our children to become healthier, well rounded, contributing members of society. Surely that’s what the government and our council want for our young people? 

This is so fundamental when trying to tackle climate change!  We have the technology, it would create jobs in the Green Economy, and it could help reduce the cost of our energy bills. The impact could be game changing, so it MUST be compulsory for all property developers. They have vast profits and could easily absorb the cost impact. 

The science is clear; fossil fuels are primarily responsible for accelerating climate change. Worthing is already seeing the impact of the climate crisis, including an increase in flooding, rising temperatures, drought, and rising sea levels. These extreme events will have an even greater impact on the most vulnerable in Worthing.  A new global initiative is calling for a 'Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty' [Fossil Fuel Treaty] to plan the end of fossil fuel exploration and expansion.  The Treaty complements the Paris Agreement and addresses the need for a swift and just transition from fossil fuel energy into renewable, safe energy systems for everyone.  Worthing Borough Council is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy but their efforts will be undermined if we do not bring down carbon emissions nationally and globally. Backing the Fossil Fuel Treaty would demonstrate that the Council is committed to doing everything possible to address the climate emergency.  If you are a resident of Worthing Borough, please add your support & sign the petition.      

Tax will be calculated on the emissions of the car. If I understand correctly most EVs have little to no emissions. So why does the government need to tax these? Tell Rachel Reeves that EVs are better for the planet and therefore don't need to be taxed

Standing charges for gas and electric were abolished in 2009 due to the financial crash, under the previous Labour Government. Standing charges have doubled in ten years. They are crippling the whole country particularly those on benefits, the elderly, people with disabilities and people on low incomes. The current Labour government has raised them again. If standing charges were removed the country would be able to heat their homes over the winter months. The whole country is will be paying £362 per year just to have access to gas and electric,which is an essential commodity. 

I would say that people need to recognise that animals as well as people feel pain and suffering and should not be subject to and more than they already experience through the rearing process for food.

Social Prescribers have been at the heart of our community, helping individuals navigate challenges such as mental health struggles, elderly isolation, homelessness, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. They connect people to vital resources, including food banks and employment support, all while strengthening community bonds. According to The BMJ, evaluating Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) too early risks overlooking their full potential. They recommend extending the evaluation period by at least two more years to conduct a thorough review of their impact. Let’s ensure these dedicated professionals can continue their essential work. Sign now to save this vital service!

Opportunities! To meet new people, learn a new language, learn new skills, grow your confidence, make connections and build friendships with people from Spain to Azerbaijan to Jordan! Open your mind, open your heart and open your world! And it's such an amazing opportunity to become more employable!  EU mobility schemes have so much to offer, why should the youth of the UK continue to be deprived of opportunities?  Lets get the ball rolling, and start to rebuild our relationship with the EU whilst opening up the doors to a world of opportunities! 

We are living in a Nature crisis, this last year our Insect populations have crashed . We need to do better. We need to save our nature . Raising awareness is vital to their survival 

Currently, tenants are being charged excessively, with some landlords demanding £25 per pet per month, despite landlords' insurance covering pets for just £25 a year. This needs to be regulated to a fairer rate of £15 per month if tenants don’t have their own coverage for pet-related damages. If tenants do have coverage, there should be no additional charge. Furthermore, if a pet dies and the landlord charges, no new charges should be imposed if estate agent/landlord made aware . This is particularly unfair given that those in council housing or who own their homes aren’t subjected to these fees, and pets often contribute to tenants' mental well-being and life in general. Additionally those tenants who already pay for contents insurance that includes liability get their damaged property fixed under the tenants insurance. So they may not get money into their bank but they get a "whatever" at no charges to themselves but higher charges to the tenant for claiming on their liability insurance 

This can’t happen. Officers claim the car park is surplus to requirements and people can simply park elsewhere but this contradicts local knowledge and experience. There will be a net loss of 12 disabled parking bays. High St/Mary St car park is the most accessible car park for many disabled people and older people who cannot walk far to visit High Street businesses or events/venues/groups in the vicinity. Many often can’t find a spot in the Crescent car park anymore and find Orchard multi-storey next door a nightmare by comparison. It is also the only place you can park in the area after 7pm (its lowest level is not locked) as Orchard is shut then. Removing that night time parking facility in particular would spell disaster for the popular nearby venues including CICCIC (Creative Innovation Centre) and the Lawns Social Club, businesses and churches, whilst also restricting the opportunities for many local residents to access a social life and increasing isolation. Taunton aspires to be a destination - for arts and culture, festivals, social activities, retail -  but removing this car park will do nothing but damage to town centre footfall, our cultural life and the town’s economy. Worshippers at churches in the area would also be deprived of the ability to attend services.  Vivary Park (owned and managed by Somerset Council) across the road hosts major popular events through the year attracting thousands of visitors, making the nearest car park - the High St/Mary St car park facility - absolutely vital to the continuing success of these and to avoiding traffic and parking chaos. People do not yet have an adequate level of public transport opportunities to always leave the car at home. We demand that Somerset Council presses PAUSE on current plans, undertakes a proper impact assessment, looks at all the options and commits to proper consultation and joint working with local residents, businesses and stakeholders to secure continuation of effective parking provision in the area (including at night) in the interests of Taunton’s community and economy.

This is important because thousands, if not millions of people depend on this benefit to maintain themselves. The Modernizing Support Green Paper also proposes changes to the Work Capability Assessment that denies those with mobility or mental health issues extra Universal Credit.