Billingshurst's Councillor on HDC

01/09/2026

Wonderful to see so many families down at the Parbrook Play area for its opening after recent upgrades. Lots of happy faces & smiles all round.

Thank you to Horsham District’s parks team for your hard work & for making the opening special.

Services for children are important: everyone matters, no matter how big or small you may be.

07/08/2026

We need to be able to talk about women’s need for single s*x services in a constructive way. No ifs. No buts. No whataboutery.

A city of over 280,000 and not one single-s*x service for women who have been r***d.

Brighton & Hove City Council are failing their women constituents. Cruelly and miserably.

06/08/2026

I'm delighted to inform you that the Parbrook Play area is about to receive its upgrade!

Starting on the 10th August, Horsham District Council will begin works to improve the play opportunities at Parbrook Play Area (between Stane Street and Berrall Way).

These works are part of a programme of continual improvement and the installations will make the play area more fun and welcoming for children of all ages. The works will include:

A Snake Swing with new safety surface:
This thick rope swing will allow multiple children to climb aboard and play together all at the same time. This swing will go back and forwards rather than up in the air.

A Zip Wire with new safety surface:
This will be added in the wider open space and offer speedy rides.

Sheltered seating:
This will be sited near the existing path and provide a perfect spot to pitch up, including with wheelchairs and pushchairs and relax and chat.

General tidy up:
There will also be a general tidy up to make the space fresher and more welcoming. Two new gates will be added and fences repaired.

Works are scheduled to finish 28th August.

05/08/2026

Swan Walk Update:
Two separate forensic investigations have confirmed the probable cause of damage to Swan Walk's glazing is a bird attacking its own reflection in the roof glazing. This was the second incident within a matter of weeks, raising concerns regarding public safety and the potential for further glass to fall into public areas. Given the risk to shoppers and staff, the decision was taken to close significant parts of the shopping centre whilst a permanent engineering solution could be developed.

The Engineering Solution
Following discussions between the owners, structural engineers and insurers, the agreed solution is to install specialist safety netting beneath the glazed roof. The netting is designed to safely retain any future broken glass, allowing the shopping centre to operate safely even in the event of another glazing failure. Current estimates indicate the overall programme will take approximately six weeks. It is hoped sections of the shopping centre can progressively reopen from around Week 4.

Partial Reopening
A number of businesses (those that can be safely accessed without customers needing to walk beneath the glazed roof) were able to reopen on Saturday 1 August. Alongside Boots and M&S, The following businesses have now reopened:

Next
TG Jones (Post Office)
Toy Barnhaus
Top Gift
Happyscamps Soft Play
Centre toilets

Customers access this section of the centre via:
1) the stairs or lifts from the Swan Walk multi-storey car park; and
the elevated link bridges into the shopping centre.
Note: Marks & Spencer and Boots continue to be accessed via the Carfax entrance, with M&S also remaining accessible from the car park lift.

The diagram below illustrates the temporary access arrangements.

04/07/2026

The Amos Review into maternity services has been published today.

We're calling on the government to implement its recommendations in full, invest in safe staffing, and ensure women are listened to. Families deserve safe, compassionate maternity care wherever they live.

13/06/2026

Stumbled across this petition. Imagine most of us are sick of the inordinately long queues for the ladies. Or waiting for someone stuck in that queue!

Why not, update building regulations to require more women’s toilet facilities in public buildings, taking into account longer usage times, children accompanying mothers, and delays caused for others waiting. Apply updated standards to new buildings and major refurbishments.

Update building regulations to require more women’s toilet facilities in public buildings, taking into account longer usage times, children accompanying mothers, and delays caused for others waiting. Apply updated standards to new buildings and major refurbishments.

07/06/2026

Wonderful supporting Billingshurst’s Open Gardens and meeting so many friendly people. Hope you enjoyed the gardens.

06/06/2026

I have signed this letter.

I believe in the Equality Act as it provides protection from discrimination for everyone & represents the consolidation of 50 years progressive legislation.

The manifesto I campaigned on also committed to uphold the Equality Act
and the rule of law.

You cannot protect that which you cannot define.

If you are a Liberal Democrat member, please consider adding your signature in support.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLsIUlbcl9qizEhq8RhXFLydn6mKY_6V0IHmWJ7c48bj4lqA/viewform?

Dear Ed and Marie, Re: EHRC Code of Practice We are writing as Liberal Democrat members to express our disagreement with the position set out in your letter regarding the recently published EHRC Code of Practice. Last year's Supreme Court judgment provided important legal clarity on the meaning of s...

06/05/2026

All the best to candidates running tomorrow. Our politics may differ & but I admire that each candidate has stepped up and shown they care for our community.

Please vote tomorrow & take your ID.

Remember these elections are about County Council. Almost every national frustration you have will not be affected by tomorrow’s vote.

All the best

25/04/2026

Fantastic initiative. Worthwhile service for Billingshust’s men. Would be great to see the numbers joining the group growing.

This photo, which was taken last Monday, features 7 of the core members of the BilliShed. Our Chairman, Keith Witt, is standing in the centre of the group. Numbers 8 & 9 were away.

We have repaired all the damage that was caused by the burglars in mid-January. Many kind, generous people donated to our Just Giving page which we are very grateful for.

Now we are trying to attract some more active members to our Mens' Shed.