Lib Dems take to the streets in Petworth

Whilst most of the political drama this week is happening in Westminster, that has not stopped local politicians and campaigners from getting out and about and engaging with the community.

On Sunday, the Liberal Democrats were on the streets of Petworth, talking to residents about the issues that matter most to them.

Affordable housing and the cost of living were raised by many, who said that despite rent increases, landlords have not been keeping up with the maintenance and repair of homes.

The Liberal Democrat team of district councillors Harsha Desai, Rhys Chant and James Howell also heard from residents concerned about the growing number of empty shops.

Petworth has always had a very stable high street and has not suffered from the high turnover of shops seen in other market towns. However, they met people who felt that Petworth is not as vibrant as it could be, which reduces opportunities for local businesses and jobs.

Parking was another common concern. Some residents complained that visitors park on double yellow lines, meaning it is harder for them to get in and out of their own homes.

Given that there is an hour of free parking in the town car park, this rankled with the people the team met on the street.

Another topic raised was the long‑running debate over Local Government Reorganisation and devolution, an announcement that has now been delayed several times. Residents told the team they were frustrated that, despite years of discussion, there is still no clarity on how local services will be run in future.

Under the government’s proposals, West Sussex would move away from the current two‑tier system, with the county council and seven district and borough councils, and instead be divided into new unitary authorities from 2028.

These bodies would take on all responsibilities for services such as social care, highways, planning and waste. However, with no final decision on how the county will be carved up, councils say they are struggling to plan, and residents remain unsure what the new structure will mean for their communities.

Councillor Harsha Desai said: “It was encouraging to hear residents say they appreciated us starting these conversations early.