Dear Parish and Town Councillors,

The County Council supported Velo South 2018 but as you know due to poor weather conditions the event was cancelled. We supported the event in order to boost the economy and tourism by increasing the profile of West Sussex outside the county boundaries.

We also know events of this scale can inspire people, young and old, to become active, and deliver associated health and wellbeing benefits. However, we also recognise that some residents and Members had concerns about the event and we have listened to all the feedback.

To that end a Major Events Protocol is currently being developed by officers which will provide helpful guidance if we want to hold any form of major event in the future.

So rather than holding an event this year, the County Council intends to take the time to better understand those concerns and how they can best be mitigated against and possibly consider planning ahead for an event in 2020. It’s important to emphasise that we are open minded to events of this scale in West Sussex.

We are ambitious for our residents and our local economy and that in the future when planning successful major events we will do this together with our communities.

I want to take this opportunity to say a big thank you all for your work and feedback over this event which I appreciate has been challenging at times.

Louise Louise Goldsmith. Leader West Sussex County Council Chichester West Division.