Mark Dunn

The young people who make up the military community on Thorney are going into danger and serving us all. They are committed to serve in Afghanistan for years to come, and have madea real contribution to the Iraq campaigns. Every time I visit Thorney I am struck by the sense of purpose and pride in their service which the young professional soldiers show us all: highly professional and highly proficient.

The City of Chichester has been admirable in taking on the historic civic responsibilities which rest with it as host to the military, and I have been proud to be able to join in their ceremonies, in my role as Chairman of The County Council.

I consider it to be a priority for us all to keep supporting and helping our brave young men and women, and their families. Thorney can seem rather remote because of its location. I take this opportunity to assure all the residents there, that – whether or not they are on the electoral register – I ,and their Chichester District Councillors – consider it a privilege to serve them.

In the four years since the Bourne community last elected me to The County Council I have made the continuing improvement in local West Sussex schools and colleges my major interest.

As the WSCC ‘Cabinet Member’ for Children and Young People’s Services, until April 2008 – when I was elected Chairman of the County Council – I was privileged to lead a team which secured over £150 million of new funding for building schools in West Sussex. (Working on this was the most satisfying job I’ve ever had!)

In The Bourne we are blessed with a really outstanding Community College, which is at the centre of a group of first class primary and infant schools. Their plans for further improvement are near and dear to my heart.

There is a special case to be made for the Primary School serving Thorney Island and the military base. This school needs more space and invstment to serve the growing number of children. I am speaking up for it and will go on doing so.

Teachers, Governors and Parents – not to mention the children themselves – will find me always ready to listen help and advise. ( I have fourteen grandchildren, so there’s no risk of me going to sleep on the job !)