WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
The following questions have been received from Councillors and will be taken as read along with the written answer which will be included in an addendum that will be circulated at the meeting:
(1) Councillor Yates: Housing
Can the lead for housing please update members on proposals to:
· Fully reinstate housing scheme managers
· Enable residents to access residents’ community facilities
· Enable tenants’ associations to access their dedicated facilities at Eastergate Rd Housing Offices.
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(2) Councillor Hamilton: Public Toilets in Victoria Rec
There are no public toilets in Victoria Rec in Portslade anymore. It is a very busy recreation ground where many people, especially young people, go for football training and other exercise. There is money to modernise some toilets but surely providing them where needed should be a priority. Please can new toilets for Victoria Rec be included in the 2022-3 capital programme?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(3) Councillor Grimshaw: Mental Health Emergency Services
I’m particularly interested in those detained under the mental health act as they are a danger to themselves and others. How many are admitted but then sent home? How many are actually sent for long term inpatient treatment? How many emergency mental health cases have not been able to access the Haven as it’s full? How many are just then taken to A&E and then sent home? How many are sent home with the promise of additional support? How long does it take for addition support from ASC to be put in place? What are the waiting times? What is the person supposed to do to get support whilst they are waiting?
Reply from Councillor Shanks, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board
(4) Councillor Williams: Afghan Refugees
I’m sure we all want to help the Afghan refugees as much as we can who have arrived in our city. I know many charities and community organisations have mobilised to assist which is wonderful. What is the council doing to help with their needs and what Government funds are available to finance this?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(5) Councillor Platts: Bulky Waste Collections
Will the Council consider preventative action on fly tipping by putting signage on communal bins that outlines how residents can dispose of bulky waste? Can this information include what constitutes fly tipping and information for residents who leave usable items by bins thinking those items might be helpful to others, the level of fines for such fly tipping, the website address and phone number for arranging bulky waste collection, contact information for Freegle, Tech Take Back and other low cost means of disposing of waste?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(6) Councillor Platts: Garden Waste Collections
Some addresses are still not able to access the Council’s garden waste scheme; have no space for home composting and no access to a local composting scheme. Of these some don’t have cars and can’t get to the tip. I have asked a couple of times, on their behalf, how they are supposed to get rid of garden waste and received no reply. Can the Council please answer this question and confirm when all postcode areas across the City will have access to the garden waste collection scheme or a composting scheme within easy walking distance of their homes?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(7) Councillor Platts: Card Incentive Scheme
The Labour Group submitted a Budget amendment £0.010m one-off allocation to evaluate the creation of a city wide ‘Carbon Partner’ card incentive scheme to encourage residents to move to lower carbon living through Council and private sector support. One of the intentions was to support residents who are getting rid of their cars but still need to get rid of bulky waste and garden waste but can’t access the Council’s garden waste scheme; have no space for home composting and no access to a local composting scheme. Can the Council update with progress on this scheme, given we have identified a solution that would reduce car use and contribute to the circular economy?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(8) Councillor Platts: Electric Scooters
Will the Council publish a clear statement of policy about the use of electric scooters in Brighton & Hove? Due to pilots taking place in other areas and the continued sale of scooters to the public, there is some confusion about whether they are allowed on the public highway. Residents are asking about the process for making them legal, especially now there is a petrol crisis; they also want to know how the Council will be involved in the decision-making process and if the public will be consulted. Can the Council give the date by when such a statement can be published?
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(9) Councillor Platts: Minibus Route
The Labour Group submitted a Budget amendment for a circular minibus route around the eastern part of the City to encompass the hilly areas with poor bus services such as Wilson Avenue, Queen’s Park Rd and parts of Hanover & Elm Grove. The idea was for this to run every 15 minutes and link up with the main arterial routes so that people could reduce car use or even feel able to get rid of their cars completely. Please can I have an update on progress?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(10) Councillor Platts: Community Workshop Proposal, Southwater Close, Craven Vale
The Council is responsible for a disused storeroom on Housing land at Southwater Close, Craven Vale. According to residents it has been unused for at least thirty years. Craven Vale Community Association wishes to bring a large proportion of the building back into use as a Community Workshop. It was first raised as a possibility with the Council in late 2014, and in April 2015 EDB commissioned a feasibility study for it to be converted, but it was not done as requested.
Members of the Craven Vale Committee met with the Council on site in September 2017 when no insurmountable problems were raised.
EDB commissioned a detailed report from Podium in April 2018. Its report of September 2018 agreed the project was feasible, and CVCA agreed that it would raise the funds to convert the building, with the Council to cover the basic costs of making the building watertight. CVCA was then granted £10,000 by EDB in April 2019 towards the cost of upgrading the building.
Little has happened since. The Council said that it would need a minor planning application because of the change of use, and that it would now need level access from the pavement - not an easy task in Craven Vale but the CVCA Committee suggested a small extra ramped path which was agreed by the Council. In September 2019, the Council obtained a grant of £2,500 from the Environmental Improvements programme to pay for the ramp, but said it would need detailed drawings as requested by the Planning Officer.
I believe these drawings are still awaited, and that it has still to go to a preliminary planning meeting more than two years later. Craven Vale CA has had no information now for more than two years and so far, the plan has been awaiting approval for more than six years. Please can we have an update on whether the project is still moving forward? If so, please will the Council set out a clear, written plan of action and undertake to brief Craven Vale CA on the process and expected timeline for completion of the project?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(11) Councillor Platts: Community Drug Impact Co-ordinator and Drugs Summit
The Labour Group submitted a Budget amendment for a Community Drug Impact Co-ordinator and a Drugs Summit. Please can I have an update on when we expect this post to be filled and an approximate date for holding the Drugs Summit to hear directly from residents about their experiences?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(12) Councillor Platts: Printed Papers for Councillors
Can the Council confirm the total annual saving that was identified if all Councillors shifted from using printed papers of agendas and reports for working groups, Committees and Full Council and used only online systems instead? Can the Council state the number of Councillors who have successfully made the transition from paper to digital copies and the actual saving that has been realised?
Reply from Councillor Gibson, Joint Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee
(13) Councillor Platts: Kite Place
The residents of Kite Place in East Brighton have suffered many problems since moving into their new properties. These have included ongoing problems of water pressure with residents reporting it can take up to 15 minutes for hot water to come through and up to 2 hours to run a bath as well as toilets not flushing properly. Attempts to fix the water pressure has caused leaks in communal areas. Residents report significant overheating in many flats and communal areas, which makes some residents feel unwell, some need to use fans to cool their flats and this has increased their electricity bills. The overheating has also caused lifts to breakdown and breakdowns have become a common experience, leaving some residents with disabilities trapped in their flats. Residents have also reported that the floors in their flats are ‘dropping’. Councillors requested a meeting was held with officers and residents and this took place in August. Can the Council give a clear timeline that shows when the problems will be fully resolved?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(14) Councillor Platts: Percival Terrace
Can the Council confirm whether it is accepted practice for the staff at Percival Terrace to request that residents pay ‘fees’ to them in cash? Can the Council confirm what these fees are for? A resident has been told they are for ‘maintenance’.
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(15) Councillor Platts: East Brighton Park
Can the Council explain why the upper pitch area has been locked up, preventing residents from accessing it? The wire around the outside has now been damaged as people have bent it back to use the area. Will the Council agree to repair this and unlock the pitch?
Can the Council confirm that the toilets in East Brighton Park pavilion have now been added to the cleaning contract as promised?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(16) Councillor Platts: Beach Huts
The Labour Group submitted a Budget amendment for investment in Beach Hut infrastructure and replacement. Beach huts and chalets continue to be in great demand and increasing the numbers available was agreed by all political parties as a way to offer those on the waiting list some hope of one day being able to rent one. Can the Council give an update on progress?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(17) Councillor Platts: Safety on Madeira Drive
I’ve had cause to raise concerns about public safety on Madeira Drive on several occasions during recent outdoor events. This has included providing photographic evidence of cars and motorbikes in bike lanes, cars and bikes travelling in the wrong direction on the area marked out for vehicles, pedestrians being forced into the road because the pavements have been taken over by scooters and extended café seating areas resulting in cars then encroaching on bike lanes to avoid pedestrians and a lack of safety measures such as clear signage or marshals. Can the Council confirm whether safety measures have been reviewed in light of this information and what action will be taken at future public events to ensure the safety of all users?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(18) Councillor Platts
Welfare Benefits
Can the Council confirm the numbers of people in Brighton & Hove:
> Likely to be affected by the loss of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit? An estimate will be acceptable.
> Who remain in the City but have not secured pre-settled status without recourse to public funds? An estimate will be acceptable.
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Druitt, Joint Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee
(19) Councillor Platts: Cleaning and Graffiti in the East of the City
There has been much coverage of cleaning the City centre as the entrance to visitors; however, the outer Wards are also being blighted by graffiti and stickers. Can the Council confirm what the plan is to tackle graffiti and what preventative action is being taken?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(20) Councillor: Brighton Marathon & 10k
Brighton Marathon weekend was a joyful occasion, it was good to welcome its return and I was pleased to participate. I was, however, concerned by news reports that the Marathon distance was measured incorrectly and to receive an email from the organisers to say they had not applied for UKA (UK Athletics) affiliation. I understand this was due to the event being organised at short notice and the organisers were hoping to put in place a license retrospectively. UKA affiliation will be important to those hoping to qualify for other events. Can the Council confirm what action has been taken to resolve both issues which could affect future participation?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(21) Councillor Allcock: Use and Cost of Agency Staff
What is the total additional cost to the Council of using agency staff for financial years?
• 2018 to 2019
• 2019 to 2020
• 2020 to 2021
What agencies were used during these financial years and where are their corporate offices located?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Druitt, Joint Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee
(22) Councillor Grimshaw: School Uniforms
Have our local LA schools have any feedback on numbers of parents asking for financial support to provide uniforms? If so how many and what was the response?
How many families have been supported with assistance to purchase uniforms for the Sept 2021 term?
Reply from Councillor Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee
(23) Councillor O’Quinn: Recycling Rates
What were the recycling rates for the first 6 months of 2021 in Brighton and Hove?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(24) Councillor Childs: Divestment
In view of the recent acquisition of Newcastle Utd football club, by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund, will the Council, in line with its commitment to women’s, LGBT and human rights, write to the Chair of the Club, as well and BH Albion, to make clear that they are not welcome in our city until the Saudi Fund divests in full from the team?
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(25) Councillor Childs: Asbestos
Given that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and that children are uniquely vulnerable will the Council agree to commit to remove all blue and brown asbestos from area occupied by children in our school and nursery estate by 2030?
Reply from Councillor Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee
(26) Councillor Childs: Air Pollution
When and how will the council take decisive action to address the issue of unacceptable air pollution in London Road and Rottingdean High Street and in what timescales will this occur?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(27) Councillor Childs: Radon
Several areas of
our city fall into medium risk areas of radon exposure. What action
will the Council take to ensure:
a) All schools located in medium risk areas are tested for radon
levels and subject to suitable abatement measures should levels
exceed PHEs ‘target level’
b) New planning applications in medium radon risk areas ensure appropriate testing and mitigation.
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(28) Councillor Childs: Lead
Lead has long been known to harmful to young children, yet a large number of Council schools contain large amounts of lead paint in poor condition. What action will the Council take to audit the risk of lead contamination in our city schools and what action will be taken to put in place appropriate abatement measures to protect children?
Reply from Councillor Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee
(29) Councillor Childs: Changing Places
Will the Council agree to provide a Changing Places toilet at Black Rock station as part of the regeneration project in this area?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(30) Councillor Childs: Upper Rock Gardens
Upper Rock Gardens, Kemp Town, has long been misused by street drinkers and those engaged in anti-social behaviour. Will the Council agree to have the area fenced off until a longer-term decision is made on the future of this area?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(31) Councillor Childs: St James Street
Despite platitudes over many years, anti-social behaviour, drug crime and aggressive begging continue to plague St James St area. Will the Council arrange to meet with local councillors and Sussex Police to call for a zero-tolerance policy in the area?
Reply from Councillor Deane, Chair of the Licensing Committee
(32) Councillor Childs: Parking Meters
Council parking meters frequently prevent residents paying for the actual time used and instead for blocks of one or two hours presumably in order to extract further money from hard pressed residents. This is not the case in adjoining areas. Will the Council agree to recalibrate all meters, as is entirely possible, to allow residents to pay for actual time used in units of 15 minutes or at least for each separate hour?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(33) Councillor Childs: Freshfield Road
Please can an update on the development of the Freshfield Rd Industrial Estate be provided?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(34) Councillor Childs: Queen’s Park Fountain
Will the Council provide funding to renovate the listed Queens Park public drinking fountain which has fallen into a parlous state of repair and appearance?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(35) Councillor Childs: Bonfire Events
Will the Council make a public statement and write to neighbouring local authorities and Sussex Police condemning anti-Catholic sectarian statements and imagery that frequently appear at County-wide bonfire events and request that action be taken to prevent and/or deal with such bigotry occurring at otherwise enjoyable family events?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(36) Councillor Childs: Pepperpot
What plans does the Council have for the Pepperpot and will it engage with the Friends of the Pepperpot and other residents to secure a more meaningful future for this listed building?
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(37) Councillor Childs: Parking Permits
When will the chaos in the parking permit system, that has caused stress and misery for residents across Queens Park Ward, end? And will residents be promised waivers for PCNs issued as a result of the Council’s failure to operate a basic and functioning permit issuing system?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(38) Councillor Childs: Pedestrian Crossing
Will the Council install a proper pedestrian crossings at the junction of St James St and Upper Rock Gardens?
Reply from Councillor Deane, Chair of the Licensing Committee
(39) Councillor Wilkinson: Cycle Hangars
In March of this year I asked if there were any plans to install cycle hangers across the city and if so, how many cycle hangars will be installed/are estimated to be installed across the city in 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24. I was informed that provision had been made for 100 cycle hangars. A Cycle Hangar survey is currently available to assess demand for secure on-street cycle parking that will be solely reserved for residents. Does the Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee believe that 100 cycle hangars is enough for our city and if the survey indicates a much greater demand, how will the council meet this need?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(40) Councillor Wilkinson: Fly-tipping
Can the Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee please inform me as to how many prosecutions have occurred across the city in the previous 12 months in relation to kerbside/street fly-tipping?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(41) Councillor Wilkinson: Graffiti Enforcement
Graffiti across Brighton and Hove is becoming an increasing blight on our city. It is clearly a problem that is out of control. Can the Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee please inform me as to how many prosecutions have occurred across the city in the previous 12 months for this act of criminal damage and does the Chair agree with me that the council should now establish an Anti-graffiti Working Group to tackle this issue?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(42) Councillor Yates: Bin Strike
Can the current Leader of the Council clarify what action he took when the last Green Administration faced a similar bin strike in the city, on behalf of his Administration?
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(43) Councillor Barnett: St Helens Green, Hangleton - Rewilding
The Council has started leaving large patches of St Helens Green in Hangleton uncut.
This is unpopular with residents, who have reported that the uncut areas are being used a toilet for pet dogs, detracting from the local amenity.
St Helens Green is a conservation area and residents were not informed about the Council’s rewilding policy. The Green is faced onto by many residents’ bungalows who want to see it well-kept as it used to be and visually appealing but now consider it to be an eyesore.
Can the Council:
a. Arrange to have the grass cut and return St Helens Green to its previous state so that can be enjoyed by all.
b. In future consult residents before introducing rewilding trials.
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(44) Councillor Lewry: Local Infrastructure Improvements, Hangleton & Knowll
Please can you provide a progress update, including expected completion dates, for the following local projects in my ward of Hangleton & Knoll:
a. Greenleas Park - Installation of bigger capacity bins
b. Knoll Park – Installation of bigger capacity bins
c. Hangleton Park
i Resurfacing of multipurpose play area with new astro-turf
ii Replacement of damaged hoardings
iii Installation of new basketball nets
iv Installation of Zip wire
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(45) Councillor Mears: Disability Beach Access Ramp East of the City
In the City Budget negotiations earlier in the year, the Conservative Group worked with the Administration to ensure a sum of £30,000 was included for a beach disability access ramp in the east of the city.
The ramp is needed to address an accessibility gap in Brighton and Hove, with all the existing ramps currently located in the west of the city.
A beach access ramp would help people with a disability in the east of the city enjoy access to the coastline.
Talking to residents in the east of the city, they are very keen to see such a ramp at Rottingdean Beach or Saltdean Beach to give disabled people in this vicinity access to the beach to be able to enjoy family outings.
I know that the Chair is strongly supportive of improved beach access for the disabled and shares the view of disability groups that there is inadequate provision in the east compared to the west and an accessibility gap.
Can the Chair of the Tourism, Equalities Communities and Culture committee:
i. Provide an update on what the total beach access strategy looks like for the city’s sea border so that access solutions are provided along the full stretch and all locations are equally provided for.
ii. Confirm how many disability beach access ramps currently exist in Brighton and Hove and their locations.
iii. Commit to progressing the £30,000 project over the winter months so that the new access ramp can be in place for people in the east of the city to enjoy by summer 2022; and
iv. Ensure that local disability groups, including BADGE and the Brighton Beach Access Team, are fully consulted in choosing the location for this budgeted item.
v. Advise whether a beach accessibility officer is currently employed by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(46) Councillor Bagaeen: Health Services
If local GPs continue to refuse to see people face-to-face, this will mean that local inequities in the city will be magnified again and again.
Will this Administration stand up for patients whose voices all too often are not heard in this city, and will the administration press its partner, the clinical commissioning group, and insist that GPs see all patients face to face without a triage screening first?
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(47) Councillor Peltzer Dunn: Pavements
Can the Chair of the Committee advise:
a) What are the total lengths of pavement within the city under the responsibility of Brighton and Hove City Council?
b) How many claims have been made to the Council in respect of injuries caused through pavement accidents in the following municipal years:
i 2018-19
ii 2019-20
iii 2020-21
iv 2021-2 (to date)
c) How many such claims have been upheld in the last twelve months and how many are outstanding?
d) How many operatives are clearing the pavements of weeds?
e) What proportion of streets have had their weeds cleared?
f) What plans have been made to address the outstanding problems this year
g) What changes are planned for next year to avoid this year’s problem?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(48) Councillor Theobald: Patcham Community Centre
When will One Parking Solution be implemented at Patcham Community Centre? Patcham Community Centre and Patcham Councillors have been requesting One Parking Solution since before lockdown, because if it is not implemented this invaluable community resource will be in danger of closing down.
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(49) Councillor Nemeth: Active Travel Schemes
How much expenditure has been incurred on the following active travel measures:
a) Old Shoreham Road Temporary Cycle Lane:
i Installation
ii Removal
b) A259 Temporary Cycle Lane:
i Installation
ii Removal
c) Madeira Drive closure scheme:
i Installation
ii Maintenance (including staffing costs at entry points)
iii Removal
iv Repurposing to new configuration.
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(50) Councillor Mears: Homeless Placements in the City
It has been reported that while Brighton and Hove City Council is placing homeless people out of area, including into Newhaven and Eastbourne, that Adur District Council is placing homeless people into Brighton and Hove.
Can the Chair please confirm:
a) How many homeless have been placed by Adur District Council into Brighton and Hove?
b) How many other local authorities are also placing homeless into Brighton and Hove?
c) Are homeless placed into the City by other local authorities able to access the services they need easily?
Additional information: https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2021/10/05/while-brighton-and-hove-sends-homeless-elsewhere-adur-sends-them-to-brighton-to-hove/
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Chair of the Housing Committee
(51) Councillor Simson: Population
I refer to my previous written question from the last full council – Question 14, 15 July 2021.
This question was answered: Response to follow.
I have yet to receive a response. Please can this question be answered.
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(52) Councillor Simson: Homemove System
When the new Homemove System was brought in, it was promised that the regular feedback reports showing the details of allocations would be reinstated once the IT was sorted out.
This has never happened, so Councillors and residents are completely unaware which properties have been let to which Bands and criteria unless they request an excel spreadsheet.
Please can the Chair arrange for this to be restarted?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Chair of the Housing Committee
(53) Councillor Simson: Safer Streets Round 1
It has come to my attention that during the 2019/20 municipal year Brighton and Hove City Council was contacted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and offered an opportunity to participate in a joint Sussex bid for Round 1 of the Government’s Safer Streets Fund.
Brighton and Hove had been identified by the Office of the PCC as statistically the area most in need of crime prevention infrastructure.
Despite this ranking and offer, Brighton and Hove City Council did not choose to participate in the joint bid.
As a result our City missed out on funding, which went to Eastbourne and Hastings Councils which did progress applications and were awarded £893,366.
It is appreciated that this occurred under the previous Labour administration but can the Chair of the Committee please investigate what happened and answer the following questions:
a) Does the Council have a skills or capacity gap in applying for funding opportunities from the Government?
b) Was there a lack of oversight from the Chair of the TECC Committee on this matter which meant that the City missed out on funding?
c) Can the Administration put in place a plan to fill any fundamental skill gaps or capacity issues so that the city does not miss out on vital funding in the future.
Further information: https://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/about/news/pcc-secures-nearly-900k-for-safer-streets-in-eastbourne-hastings/
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(54) Councillor Simson: Congestion
The Council’s decision to reduce the capacity of Lewes Road has had a knock-on effect in Woodingdean, with traffic using Falmer Road as a bypass.
There are now fears that the Council’s changes at Valley Gardens will cause further congestion in the inner city and displace more cars to Falmer Road and in Woodingdean and this is causing great concern in the community.
A local resident has previously suggested the idea of improving traffic flow on Lewes Road by making the bus lane flexible in a similar way to smart motorways, allowing the bus-lane to be re-repurposed for cars when demand for buses is lower, for example when the Universities are out.
Will the Council consider this as a plan to reduce congestion on Lewes Road?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(55) Councillor Simson: Falmer Road Crossing
Now that the work has been completed to widen Falmer Road walking and cycling path, will the Council prioritise the installation of the promised crossing across Falmer Road to link the Falmer Road Path and the Drove Road Path?
This simple addition of a crossing would in one stroke create a safe integrated active travel network in Woodingdean and for those enjoying the South Downs National Park.
Reply from Councillor Deane, Chair of the Licensing Committee
(56) Councillor Simson: Bus Services
Falmer has become an increasingly important hub in Brighton and Hove for all its residents, providing a major source of employment and major education, sport and recreation facilities.
Falmer is now set to also become a health hub for Brighton and Hove’s resident following the announcement from the Government that it will be the site of one of 40 Community Diagnostic Centres to be set up across England to clear the NHS backlog caused by the pandemic.
The Amex Community Diagnostic Centre will provide a one-stop-shop for key testing to catch up and boost early diagnoses, speed up and increase referrals.
This will include a full range of scans and tests for patients to identify illnesses at the earliest signs and will achieve quicker diagnoses for patients through easier, faster, and more direct access to the full range of scans and tests needed to understand patients’ symptoms – including breathlessness and cancer symptoms.
It is fantastic that Brighton and Hove is in a position to host one of these centres and great for local residents and it is now important that all parts of the city are fully connected to this facility.
There is currently no direct bus connection between Woodingdean and Falmer, something residents have been calling for, for many years.
Will the Council, which heavily subsidises Brighton and Hove busses, take this opportunity to request Brighton and Hove busses or other bus providers introduce a direct Woodingdean to Falmer bus route?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(57) Councillor Simson: Homeless Placements in Woodingdean
Homeless placements in Woodingdean
a) How many from the homeless register have received assistance with privately renting in Woodingdean during the following municipal years?
i) 2019-20
ii) 2020-21
iii) 2021-2 (to date)
b) How many of these had previously been rough sleeping and were sufficient support mechanisms put in place bearing in mind their isolated location?
c) Are there proper support services in place for homeless people entering private accommodation?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Chair of the Housing Committee
(58) Councillor Nemeth: Tree Garden Removal
In the absence of Council action on the matter, hundreds of residents have started to maintain areas around tree bases outside their homes. In many cases, they have created beautiful tree gardens that bring joy to passers-by.
Sadly, the Council has destroyed several of these gardens when carrying out works on or around the trees without reference to gardeners or neighbours.
It is of course the case that the Council owns the land around the trees and may not have a legal duty to consult anybody. However, given that residents already feel so let down by the lack of maintenance, and that they have put so much help into proactively assisting the Council, it is quite simply wrong that their work is being destroyed in this manner.
What protocols can be put in place to avoid such a situation continuing?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee