Agenda item - Chairs Communications

22.1         The Chair provided the following communications:

“Firstly, I’d like to welcome the newest Member of the Committee and of the council, Councillor Daniel. I have known Emma for her work through various organisations in the city and look forward to working with her.

Colleagues may remember that the principles of a preferred scheme to enhance Valley Gardens were approved at the last Transport Committee in March this year.  The Committee also agreed that early consideration should be given to preparation of bids for external funding for the scheme.

An initial application has now been prepared, submitted to, and accepted by the Coast to Capital Local Transport Board and could enable the council to secure up to £8m for the project starting in 2015/16, subject to further development work.

Some temporary installations have been introduced to the area to indicate how it could be used and have generated interest and some useful feedback.

I also had the pleasure of attending the launch event at the weekend for the LSTF Lewes Road sustainable Transport Corridor Scheme agreed by this Committee last year. 

The scheme was launched by the former Transport Minister Norman Baker MP, the Leader of the Council Jason Kitcat and Deputy Leader Councillor Ian Davey and also supported by local residents and other stakeholders including family and representatives of the Jo Walters Trust.  The scheme will provide much needed public transport and cycling facilities to support safe and active travel movement as well as supporting economic activity along this important academic corridor.

I am pleased to note our Trading Standards officers are working successfully with the Police and Licensing officers on a joint initiative to address the availability of super-strength beers, lager and cider, above 6% volume.  This Sensible on Strength campaign seeks to reduce the problems of anti-social behaviour, crime and health issues associated with high strength alcohol.  Businesses are being recruited to voluntary stop selling these products and are already reporting positive benefit from reduced theft of stock. The aim is to introduce a “Scores on the doors” type window sticker system to denote accredited outlets. A report will be going to Licensing committee next month on this.

I was very pleased to attend, along with Cllrs Sykes and Janio, the recent ceremonial handing over of our partnership bid for UN Biosphere status to the UNESCO UK Chief Executive at the Preston Park Twins.  We were all greatly encouraged by the news that the other UK Biosphere’s report a considerable direct financial benefit from status. Biosphere’s, it seems, more than pay for their administrative cost, and of course reap general economic benefit to their local areas too. I understand we now have to wait till the spring for the bid to be decided upon, and meanwhile I would urge that it is important we maintain our financial support for the project in readiness for accreditation.

And finally, I would like to note that the Food Partnership are this year celebrating their 10 birthday.  I was unfortunately unable to make the recent party held on Hove Lawns, though I know Councillors Sykes was able to go.  The City Sustainability Partnership recently received a very good presentation from the director of the Food Partnership, Vic Borrill and if members agree I think it would be welcome to create an opportunity for this committee to hear that update first hand too”.