The Brunswick Blog

Scrutiny panel looks at 20mph speed limits

2009-12-16T17:49:00.003Z

I am a member of scrutiny working group looking at 20mph speed limits, which I think will be of interest to many residents. Details are below about getting involved. A Council press release reports that:

Brighton & Hove City Council has set up a cross-party Scrutiny Panel to undertake a review to investigate the effects of reducing the speed limit in some residential and built-up areas of the city to 20 mph.

Speed reduction initiatives could include either redesigning roads within the city to include traffic calming measures, or simply reducing the default speed limit on roads to 20 mph through the use of signs.

The panel will look at the evidence available on the effect of 20 mph speed limits and 20 mph zones on road safety, and the consequences of speed reductions on traffic movement and displacement. The Panel will make recommendations on the future development of council policy on appropriate vehicle speeds in the city.

The members of the panel are councillors Pete West, Geoff Wells, Gill Mitchell and Paul Elgood.

The panel will also seek to address the environmental consequences of 20 mph speed limits on the city’s air quality, carbon emissions as well as noise levels. It will also investigate the other benefits that 20 mph speed limits may bring, such as increases in public health, stronger community relations and better walking and cycling conditions.

The panel is holding a number of public meetings during January and February 2010. There will be one public meeting specifically for residents, community groups and local organisations to come along and give their views on speed reductions in their local area.

Anyone who would like to give evidence to the panel or attend a public meeting should email scrutiny@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call (01273) 290450 in the first instance.

It looks like Sainsbury's on Western Road

2009-12-14T22:40:00.007Z

Shop fitting has begun and it looks as if Sainsbury's will be taking the vacant units. Their staff have been seen undertaking the fit out today and other traders have confirmed this to me.

This raises a number of urgent questions - for example how will they undertake their deliveries in a congested stretch of road already hit by Tesco's numerous lorries? What impact this will have on the area? And who exactly needs two supermarkets opposite each other?

To have two multi-nationals opposite each other seems entirely unnecessary to me. One is enough (many would say too many), but Sainsbury's locating there is more about them competing with Tescos than about serving the local community.

Another major retailer on Western Road?

2009-12-13T18:36:00.003Z

Rumours are circulating that another retailer may be looking to acquire two empty shops on Western Road in Hove between Lansdowne Place and Palmeira Square - and just over the road from Tesco. I have heard that one of the largest chains could be looking at the site, although I have no idea if this is true so won't reproduce the name here, yet.

Does Brunswick need another major supermaket? More large delivery lorries will certainly be a problem in that stretch of road. It also opens up the prospect of a price war between stores there, which will leave the smaller independent traders finding it difficult to compete.

The city will look a little different after today

2009-12-10T23:43:00.004Z

Thanks to 91 joint Labour/Green/Lib Dem amendments tabled at tonight's full council meeting, the city of the next couple of decades will now look a little different.

Tonight's full council meeting adopted the Core Strategy document, which will define all of the council's forthcoming planning policies.

We got together with with the Labour and Green Groups to re-write the Tory drafted policy. It was far too car-focused, forgot the needs of local communities and didn't reflect the diverse city we live in. By the end of the night even the Tories came with us on half the amendments.

Our contribution to the 91 amendments included:

- formal designation of Brunswick Town as one of the city's key shopping areas, and with it seeing Brunswick Town as a name incorporated in planning documents for the first time;

- policies which reflect the needs of the St James's Street area - and for what many see as the gay village;

- priority for local independent traders over the multi-national stores;

- greater emphasis on community projects, such as shared gardens in redundant urban spaces;

- protection in conservation terms for the seafront historic squares and terraces;

- better care of the open spaces, including enforceable by-laws;

- protection for the city's under threat arts venues, including the Old Market, Hippodrome and Astoria - to be retained for arts use;

- ring fencing of developer contributions to the areas in which they are gained - Brunswick has lost a fortune to 'city-wide' projects;

All good Lib Dem policies which have emerged from the Lab/Green/Lib Dem pot and which will make the different to the city over the coming years.

Make no mistake - we're fighting for every vote in Brighton Pavilion

2009-12-09T22:33:00.011Z

Just back from our Local Party Executive, where amongst other matters we discussed the Green Party's claim in today's Argus that they will be pitching for our voters in Brighton Pavilion. I hate it when political parties talk about voters as commodities, and take residents for granted in this way. Let us be clear, we'll be making our pitch to every resident and will fight to ensure the maximum Lib Dem vote in the constituency - indeed across all three. The other parties like to talk us down in the city, simply to try to cut into our share of the vote, but they under estimate us at their peril as stopping the Brussels-based Caroline Lucas is a top priority for all three main parties. As I say, we'll be making our case to the electorate and will be aiming to increase our vote in constituencies such as Brighton Pavilion, as we did there last time after the Greens fought their last 'high profile' campaign. So Green Party - stop pushing around the voters, they'll make their own minds up thank you very much.

Christmas lights up Brunswick

2009-12-09T22:31:00.003Z

Yes, the lights are back on and the Christmas Tree is lit up again. Christmas can finlly get underway here!

The dark Christmas tree saga continues...

2009-12-08T20:23:00.003Z

Well it is still in darkness, but officers have kindly provided an update - it seems that water has penetrated the fuse box causing the failure. The council is working with its lighting contractor and they hope that the lights will be back on later this week.

Palmeria Square Christmas tree in the dark

2009-12-05T10:56:00.004Z

The Palmeira Square Christmas tree has spent the last week in the dark, following its launch last Friday. Ever since this supposed lighting ceremony it has stood in darkness and currently looks very sorry for itself. Come on Council have some Christmas cheer and sort this out.

Lib Dems bid for planning designation for Brighton's 'gay village'

2009-12-05T10:55:00.001Z

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling for the St James's Street area to be formally designated as the city's 'gay village'.

Until now the area has not been recognised as such in planning terms, but the Councillors want to see the authority's new planning document, the Core Strategy, amended to reflect this status.

The Core Strategy will define the council's planning policies for the next few decades and will act as a blueprint for the city. The final strategy is due for adoption by Councillors in December.

The Core Strategy makes a number of designations for areas in the city, such as the cultural quarter. By doing this it encourages developments which are sympathetic to this use.

Previously, the growth of the area as the city's gay area has taken place without it being part of previous planning strategies.

Lib Dem group leader, Cllr Paul Elgood said: "The St James's Street area has never been formally acknowledged as the 'gay village', but in practice it has been seen as this for decades.

"Formal designation in planning terms will help continue to see this area grow and attract new businesses and opportunities. It will also acknowledge the particular issues in the area, for example the need for community safety measures such as decent lighting and safe streets.

"We want the area to be more than a cluster of gay businesses but that it is part of the city's planning strategy for the next few decades.

"What we are talking about is the council policy finally catching up with reality. We all know the area as the gay village, it is time the council did too."

World AIDS Day in the New Steine

2009-12-01T20:52:00.008Z

A simple but moving remembrance event took place at the AIDS Memorial earlier. We gathered on World AIDS Day to mark the lives lost to AIDS or devastated by HIV. After the huge crowds of the unveiling, it was a really beautiful and peaceful way to mark the day. This is the first year the day has been marked at the memorial.

World AIDS Day

2009-12-01T08:19:00.003Z

Today is World AIDS Day and later a group will gather at Brighton & Hove's new AIDS Memorial, to mark the lives lost to AIDS in this city. I hope this will become an annual event, where we can quietly mark the loss of local lives. Many other events are going on too and can be found at www.gscene.com. Here I am pictured with David Furnish and artist Romany Mark Bruce at the recent AIDS Memorial unveiling. Picture with thanks to Cllr Bill Randall.

Meet your Councillors today

2009-11-28T08:54:00.002Z

Come along and meet your ward councillors today from 10am at the Cornerstone Centre. If you have an issue to raise or problem to solve, we are here to help.

E-petition launched to bring council's controversial parking contract in-house

2009-11-26T22:30:00.001Z

Liberal Democrat Councillors say that residents, businesses and visitors will be better served if the city's on-street parking contract was brought in-house and fully under the council's control.

Stepping up their campaign for fairer parking in the city, the Lib Dems have launched a petition through the council's own website to highlight the impact the issue has on business during the Christmas period and New Year sales. The petition can be signed at http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=69&RPID=200134

The petition calls for the service to be brought in-house following concerns expressed by residents and businesses over the operation of the contract and record revenue raised from it. Previously, the council's failing waste contract was brought back under the council's control and is now seen as a resounding success. Council owned carparks have already successfully returned to council control.

Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'Record income from parking fines at a time of recession has left a lot of people baffled as to how such enforcement levels can be fair.

'The city's income from parking is way out of proportion and represents nothing less than another tax on local people, business and visitors. Parking schemes have now reached the suburbs, soon most roads in the city will be in line for such schemes. If this is the case, then there must be maximum confidence in the way the contract is enforced.

'We want to see the contract brought in-house to restore confidence in the city's parking service. The wardens can then be part of the council's frontline team reporting issues and helping people. Such a service will be hugely valued by residents.

'Some common sense needs to return to the way the council enforces parking. Otherwise the council's own reputation will continued be dogged by negative reports concerning enforcement issues.'

ENDS

The petition reads:

We the undersigned petition the council to bring the on-street parking contract back in-house when the contract is up for renewal in two year's time.

Many residents, visitors and businesses have expressed concerns over the operation of the on-street parking contract. At the next opportunity we call on the council to consider bring all or part of the contract back in-house to return faith in the service. This follows the success of bringing the council owned car parks back under council control.

Parking in Brighton and Hove has a terrible reputation but by bringing the contract back in-house confidence will increase that the process is fair, accountable and properly monitored.

Businesses especially find the current system difficult. They need more flexibility and some simple common sense applied to encourage more customers, especially in the city centre.

The wardens can then become community wardens and work on the side of residents, for example spotting problems, reporting crime and helping residents.

This ePetition runs from 24/11/2009 to 27/01/2010.

Get Involved Day

2009-11-22T23:02:00.003Z

A speeding dating event took place yesterday between 12 young people and 12 Brighton and Hove Councillors from across the political spectrum.

The event at Hove Town Hall today was part of the Council's 'Get Involved' event.  

The young people rotated around the room and had three minutes to ask each Councillor questions on issues of their choice.  

I was really pleased to be voted by the young people the Councillor 'most in touch with youth issues'.  

If there was ever an award worth having this is it. It was really enjoyable to engage with young people who were extremely astute and asked really searching questions. There is no question that all of them have tremendous potential for their future education and career choices.

Council takes three years to paint a row of bollards

2009-11-19T21:59:00.004Z

Whilst I am grateful that the work has now finally been done, it has taken three years to get a row of bollards painted in Waterloo Street. Residents have been asking for all this time, without luck. The council really does have to re-think how it delivers these small jobs - it is actually what residents judge them on. I was never going to give up until this was done for them - when I threatened to paint the bollards myself, they were magically done a few days later with the help of volunteers from a local church!

New plans for multiple mobile phone antennas on the Providence Pub in Western Road - please have your say

2009-11-16T21:20:00.010Z

The council has received a planning application for three mobile phone mast antennas on the roof of the Providence Pub on Western Road. We are asking residents to join us in objecting to the application - we believe that it is significant in size, close to homes and above a building which has been used as a nursery.

Mobile phone masts are a necessary evil, but we also believe people have the right to live free from health fears over them. This is too close to local homes and a less intrusive site should be found. This proposal significantly upgrades the existing equipment there and because of its size is especially cause for concern.

Details of the application are:

BH2009/02543 Sussex House 130 Western Road Hove

Replacement of existing 5 metre-high roof top flagpole to accommodate 3 No. triband antennas and installation of additional roof top equipment cabinet.

Applicant: MBNL Agent: Mono Consultants Ltd
C/O Mono Consultants Ltd 48 St Vincent St Glasgow G2 5TS
48 St Vincent St Glasgow G2 5TS

You can find out more about the application here. Please use the reference BH2009/02543 to search for the application.

You can comment on the proposal via email to planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk - or in writing to the Planning Department at:
Hove Town Hall
Norton Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 3BQ .

Again please quote the planning reference.

Unelected Tory Lords should not be able to frustrate the Commons on new laws criminalising "homophobic hatred"

2009-11-13T17:57:00.002Z

Liberal Democrat campaigners have reacted angrily to amendments by Tory peers to the Coroners and Justice Bill which will allow criticism of "sexual conduct and practice" on the basis that it protects "free speech".

MPs had previously voted to remove the free speech clause from the bill during its passage through parliament on four different occasions.

The unelected Tory peers must not be able to frustrate the will of the elected Commons, who have clearly expressed their position by voting to protect the rights of groups such as the LGBT community, who are at risk from hate crimes.

This comes at a time when homophobic hate crime is at the top of the agenda. Have these Tories not been listening? Instead they continue to spout their bigoted opinions under the veil of freedom of speech. What about our rights to live our lives with the fear of harassment and violence?

Lib Dems support Stonewall anti-bullying week

2009-11-13T17:44:00.000Z

Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrat Councillors Paul Elgood and David Watkins are supporting Stonewall's work during Anti-Bullying Week, November 16-20 2009, which highlights the devastating impact of bullying and how we can protect vulnerable young people.

Homophobic bullying is an epidemic in Britain's schools today. The result is not only lower educational achievement but a tragic increase in the rate of self-harm and suicide among young lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Stoneall are asking for support for their Education for All campaign to tackle homophobic bullying in schools during national Anti-Bullying week 16 - 21 November.

Paul commented: 'Young people need the time and space to come to terms with who they are and how they want to live their lives. It is too easy for playground comments to become bullying. If this goes unchecked a young person's life can be made a misery. Schools must continue to work to tackle awareness of this issue and tackle bullying. They school bullying of today can easily become the hate crime of tomorrow, which is especially significant at a time of increased concerns over community safety in the city.'

Remembering the fallen

2009-11-11T19:08:00.004Z

When I first joined the council, I never really appreciated the significance of the remembrance events in the city. I attended in many ways to honour my Grandfathers, who served in the war. Each year the old soldiers turn out, and each year there are a few less faces there from that generation. On Sunday, I've never seen the Hove parade better attended, by young and old alike. I was at Westminster today at 11am, and the Abbey gardens are a moving tribute to the fallen. Again the crowds turned out, with people taking a few moments out from their offices or meetings. It is sad to think that it has taken the conflicts in Iraq and now Afghanistan to return these events to the public's attention.

Strike suspended but...

2009-11-10T17:21:00.005Z

The unions have scored a massive victory over the Tory Council and their battle to retain the pay levels of some of the lowest paid workers in the city. They have suspended their strike action for a number of weeks pending further discussions on the latest proposed deal. I firmly put the blame for this dispute on the Tory leadership and council managers who have handled these negotiations badly. The but in the title is the bit which damages the reputation of the council with residents, that being the piles of rubbish now rotting around every bin in the city. It is hard to see the Tories handle this more badly.

Becoming a 2012 Green Capital more relevant than Capital of Culture for city

2009-11-09T21:42:00.000Z

Liberal Democrats say that Brighton & Hove City Council should concentrate on becoming a Green Capital rather than a Capital of Culture, after the EU launched its scheme to reward cities working towards a green future.

The European Green Capital Award Scheme 2012/2013 gives recognition to cities with a consistent record of high environmental standards.

Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood said:

"I would love for the 2012 European Green Capital award to be given to Brighton & Hove. It would be recognition of the great achievements being made here."

"Some of the biggest environmental challenges are found in cities. 80% of Europeans live in urban areas so the work done by City Councils to protect the environment can have a hugely positive effect."

"Successfully dealing with carbon emissions, waste disposal and sustainable transport will benefit more than just those who live within the city's boundaries.

"This would mean so much more than being a Capital of Culture - its would be an incredible achievement for the city and for generations to come.'

Brighton & Hove under the Tories...

2009-11-07T17:48:00.003Z

And all we get from the Tory Leader of the Council is 'no comment'. Residents really do deserve better.

CityClean strike - advisory information

2009-11-06T16:37:00.002Z

CityClean have advised that...

All refuse recycling and street cleansing rounds today were disrupted by on-going industrial action.

Services over the weekend will also be limited, and as of Monday morning we are not expecting any services to be operating.

Our call centre will remain open, but we are trying to direct residents to the web site for information and advice. Non Cityclean calls are being directed to the relevant departments through switchboard to help manage call volumes.

Unfortunately we are unable to do anything with missed collections during the strike period; therefore we are not considering logging individual collection issues from callers. However, we will advise callers of the situation and ask for their patience.

Dog fouling problems

2009-11-06T11:54:00.004Z

I organised for a group of parents to directly raise with the council their concerns over dog fouling problems in the roads leading up to Somerhill School. They are rightly angry at the level of unchecked dog fouling. In two roads we found six examples - and this was a good day. The officers were helpful in addressing the issue, but clearly it is a resource-led problem as there aren't enough staff to enforce and check these areas on a daily basis. Only 3 on the spot fines have been issued in the recent past - that really is poor. This problem is easily dismissed but actually is one of the big quality of life issues for local people.

Thousands of disabled students left struggling

2009-11-05T21:53:00.001Z

The Government could not answer Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Addington today when he asked who would take responsibility for the thousands of disabled students still waiting for essential funding.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) report less than 20% of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) applications received for 2009-10 have been fully processed.

Applications for the next funding cycle 2010-11 will start arriving this month further adding to the backlog.

Lord Addington commented: “The Students Loans Company has made a real mess of Disabled Student Allowances (DSAs). The processing of DSA applications has been a catalogue of failure and incompetence leaving thousands of students struggling to cope.

“It’s a scandal that disabled students who have worked hard to secure a place at university are not getting the support they need. Many are still waiting for funding to buy special equipment so they can do their course.