CALLING NOTICE FOR THE SEPTEMBER BRUNSWICK & ADELAIDE FORUM MEETING:

7 p.m. Wednesday 14 September 2005 in the

Council Chamber, HOVE TOWN HALL

AGENDA

1. Welcome, attendance and apologies

2. Reports back on issues from the last meeting

3. Alan McCarthy, Chief Executive, Brighton & Hove Council

A vision for the city and the implications for Brunswick & Adelaide

Note : Any questions for answering on the night should be submitted by midday on September 12th to the contact officer (details above).

4. City Car Club

Presentation by Simon Bannister

5. Recycling in Brunswick & Adelaide

Introducing the new kerbside collection

6. A-boards and street clutter

Presentation by Ian Denyer, Senior Licensing Officer

7. Issues raised by residents

(An opportunity for residents to raise new issues for the agenda)

Please note - Presentations planned for future meetings of the Forum include :

Anti-social behaviour Parking Estate Agents' boards

Lansdwone Place greening By-laws Street cleaning

The Forum is open to Brunswick & Adelaide Forum residents only.

MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2005 MEETING

BRUNSWICK & ADELAIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM

WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE 2005

COUNCIL CHAMBER, HOVE TOWN HALL

MINUTES

Present

Councillor David Watkins (Chair), Councillor Paul Elgood.

Forty-three residents of Brunswick & Adelaide

Four non-residents of Brunswick & Adelaide

Brighton & Hove City Council : Alex Bailey (Director of Strategy & Governance), Johnathan Fortune (Head of Operations (Public Safety)), Rob Fraser (Head of Planning Strategy), Helen Gregory (City Planning), Michael Casey (Chief Executive's Policy Team).

Sussex Police : Sgt. David Bettiss, PCSO Benjamin Mitchell.

Apologies were received from 4 residents of Brunswick and Adelaide.

1. WELCOME, ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES

See above for attendance and apologies.

Cllr Watkins welcomed all present.

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE BRUNSWICK & ADELAIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM

Terms of Reference

Cllr Elgood stated that the pilot Brunswick & Adelaide Neighbourhood Forum flows from a decision by the council's Policy & Resources (P&R) Committee. Four quarterly meetings will be followed by a report back to P&R Committee which will decide whether to continue with / roll out further neighbourhood forums. The Terms of Reference for the Forum were set by the decision of P&R Committee although suggestions for change could be taken back there.

Agenda Setting

Cllr Elgood explained that issues can be raised from the floor, sent to Michael Casey at the council or raised via the questionnaire sheets which were distributed to all present. Issues raised may lead to a presentation at a future meeting of the Forum or to individual follow up.

A resident of Brunswick Street asked if matters raised would be minuted. Cllr Elgood replied that they would be minuted and followed up.

Another resident of Brunswick Place asked if any lessons had been learned from ex-Cllr James' previous attempts to set up a neighbourhood forum in Wish Ward. Cllr Elgood replied that a range of models had been examined and that as open an approach as possible has been adopted.

A resident of Waterloo Street asked how residents could have known they could raise issues for this evening's meeting. Cllr Watkins replied that there were additional opportunities during tonight's meeting to raise issues for the agenda.

Rules of Engagement

Cllr Watkins pointed out that the Forum will be chaired and managed in the same way as other council meetings.

3. ISSUES RAISED BY RESIDENTS

Issues that residents had advised by midday on the 15th of June that they wished to be considered at this meeting and the immediate responses given were as follows. There is an Action Table at the end of these minutes showing further actions to be taken for some items.

Issue : People using communal bins as ordinary litter bins and an increase in dumping ; Raised by a resident of Farm Road ; Cllr Elgood asked the Head of Operations (Public Safety) to draw this to the attention of the Director of Environment.

Issue : Are different streets being treated differently re communal bins ? ; Raised by a resident of Lansdowne Place ; Cllr Elgood explained that the current consultation is being undertaken only in areas where residents had requested inclusion in the scheme. City Clean consultations re bins in the ward will only proceed and be implemented where a majority of residents are in favour.

Issue : Quality of the pavement in Farm Road ; Raised by a resident of Western Road ; The Head of Operations (Public Safety) to take this issue forward, initially by an inspection.

Issues : Football on the lawns, dogs off leads, barbecues, skateboarders on pavements ; Raised by 2 residents of Palmeira Square ; The Head of Operations (Public Safety) has contacted the Seafront Office and asked for some new signs to be erected advising that barbecues are not permitted at various locations. A presentation on by-laws and their enforcement to be the subject of a presentation to a future meeting of the Forum when the by-laws are subject to review.

In relation to barbecues a resident said that there is now a European Standard for these. The Head of Operations (Public Safety) stated that although this isn't in force in the UK, he would speak to Trading Standards about this. Another resident pointed out that the sale of disposable barbecues meeting a certain standard would be likely to encourage their use. Given the costs of, for example, making good burnt grass on the lawns, a resident wondered whether the cost of not having frequent warden patrols might outweigh the cost of having them.

Issue : Fumes given off by barbecues ; Raised by a resident of Farm Road ; This should be covered in the presentation on by-laws at a future meeting of the Forum.

Issues : Safety and environmental impact of A-boards ; cycling on pavement and promenade ; Raised by a resident of Lansdowne Square ; Sgt Dave Bettiss stated that cycling on pavements is an offence and the police from time to time have days of action targeting this. PCSOs have a particular emphasis on addressing anti-social behaviour such as this. PCSO Benjamin Mitchell confirmed this is the case. A presentation on A-boards and other street "clutter" to be the subject of a presentation to a future meeting of the Forum.

In relation to cycling on pavements : a resident suggested that residents could help police catch cyclists riding on pavements. Sgt Bettiss was worried about safety issues this would raise but might be interested in finding ways to work with residents to raise awareness of this as an issue. Another resident suggested cyclists should be made to register their bicycles but this would be a national issue beyond the remit of this Forum. A resident of Salisbury Road questioned whether parking wardens could spend part of their time dealing with cyclists on footpaths but Sgt Bettiss explained that parking offences are civil not criminal and are now dealt with by NCP (under contract to the council) through an entirely different system. A resident of Brunswick Square warned against the danger of criminalising cyclists.

Issue : As above plus buses parking on pavements ; Raised by a resident of Lansdowne Place. More information would be needed to identify a particular problem before further action could be taken.

In relation to parking, a resident said that cars parked on double yellow lines on Western Road frequently cause chaos and reporting this doesn't seem to have any effect. Sgt Bettiss replied that this needs to be raised with NCP.

Proliferation of poles, signs etc along the seafront plus (as above) cycling on the promenade and barbecues on the lawns ; Raised by a resident of Brunswick Terrace ; these should be covered by the future presentations mentioned above.

Issue : King Alfred Centre development ; Raised by 2 residents of Holland Road ; The ward councillors agreed to ensure that residents had information on how to comment on the planning application when submitted.

Issues : Sea front development and its possible negative impact on residents ; vandalism ; Raised by a resident of Brunswick Square ; See above re King Alfred development. Re vandalism, Sgt Bettiss advised that if you see someone defacing or destroying property, this is criminal activity and he would support ringing 999 to report this. Alternatively, the "It's your call" number 0870 220 2000 can be rung during the day to report anti-social behaviour. This should be routed quickly through to the correct officer.

In relation to vandalism a resident said that when ringing the police on their 0845 6070999 it was sometimes difficult to get through. Sgt Bettiss said the police know there are difficulties with this number and it is being improved. A resident of Brunswick Terrace said that sometimes it can work very well and that following a call, she had had the PCSO attend very rapidly the previous evening.

Issue : Whether the ban on estate agent boards can be extended ; Raised by a resident giving only an email address ; This could be a topic of discussion at a future meeting.

Issue : Enforcement when owners allow dogs to foul public areas ; Raised by a resident giving only an email address ; The Head of Operations (Public Safety) replied that there are 3 animal welfare officers who patrol the city and have a range of possible sanctions available to them including fines. If residents see dogs being allowed to foul, they should report this as dog walking often follows a routine and the officers may be able to catch them next time around.

In relation to dog fouling a resident observed that actually the streets around Brunswick & Adelaide are generally quite clean.

Issue : Whether parking areas M and O could be combined ; Raised by a resident giving only an email address ; This could be a topic of discussion at a future meeting.

Issue : Dogs off leads in St Ann's Well gardens ; Raised by a resident giving only an email address ; It is thought that dogs are allowed to be off leads in St Ann's Well gardens.

4. ISSUES FROM THE FLOOR

The following issues were raised from the floor :

Bins : a resident of Waterloo Street raised the issue of communal bins in Waterloo Street, stating that she knew of 75 people who had signed a petition against the communal bins and no-one who is in favour. Cllr Elgood replied that no decisions have been made and that no area will see communal bins implemented unless a majority of households are in favour.

A resident thought a recent meeting about communal bins had an entirely negative tone whilst a subsequent letter seeking further views described it as positive. Another resident indicated that the letter appears to be saying that the proposal will be implemented. Cllr Elgood stated that there is both support and opposition to the bins - the two ward councillors have presented petitions both for and against the proposal to Council.

Another resident asked whether the proposed siting of bins could be changed. Cllr Elgood replied that this is precisely one area being consulted on. Cllr Elgood re-iterated that the majority view will prevail in determining where bins are introduced.

CCTV : A resident of Norfolk Square enquired when CCTV cameras would be installed in the square. Johnathan Fortune replied that it would be soon and that he should be able to supply a more detailed timeline shortly.

Palmeira Square Pedestrian Crossing : A resident of Palmeira Square asked when the promised pedestrian crossing would be installed. Cllr Elgood replied that this was agreed at the last Environment Committee and should be in place before Christmas.

Bulk Waste : A resident stated that a council rubbish collection vehicle refused to take away an old television set. Johnathan Fortune suggested this would be because it was special waste needing to be disposed of in a particular way. The resident wondered why the council tax he pays shouldn't cover the removal of special waste. Another resident suggested that Hove YMCA would probably remove an old TV set for free, even if it is no longer working.

Parking during the Brunswick Festival : A resident queried the understanding about whether stall holders etc. would be liable to be booked for parking offences during the Brunswick Festival, suggesting that it is reasonable not to book vehicles involved in the Festival on those days. Cllr Elgood undertook to write a letter seeking clarity on this.

Recycling bins : A resident of Brunswick Square said that at the rate of 1 recycling box per household, the square would be unable to cope with the volume of recycling boxes. Cllr Elgood replied that we do need to improve our recycling rate to meet government targets.

Consultations : Two residents commented that consultation by the Council can be piecemeal and could be better co-ordinated. Cllr Watkins suggested that this Forum could be a useful focus for consultations in the future.

The Chair then took another couple of comments which, due to pressure of time, were not able to be responded to immediately. These were that traffic in Lansdowne Place had increased significantly. Cllr Elgood agreed to raise this and the question of cycles being attached to railings.

5. THE NEW LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND HOW RESIDENTS CAN BECOME INVOLVED IN ITS PREPARATION

Helen Gregory, Senior Planning Officer, presented on this topic. Please see the slides attached.

A resident asked if the new approach to preparing the Local Development Framework meant that residents would have more than a fortnight to comment on documents that were already well advanced. Cllr Watkins replied that the new system should be much more flexible and able to incorporate resident's comments.

A resident asked how people without computers could access the information on the website and was advised that City Direct offices have computers available for such a purpose.

A resident asked about how Brighton & Hove can influence the South East Plan. The Head of Planning Strategy replied that the South East Plan's main focus is how many houses need to be built and that SEERA and the government are consulting on this.

A resident queried the composition of SEERA and Cllr Watkins replied that the City of Brighton & Hove has an elected representative on it.

A resident asked how councillors have contributed to the current draft of the South East Plan. The Head of Planning Strategy replied that the draft that has been consulted on discussed broad levels of growth and that council's Policy and Resources Committee approved a submission on that draft. Further consultation is expected later this year.

The meeting concluded at 8.45 pm.