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 Pissaridou:
I have received the following distressing email from one of my residents , and others of a similar nature. We would like to know what restrictions, if any, are there in place to restrict times/days/venues and variety of fireworks please?
Dear Councillor Anne Pissaridou
I need to bring to your attention the weekends we have fireworks still going on
Weeks after November the 5th. I therefore would like you to bring this problem
Up in your Council meetings. We have endured this every time over a number of years
And nothing is ever done. I have been told there are certain dates they are allowed.
We have been patience, but my son has an ongoing hearing problem and it aggravates
It so much then days after he suffers. He is having treatment therefore we would ,
Appreciate any help you might put forward. The fireworks are like bombs and go on
Really late.
Thank you
Reply from Councillor Osborne / Powell, Co-Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
(2) Councillor Janio:
Could the Chair of HWB Board confirm that Brighton and Hove Council are backing actively the creation of a West Hove Health Hub?
Reply from Councillor Shanks, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board
(3) Councillor Janio
Could the Chair of HWB Board confirm if Brighton and Hove Council has been approached about the provision of a West Hove Health Hub in Benfield Valley?
Reply from Councillor Shanks, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board
(4) Councillor Janio:
Could the Chair of Planning Committee confirm if he has had any discussions, formal or informal, about the creation of a West Hove Health Hub in Benfield Valley?
Reply from Councillor Littman, Chair of the Planning Committee
(5) Councillor Fishleigh:
How many fines for fly-tipping have been issued this year for each of the following communal bin locations?
Saltdean Lido
Saltdean Drive
Rottingdean Coastal car park
Eastern Road/Sussex Square
Marine Drive just south of Sussex Square
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(6) Councillor Pissaridou:
Our city is bordered by the sea and the downs and North Portslade, my ward, Is also surrounded by the downs, parts of which for over the last 10 years have been included in the South Downs National Park, with Foredown Tower in Foredown Road being the western gateway in the city to the SDNP. However, currently there are only 3 signs in the city to mark the entrances, in the east and north in Brighton and one in Hove which were chosen based on their “sense of arrival”, for instance, where people emerge from urban areas into the breath-taking views of the South Downs.
Unfortunately, despite our residents appreciating the views and walks in our area, there is no signage in Portslade marking this western entrance.
I understand The National Park Authority would be reviewing the signs and, if they are thought to be successful, may consider introducing more in the future.
Please will BHCC contact the SDNP authority to ask if a sign could now be added in North Portslade?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(7) Councillor Platts
Will the Council please give a date by when regular recycling collections will resume in the Closes off Whitehawk Road and Whitehawk Way?
Whilst the rubbish collections seem to take place regularly, I am receiving frequent complaints about the lack of recycling collections. Recycling then accumulates and residents have to use alternative containment for their recycling such as bin bags and boxes until the next collection takes place. When a recycling collection does take place, residents report that the recycling stored in alternative containment is then not collected because it is not in the bin. This has become a vicious circle leaving residents in this area unable to recycle all the materials that can be recycled. I have now undertaken two walkabouts with Council officers around this area, written countless emails and had several telephone conversations. Whilst various reasons for non-collection have been given, it is now clear that this is a systemic problem to which a solution must be found.
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(8) Councillor Theobald: Brighton Bus Gates
1.8 Million pounds has been collected from unsuspecting motorists on the new layout at Valley Gardens.
Is there any guidance or best practice advice to highway authorities on the average number of motorists that should be fined before the signage should be made clearer?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(9) Councillor Lewry Hangleton Way Schools Zone:
As you would be aware King’s Secondary School relocated to Hangleton Way in Hove in 2019 due to their growing numbers and is located on the site next to West Blatchington Primary School.
Promises were made by the Council at the time of the relocation that a workable road layout would be put in place for the children including adequate pedestrian crossings, however these have not materialised
West Blatchington Primary School’s Health and Safety Governor Michael Bellis has provided a timeline of communication with council officers on this matter between 2020-21 which runs to 20 separate items. There is a feeling that the Council are not taking the concerns of the schools seriously.
Cllr Barnett and I have met with Head Teacher Kate Price; Health and Safety Governor Michael Bellis, Premises Manager Stuart Everard and School Business Manager Carly Regan on site to witness the issues caused by the current road layout on Hangleton Way on an average school morning.
These issues can be summarised as follows:
a) Pedestrian Crossings: There are no safe pedestrian crossing points for children. The Council has installed a makeshift crossing point consisting of a coloured red square on the road cornered by four bollards; however this is considered by all the above to be unsafe and not working. There is no signage to indicate that this is a crossing point and it is unclear whether this design is compatible with the Highway Code. Proper pedestrian crossings need to be installed at the site.
b) Signage: The signage is inadequate throughout and there is little to reflect the fact that this is a school zone, including at the entry point junction of Hangleton Way and Amberley Drive. There are no flashing signs, which are common at other schools in the city. The signage needs to be improved throughout the school zone.
c) Road markings: The road markings are incoherent. The Zig Zag lines cut out before the junction of Hangleton Way and Hardwick Road, which is causing issues on this corner, witnessed on a daily basis by the Premises Manager Stuart Everard. There is a further issue with road markings leading to a cluttered road layout opposite the bus stops. A more coherent approach is required, with a re-look and redesign of road markings for the entire zone. After two years it is a reasonable request that this situation be reviewed.
In summary, there is great concern that the incoherent road layout and lack of a proper pedestrian crossing is going to lead to a serious accident with the staff reporting several near misses.
The school staff is speaking with one voice on this and sending a message that improvements must be made.
Please could you ensure that this matter is investigated and come back to me on the three points above with a plan to address them for this school community.
We would of course be happy to meet you on site at the schools to discuss this matter in further detail.
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(10) Councillor Brown: Hove Park and Hove Recreation Ground bins
Following the increased use of the use of City’s Parks during the pandemic, under-capacity of bins at city parks was identified as being an issue that needed to be addressed, including in my ward of Hove Park.
At the City Budget in March the following expenditure item was agreed to:
£0.010m capital investment in replacement bins in open spaces including Hove Park, Hove Recreation ground, Greenleas Park and Knoll Park.
It has now been nearly 10 months since the funds were made available for bigger capacity bins but these bins have still not been upgraded. Litter from overflowing bins continues to be an issue which has a negative impact on the park environment.
Can the Chair please provide an update on when bins will be upgraded at Hove Park and Hove Recreation Ground in my ward of Hove Park?
Can the Chair give a reason why such a basic item from the City Budget is taking so long to deliver?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(11) Councillor Miller: Budget projects update
Can the Council provide a progress update on the status of the following projects, funded by budget measures agreed to at this years’ City Budget in March?
a) Patcham Roundabout:
£0.005m revenue to fund:
a. £0.050m borrowing from £0.004m revenue, to support capital investment into a gateway welcome to Brighton and Hove on and adjacent to Patcham A27/A23 Roundabout to include a piece of iconic public artwork.
b. £0.001m revenue to maintain this gateway welcome
b) Seafront railings upgrade:
£0.005m revenue to fund £0.100m borrowing to support capital investment in upgrading Brighton and Hove Seafront Railings.
c) Gateway signage – train stations
0.005m revenue to fund:
i. £0.040m borrowing from £0.0035m revenue, to support capital investment into gateway welcomes at both Brighton and Hove train stations to include an iconic welcome to ‘BRIGHTON’ and ‘HOVE’ sign at each relevant station – similar to that in other iconic global Cities, which are photographed and shared on social media.
ii. £0.0015m revenue to maintain these gateway welcomes
d) Gateway signage – Seafront
£0.005m revenue to fund:
i. £0.040m borrowing from £0.0035m revenue, to support capital investment into iconic welcome to ‘BRIGHTON’ and ‘HOVE’ signs on Brighton and Hove Seafronts – similar to that in other iconic global Cities, which are photographed and shared on social media.
ii. £0.0015m revenue to maintain these
e) Volk’s Electric Railway Upgrade
£0.003m revenue to fund £0.040m borrowing to support capital investment in Volk’s Railway in line with the VERA business plan presented to TECC, namely:
i. £10,000 for additional signage,
ii. £25,000 for the North Siding,
iii. £5,000 for the halfway shelter.
f) Hove Lagoon Skate Park Upgrade
£0.002m revenue to fund £0.050m borrowing to support capital investment in a new Hove Lagoon Skate Park.
g) Hove Beacon Lighting Scheme
£0.001m revenue to fund £0.015m borrowing to support capital investment in the Hove Beacon lighting scheme.
h) Madeira Terraces Upgrade
£0.014m revenue to fund £0.4m borrowing to support capital investment in the Madeira Terraces Phase 2.
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(12) Councillor Simson: Rats in council houses
The number of rat infestations at council properties has increased dramatically since the bin strikes in the City, including in my ward of Woodingdean. The situation is creating health and safety and financial issues for tenants in the city.
a) Given that the Council has its own ‘insourced’ pest control team, why is the council currently contracting this service out?
b) How can the Council it justify charging its council tenants £160 each to deal with rat infestations even when the properties are adjoining with shared roof spaces?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(13) Councillor Barnett: Illegal road markings
In recent weeks on a number illegal markings have been painted onto Old Shoreham Road by activists unhappy with the democratic decision to remove the temporary cycle lane.
Can the Chair advise:
a) Does the Council have CCTV assets along the Old Shoreham Road corridor where road markings have been illegally painted on and, if so, whether it has reviewed the footage and identified offenders and provided the footage to the relevant authorities.
b) Whether the Council has its own by-laws and penalties relating to painting of illegal road markings in the City of Brighton and Hove; and if so, whether these have been enforced during the present council term.
Would the council accept liability where an injury happens as a result of illegal road markings?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(14) Councillor Meadows: Post Office relocation
Can the Leader of the Council confirm?
a) Whether the Administration is aware of plans to relocate both of the city’s Post Office sorting office and distribution centres to a new single location in Patcham?
b) If so, where will this new location will be; and
c) Whether the Administration supports these plans.
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council
(15) Councillor McNair: Carden Primary School
a) Why has the Council not offered to reduce Carden Primary school's PAN to one and a half form entry instead of only one when there is no evidence to suggest the school's numbers are declining, and when the school is home to a high number of brothers and sisters from disadvantaged backgrounds?
b) Could the decision be postponed until 2025 when more precise data has been collated?
Reply from Councillor Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee
(16) Councillor Peltzer Dunn: A259 Cycle Lane
The Council has issued a very comprehensive consultation document in respect of a proposal to extend the A 259 cycle path on south side from Fourth Avenue to Wharf Road.
As to be expected residents are already contacting their local Councillors for further information prior to submitting their views to the Council.
Among the questions raised are:
a) Why is the bus stop at the bottom of Westbourne Villas being removed ?
b) What are the better bus facilities in the proximity of the existing bus stop ?
c) How many car parking spaces are actually going to be lost?
d) Under the heading of Monitoring it is stated that pedestrian, traffic and cycle movements together air quality will be monitored. Where are the existing monitoring sites situated and what are the existing readings in respect all four headings?
e) When were these readings recorded?
f) What action would the Council undertake to do in the event of adverse readings being reported? and
g) How often would this exercise be undertaken?
Please could the Chair provide answers to the above questions?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(17) Councillor Theobald: Fly-tipping in Hollingbury
Fly-tipping is an ongoing problem at Birch Grove Crescent in Hollingbury, causing upset to residents and also generating a Health and Safety issue.
The council previously promised that mobile CCTV cameras and signage would be installed to deter fly-tipping at Birch Grove Crescent, however this has not occurred.
Can the Chair advise:
a) When the Council will install mobile CCTV cameras at Birch Grove Crescent in Hollingbury?
b) Whether the Council has procured the 4 new mobile CCTV cameras, for which funding was agreed at the City Budget in March.
c) How many mobile CCTV cameras the council currently owns and how many of these are currently deployed?
Reply from Councillor Davis / Heley, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(18) Councillor Bagaeen: Vaccine Hesitancy
It was reported in the Sunday Times (5/12/21) that doctors and nurses have told of their anger at not being able to treat seriously ill patients with new figures showing more than 90% of COVID sufferers requiring the most specialist treatment are unvaccinated.
In addition to the city’s lower than the national vaccination rate, citing NHS data, Brighton and Hove News reported on 2/12/21 that Brighton and Hove has one of the lowest rates of over-50s having booster jabs in England.
a) Can the Leader of the Council confirm how many of the city’s residents are not fully vaccinated?
b) Can the Leader confirm what steps are the Administration taking to combat vaccine hesitancy in Brighton and Hove, especially in the following MSOA areas:
i. Brunswick
ii. St James’s Street & Queen’s Park
iii. North Laine & the Laines
iv. Round Hill
Can the Leader confirm what percentage of COVID patients currently admitted in the city’s NHS trusts (specifically at the RSCH) are unvaccinated?
Reply from Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council.
(19) Councillor Mears: Housing repairs and lost rent from empty homes
a) Can the Chair provide current Brighton and Hove City Council statistics for:
i. Housing repairs backlog
ii. Number of empty council homes
b) What is the total amount of rent that has been lost from council homes sitting empty during the following municipal years:
i. 2019-20
ii. 2020-21
iii. 2021-22 (to date)
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(20) Councillor Simson: Population
I refer to my previous written question – 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 Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council.
(21) Councillor Nemeth: Motor Neurone Disease
Please confirm how best practice is followed in supporting sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease across different council services including home adaptations and other support services as per Motor Neurone Disease Association guidance.
Reply from Councillor Shanks, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board
(22) Councillor Pissaridou
Can I have a copy of the Housing department “family tree” showing how the department is structured and who is responsible for what please ?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee