Agenda item - Update on Funding for Beach Patrol, Taxi Marshals and Safe Space

Report of the Acting Director of Public Health (copy attached)

6.1       The Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Public Health providing an Update in relation to funding for the Beach Patrol, Taxi Marshals and Safe Space.

6.2       The Public Health, Licensing Lead, Jim Whitelegg confirmed that he had met recently with Simon Walker from the “North Laine Pub Company” (representing local licensed premises) at his request in order to update him on progress. The Public Health, Licensing Lead explained that Mr Walker had been working hard to galvanise the trade and had been exploring three potential areas to be funded, the beach patrol, taxi marshals and safe space. He had met with operators whose businesses were located on the lower promenade to discuss contributions towards the cost of funding the Beach Patrol with limited success. Dialogue was continuing, however, the “North Laine Pub Company” had agreed to meet half the cost of providing this service with “Resolve Security” having agreed to pay the remainder whilst they continued to explore the possibility of receiving future/on-going funding from lower promenade operators.

6.3       Councillor Wares referred to the detailed and lengthy discussions which had taken place at the previous meeting and sought clarification regarding when/if a further report on the potential Late Night Levy (LNL) would be coming back to Committee. The Public Health Licensing Lead, Jim Whitelegg, explained that no further information had been received from the Home Office to date indicating when further details of proposals in respect of changing the levy would be released. In view of the clearly stated view of the Committee that a further report would be premature in advance of that detail it was not possible to provide a timeframe currently, essentially the matter remained in abeyance pro-tem. It was understood that at present Nottingham City Council was considering removing its existing levy as was Liverpool City Council. Chelmsford Borough had yet to determine the matter and were still investigating whether entering into voluntary arrangements would be more appropriate.

6.4       Councillor Horan asked why businesses located in West Street were not to be included in the Business Improvement District (BID) and it was explain that they had not wished to be included and could not be compelled to do so.

6.5       Councillor Simson stated that given that businesses clearly had no appetite for a LNL it was important to seek to encourage them to contribute towards the cost of these important initiatives. Councillor Wares asked whether funding was being sought towards the costs of any other initiatives. It was explained that the Street Pastors were currently funded as part of the Safe Space initiative.

6.6       RESOLVED – (1)The Committee notes the content of the report; and

            (2) Authorises Officers to continue to work with the licensed trade in Brighton & Hove regarding alternative funding options for safeguarding projects within the night time economy.