Agenda item - Petitions for Council Debate

Petitions to be debated at Council.  Reports of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law (copies attached).

(i)        Improve Brighton & Hove’s Recycling Scheme.  Lead petitioner Tea Menghetti.

(ii)       Regency Square & i360.  Lead petitioner Neil Rosborough.

(iii)      Implement a Policy for the Distribution of Free Sanitary Products to Schools to Counter Period Poverty.  Lead petitioner Samantha Whittaker.

17.1      The Mayor stated that where a petition secured 1,250 or more signatures it could be debated at the council meeting.  She had been made aware of 3 such petitions.  However, since the publication of the agenda the first petition relating to recycling in the city had been withdrawn.  She also noted that there was an amendment to the covering report’s recommendation for Item 17(2), Regency Square and the i360 from the Green Group.

17.2      The Mayor then invited Mr. Rosborough to come forward and present the first petition.

Regency Square & i360

17.3      Mr. Rosborough thanked the Mayor and sated that the petition resulted from the impact of visitors to the i360 which had led to increased parking of motorcycles in Regency Square and highlighted the need to review parking arrangements and improve the frontage of the square.  He acknowledged that come changes had been made by officers but felt that further action was warranted and hoped that the petition with over 1500 signatures showed the level of support for these changes to be considered.

17.4      Councillor Mitchell thanked Mr. Rosborough for bringing the petition to the council meeting and noted that a review of the Regency Square parking permit arrangements was scheduled for the autumn and a report would come to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee.  She was happy for this review to include other aspects of the parking arrangements in the Square and to put forward a bid to the Planned Maintenance Budget for 2019/20 for improvements to the Square’s frontage.

17.5      Councillor Druitt moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group, which called for a report to the October meeting of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee detailing how the issues raised in the petition could be addressed.  He also noted that Mr. Rosborough had collected all of the signatures by hand and congratulated him on his efforts.  He hoped that the committee would be able to find a way to meet the petition’s requests.

17.6      Councillor Phillips formally seconded the amendment.

17.7      Councillor Mitchell stated that she was happy to accept the amendment.

17.8      The Mayor thanked Mr. Rosborough for attending the meeting and presenting the petition, and noted that the Green Group’s amendment had been accepted.  She therefore put the recommendation as amended to the vote which was carried unanimously.

17.9      RESOLVED: That the petition be noted and a report brought to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration at its meeting on the 9^th October 2018; outlining options to address the issues raised in the petition and including:

That officers consult with the petitioners, the Regency Square Area Society and the stakeholders involved in the distribution of the 1% of the i360 ticket revenue earmarked for local regeneration, in any decisions over how the issues raised in the petition could be addressed.

17.10   The Mayor then invited Ms. Whittaker to come forward and present the second petition.

Distribution of Free Sanitary Products to Schools

17.11   Ms. Whittaker thanked the Mayor and stated that the petition had secured 1,528 signatures of support and called on the council to implement a policy for the distribution of free sanitary products to schools to counter period poverty.  She stated that this was a national problem with 1 in 10 girls unable to afford sanitary ware.  She hoped that the city could lead the way and ensure that all schools in the city were able to provide free products to all girls who were in need, thereby meeting the council’s own objectives for child poverty and equality.

17.12   Councillor Daniel thanked Ms. Whittaker for presenting the petition and bringing the issue to the council’s attention.  She stated that the council was working with schools to provide products and noted that success of the Red box scheme that encouraged people to donate products for distribution within schools.  It was a voluntary based scheme which meant that its success was dependant on those volunteers but she hoped that it would expand across other schools and noted that a collection box had been set up in the reception of Hove Town Hall.  She felt that it was an important issue and one that needed to be discussed further at the next NICE committee meeting.

17.13   Councillor Brown welcomed the petition and stated that the subject needed further consideration and access to products needed to be made less intrusive and more convenient.

17.14   Councillor Phillips also welcomed the petition and stated that the consequences of not providing these products should be noted i.e. increased levels of absenteeism; bullying and an impact on well-being.  The products should be easily available and pupils should not have to ask but get them anonymously.

17.15   Councillor Daniel noted the comments and stated that she looked forward to considering the matter at the committee meeting in October.

17.16   The Mayor thanked Ms. Whittaker for attending the council meeting and presenting the petition.  She noted that it was recommended to refer the petition to the Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities Committee and put the recommendation to the vote which was carried unanimously.

17.17   RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities Committee meeting on the 8^th October, 2018 for consideration.