Agenda item - Deputations from members of the public.

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Agenda item

Deputations from members of the public.

A list of deputations deferred from the meeting held on the 23 July to the Special Meeting are listed.

Minutes:

31.1      The Mayor reported that three deputations had been received from members of the public and that he would invite each spokesperson to introduce their deputation and for the relevant Chair to respond. He noted that 15minutes were set aside for the consideration of deputations.

 

31.2      The Mayor then noted that the spokesperson for the first deputation was unable to join the meeting and in view of the time suggested that it be taken as read and invited Councillor West as Joint Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee to respond.

 

31.3      Councillor West thanked the Mayor and noted that the deputation related to the two petitions that were due to be debated later in the meeting and thanked Ms. Goddard for bringing it to the meeting. It raised the question for the reasoning of the Government for the introduction of the temporary cycle lanes which recognised the need to provide an alternative travel mode to meet safe distancing requirements and to enable people to get to work and around the city. It was going to be important with the return to schools and to enable people to have a choice and choose to cycle rather than drive which improves the environment and health of everyone. He noted that the lanes were temporary, and a report would be coming to the September meeting of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee on the future of the lanes across the city.

 

31.4      The Mayor thanked Councillor West and noted that the deputation would be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration. The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

 

31.5      The Mayor then invited Katherine Sykes as the spokesperson for the second deputation relating to the Deneway to address the council.

 

31.6      Ms. Sykes thanked the Mayor and stated that she was a resident of Westdene, and her children attended Patcham High School. She had become concerned about the Deneway and safety of residents and believed that there was an urgent need to review the road markings for the Deneway which was the only access road for Westdene residents. The difficulty was with the lack of road markings and dangerous parking as a result residents were put in danger and had with the LAT’s support previously requested action be taken to update the road markings. Whilst double yellow lines had been put in place along part of the East side, they were insufficient and the dangers to residents, children and cyclists remained with continued dangerous parking and traffic. She urged the council to review the situation and to take appropriate action to improve the safety for everyone in Westdene.

 

31.7      Councillor West thanked the Mayor and Ms. Sykes for bringing the deputation to the council meeting. He noted the challenges faced by residents and visitors and that double yellow lines ha recently been introduced which he believed had improved the situation along the East side. However, he acknowledged that problems persisted particularly along the Western side of the bridge but noted that previous proposals to address the matter had received a number of objections. He stated that the council was currently looking at a walking and cycling infrastructure plan for the city and hoped that residents would engage in the consultation process and that further improvements could then be made.

 

31.8      The Mayor thanked Ms. Sykes for joining the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. He noted that it would be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration. The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

 

31.9      The Mayor then invited Mr. Archard as the spokesperson for the third deputation relating to re-opening of Madeira Drive to address the council.

 

31.10   Mr. Archard thanked the Mayor and stated that the deputation intended to support the notice of motion that ha been brought by Councillor Wares. It represented the views of the local businesses and the Brighton Tourism Alliance all of whom supported the re-opening of the road to enable businesses to operate and attempt to avoid financial ruin as a result of the pandemic and decision to close the road to traffic. It had deterred people from coming to the area as tourists could not drive and there were no public transport links. The traders wanted to work with the Council to improve the area, but they needed support and to be able to operate to ensure the local economy could thrive. He noted that there were problems with access for disabled users and that the lack of parking facilities meant people were not coming to the beach and thereby visiting the local businesses etc. He agreed that there was a need to encourage people to exercise and to provide a safe environment for this but there was also a need to support those businesses that had supported the area for some time and kept the area going all year round. He hoped that the council would reconsider the decision to close the whole of the road.

 

31.11   Councillor West thanked the Mayor and Mr. Archard for bringing the deputation to the meeting. He stated that he  appreciated the  impact that  the pandemic had had on local businesses  and  was aware of the  effect it was having on the  local economy as  city that  relied on visitors etc. He noted the Government’s desire for local authorities to take action to open up roads for recreational use and that the pandemic was not over as yet. The Environment, transport & Sustainability Committee had agreed to closure, and this was being kept under review  and  changes had been made recently to improve access for disabled users. There was a need to balance everyone’s needs and he welcomed further discussions with business users and residents to attract footfall to the area and to consider how matters could be taken forward.

 

31.12   The Mayor thanked Mr. Archard for joining the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. He noted that it would be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration. The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

 

31.13   The Mayor noted that concluded the item.

Supporting documents:

 


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