"I'm a Celebrity..." star Brian Paddick will be marching with the Lib Dems at Brighton Pride this Saturday. Joining him will be Lewes MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker.
Lib Dem Group Leader on Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Paul Elgood said:"We are delighted that Brian Paddick and Norman Baker MP are joining us for Pride this Saturday. Brian is one of the most high profile gay personalities in the country and Norman part of the Lib Dem front bench. This reflects the commitment the Lib Dems have to equality.
"We would like to congratulate and thank all those who have put so much into Pride this year and wish those attending the event a very enjoyable and safe weekend."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Want to join the debate on street obstructions? This is your chance...
According to a council press release...
Brighton & Hove City Council has set up a scrutiny panel to look at how street access is affected by items placed on public walkways, such as A-Boards and scaffolding.
Three public meetings and a number of site visits are planned to find out what the issues are for residents and businesses.
The Street Access Issues Scrutiny Panel will talk to a variety of people, especially those with disabilities, about how restricted access to the pavement affects them. Members will also talk to businesses about their requirements.
The Panel will review current council policies relating to skips and scaffolds, A-Boards, tables and chairs, overhanging vegetation and abandoned vehicles.
Anyone wishing to contribute evidence to the meetings should contact the council in advance on (01273) 291110 or email: scrutiny@brighton-hove.gov.uk
The first public meetings will be held on:
Friday, 31 July, 10:30am-12:30pm, Hove Town Hall
Thursday, 13 August, 10:30am-12:30pm, Hove Town Hall
Brighton & Hove City Council has set up a scrutiny panel to look at how street access is affected by items placed on public walkways, such as A-Boards and scaffolding.
Three public meetings and a number of site visits are planned to find out what the issues are for residents and businesses.
The Street Access Issues Scrutiny Panel will talk to a variety of people, especially those with disabilities, about how restricted access to the pavement affects them. Members will also talk to businesses about their requirements.
The Panel will review current council policies relating to skips and scaffolds, A-Boards, tables and chairs, overhanging vegetation and abandoned vehicles.
Anyone wishing to contribute evidence to the meetings should contact the council in advance on (01273) 291110 or email: scrutiny@brighton-hove.gov.uk
The first public meetings will be held on:
Friday, 31 July, 10:30am-12:30pm, Hove Town Hall
Thursday, 13 August, 10:30am-12:30pm, Hove Town Hall
Friday, July 24, 2009
Time for an All Party Cabinet
The fallout from last night's Goldsmid by-election is being felt far and wide. The Tories have now well and truly lost the majority they never had on the council. In the wake of this, and the strong message of change sent out by Goldsmid residents, the council needs to review how it is working. First of all the Tories need to set up a cross party cabinet, opening up the main decision-making channels. Secondly, they need to think again about next week's appointment of a new chief executive. The Tories currently hold three out of the six panel members, this should be reduced to reflect the new political position. Thirdly, the council needs to sort out the issues raised in the by-election as they apply to most wards - namely, school places, 20 MPH zones and issues around recycling and street cleaning. And thats all just for starters.
Old Market goes to planning appeal
I am sorry to say the Old Market have gone to appeal for their rejected planning application. I really think this is a great shame, and I had previously urged them not to. They would be far better working with the local community, rather than continuing to alienate them.
The details of the appeal proceedings are below:
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Appeal by: The Old Market Trust
Regarding: The Old Market 11A Upper Market Street Hove
Application No: BH2009/00414
Appeal Ref: APP/Q1445/A /09/2107607/NWF
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inform you that an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government against the Council’s decision on 18 May 2009 when the application was Refused for the following:- Erection of 2no. new penthouse apartments on the roof of the Old Market combined with a new meeting room facility for the Old Market. Extension of existing stair/lift well to south for access to the new apartments, alterations to windows and installation of front canopy.
You may have been consulted and/or made representations on the original application and any comments made will of course be enclosed with the Council’s submissions to the Dept of Communities and Local Government. Should you wish to make any further comments, you should send 3 copies addressed direct to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 312A (if the Appeal reference is suffixed /WF) or 321E (if suffixed /NWF), Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. Please remember to quote the name of the appellant, the address of the appeal site and the application and appeal reference numbers as set out above. Your representations should be submitted no later than 20 August 2009. The application and the accompanying plans are available for inspection at my office which is open to the public between the hours of 9 am and 4.30 pm Mondays to Fridays. The Council’s case officer for the appeal is Jason Hawkes who will be pleased to discuss the matter with you, if you have any queries. A guide on ‘How to Comment’ on an Appeal is available on the Planning Portal web site:- https://mymail.brighton-hove.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/publications/index.htm .
Finally if you decide to make representations to the Secretary of State, you should state specifically whether you wish him to notify you of the outcome of the appeal.
The details of the appeal proceedings are below:
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Appeal by: The Old Market Trust
Regarding: The Old Market 11A Upper Market Street Hove
Application No: BH2009/00414
Appeal Ref: APP/Q1445/A /09/2107607/NWF
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inform you that an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government against the Council’s decision on 18 May 2009 when the application was Refused for the following:- Erection of 2no. new penthouse apartments on the roof of the Old Market combined with a new meeting room facility for the Old Market. Extension of existing stair/lift well to south for access to the new apartments, alterations to windows and installation of front canopy.
You may have been consulted and/or made representations on the original application and any comments made will of course be enclosed with the Council’s submissions to the Dept of Communities and Local Government. Should you wish to make any further comments, you should send 3 copies addressed direct to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 312A (if the Appeal reference is suffixed /WF) or 321E (if suffixed /NWF), Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. Please remember to quote the name of the appellant, the address of the appeal site and the application and appeal reference numbers as set out above. Your representations should be submitted no later than 20 August 2009. The application and the accompanying plans are available for inspection at my office which is open to the public between the hours of 9 am and 4.30 pm Mondays to Fridays. The Council’s case officer for the appeal is Jason Hawkes who will be pleased to discuss the matter with you, if you have any queries. A guide on ‘How to Comment’ on an Appeal is available on the Planning Portal web site:- https://mymail.brighton-hove.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/publications/index.htm .
Finally if you decide to make representations to the Secretary of State, you should state specifically whether you wish him to notify you of the outcome of the appeal.
Meet your Councillors this weekend
Monthly surgery takes place Saturday at 10am at the Cornerstone - all welcome. Got a problem? We're here to help.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Goldsmid residents can vote for change on Thursday
Goldsmid residents go to the polls on Thursday, in a by-elecion caused by the failure of the sitting Conservative Councillor to turn up to community and council meetings.
Lib Dem candidate Howard Spencer is thanking residents for the warm reception he and his team have received around the ward.
'This election is about who best serves you', says Howard. 'It is time for change and I am standing on a commitment to finally sort out Goldsmid's problems - from school places to speeding. The old parties have had long enough to sort these problems out, and have not bothered.
'Goldsmid finally needs a local councillor who will work hard and stand up for this community. Residents are sick of the inaction of Labour and the Conservatives.'
Polls open 7am on Thursday. To find out where you vote or if you need a lift please call 722474.
Lib Dem candidate Howard Spencer is thanking residents for the warm reception he and his team have received around the ward.
'This election is about who best serves you', says Howard. 'It is time for change and I am standing on a commitment to finally sort out Goldsmid's problems - from school places to speeding. The old parties have had long enough to sort these problems out, and have not bothered.
'Goldsmid finally needs a local councillor who will work hard and stand up for this community. Residents are sick of the inaction of Labour and the Conservatives.'
Polls open 7am on Thursday. To find out where you vote or if you need a lift please call 722474.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Lib Dems call for Council parking contract to come home
Liberal Democrats have called for Brighton and Hove City Council to bring the NCP parking contract in-house. The contract will be up for review in two years time, and the Lib Dems want to see consideration given to an in-house option.
Speaking at last night's full City Council meeting, Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood called for the contract to be reviewed the next time it is up for renewal.Paul also asked how many parking fines had gone to appeal in the last twelve months - he was told that a staggering 921 appeals had been made.
Commenting Paul said: 'With CityClean, the Council has proven that public services are better delivered by local authorities not private companies.
'Brighton and Hove has one of the worst reputations for its parking enforcement in the country. This will help restore confidence amongst the public and increase democratic accountability over the service.
'The Council has already taken some of its off street parking back in-house, and the profit made on the service would at least be better spent on public services rather than a private company.'
Speaking at last night's full City Council meeting, Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood called for the contract to be reviewed the next time it is up for renewal.Paul also asked how many parking fines had gone to appeal in the last twelve months - he was told that a staggering 921 appeals had been made.
Commenting Paul said: 'With CityClean, the Council has proven that public services are better delivered by local authorities not private companies.
'Brighton and Hove has one of the worst reputations for its parking enforcement in the country. This will help restore confidence amongst the public and increase democratic accountability over the service.
'The Council has already taken some of its off street parking back in-house, and the profit made on the service would at least be better spent on public services rather than a private company.'
Monday, July 13, 2009
Controversial Western Road loading ban put on hold
Controversial plans to ban loading on the northern side of Western Road, Hove have been put on hold I'm told. Senior Council Officers have confirmed to me that '...the loading restriction proposal on one side of the road [Western Road] has been put on hold pending further investigation'.
This was a badly thought-out proposal which caused much concern amongst traders, and I am glad that the Council is putting it on hold. It was a sledge hammer to crack a nut which would have penalised the area's valued traders at a time of recession.
There is no doubt that the parking situation on Western Road needs to be looked at again, but such a heavy handed response would have impacted badly on traders.
The Council should be looking at creating free loading bays in the side streets to help traders encourage business into the area whilst also keeping the main road clear for buses.
What we also need to see is action on is the loading outside Tesco - something which the Council has simply ignored for years and which these proposals would not have resolved anyway.
What the Council needs to do now is ask residents, traders and local transport providers about how best to resolve this issue. They'll be surprised at how much local people want to work together for a common goal The Council needs a strategy for Western Road, including on issues such as unlicensed A Boards, late night bar opening and bringing empty shops back into use.
Roger French from Brighton Buses has written angrily to me about my views on this. It is good to have a debate, well actually what debate? The council and their friend in the bus company simply sought to impose this on traders without any consultation. Glad he is finally up for a discussion now.
This was a badly thought-out proposal which caused much concern amongst traders, and I am glad that the Council is putting it on hold. It was a sledge hammer to crack a nut which would have penalised the area's valued traders at a time of recession.
There is no doubt that the parking situation on Western Road needs to be looked at again, but such a heavy handed response would have impacted badly on traders.
The Council should be looking at creating free loading bays in the side streets to help traders encourage business into the area whilst also keeping the main road clear for buses.
What we also need to see is action on is the loading outside Tesco - something which the Council has simply ignored for years and which these proposals would not have resolved anyway.
What the Council needs to do now is ask residents, traders and local transport providers about how best to resolve this issue. They'll be surprised at how much local people want to work together for a common goal The Council needs a strategy for Western Road, including on issues such as unlicensed A Boards, late night bar opening and bringing empty shops back into use.
Roger French from Brighton Buses has written angrily to me about my views on this. It is good to have a debate, well actually what debate? The council and their friend in the bus company simply sought to impose this on traders without any consultation. Glad he is finally up for a discussion now.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Brighton city centre - why has it been so neglected?
After a morning out in Goldsmid, I nipped into Brighton city centre, and whilst I am one of the city's biggest fans, I also can't help feel how badly its being looked after by the council. Yes, some parts are fantastic - the seafront and New Road are great and worthy of the title the council loves so much - world class - but have you looked at the Western Road and North Street area recently? It has been totally neglected in recent years, yet it is the very heart of our city. The pavements are cracked and covered in grime and chewing gum. The tarmac from Marks and Spencer through to the Clock Tower looks terrible and North Street remains permanently dug up. There are also a number of empty shops which could be given a short term hoarding. If this was my ward or I was the Cabinet member responsible, I'd be getting something done before Brighton starts losing business. Why have they let it get into this state?
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Hove Lawns - your views
The council has allowed Hove Lawns to be used for more outdoor events this year. I've had a wide range of comments - some good, many concerns - from residents. I would welcome comments on how best the Lawns can best be managed and how events should be run. The ward councillors get the chance to feedback on events at the end of the summer, and I would like to hear the views of residents for next year's events which will get approval from the council in the autumn. Please email me at paul.elgood@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Labour in meltdown?
There is a fair bit of talk on the blogs about Labour's tactics in the Goldsmid by-election, which it has to be said has become somewhat erratic, or perhaps desperate, as the campaign has gone on.
Their website tells residents to 'Vote Local' for their candidate, when in fact she lives miles away on the other side of Brighton. Our excellent candidate Howard Spencer lives on the border of the ward.
Then there is their bizarre 'Campaign HQ' - which someone really has to point out to them is actually in the wrong ward. At the bottom of Selborne Road in my ward you'll see office windows covered in their candidate's name and Labour logo. A senior Labour operative tells me that it is their by-election HQ - if what he says is true, I do hope someone will be checking their election expenses that the going commercial rate for the site is declared. My rough calculation estimates that they've in fact used up most of their expenses on this one site alone.
Meanwhile, on the doorstep, they like to spend their time telling people that the Lib Dems only have two councillors - oblivious to the fact that in Hove they only have one themselves!
And here is the best of the lot. Labour have been out in Brunswick today (you'd have thought they would be worrying about Goldsmid - they came a poor fourth here last time) delivering a newsletter urging people to vote Labour in the 4th June Euro Elections - an election which they were hammered in and that actually took place well over a month ago.
The electorate really does deserve better than this.
Their website tells residents to 'Vote Local' for their candidate, when in fact she lives miles away on the other side of Brighton. Our excellent candidate Howard Spencer lives on the border of the ward.
Then there is their bizarre 'Campaign HQ' - which someone really has to point out to them is actually in the wrong ward. At the bottom of Selborne Road in my ward you'll see office windows covered in their candidate's name and Labour logo. A senior Labour operative tells me that it is their by-election HQ - if what he says is true, I do hope someone will be checking their election expenses that the going commercial rate for the site is declared. My rough calculation estimates that they've in fact used up most of their expenses on this one site alone.
Meanwhile, on the doorstep, they like to spend their time telling people that the Lib Dems only have two councillors - oblivious to the fact that in Hove they only have one themselves!
And here is the best of the lot. Labour have been out in Brunswick today (you'd have thought they would be worrying about Goldsmid - they came a poor fourth here last time) delivering a newsletter urging people to vote Labour in the 4th June Euro Elections - an election which they were hammered in and that actually took place well over a month ago.
The electorate really does deserve better than this.
Hove Lawns this weekend
In case you are wondering why the lawns are fenced off, Paddle Round the Pier takes place on Saturday and Sunday (4 and 5 July) on Hove Lawns and in the sea at West Pier. Also taking place is the Paddle Village centred round a big top housing the Brunswick main stage featuring the best of local live music.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Starbucks verses Brighton & Hove City Council
Yesterday's news that Starbucks have won their appeal against the council's planning department is tragic. It shows that the multi-nationals have the might to send in their top legal guys and fight any local decision which goes against them. They should have respected local planning regulations in the first place and then the clearly expressed will of the elected council. What concerns me is that officers will be even more reluctant to fight these multi-nationals who already think they can do what they want, where they want.
St James's Street could easily become the city's best street (well second best after our own Western Road and Church Road stretch which is a truly superb shopping district, with much of it operated by independent traders). Starbucks doesn't add much there, and here in Brunswick it luckily remains an exception to the local traders and one which doesn't really fit in.
St James's Street could easily become the city's best street (well second best after our own Western Road and Church Road stretch which is a truly superb shopping district, with much of it operated by independent traders). Starbucks doesn't add much there, and here in Brunswick it luckily remains an exception to the local traders and one which doesn't really fit in.
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