Brighton & Hove City Council
Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee
4.00pm3 November 2022
Hove Town Hall - Council Chamber
Minutes Extract – Item 39
Present
Councillors: Osborne (Chair), Powell, Littman, Ebel, Hugh Jones, Robins, Evans, Allcock, Simson, & Bagaeen.
Standing Invitees: Stephanie Prior, Joanna Martindale, Kris Ottery, & Harpreet Kaur.
26 Procedural Business
a) Councillor Hugh-Jones in substitute for Councillor Rainey.
Councillor Allcock in substitute for Councillor Grimshaw.
Detective Supt Kris Ottery in substitute for Chief Supt Justin Burtenshaw.
b) Councillor Powell declared an ongoing interest that she works for Sussex Police, and her partner is employed by Community Works.
c) It was agreed that the press and public be excluded if deemed necessary during item 39.
27 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September were agreed as an accurate record.
28 Chairs Communications
The Chair gave the following communications:
We have the events schedule for next year coming up later in the meeting and nearly all the main events are returning. But before we get on to that, we still we have the end of this year, and the Christmas Festival runs from 18th Nov to 24th December. I’m really excited by this and looking at the plans this year, they will be an improvement on last year, when the event's organisers struggled to provide the quality of offering that we expected. This year will be focused mainly on and around St Peter’s Plaza and will be an open site without the Heras fencing that affected the look and the feel of the event last year. The organisers have partnered with a German supplier who are experts at this and have been involved in markets in Bath, Edinburgh and Leicester Square etc. and so expect a more traditional feel with wooden decorated chalets. There will also be a big wheel again, although not quite as big as the one from last year, Santa’s Grotto at Paradox Place and The Elf Express show at Ironworks Studio every weekend starting on 26th November up until Christmas. Aladdin on 22nd to 27th Dec at Brighton Centre- affordable and family friendly. Partnership with the Focus Foundation- grants to go out within the city.
I wanted to note that we were very pleased that CPP2 passed at full council after being recommended by us all at the last TECC. There are so many benefits for this plan, and although we have had to allocate some sites on our precious urban fringe for housing, we feel that this will help to protect everything good about the city and prepare us best for the future opportunities. I attended a very interesting event with the sector last week to understand more about how we can unblock some of the large brownfield sites that have remained undeveloped for a long term
The other report today that I just wanted to comment on is the Leisure facilities and the response to the energy crisis. This report is asking us to make the difficult decisions required to mitigate for the increased energy costs, but we want to do everything we can to keep our facilities open. Only this week, it has been announced that Rye will close one of their leisure facilities, and there is now a large list of locations who are doing the same. Ultimately, the government needs to step in if they want to guarantee keeping leisure facilities open and I hope that some help may be forthcoming to change the situation in due course, and this is why we will closely monitor any changes. Members will get a chance to debate this further later on in the agenda, as well as at the Sports Facilities Investment Plan Working group later this month.
I also just wanted to pick up on the White Ribbon Accreditation that we agreed to go for last year. Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has commenced the process of gaining the accreditation, achieved through the development of a three-year action plan, focused on strategic leadership, engaging men and boys, raising awareness, and changing culture. Staff from BHCC have worked in partnership with White Ribbon UK to develop its three-year action plan.
A network of Ambassadors and Champions has been set up and meetings held with local partners to update on the progress of BHCC White Ribbon Accreditation as well as the activities planned for the upcoming White Ribbon Day (25th of October 2022) and the subsequent 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This year, White Ribbon Day, 25th November, falls on the same week as the start of the FIFA men’s World Cup. Aligned with this theme BHCC is working with Brighton and Hove Football Association to reach a wider section of the community. White Ribbon notes that there has never been a better time for us to come together and start playing as a team to end violence against women and girls. To bring men and boys into the conversation, this year's White Ribbon theme is positive masculinity.
BHCC VAWG Unit has organised a half day conference which I will be leading on and which will take place on 25th of November 2022 and explore “positive masculinity” and feature Senior Leaders who work to combat VAWG in local services and what motivates them to take positive action against male violence to women.
Also, just wanted to mention that our CWB action plan was originally intended to come to today’s committee but has been delayed until next committee meeting in January whilst we make some final adjustments. The final meeting of that task and finish group will take place later this month.
Also, in January you can expect an update on all the cultural work that has been produced by ABCD cultural recovery plan over the past 2 years. Earlier this week, I attended an event about protecting cultural assets and infrastructure and further work is being completed under the Space to Grow work stream. I know from this session and other people that I have talked to, this is a very big issue so looking forward to what comes out of the work on this, and to hear about all the other work that has already been done.
29 Call Over
The following items were called:
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Item 34 |
Anti Racism Pledge Update |
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Item 35 |
Volks Railway Accessible Carriage |
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Item 36 |
Beach Access Update 2022 |
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Item 37 |
New Beach Chalets |
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Item 38 |
Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2021-22 |
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Item 39 |
Freedom Leisure Contract – Response to Increased Energy Costs |
The following items were therefore agreed as per the recommendations in the reports:
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Item 40 |
Outdoor Events – Parks and Open Spaces 2023 |
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Item 41 |
Outdoor Events – Madeira Drive Closures 2023 |
30 Public Involvement
30.1 The Chair read out the question submitted by Derek Wright on page 5 of Addendum 1 and gave the following response:
The Valley Gardens project improvements have proven to be a great success, bringing pride in the area for residents and visitors. Part of the agreed funding for this exceptional development was the use of the space for events. Three spaces were specifically identified for this use including the hardstanding but also the grassed area at Victoria Gardens South. While many events work well on hardstanding there is a need for a suitable mix of surfaces for event producers.
When compared to other spaces in the city we are already reducing the amount of time that Valley Gardens is occupied and we are also improving both the resilience of the grass surface and protections required to reduce the time when the spaces are not available for use. There is strong support in the City for the vibrant events programme in the Valley Gardens and we will continue to liaise with all groups to achieve the best possible balance of use.
30.2 The Chair then read out the following supplementary question submitted by Derek Wright:
We ask that the council change its current policy, so the surplus income raised from holding outdoor events be wholly reinvested in the park/area where the event takes place and not go into the general budget. We are a group of residents wishing to influence this decision. Will the council listen?
30.3 The Chair then gave the following response:
Currently the income from events on council land is factored into the wider City budget. It is vital that the City assets are used to benefit the wider community and current policy allows the City to make the right decisions to ensure we can deliver the best possible services for City residents on the revenues available. We do, however, have a specific system of charging event producers for any undue wear and tear to our public spaces and these funds are paid directly to our Park’s service to ensure we continue to maintain the high standards of care for our open spaces. There are currently no specific plans to change this model although additional work is going into exploring the less visible impacts of events on our public spaces and ensuring the costs for mitigating these are reflected in our charging policies.
31 Items referred from Council
There were none.
32 Member Involvement
Written Questions
32.1 The Chair invited Councillor Allcock to read the questions regarding limiting the number of days reserved for public events, submitted by Councillor Grimshaw on her behalf, on page 19 of the Agenda. The Chair then gave the following responses:
(1)The council already operates the public spaces in the City under the controls of the East Sussex act which limits the use of public spaces to a maximum of 28 days annually. It is difficult to add limits around the provision of safety cordons around an event site build/break activity as this can be effected by weather conditions and changes in the situation on the ground.
(2)The current strategy was drafted some time ago and so does not, currently, reference DM30 in the soon to be adopted City Plan 2. The Outdoor events department have begun drafting the 2025-2030 plan which will, of course, take DM30 into account.
(3)No. These documents exist in parallel. The policy outlines how the programme is managed while the strategy sets the direction of travel.
32.2 The Chair invited Councillor Bagaeen to ask the question regarding lighting public spaces for community safety on page 19 of the Agenda, and gave the following response:
There is no specific policy to use lighting to improve community safety in public areas, although officers will consider this as part of any new design or development. Amenity lighting is discretionary, and we manage the city’s street lighting according to standard public highway practices Sussex Police do have a post that looks at designing out crime when some new developments are being undertaken.
32.3 The Chair then invited Councillor Bagaeen to ask a supplementary question regarding why some street lights came on an hour after it got dark. The Chair requested that a written response be sent to Cllr Bagaeen after the Committee.
32.4 The Chair invited Councillor Simson to ask the question regarding drink spiking on page 19 of the Agenda, and gave the following response:
The Council does not provide drink spiking kits to licensed venues but we are aware that some venues and mobile support units have purchased drink-spiking kits as well as products to cover drinks. Police and Council have provided guidance to venues, working in partnership with the Business Crime Reduction Partnership as well as universities and local welfare support agencies to raise awareness. The majority of spiking incidents relate to alcohol and the Council is funding training to raise venue staff awareness, particularly at the beginning of the new university term.
The Council is following the LGA guidance for licensing authorities by engaging in local partnership schemes and raising awareness. The Council are currently working with universities and colleges to raise awareness and provide advice and links on promoting safety as well as reporting incidents to the police.
32.5 The Chair then invited Councillor Simson to ask a supplementary question:
Are the Council promoting alternative ways to stop spiking such as stop tops?
32.6 The Chair gave the following response:
The Council are not currently promoting these alternative ways to stop drink spiking but it would be a helpful discussion to have with the Chair of Licensing, as well as with colleagues within and outside the Council.
Members Letters
32.7 The Chair invited Councillor Simson to introduce the letter found on page 21 of the Agenda, and the Chair gave the following response:
The response to this letter is set out in the report in item 38. In item 38 point 3.8 it states:
In terms of spend:
•It can be challenging to spend multiple small pots of s106 contributions on projects and the pots need to be built up;
•Efforts are underway to improve the spend levels, such as employing project managers to do this in City Parks (permitted by 2019 Regns); and
•Where the monies contribute to existing capital projects, spend will need to fit with the project programmes and held pending implementation.
If you want to discuss this further, please bring up any queries during the item.
32.8 The Committee agreed to note the letter.
32.9 The Chair invited Councillor Bagaeen to introduce the letter starting on page 23 of the Agenda, and the Chair gave the following response:
I strongly disagree that the Council is losing its reputation for holding events and Brighton continues to attract major events, and this was evident with this summer’s hosting of the 2022 Women’s Euro Football Finals. The 2023 event programme to be presented later in this TECC Committee demonstrates that we are still well placed to continue the growth of our programme whilst working within the parameters of the current 2019-2024 Strategy. This includes all of the usual big events, from the Brighton Marathon, Pride, the Fringe and Spiegeltent, and more.
While the economic impact figure of £886m relates to 2016 we are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic with the latest economic impact for 2020 being at just £370m. The 2021 figures are yet to be produced. However, we are confident that the programme going forward and the planned improvements to outdoor event infrastructure will support a return to pre-pandemic figures.
In relation to the Eurovision bid, Brighton, like the majority of UK cities, would not have been able to accommodate the wider requirements for hosting such a large event due to not having a suitable venue or associated outdoor space for the wider village. A total investment of around £160-£200m would be required to establish suitable facilities in the City.
It is vital that we continue to review our focus in the event programme and while every effort is still being made to support motoring events such as the speed trials, we must always acknowledge that the economic potential for some events is waning. All possible effort has been made to ensure that the surface is suitable for racing events and the council’s work with the organisation behind the speed trials, and indeed with the Motorcycle Union (check exact title of insuring body) is well documented.
32.10 The Committee agreed to note the item.
Notices of Motion
32.11 The Chair invited Councillor Bagaeen to introduce the Notice of Motion on page 25 of the Agenda regarding Public Space Protection Orders, and for Councillor Simson to second the motion.
32.12 Councillors Powell and Evans spoke against the motion and indicated that they would be voting against it.
RESOLVED: The Committee refused the Notice of Motion by 8 votes to 2.
32.16 The Chair invited Councillor Simson to introduce the Notice of Motion on page 27 of the Agenda regarding Field Officers, and for Councillor Bagaeen to second the motion.
32.17 Councillor Powell spoke against the Motion and indicated she would be voting against it.
RESOLVED: The Committee refused the notice of motion by 8 votes to 2.
33 Impact of COVID on LGBTQ+ Communities Update
33.1 The Chair invited Jane Woodhull to give a presentation on the impact of COVID on LGBTQ+ Communities.
33.2 Councillor Littman, Hugh-Jones, Powell, Bagaeen, Simson, Allcock and Stephanie Prior thanked the presenters and expressed their concerns about LGBTQ+ issues including accomodation, asylum seekers, older LGBTQ+ people, hate crime, and community engagement, and intersectionality with racial issues.
33.3 The presenters gave the following contact details for people to get in touch:
John.Hammond@switchboard.org.uk
Jane.Woodhull@switchboard.org.uk
34 Anti Racism Pledge Update
34.1 The Chair invited Jamarl Billy to introduce the report starting on page 59 of the Agenda.
34.2 Councillor Allcock raised that it would be helpful to see an action plan in future reports.
34.3 Stephanie Prior raised questions including anti-social behaviour, housing, businesses, the World Reimagined funding, community engagement, and the BIPC funded initiative.
34.4 Joanna Martindale requested that the report on Black and Racially Minoritised Tenants being presented to ELT could be summarised in the next report.
34.5 Councillor Bagaeen raised some questions regarding housing, intersectionality with LGBTQ+, action plans within directorates, and KPIs.
34.6 Councillor Powell raised questions about housing, front line Council Officers, and anti-racism training.
34.7 Councillor Evans raised a question about the third-party reporting centres.
34.8 Councillor Simson raised questions about the World Reimagined Funding, the third-party reporting centres, and the Black and Racially Minoritised tenants.
RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.
35 Volks Railway Accessible Carriage
35.1 The Chair invited Toni Manuel to introduce the report starting on page 65 of the Agenda.
35.2 Councillors Simson, Hugh-Jones, Robins, Littman, and Joanna Martindale raised points about funding options and sponsorships.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Noted the cost of a new all-weather carriage was £442,700 as of March 2022.
2. Noted that there is a funding gap of £312,700 and as external funding has not been found, the carriage cannot be procured at this time.
3. Requested that officers continue to monitor external sources of finance for a new all-weather accessible carriage in the future.
4. Noted, that should funds become available in the future, a new all-weather carriage is the recommended option to further explore.
36 Beach Access Update 2022
36.1 The Chair invited Toni Manuel to introduce the report starting on page 73 of the agenda.
36.2 Councillor Robins raised that he was happy with the progress.
36.3 Joanna Martindale asked if we could learn any lessons from Seaford’s approach to beach accessibility.
36.4 Councillor Powell raised points about improving Black Rock, the Boardwalk, and signage for cyclists.
36.5 Councillor Osborne raised points about adding shaded areas to the Boardwalk.
RESOLVED: That the Committee:
1. Noted the progress made towards improving beach access in Brighton & Hove.
2. Supported the continuation of improvements to beach and seafront access in Brighton & Hove.
3. Acknowledged the particular constraints in providing safe and independent access for wheelchair users and people with
37 New Beach Chalets
37.1 The Chair invited Toni Manuel to introduce the report starting on page 99 of the Agenda.
37.2 Councillor Allcock raised points about sustainability, accessibility for B&H residents, and potential income for the Council from the Chalets.
37.3 Councillor Robins raised that the picture on the front of the report showed Hove huts instead of Brighton chalets.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Approved the proposed beach hut design and costs to build 14 new beach chalets at Saltdean.
2. Agreed the funding of £243,610.60 of capital funding (which has already been approved at the Council Budget in February 2021) to build 14 Beach Chalets at Saltdean.
38 Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement - 2021/22
38.1 The Chair invited Debra May to introduce the report starting on page 157 of the agenda.
38.2 Councillor Simson raised questions about s106 funding.
38.3 Councillor Allcock raised points about keeping s106 funding in line with rules and regulations.
38.4 Councillors Powell, Robins, and Allcock asked if there was accessible information that could be made available for Councillors and members of the public.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Noted the annual Brighton & Hove City Council 2021/22 Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), attached in Appendix 1.
2. Agreed for the Head of Planning to publish the updated 2021/22 annual IFS statement on the BHCC website, subject to any minor alterations (numerical, grammatical and spelling) to be agreed by the Head of Planning in consultation of the Joint Chairs of TECC Committee.
39 Freedom Leisure Contract - Response to Increased Energy Costs
39.1 Kerry Taylor introduced the report starting on page 191 of the Agenda.
39.2 Councillor Evans introduced the Labour Group Amendment starting on page 7 of Addendum 1, which was seconded by Councillor Allcock.
39.3 Councillor Simson agreed with Councillor Evans that Freedom Leisure should be doing their own management and not the Council.
39.4 Councillor Robins raised points including alternative ways to generate revenue using sports centres, and the benefits to health and wellbeing of residents.
39.5 Councillor Hugh-Jones raised a query about energy costs.
39.6 The Chair asked Committee to take a vote on the Labour Amendment which was passed.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Noted the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by
leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.
2. Agreed that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their
continued viability and the delivery of the Sports Facilities Contracts.
3. Recommended to the Policy & Resources Committee that it authorises the
Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture to implement the
mitigation measures outlined in this report at paragraphs 3.18 and 3.23, with
the exception of the caveat regarding parking charges outlined in 2.4.
4. Recommended to the Policy & Resources Committee that it notes that the
various measures will be reviewed by officers over six months and a
report will be brought to TECC by June 2023 on whether it is possible to
revert back to standard contract arrangements. Committee authorises the
Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture to make revisions
and changes to the arrangements based on the ongoing impact, cost and
potential changes to utility prices, but agrees that committee approval will be
sought if car park charging is required at Withdean Sports Complex.
That the Policy & Resources Committee:
5. Noted the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by
leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.
6. Agreed that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their
continued viability and the delivery of the Sports Facilities Contracts.
7. Authorised the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture to
implement the range of mitigation measures outlined in this report at
paragraphs 3.18 and 3.23, with the exception of the caveat regarding
parking charges outlined in 2.8.
8. Noted that the various measures will be reviewed by officers over six months and a report will be brought to TECC by June 2023 on whether it is possible to revert back to standard contract arrangements. Committee authorises the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture to make revisions and changes to the arrangements based on the ongoing impact, cost and potential changes to utility prices, but agrees that committee approval will be sought if car park charging is required at Withdean Sports Complex.
40 Outdoor Events - Parks and Open Spaces 2023
40.1 The Chair invited Ian Baird to introduce the report starting on page 224 of the Agenda.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Granted landlord’s consent (subject to the execution of a formal agreement) for each of the proposed events listed in Appendix 1.
2. Authorised officers to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions, fees and levels of support as appropriate.
3. Agreed to move the approval process for the programme to a 6-monthly process allowing additional time for due diligence in event planning.
4. Authorised the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee and opposition spokespersons, to make any significant alterations to the events programme as necessary including approving new applications in accordance with the Outdoor Events Strategy 2019-2024 and cancelling events if required.
41 Outdoor Events - Madeira Drive Closures 2023
41.1 The Chair invited Ian Baird to introduce the report starting on page 235 of the Agenda.
RESOLVED: That Committee:
1. Granted landlord’s consent (subject to the execution of a formal agreement) for each of the proposed events on Madeira Drive and the associated road closures as listed in Appendix 1.
2. Authorised officers to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions, fees and levels of support as appropriate.
3. Agreed to move the approval process for the programme to a 6-monthly process for 2023/24 allowing additional time for due diligence in event planning.
4. Authorised the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee and opposition spokespersons, to make any alterations to the events programme as necessary including approving new applications in accordance with the Outdoor Events Strategy 2019-2024 and cancelling events if required.
42 Items referred for Full Council
There were none.
43 Part Two Proceedings
44 Freedom Leisure Contract - Response to Increased Energy Costs Part 2
There was no discussion.
The meeting concluded at 19.39
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Signed
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Chair |
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