Brighton & Hove City Council
Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Economic Development Committee
4.00pm14 September 2023
Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ - HTH/CC
MINUTES
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Present: Councillor Robins (Chair) McGregor (Deputy Chair), Hill (Opposition Spokesperson), Hewitt, Miller, Stevens, Goddard, Nann and Pumm |
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PART ONE
14 Procedural Business
(a) Declaration of Substitutes
Councillor Nann substituting for Councillor Thomson.
Councillor Pumm substituting for Councillor Cattell.
(b) Declaration of Interests
There were none.
(c) Exclusion of the Press and Public
Committee agreed that the press and public not be excluded.
15 Minutes
15.1 Councillor McGregor raised that they were mistakenly listed as absent at the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
The minutes of the meeting on the 15 June were agreed as an accurate record subject to the above changes.
16 Chairs Communications
It has been an exceptionally busy year so far for our Culture Tourism and Sport department, with exciting developments bringing positive impacts to the city.
Our Visit Brighton team have been working with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club and Brilliant Brighton to dress the city blue and white in celebration of the Albion’s place in the UEFA Europa League. The city will look resplendent with blue and white bunting and shop windows dressed to support the team. Prominent buildings including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Palace Pier and the Brighton Centre will be lit blue on match nights to show their support.
During 2023 we have hosteda record number of outdoor events in the city, more than 40% increase on pre-pandemic levels. We have completed the Host City process for World Rugby Cup 2025, confirming the city as a key location for at least 2 international games. And we have increased filming activity in the city by 100%.
Brighton and Hove Pride is a key event for the City calendar and an important celebration of the diverse communities and cultures of the City. A full review is now taking place with the intention of bringing a report to a future CHSTE committee. Brighton and Hove City Council remain fully committed to Pride and the celebration of all LGBTQ+ communities in the City.
Progress continues to be made with our Sports Facilities Investment Plan, including projects for new Astro turf pitches, Padel Tennis and a children’s soft play at Withdean Sports Complex, due for completion in 2024.
Work to create a new seafront park re-commenced on Monday this week, beginning with the groundworks for an outside sports building. Earlier this summer, work on the £13.7m Levelling Up funded Kingsway to the Sea project was paused, to ensure that the project could be delivered within budget. This work was successfully completed and early construction work of the outdoor sports hub has now started. The next stage of the scheme will commence in Autumn with the wheeled sports area.
The Exhale grants programme awarded three local artists with funding totalling £46,000. This is to lead exciting new arts projects responding to the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in the city. The Exhale programme is aimed at supporting anti-racist practice in the arts and providing opportunities for black and racially-minoritised artists.
Working with our partners Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust, we submitted an application to National Lottery Heritage Fund for £4.6 million to redevelop a jewel in our city centre, the Royal Pavilion Gardens. The outcome of this funding application will be known in December.
Restoration of the iconic Saltdean Lido building is nearing completion. The building is set to open in early 2024 with a new library, five community rooms for hire, shared workspace, a gym, a café and a restaurant offer in the magnificently restored ballroom.
17 Call Over
The following items were reserved for discussion:
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Item 21 |
A New Economic Strategy for Brighton and Hove |
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Item 22 |
Madeira Drive Closures 2024 |
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Item 23 |
Open Spaces Event Programme 2024 |
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Item 24 |
Consultation Response on Application to Intensify Use of Gatwick Airport |
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Item 26 |
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (East Sussex and Brighton and Hove) Delegated Authority to Sign Off Key Stages |
The following items were therefore agreed as per the recommendations in the reports.
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Item 25 |
Consultation Response on Application to Expand Rampion Windfarm |
18 Public Involvement
18.1 The Chair invited Jim Deans to ask the question regarding Mod Events to Committee on page 5 of Addendum 1.
18.2 The Chair gave the following response:
In 2023 officers from the events team met with you to discuss your plans and were happy to fully support where possible the events which generate much needed income for important charities in the City. We are very happy to continue this support and look at ways to increase our support for the Mods-aid events. The events team will schedule a meeting with you in the coming month to review plans for 2024.
18.3 The Chair invited Jim Deans to ask the following supplementary question:
The financial benefits are obvious – but it could be growing – just ask any of the retailers in the city what a good bank holiday can do. What’s more important is that our events don’t close the city down, so its double the value. We’re 50 miles from the biggest population in the UK, so Brighton and Hove needs to be open. These visitors save up and spend in the city so we must promote and encourage them. There are still missing parts like a tent campsite or secure parking, which we ask the Committee to help us work on. Saturday May 18th is the actual date to celebrate the battle, and we plan to have another event with both mods and rockers together in unity, and again we ask the Committee to support us with this.
18.4 The Chair gave the following response:
Thank you Jim, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t – and as I say we’ll hold those conversations with the outdoor events team.
18.5 Councillor Goddard thanked Jim Deans for his work in the community.
18.6 The Chair noted that Daniel Harris wasn’t present, so read out the response to their question as well as the supplementary regarding the Rampion Windfarm on Page 5 of Addendum 1:
The consultation was carried out by the applicant, not the city council. Please refer to the applicant’s Consultation Report which can be found online at the Planning Inspectorate’s website.For the minutes here is the link: Consultation Report (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)
Supplementary Question:
Considering Brighton and Hove’s status as the most visited area within the Phase 2 zone and the recent decline in tourism due to COVID-19 (from 12 million visitors in 2019 to 9 million in 2020), I’m concerned about the impact of the Rampion Windfarm expansion on local tourism. Can you share project adjustments influenced by community input, particularly regarding turbine height and the expansion area? Explain how this feedback has shaped the project while ensuring a balanced approach, considering the city’s importance as a tourist destination, although I’m yet to see updated stats on tourism recovery?
Response:
It is the applicant’s role to explain how feedback on the scheme has shaped the project. The Consultation Report I have just mentioned includes information about how consultation has shaped the project. With regards to tourism, the impact is assessed in the socio-economic chapter of the Environmental Statement that forms part of the applicant’s submission that went online on 7 September. BHCC has already commented on this at the preliminary stage. I will ask for the Minutes to include the relevant link:
Rampion 2 ES Chapter 17 Socio-economics (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)
18.7 The Chair invited Philippa Hodge to ask the question regarding Disabled Parking for Outdoor Events to Committee on page 5 of Addendum 3.
18.8 The Chair gave the following response:
The Outdoor events team have been in conversation with BADGE in 2023 and have trialled some mitigations to minimise the impact of events on this important community. While, at times it is vital to close the entirety of Madeira Drive to ensure the safety of event attendees and the general public it is clear this disruption can be minimised.
In 2024 the Events team commit to ensure all bays at the West end of Madeira Drive will remain available for all build and break days of any event and a managed system to allow access, including very clear signage will be deployed by event organisers.
The events team are very happy to meet with representatives of BADGE on the seafront to further explore their concerns and look for additional measures we can deploy to maximise access to the parking bays.
18.9 The Chair invited Philippa Hodge to ask the following supplementary question:
It worries us that the impact of frequent wholesale loss of disabled parking, and by association, the access for those same disabled people during Madeira Drive events weekends wasn’t included in section 9 of the equalities implications of the report. This infers that it wasn’t considered, or wasn’t considered important to the Committee’s discussions, directions, and decisions. Do you think the reports would be improved by requirement to complete an early draft equality impact assessment document to encourage Council officers to proactively consider projects through the lens of our accessible city strategy?
18.10 The Chair gave the following response and also confirmed that a written response would be provided:
I do understand that I think it was really just an oversight, and the content you describe should have been included. It has to be on the forefront of our minds, and if they meet you on the seafront I’d like to join them, as some of the most rewarding work I’ve done over the past few years has been with the BAT (Beach Access Team). It is really important to myself and the administration that we get this right both for us and members of the BADGE organisation. I apologise that this was overlooked, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again and that BADGE will be the first people to be considered.
19 Items referred from Council
There were none.
20 Member Involvement
There were none.
21 A New Economic Strategy for Brighton & Hove
21.1 The Chair invited Max Woodford to introduce the report starting on page 15 of the Agenda.
21.2 Councillor Hill raised points concerning inflation and the direction of the economic plan.
21.3 Councillor Goddard raised points about inclusive growth and the untapped economic potential of the city.
21.4 Councillor Miller asked about the Greater Brighton Economic Board.
The report was passed by 8 votes for to 1 against.
RESOLVED:
That Committee:
1. Noted the development of a new Economic Strategy.
2. Agreed the proposed approach and indicative timescales to develop the new Economic Strategy, and notes that the final draft strategy
will be reported to committee and Full Council for approval.
22 Madeira Drive Closures 2024
22.1 The Chair invited Ian Baird to introduce the report starting on page 19 of the Agenda.
RESOLVED:
That Committee:
1. Granted 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. Authorised the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee 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.
23 Open Spaces Event Programme 2024
23.1 The Chair invited Ian Baird to introduce the report starting on page 29 of the Agenda.
23.2 Councillor Hill raised points about the transparency of the economic benefits of outdoor events.
23.3 Councillor Miller asked if ward councillors can be included in the consultation period for outdoor events, and if any work was being done alongside VisitBrighton.
23.4 Councillors McGregor and Goddard praised the outdoor events team and the programme.
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. Authorised authorises the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee 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.
4. Agreed a 3 year landlords consent be granted for the On The Beach series pending agreed conditions.
24 Consultation Response on Application to Intensify Use of Gatwick Airport
24.1 The Chair invited Jane Moseley to introduce the report starting on page 29 of the Agenda.
24.2 Councillor Hill raised concerns about noise impact, a local impact report, and delegated authority to the Labour party.
24.3 Councillor Stevens raised that the Labour Party were transparent in refusing the proposal.
24.4 Councillor Hewitt raised that 3.6 and 3.7 in the report give the rationale for the recommendations.
24.5 The item was passed with 9 votes for to 1 against.
RESOLVED:
That Committee:
1. Agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture, in consultation with the Chair of the Culture, Heritage, Sport Tourism and Economic Development Committee, to submit responses to consultation on the Gatwick Development Consent Order (DCO), as set out at paragraph 3.7.
2. Noted that the Council’s response will be made publicly available and the additional opportunities for representations as set out at paragraph 3.7 to 3.10 of the report.
25 Consultation Response on Application to Expand Rampion Windfarm
RESOLVED:
That Committee:
1. Agreed to give delegated authority, to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture, in consultation with the Chair of the Culture, Heritage, Sport Tourism and Economic Development Committee, to submit representations in response to consultation on the Rampion Development Consent Order (DCO) application. This may include officers needing to appear for the Council at the Examination.
2. Noted that the Council’s response will be made publicly available and the additional opportunities for representations as set out at paragraph 3.10-3.11 of the report.
26 Local Nature Recovery Strategy (East Sussex and Brighton & Hove) - Delegated Authority to Sign off key stages
26.1 The Chair invited Sandra Rogers to introduce the report starting on page 57 of the Agenda.
26.2 Councillor Hewitt spoke about the engagement program in 9.1 of the report.
26.3 Councillor Hill raised concerns about delegated authority and engagement from Committee members.
26.4 Councillor Miller raised concerns about members ability to influence the report, other than to object.
The item was passed with 9 votes for to 1 against.
RESOLVED:
That Committee:
1. Delegated authority to the Executive Director of EEC, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair, to sign off key stages in the preparation and publication of the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
27 Items referred for Full Council
There were none.
The meeting concluded at 5.08pm
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Signed
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Chair |
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