WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
The following questions have been received from Councillors and will be taken as read along with the written answer which will be included in an addendum that will be circulated at the meeting:
(1) Councillor Fishleigh:
How many tickets have been issued for fly tipping at Saltdean Oval's recycling point?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(2) Councillor Fishleigh:
When will the people living in vans and the vehicles that are parked permanently at Black Rock, along Madeira Drive and East Brighton Park be moved on or given parking tickets?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(3) Councillor Appich - EU Citizens:
EU citizens legally resident in the UK are able to vote in the 2021 local elections in England. EU citizens currently retain their right to vote in local elections even though the UK has already left the EU, and do not required settled or pre settled status to be able to register to vote. Despite that, half of EU citizens resident in the UK are not registered to vote.
Given that we have two by-elections and the PCC elections in May, I’d like to know how we are encouraging EU citizens to register to vote.
I would also like an update on the numbers of EU citizens in the city who have applied for settled and pre settled status, how we are encouraging EU citizens to apply for settled status, and what assistance we are giving to people who are finding it difficult to apply or have difficulties in obtaining settled status.
Reply from Councillor Gibson, Deputy Chair (Finance) of the Policy & Resources Committee
(4) Councillor Childs – Housing sites in Freshfield Road:
Given the dire housing shortage in our city, what action will the Administration take to unlock the 10 priority housing development sites in our city, and in particular the Freshfield Road Industrial Estate site, for new homes?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(5) Councillor Allcock – Use and cost of Agency Teaching Staff:
What were the costs of using agency teaching staff in the City’s maintained and voluntary aided schools in comparison with directly employed teaching staff for financial years:
• 2018 to 2019
• 2019 to 2020
• 2020 to 2021
What agencies were used during these financial years?
Did the cost of using agencies vary, and if so what was the difference?
Reply from Councillor Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee
(6) Councillor Williams – No Recourse to Public Funds:
Why has Brighton & Hove City Council been tangled up in court battles with regard to ‘no recourse to public funds’ rough sleepers? Can you explain the outcome of the recent court judgement and what Brighton & Hove City Council will be doing in the future for this vulnerable group?
Reply from Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(7) Councillor Williams – Madeira Drive:
There is chaos on Madeira Drive. Pedestrians cannot socially distance due to ridiculously narrow paths and are forced to take their lives in their hands by just trying take a much-needed walk. What is being done about this?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(8) Councillor Williams – Housing Dispute:
The dispute with housing repair workers transferred over from the former Mears contract has been rumbling on for some time. Can this council confirm that the present Administration is not anti-union and explain why this dispute is taking so long to resolve?
Reply from Councillor Gibson/Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee
(9) Councillor Moonan – Vaccination Uptake:
What has been the percentage vaccination uptake rate for the top 4 government priority groups in Brighton & Hove specifically, for the last three months? Why has there been a delay in meeting the 90% target rate for the over 80 age group? What percentage rates of Black and minority ethnic groups have accessed vaccinations across Brighton & Hove as a whole and at ward level, and how does this compare to national averages?
Reply from Councillor Shanks, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board
(10) Councillor Janio
Has a Safety Audit been completed for the Temporary Cycle Lanes on the Old Shoreham Road?
a. If a Safety Audit has been completed, are the published plans for work along the Old Shoreham Road designed to reverse any negative findings within the report?
b. If a Safety Audit has not been completed – why not?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(11) Councillor Janio
Has a ‘Sustainability’ report been completed for the Temporary Cycle Lanes on the Old Shoreham Road and, given the increase in traffic congestion at the junctions, why have portable pollution monitors not been placed along the Old Shoreham Road to detect any increase in emissions, which are certain to increase to even higher levels than those reported now, as we move out of lockdown?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(12) Councillor Janio
Does any government ‘Emergency Covid Guidance’ exist that allows for Sustainability Assessments to be either not completed or ignored whilst designing and implementing local transport schemes?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(13) Councillor Janio
To be certain that the proposed permanent cycle lanes on the Old Shoreham Road will not lead to even greater increases in gaseous and Carbon emissions, have officers suggested to councillors within the administration that a monitoring plan of the currently configured temporary cycle lanes should be considered, once lockdown has ended, before the temporary scheme is made permanent?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(14) Councillor Wilkinson
Cycle Hangars
Are there any plans to install cycle hangers across the city and if so how many cycle hangars will be installed/are estimated to be installed across the city in 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 and could you explain what the methodology is of choosing locations for those cycle hangars?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(15) Councillor Wilkinson
Funding for Green Spaces and Growing Projects
I am keen to ensure that areas in my Central Hove ward get proper funding for green spaces and growing projects that benefit the whole community. Can you provide details of planned investment, including the use of section 106 monies, in any green spaces and projects in my ward in the coming year?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee
(16) Councillor Wilkinson
5G Upgrades
Will the Council ensure that residents living near telecommunications aerials are fully informed, even when their consent is immaterial, before any upgrade to 5G?
Reply from Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee