WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC         

A period of not more than fifteen minutes shall be allowed for questions submitted by a member of the public who either lives or works in the area of the authority at each ordinary meeting of the Council.

Every question shall be put and answered without discussion, but the person to whom a question has been put may decline to answer.  The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion.

The following written question has been received from members of the public.

1. QUESTION From: Charlotte Harman

I understand that the council’s existing contract with Veolia means that it cannot recycle lower-grade plastics. Would the council consider trialling the recycling boxes offered by a company called Reworked? 

Companies like Reworked offer recycling of fishing nets, PPE, as well as items that are deemed 'non-recyclable' and turn them into boards to become a variety of new long term use items.?

Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee will reply.

2. QUESTION From: Malcolm Spencer

More bins in Ovingdean

Ovingdean has seen a significant rise in visitor numbers and consequently rubbish. There are only four bins across a large area including the seafront, coast road, village and main parking areas.

Could new bins please be provided at these heavily used sites?

1) Multiple locations on Greenways:  near the bus stop; Blind Veterans; along the parking strip

2) On Ovingdean Road, at the entrance to the farm

3) At the junction of Ovingdean Road and Longhill road, next to the farm gate.

4) The bottom of Old Parish Lane that links Ovingdean to Woodingdean. 

Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee will reply

3. QUESTION From: John Cole

As a Green Party led Council why are the garden waste collections and the recycling waste collections consistently missed in Saltdean? This is poor service and does not motivate residents to do the right thing and recycle responsibly. As the garden waste collection is an additional cost to residents, we are also being charged for a service we are not receiving.?

Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee will reply

4. QUESTION From: Ben Benatt

BHCC’s 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme

We welcome the programme, but we have concerns about three key elements:

Reliability of data - Without references, how can we confirm data used to formulate this plan is correct?

Emphasis - This is BHCC’s response to the climate and biodiversity emergency yet it is very much carbon focussed. Biodiversity elements are weak, lacking specific targets.

Practical action - Land-use carbon accounting and building sustainably are key to reducing emissions yet the programme doesn’t once mention ‘requirement’, instead speaking of ‘guidance’.

Therefore, XR Brighton concludes the plan is seriously flawed. Is a consultation process planned? If so, how can we get involved?

Councillor Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee will reply

5. QUESTION From: Nigel Smith

The mandatory 5-year review of the City Plan and its Sustainability Appraisal lacks a Transport Assessment Update for the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. The last annual monitoring Transport Assessment Update was in 2014.

With the well documented unplanned rise in congestion since 2014, it is very unlikely the City Plan’s required housing developments can now be achieved sustainably, which invalidates City Plan Part 2 unless it addresses this.

When will you perform the obligatory Transport Assessment Update and publish it for consultation?

Councillor Osborne, Joint Chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee will reply

6. QUESTION From: Neil Williams

Preserving the City’s Trees

Why is the Council supporting the destruction of a much-loved, healthy, mature tree in the Cliftonville Conservation Area in order to pave the way for a Planning Application twice rejected, specifically because of the presence of the tree, by both the Council Planning Committee and the Secretary of State?

The felling of this tree would be in direct contravention of Local Plan policy QD16 and cuts against the grain of current environmental research about the benefits of trees and plants to encourage wildlife, biodiversity and promote positive mental health within urban communities. 

How is this decision justified? 

Councillor Littman, Chair of the Planning Committee will reply