Date of meeting: 24 March 2022

A period of not more than fifteen minutes shall be allowed at each ordinary meeting for questions submitted by a member of the public.

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

The following written questions have been received from members of the public:

(1) Ms K Barratt – Council Land

Brighton and Hove Council owns a large area of farmland close to the city, leased out. The farmland to the East of Falmer Road and some to the West falls into this category. This agricultural landscape here is bleak and lacking in natural diversity. Such hedgerows as there are don’t really deserve the name, while most field divisions are wire fences. The public footpaths crossing fields to the East are stark and unprotected. Trees are absent.

Regardless of the nature of the current leases, or their length, is there any Council-led engagement with the custodians of these important landscapes concerning environmental improvement, and, if not, could there be?