Subject: Written questions from members of the public.

Date of meeting: 21 July 2022

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 questions have been received from members of the public.

1. QUESTION From: Steve McMillan

The Falmer Road is the only way for cyclists to get from the coast road up to the recently refurbished cycle path north of Woodingdean. Falmer Road is a busy road which isn’t wide enough for a comfortable cycling experience. Would BHCC consider adding the existing bridle path between Ovingdean and Woodingdean into its cycling investment plans with a view to refurbishing it? Sustrans recently made a site visit and are keen to support it.

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

2. QUESTION From: Jon Rose

I appreciate that Wetherspoons at the marina existed before the new tower blocks in which I live were built. However, when I investigated when people were allowed to drink in the outside area the cutoff point was 10pm. Sadly, since lockdown, it’s now been extended to midnight during the week and 1am at the weekend. We have to have our windows open in the summer or boil in our flats just to get some sleep on a Monday night. Is there anything the council can do to help improve the quality of life of myself, my family and my neighbours?

Councillor John, Chair of the Licensing Committee will reply.

3. QUESTION From: David Wilson

After a period of stability at the start of the year, the Bin service in West Saltdean has deteriorated yet again, General, Recycling and Garden waste.

I pay a lot of Council tax and extra for the Garden waste, we are fed up with the excuses. I would like to know why is it so difficult for Brighton & Hove City Council to provide a reliable Bin emptying service?

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

4. QUESTION From: Joanna Goddard

I am a motorbike rider and have noticed that there isn’t a uniform approach across the city WRT which bus lanes I can use.

Please would BHCC consider allowing motorbikes to use all bus lanes in the city?

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

5. QUESTION From: Derek Wright

‘Please will the council address the situation of illegal parking of HGVs and other vehicles on Madeira Drive East, along Dukes Mound and in the turning circle at the bottom of Dukes Mound?

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

6. QUESTION From: Nigel Furness

At the Audit & Standards meeting of 28th June Councillor Peltzer Dunn suggested that there should be a full audit of all Councilors Expenses going back seven years to establish confidence from the public.

Will this be happening?

Councillor Wilkinson, Chair of the Audit & Standards Committee will reply.

7. QUESTION From: Laura King

Is the Leader going to apologise for the overclaims of childcare expenses that were not undertaken yet claimed from council tax payers by one of his councillors, along with apologising for the behaviour of his administration at previous meetings when members of the public had raised concerns only to be booed, hissed at and shut down?

Councillor Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council will reply.

8. QUESTION From: Stuart Platt

Can the Council provide any indication as to when the grass verges along Woodland Drive are likely to be mown by the council? I think you must agree the unkempt appearance is an eyesore at the moment. Some householders have taken the matter into their own hands and done the job themselves, this is not always possible for some of us older house owners, I am nearly 80yrs old and my neighbours opposite not far behind. I have lived here since 1986 and the area has never looked in such a dilapidated state.”

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

9. QUESTION From: Daniel Harris

Having raised the importance of a fully functioning face to face housing and homelessness service, councillors have responded to questions at committees stating appointments are available, yet I’ve never been able to secure one. What happened to the days of dealing with complex issues there and then. With no advocate to assist, a severely dyslexic homeless client would have walked out, due to no assistance.

Can the administration assure me you will fully investigate why frontline staff are telling me senior housing managers are sending them memos instructing them to not assist homeless clients and send straight to computers instead?

Councillor Gibson / Hugh-Jones, Joint Chair of the Housing Committee will reply