Date of meeting: 15 September 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) Russell Mimms – Kayak Storage Saltdean Beach

Please can Saltdean residents put a community kayak storage rack on, or near the beach at Saltdean.

The idea is that this will ease the significant effort required to transport kayaks to the beach for local residents, and make our local beach more accessible for water sports / leisure, and thus make our lovely beach even better. Kayak racks are often seen at other beach locations around the UK.

We will fund and organise it ourselves with the help of Councillor Bridget Fishleigh.

(2) Christopher Hawtree – Full-Time Head of Libraries

For many years, we have had here a part-time Head of Libraries system. In these unprecedented times, with a need for well-stocked libraries necessary to foment social inclusion, would the Chair please tell us what steps are being taken to appoint a full-time Head of Libraries?

(3) Mark Strong – Accessible City Strategy

I strongly welcome the proposed Accessible City Strategy. However, it is disappointing to see little reference to the public realm. Obstructed pavements, with private and public bins, A Boards and increasingly parked cars, make it hard or impossible for Disabled people to get around our city.

The principles document fails to refer to national guidance which addresses transport by Disabled people, including DfT’s Inclusive Mobility (2022). Also omitted are local policies including the Local Transport Plan and LCWIP.

Will the council commit to including these issues in the Strategy, with a review of accessibility of the public realm including pavements?