Resident Questions for Housing Area Panel
Reference Number: C3.3
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Department |
Highways |
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Date question raised |
23/08/2022 |
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Date of Area Panel |
11/10/2022 |
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Area in city |
Central Area |
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Star rating applied by residents |
3 Star |
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Deadline for officer response |
19/09/2022 |
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Name of officer responding |
Justine Harris |
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Officer job title |
Head of Tenancy Services |
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Title of Question |
Making our city accessible for people with disabilities |
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Issue: |
Brighton & Hove is developing a reputation as a city where it is difficult for people with disabilities to get around. This is because of obstructed and broken pavements. |
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Background: |
Disability Groups are increasingly arguing against Brighton & Hove as a conference venue, because problems with pavements and access mean it is not seen as a disability friendly city. The city is losing income because of lack of action to improve the situation. It was recognised that there is a shortage of funding that limits the number of pavements that can be improved and repaired. However, it was felt that some changes could be made that aren’t expensive (stopping obstruction of the street with advertising etc). The Council should also be looking at long-term, coherent policies that – even if they take time - will be moving in the direction of making our city safe and pleasant for pedestrians and people with disabilities. |
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Action requested by residents: |
Request for information on plans to improve the situation and for residents and disability groups to be included in any policy reviews. |
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Officer contact details: |
David Fisher, Highway Regulation Manager
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Officer Response: |
We are currently reviewing our policies that relate to licensed items on the highway which include Advertising boards, outside seating areas and shop displays. We will be engaging with stakeholder groups over the coming months to draft new policies and guidance for how these items are controlled and enforced. The guidance will also be used by the council when installing street furniture. |
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Action: |
New policies agreed by Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee late 2022.
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Start date: |
September 2022 |
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End date: |
December 2022 |