Resident Questions for Housing Area Panel

Reference Number: W2.3                                                                                                  

Department	Environment
Date question raised	20.10.2022
Week of Area Panel	12.12.22
Area in city	West
Star rating applied by residents	2
Deadline for officer response	Friday 18^th November 2022
Name of officer responding	Richard Wheeler Robert Woodbridge
Officer job title	Robert Woodbridge Surveyor & Contract Manager Richard Wheeler, Community Engagement Officer, Communities Equality & Third Sector

Resident Question

Title of Question	Potholes in grassy area at Clarendon Road
Issue:	The grassy area at Clarendon Road remains a health and safety hazard despite recent work done under the Environmental Improvement Budget.
Background:	the grassy area is uneven and full of potholes. Residents have fallen and sustained injuries. This has been raised several times at Area Panel, but the pot-holes are still there.
Action requested by residents:	Raise again and ask for the potholes to be filled and grass cut to make the area safe.

Officer Response

Officer contact details:	Robert Woodbridge Robert.Woodbridge@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Officer Response:	An initial Environmental improvement proposal was submitted in September 2021 via the Community Engagement Team. This was to improve the ground levels and accessibility of the garden area to the rear of 2-12 Ellen Street. At the initial survey it was noted that there were a few small holes and a sunken area in the grass. As there was also evidence of foxes being present, evidenced by a number of holes in the raised planters, it was recognised that any work undertaken here would be subject to further fox damage. A proposal was submitted to install a path to improve the accessibility around the site and fill any holes. The Community Engagement Team undertook a consultation at the end of November 2022. Work was undertaken in March 2022 and it was noted at the completion of the works that a number of holes had been filled and the lower area dressed with soil to improve the levels. Subsequently a further request to look at this area has been received. Again, it was reiterated that there were still ongoing issues with foxes and any establishment of large areas of turf. Initial suggestions were around improving accessibility for users with reduced mobility, such as increasing pathways/hardstanding areas to key features such as the bench and washing line and other properties. This still needs to be discussed with interested parties and consulted on if the proposal is to be fully considered.
Action:	Community engagement team to reschedule initial discussion of ideas with interested parties so that a formal proposal can be drawn up. Community engagement team to undertake consultation based on proposals and then submit to EIB for funding allocation. Any agreed proposals will need to be procured and works carried out (4-5 months) In meantime I will visit the site with contractor on 4 November to survey and procure works to fill in any obvious holes in grass.
Start Date	1/11/22
End Date	Consultation by 31/3/23 (to be confirmed by community engagement) Works by 30/9/23