Date of meeting: 17 January 2023

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) Adrian Hill – Smoke Control Areas

14% of the city suffer asthma. Between 1/3 and half of all childhood asthma is caused by poor air quality (Bradford & Barcelona studies). Air pollution also causes heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, low birth weight, premature birth, dementia, organ damage and developmental problems.

38% of particulate emissions (UK) are from solid fuel burning (DEFRA)

Particulate pollution increased in Preston Park the last three years (AQASR).

A Labour Group amendment was submitted to the recent AQAP delaying a SCA extension and denying residents protection against the worst solid fuel pollution offences; will research into SCA extension be made a priority?

(2) Joy Robinson – Public Toilets

Over the Christmas holidays a number of toilets along the seafront were closed causing discomfort to visitors and residents alike.

I am a resident of Second Avenue and see a notice is posted by the toilets close to the Lawns Cafe, stating they are closed from 28th November until further notice. Can the Chair please advise if the toilets will re-open at all in the next 6 months and an approximate opening date. Can the Chair please advise what alternative provision is being out in place

(3) The Bus Service in Ovingdean

Ovingdean is frequently let down by buses; eg. at least twice in the last 2 days, the bus did not arrive. We only have one bus service and it is too infrequent to be reliable; the route sometimes goes to the marina, but not always; it sometimes goes to/from the station, but not always; we can only travel west, except on Sundays and it stops far too early to allow people to get home after an evening out.

With hundreds of new homes being built here, what are the council’s plans to improve the bus services to Ovingdean?

(4) Daniel Roberts- ULEZ

We were pleased to hear the Council’s commitment to targeting improved clean air in our city. I crucial part of the plan for this was an extended ULEZ zone. I wanted to enquire when the plans for this would be actioned upon?