Subject: Written questions from members of the public.

Date of meeting: 30 March 2023

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: Daniel Harris

The business model for many hotels and apartments in Brighton & Hove seems to be to attract the Airbnb Market, at a time when we are seeing a lot of private sector landlords sell up due to this £250/£350 per night market.

This is disgusting when we have 2200 people in temporary accommodation & being told rough sleeping will rise by officers.

When will the council put local people first and ensure developments work for the need of the community and not these mega hosts who are often out to make a quick buck?

Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee will reply.

2. QUESTION From: Chris Walker

I am representing traders on Longridge Avenue in Saltdean. Is there any help the council can offer to improve the look and feel of the road to encourage people to shop local? For example, street trees, planters, more bins, signage to show where the shops are and potentially painting the buildings to brighten them up.

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

3. QUESTION From: Jacob Taylor

Residents in Bevendean are fed up with the shocking state of their roads, many of which are becoming impossible to drive down. Several residents have reported damage to their vehicles.

I understand that £1m of funding has been secured from the Carbon Neutral Fund, for investment in the Concrete Road Network, but assume that can't be used to resurface any of the asphalt roads. Can you confirm when these funds will be received, when works will start in Bevendean, and whether the Council will publish the order and likely timings of the work?

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

4. QUESTION From: Gail Levine

Can the council please explain why waterlodges are permitted in the harbour at Brighton Marina when for VAT purposes they are not classed as watercraft and are not capable of self propulsion. This would mean that the waterlodges should be classed as caravans. Can the council please review whether a change of use planning application is required. Please confirm that planning permission is required for more than five caravans. Has the Council considered the impact on tourism the caravan park will have on an area of outstanding beauty zoned as a marina?

Councillor Osborne / Powell, Joint Chair of Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee will reply.

5. QUESTION From: Neil Maxwell

Premier, marina operator, are installing numerous grey water lodges in the eastern section. These will alter the look and feel of the marina for years to come and affect the operation of the area as a marina. Many shoreside residents feel the placement of these lodges represents over-intensive development and loss of residential visual amenity. The issue of mental health has also been raised. Do these lodges need planning permission and will council tax be levied. As Premier decline to enter discussions with residents of shoreside properties would the council try to arrange a meeting with them?

Councillor Littman, Chair of Planning Committee will reply.