Council Agenda Item 36

Subject: Written questions from members of the public

Date of meeting: 24 October 2024

A period of not more than thirty 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: Anne Pissaridou

Once again there is a predicted deficit currently of £37m which has to be addressed. This city has always endeavoured to protect their most vulnerable residents from the cuts.  I set up a warm space in Mile Oak Library my ward North Portslade to shelter them from the most severe weather given the exorbitant spiralling heating costs during the cost-of-living crisis. Ironically, due to the budget cuts the library was closed last year by the current administration. The cost-of-living crisis sadly persists- with energy prices set to rise again this winter the number of working people and families using foodbanks continues to increase and incredibly in 2024 we still have many people sleeping rough. Will Council leader confirm that the deficit will not be borne by the most vulnerable, concessionary bus passes, discretionary payments will continue to be funded, and support for the voluntary sector?

2. Question from: Stella Sims

In 2021 there were various renovations on Francis Street (BN1 4ZH) that installed bollards, allocated loading areas and made the street access-only. Since then, there has been no improvement in anti-social behaviour and a constant stream of vehicles ignoring the access-only signs and parking rules. In September 2023 I wrote to several council officers to report issues and ask for further action. Several other residents have done the same. In Jan 2024 Cllr Trevor Muten emailed me saying “I am very keen to work towards solving the traffic flow and parking issues that were identified during my meeting with Cllr (Sue) Shanks where it was agreed that further improvements are needed.” Nothing has happened since.

Is there any plan to consult with locals and make further improvements to Francis Street in terms of preventing illegal car access and making it a more pleasant place to live and work?

3. Question from: Pamela Stiles

The Car Park at the junction of Roedean Road and the A259 Roedean Car Park has been completely taken over all year by White Vans/Mobile homes and associated vehicles in which people are living.  This itinerant population is intimidating to those wishing to park and walk nearby, and to local school children who need to catch local buses. The rubbish and excrement is now spread across Council owned land where there is a butterfly sanctuary.

I have repeatedly asked that the Council reinstate the Overhead Barrier which prevented large vehicles accessing this Car Park, and that it should be made clear by signage that there is NO overnight parking. Will the Council now progress this?

4. Question from: Tony Janio

Mr. Mayor, the new government's intention to reform the dysfunctional Planning system is a welcome move. The Deputy Prime Minister intends to make changes to National Planning Policy, including making local housing targets mandatory and revising the method used to calculate housing needs to better reflect the urgency of supply in local areas. Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister has expressed her intention to build on the Green Belt, requiring local authorities to review their housing targets and ensure the provision of essential infrastructure such as schools, GP surgeries, and transport links that our communities require. To achieve this, she will be soliciting feedback from councils, political parties, interest groups, and residents. Does the council have a timetable for this process that they can share with us today? This would be very useful as it would allow those wishing to make submissions to start preparing now.

5. Question from: Beata Janik

The council don’t have enough resource to provide more street lighting. We can’t get CCTV. A PSPO gating system is apparently not possible. If the council can’t support with these measures, what do the community safety team suggest could be done to address the ASB on Zion Gardens?

6. Question from: Julia Basnett

I think I am right to say that the questions residents submit for reading at Full Council and committees, once published in formal agenda papers, should never be rescinded. Moreover, I’m aware of a number of questions that have been straightforwardly rejected by giving the explanation that the meeting is not “the appropriate forum” to deal with the question when plainly it was. It isn’t a healthy state of affairs that bad reasoning becomes protected by “our decision is final”. Can the Chair reassure residents that our ‘listening’ council will endeavour to act diligently and reasonably in these matters?

7. Question from: Nigel Furness

Regarding the mooted proposals for local government reorganisation in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove City Councils, with a possible Directly Elected Regional Mayor, can you, Councillor Sankey, please confirm if it’s the intention of your administration to gobble up the whole of what currently comprises West Sussex?

8. Question from: Daniel Harris