BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL
WEST AREA PANEL – 19.03.25
MINUTES

Attendees:
Cllrs: Nann (Chair), Miller, Grimshaw
Residents: Malcom Campbell, Anne Tizzard, Rosemary Whitehouse, Pat Weller, Helen, Muriel Briault, Joe,
Officers: Francis Mitchell, Hannah Barker, Jan Dowdell, Grant Ritchie, Geof Gage, Chloe McLoughlin
Press: Sarah Booker-Lewis

1 – WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

1.1 Apologies were received from Alison Grey and Justine Harris as well as Cllrs Muten, O’Quinn, Baghoth and Hewitt.

2 – MINUTES AND ACTIONS

2.21 The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as correct record.

2.22 Grant Ritchie to complete their previous action regarding leaves at Hamden Road and Woods House.

ACTION – Conway Court to be informed regarding walkabouts before they occur on Clarendon and Ellen estates.

ACTION – Cllrs Miller and Muten to be notified when estate walkabouts take place in their ward.

3 – HOUSING PERFORMANCE REPORT Q3

3.1 Grant Ritchie delivered the report for this item.

3.2 Jan Dowdell detailed how calls answered statistics were collected.

3.3 Grant Ritchie outlined the definition of what is considered a ‘routine’ repair, as distinct from any other type of repair.

3.4 Carol informed that statistics in the agenda refer to all repairs, including those carried out by subcontractors.

3.5 Grant Ritchie detailed how contract workers were being deployed to reduce the repairs backlog.

3.6 Rosemary Whitehouse commended builders at Clarke Court.

ACTION – Jan Dowdell to record email traffic statistics in repairs team and provide to Cllr Nann.

4 – REGULATOR FOR SOCIAL HOUSING UPDATE

4.1 Grant Ritchie delivered the report for this item, there were no questions.

5 – DRAFT HATE INCIDENT POLICY

5.1 Jan Dowdell delivered a verbal update for this item.

5.2 Cllr Miller was informed how the new hate incident policy differed from the previous policy.

6 – BREAK

7 – RESIDENTS QUESTIONS

W2.1

7.1 Jan Dowdell stated that housing enquiries surgeries could be advertised better.

7.2 Cllr Miller emphasised the importance of Councillors reaching out to residents.

ACTION – Democratic Services to add notification of housing enquiries surgery to front-sheet of future agenda papers when provided by Community Engagement.

ACTION – Rosemary Whitehouse questioned whether notifications of meetings could be added to noticeboards in communal areas.

7.3 Cllr Grimshaw suggested adding Councillor details/profiles to ‘Homing In’ to ensure residents are aware of who represents them.

ACTION – Grant Ritchie to look into adding details of all Councillors to ‘Homing In’.

7.4 Pat Weller was informed of avenues available to submit complaints to the Council.

7.5 Rosemary Whitehouse raised concerns regarding the customer service team and their responsiveness.

7.6 W2.2

7.7 Helen stated that leaving weeds to decompose after cutting leads to them reseeding and regrowing.

7.8 Helen stated the dangers of overgrown weeds, especially in relation to children, pets, and the elderly.

7.9 Concerns were raised regarding the state of Stonery Close in regard to grass being cut and weeds being dealt with.

7.10 The Chair emphasised that residents should contact their Councillor if they have concerns regarding the cleanliness and keeping of their estates.

W3.3

7.11 Chloe McLoughlin to invite CityParks to next West Area Panel meeting.

W3.4

7.12 Grant Ritchie to follow up with Malcom Campbell regarding residents inspections groups.

W3.5

7.13 Jan Dowdell outlined the criteria by which those guilty of vandalism in their council home are dealt with.

7.14 Anne Tizzard shared details of their experiences with those who have vandalised their own homes.

7.15 Jan Dowdell outlined the considerations that are made when dealing with those who have vandalised their own homes.

8 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Muriel Briault raised concerns regarding youth ASB, citing and incident of children assaulting each-other which led to their parents engaging in ASB.

8.2 The Chair stated that criminal behaviour should be reported to the police.

8.3 Helen raised concerns regarding recycling bins obstructing the pavement in their area and was informed that CityClean were responsible.

8.4 ACTION – Jan Dowdell to raise Helen’s concerns regarding recycling bins obstructing pavement with CityClean.