BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL
NORTH AREA PANEL – 19.03.25
MINUTES

Attendees:

Councillors: Sheard, Hill, West, Fowler
Residents: Donna James (Chair), Ian Beck, Roz, Caroline, Andrew Hunter, Jane Hunter, Jenny Simmons, Heather Hayes, Barney Millers, Andrew, Ian Knowles, Mitch Watkinson, Jim Hornsby, Tony Pratchett, Anna
Officers: Francis Mitchell, Claire Nichols, Simon Bannister, Emma Gilbert, Geof Gage, Grant Ritchie, Michael Raywood, Jan Dowdell, James Harding
Press: Sarah Booker-Lewis

1 – WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

1.1 There were no apologies.

2 – MINUTES AND ACTIONS OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

2.2 The actions of the previous meeting were agreed.

3 – HOUSING PERFORMANCE REPORT Q3

3.1 Grant Ritchie delivered the report for this item.

3.2 Heather Hayes was informed of the pressure of new repairs and the impact they have on clearing the repairs backlog.

3.3 Heather Hayes criticised repairs operatives for not sticking to their allotted timeslots.

3.4 Grant Ritchie provided an overview of why repairs operatives may not be able to stick to their allotted timeslots and provided details as to why a repair may be carried out sooner than scheduled.

3.5 Grant Ritchie stated that there were not currently staffing issues within the repair and maintenance team.

3.6 Barney Millers was informed that the increase in repair jobs being submitted was consistent across all groups of repairs.

3.7 Barney Millers questioned why repairs numbers were increasing.

3.8 Ian Beck stated that residents should contact their supplier if gas is detected.

4 – REGULATOR FOR SOCIAL HOUSING STANDARDS

4.1 Martin Reid delivered a verbal update on this item.

4.2 Jane Hunter was informed that repair operatives could receive a warrant from a court to grant access to a property to carry out works if necessary.

4.3 Emma Gilbert outlined how fire concerns were addressed in relation to Council tenants that have engaged in hoarding.

4.4 Emma Gilbert stated that they would bring a ‘clutter rating’ presentation to the next meeting.

ACTION – Emma Gilbert to bring clutter rating presentation to future meeting(s) if residents are interested.

4.5 Martin Reid outlined progress with the rollout of wired and wireless smoke detection units.

4.6 Ian Beck commended the Council on dealing with and prioritising fire safety, citing the importance of residents regularly testing their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

4.7 Barney Millers stated that water had entered their estate and caused accidents and further accessibility concerns due to residents slipping.

5 – DRAFT HATE INCIDENT POLICY

5.1 Emma Gilbert delivered a verbal update on this item.

5.2 There were no questions.

6 – BREAK

7 – ASB

7.1 Mitch Watkinson introduced this item, stating issues with motorcyclists on Home-Farm and Queensdown Roads.

7.2 Councillor Sheard shared details of police staffing in Moulsecoomb, Coledean and Stanmer.

7.3 Michael Raywood stated that scooter issues had been faced in Hollingdean and offered to raise this at regular meetings with the police, citing potential future drone enforcement.

7.4 Mitch Watkinson stated that offenders would remove their license plates when engaging in criminal activity or dangerous riding.

7.5 Councillor Fowler stated that many complaints had been received in Hollingdean regarding dangerous bike riding, citing an instance on Horton Road.

7.6 Jan Dowdell suggested residents report anti-social and dangerous motorcycle riding to the police non-emergency line.

7.7 Andrew Hunter was informed that some motorised cycles were legal.

7.8 Ian Beck shared concerns regarding gangs trading stolen motorbikes.

7.9 Councillor Sheard shared details of a bill that was going through Parliament to give police more powers to deal with antisocial behaviour involving motorcycles.

7.10 Mitch Watkinson was informed that all graffiti was treated with the same urgency and that all report graffiti would be dealt with.

7.11 Michael Raywood stated that concerns regarding drugs would be dealt with by the police.

7.12 Jan Dowdell outlined how the Council works in partnership with Sussex Police to prevent and reduce drug-related incidents occurring within the city.

7.13 Jan Dowdell outlined how to use the Council’s online ASB reporting system, stating that the process could be completed anonymously.

7.14 Michael Raywood stated the legality of cannabis use.

7.15 Jan Dowdell confirmed that cannabis use in Council properties constituted a breach of tenancy.

ACTION – Jan Dowdell to deliver ASB presentation to a separate meeting of residents.

8 – CITY PARKS

8.1 Mitch Watkinson introduced the item.

9 – RESIDENTS QUESTIONS

9.1 The chair read each question and its response in turn, and provided an opportunity for residents to share questions and comments.

N2.1

9.2 Ian Beck commended street sweepers in the area and confirmed that the issue outlined in this action had been resolved.

9.3 Barney Millers stated that one side Canterbury Road had not been swept.

9.4 ACTION – Emma Gilbert to look into Canterbury Road not being swept.

9.5 Jane Hunter stated that emailing highways directly was an effective avenue of having issues resolved promptly.

N2.2

9.6 Ian Beck stated that anti-social parking had become an issue in Hollingdean despite double-yellow lines being installed. Ian Beck cited an example of an ambulance being unable to navigate Horton Close.

9.7 The Chair stated that this was an area and city-wide issue.

9.8 Tony Pratchett outlined the process through which anti-social parking should be reported.

9.9 Ian Knowles stated that refuse collection was affected by antisocial parking.

9.10 Councillor West questioned which streets were affected and invited residents to share details with him / their ward Councillor.

9.11 Tony Pratchett invited residents to contact him / his team regarding anti-social parking on public highways.

9.12 The Chair requested maps defining Council vs Highways roads be made available to residents and attendees.

ACTION – Emma Gilbert / Chloe McGloughlin to make maps indicating which roads are owned by the Council and which are owned by Highways available to residents and attendees.

N3.3

9.13 Ian Beck provided details of unsafe trees being removed and cut back, warning they may return during or after the summer.

9.14 Grant Ritchie stated that the number of people using the Discretionary Garden Scheme had decreased, further stating that it was unlikely the scheme would be extended.

9.15 Anna shared that grass had grown in excess of 1.5m in Hidebrook Estate.

9.16 Ian Beck stated that the verge on Davey Drive had been pruned.

10 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1 Grant Ritchie provided details of fire-safety in residential blocks.