BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL
EAST AREA PANEL – 12.03.2025
MINUTES

Attendees:
Councillors: Williams
Residents: Chris El-Shabba (Chair), Janet Gearing, Dee Simson, Ben D’Montigny
Officers: Francis Mitchell, Justine Harris, Richard Wheeler, Martin Reid, Jan Dowdell, Geof Gage, Keely McDonald, Gab Tiranti, Chloe McLoughlin
Press: Sarah Booker-Lewis

1 – WELCOME, APOLOGIES AND INTRODUCTIONS

1.1 Apologies were received from Councillors Allen and Simon.

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 2024

3.1 Justine Harris presented the report for this item.

3.2 The Chair suggested that call operatives receive further customer services training.

3.3 Martin Reid stated that there was a rise in the number of repairs being reported and provided details on the repairs backlog as well as the volume of repairs being raised.

3.4 Janet Gearing raised concerns regarding an individuals leaking ceiling and questioned whether it would have been cheaper for the Council to repair the entire roof in the first instance rather than having to continuously repair it.

3.5 Martin Reid stated that the Planned Works Programme includes details of roofing repairs.

3.6 Martin Reid stated that work was to be done identifying duplicate repair jobs and repeat visits.

3.7 Ben D’Montigny was informed that closure orders are not considered evicitions unless a possession order is granted by a court.

3.8 Justine Harris confirmed that data pertaining to the number of fly-tipping fines did exist.

3.9 Dee Simson was informed that clutter outside of private property could be investigated by the Council, but that courses of action would be limited in cases where the Council was not the landlord.

3.10 Ben D’Montigny was informed that Council tenants who were repeatedly found to be fly-tipping could be in breach of their tenancy agreement.

3.11 Jan Dowdell outlined the Council’s evictions policy and procedure.

3.12 Janet Gearing questioned why bulky waste removal services were so expensive and suggested that such high prices encouraged fly-tipping.

3.13 Ben D’Montigny questioned whether a fly-tipping amnesty would be a viable measure to reduce fly-tipping.

4 – SOCIAL HOUSING STANDARDS

4.1 Martin Reid presented for this item.

4.2 Martin Reid reflected on regulators concerns to meet compliance levels and outlined the Fire Safety Reporting Programme.

4.3 Martin Reid stated that the repairs backlog was likely to be reduced completely by July.

5 – BREAK

6 – UPDATE ON DRAFT HATE INCIDENT POLICY

6.1 Justine Harris presented the report for this item.

6.2 Councillor Williams was informed that details of how many people were consulted could be shared.

7 – RESIDENTS QUESTION TIME

7.1 The Chair stated that questions would be taken as read.

7.2 Ben D’Montigny was informed that a Whitehawk Valley welcome back was still in development.

7.3 Janet Dowdell and the Chair outlined support offered to victims of ASB.

7.4 The Chair commended the support given to victims of ASB.

8 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Dee Simson was informed that work is being done with the Tenancy Accommodation Service to offer support for vulnerable residents needs.

8.2 Ben D’Montigny stated that use of foodbanks was a sign of larger economic issues.

8.3 Justine Harris stated that a furniture recycling programme had been implemented.

8.4 Dee Simson was informed that the tenancy signup process signposts potential vulnerable tenants to a Tenancy Sustainment Officer.

8.5 Janet Gearing questioned whether EDB money could be used for sustainable cooking classes at foodbanks.

8.6 Ben D’Montigny suggested that successful EDB bids be shown on the Council website.

8.7 Dee Simson and Councillor Williams requested EDB forms be reformatted for accessibility.

8.8 Keely McDonald stated that EDB forms were under review and that plans were being made for other avenues of submission.

8.9 Dee Simson shared that the Woodingdean ‘Kiddie Roadway’ was nearing completion.

8.10The Chair stated that a meeting was to be held regarding the new Whitehawk Skatepark.