Subject: Written questions from members of the public
Date of meeting: 13 October 2025
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: Omaid Hiwaizi
Please could Brighton Council endorse the Plant Based Treaty, following over 46 towns and cities worldwide?
Since I last raised the Treaty in February 2024, when 24 towns had endorsed it, the number has grown to over 46, showing momentum. The Treaty calls for a global commitment, alongside the Paris Agreement, to reduce food system emissions and encourage local action. After Edinburgh endorsed it in February 2023, they introduced carbon labelling in schools and universities, staff training, and public education.
I ask that the Council show leadership by endorsing the Treaty and making plant-based food more accessible to residents.
Reply from Councillor Rowkins, Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services
2. Question from: Adrian Hill
Residents have been told by the bus company and the council since 2018 that there is an Ultra Low Emission Zone on North Street and Western Road. The zone only applies to buses, is non charging, doesn't exclude non compliant vehicles, didn't actually become live until 2024 and is voluntary. Vehicles including buses violating the zone are still being driven on these roads. Do you understand the link between air pollution and health and can you charge vehicles that don't meet the zone's requirements?
Reply from Councillor Muten, Cabinet Member for Transport and City Infrastructure
3. Question from: David Wilson
I walk my dogs in Saltdean’s Oval Park every morning and see the debris that has been dumped overnight outside the recycling bins.
As West Saltdean residents all have roadside recycling or communal bins for their flats, this communal facility is not necessary and is regularly used by residents of East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven where they are no communal recycling points. I know this because I look at the labels on the cardboard boxes and envelopes that blow around.
Please would you remove this recycling point and turn the area into much-needed disabled parking bays.
Reply from Councillor Rowkins, Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services
4. Question from: Nigel Furness
Would you kindly furnish us, Councillor Muten, with a full breakdown of the funding scources for the City’s Concessionary Bus Passes?
Reply from Councillor Muten, Cabinet Member for Transport and City Infrastructure
5. Question from: Ian White
On behalf of the 150 plus local children who use the outdated and worn out cricket nets on Nevill Sports Ground each week, please can you tell me when will the council release the circa £80,000 CIL monies allocated to the Westdene and Hove Park ward to Brighton and Hove Cricket Club Net so we can begin our net renovation project in time for the 2026 cricket season?'
Reply from Councillor Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries
6. Question from: David Gibson
Rent collection in this financial year has fallen again. Council reports blame this on the migration from housing benefit to universal credit, particularly as payment delays cause arrears. This is partly true. The government could prevent this by ending the delay that tenants experience in receiving Universal Credit. These delays cause misery for tenants as well as adding to burgeoning rent arrears. Given that in the last financial year alone the council failed to collect around £5 million in rents owing. Given also that this £5 million shortfall each could support huge borrowing of around £100m (enough to buy hundreds more council homes that could reverse the soaring costs of temporary homeless accommodation) will the council write to their colleagues in national government urging them reform the payments system used by the DWP to prevent the creation of debt for new claimants moving over to Universal credit from Housing benefit?"
Reply from Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration
7. Question from: Diane Montgomery
Is Cllr Robins confident that this authority can continue to treat the King Alfred as two sites for proposed building?
Reply from Councillor Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries
8. Question from: Maxine Horn
In December 2024 the council appointed a third-party company New Timber, to work with city parks to undertake rapid reinstatement of damaged green spaces following use by outdoor events.
Can the council therefore list the reinstatement fees and bonds each event has paid since the new policy was introduced in December 2024 and where those funds are being held.
Can the council confirm when the reinstatement of the grassed areas will take place and give precise details of the nature of the work and a breakdown of the costs.
Is the council liable for any shortfalls or will event organisers meet additional charges,
Will any underspend be retained by City Parks or returned to the event organisers?
Reply from Councillor Rowkins, Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services