1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 To receive any petitions submitted directly to Democratic Services or any e-Petition submitted via the council’s website.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That Council notes the petition(s).

3. Context and background information

3.1 To receive the following petition:

St James Street Rainbows

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to Look into creating a permanent rainbow installation in Brighton's LGBT Village.

Brighton & Hove has long been recognised as the UK’s LGBTQ+ capital – a city defined by its inclusivity, diversity, and vibrant community. Yet, despite our reputation and our proud history, we are one of the only major LGBTQ+ cities without a permanent rainbow landmark in our public streetscape.
Other UK cities, including Manchester and London, have created visible, permanent tributes such as rainbow crossings and public art. These installations are more than just colourful designs – they are daily reminders of acceptance, equality, and belonging. They serve as symbols of hope, especially for younger generations, and as a declaration that LGBTQ+ people are celebrated, not erased.

This is especially urgent now. Across the world, including in the USA, there are deliberate movements to diminish the power and visibility of the rainbow flag, most recently seen in the removal of the Pulse Nightclub memorial crossing in Orlando – a tragic erasure of a community’s memorial and a stark reminder that progress is never guaranteed.

Brighton & Hove must stand firm in the face of this trend. Installing a permanent rainbow feature – whether a rainbow road crossing, painted street, rainbow lampposts, or coloured lighting – would demonstrate our city’s leadership, pride, and commitment to visibility. It would also provide a lasting landmark for residents and visitors, cementing Brighton’s place as a city that not only embraces but celebrates its LGBTQ+ community.

We call on Brighton & Hove City Council to commit to creating a permanent rainbow installation in our streets. This is not simply about paint or lights – it is about heritage, visibility, and the city’s duty to stand against the forces of erasure, and to ensure that the rainbow continues to shine brightly in the city most closely associated with LGBTQ+ life in the UK.

3.2 To receive the following petition:

Redirect the new 3x bus down Ellen Street instead of Clarendon Road

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to write to Brighton & Hove Bus Company to ask that they redirect the new 3X bus route that travels 140 times per day, to go down Ellen Street, (adjacent road) instead of Clarendon Road. This will retain the privacy of the houses on Clarendon road from the double decker buses, reduce congestion on the already busy road of Clarendon Road, and stop Clarendon road being made into a bus route, causing annoyance to residents of Clarendon Road.

The addition of a bus route on Clarendon Road residential street means there has been an increase in pollution, rubbish, noise and reduction in residents privacy. by using Ellen street which has the same width of Clarendon Road , it is less busy than Clarendon road, and the flats there will not be affected by the 140 buses travelling down the street as they are higher up. It is unnerving to have 140 extra routes per day, (8 per hour), travelling down the road just outside your door, and the buses can see directly into the residents homes.

3.3 To receive the following petition:

Ban Street Parking Along Bus Routes

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to Prevent street parking along roads used by bus routes by adding double yellow lines.

Many roads are made unnecessarily difficult for buses to navigate due to the number of cars parked along the edge of the street. This adds to journey times because when buses are attempting to drive along these roads, they effectively become one-way streets, and buses must give way to oncoming traffic, or vice versa.

The primary purpose of public roads is for vehicles to travel along them, not for people to leave their unused cars lying around. Stopping parking along bus routes would make the full width of the road usable, and ensure that buses and other traffic could move in both directions.

3.4 To receive the following petition:

Removal of Household Bins in Auckland Drive

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to reverse the decision of replacing household refuse and recycling bins with communal bins in Auckland Drive. No evidence has been provided to support the rationale behind the change and no consultation was raised with residents to properly voice their objections. We now ask that the change is halted and formal debate is raised.

Residents were notified in October 2025 about plans to remove current household bins and replace with communal bins in 2 locations along Auckland Drive. Residents raised complaints detailing their concerns to the refuse collection suppliers and to local councillors, with no reply. The suppliers have since contacted residents again to give notice that their scheme will commence in January 2026.
Residence have raised concerns including (but not an exhaustive list):

· Health and Safety of residents, including elderly, those with limited mobility, those with young children especially single parent households unable to walk half way down the road and back to dispose of their rubbish and recycling.

· Risk of increased vermin in the area.

· Increased risk of fly tipping in the area.

· Loss of parking bays in an area already struggling with parking, especially with the increased vehicles from the increasing number of HMO's and university students using the site on the industrial site

· Effect on house values

· Potential for this scheme to be rolled out across the estate resulting in further pressure on parking, fly tipping and vermin

So far the council have not listened to the valid concerns of residents.