Agenda item - Task & Finish Group - discussion

18.1    Councillor Evans lead a discussion on the topic for the next Task & Finish Group (TFG) for Place O&S Committee. The constitution states that only one TFG can run at any time and currently People O&S Committee has a TFG on anti-social behaviour in social housing. However, it would make sense for Place committee to agree on its next Task & Finish topic so as to be able to begin work on it as soon as work on the anti-social behaviour in housing group has concluded. At the last Council, the Conservative group put forward a Notice of Motion for Place O&S Committee to consider looking at heritage assets for their next TFG.

18.2    Members discussed various options for the next topic, some suggestions were:

                     - Year-round tourism offer

                     - Transport for visitors coming to the city

          - Service level agreements between Parks Service and “Friends    

   of” groups for the benefit of open spaces

          -  Night time economy

          - Heritage of the city

18.3    Members agreed that the next TFG should be on the heritage of Brighton & Hove. Councillor Parrott said this should include a definition of “heritage” so it is not just about preserving old things but looking at what makes the city what it is, it’s culture and identity. This could include looking into landscapes and trees, mods & rockers, the lack of small music venues, LGBTQ+ spaces etc.

18.4    There was a discussion about the relationship between the council and utility companies following reports of utility equipment being left on the street for months and mysterious roadworks appearing with no prior notices. It was agreed this would come back to Scrutiny as an agenda item.

18.5    A scoping report for a Task & Finish Group on the city’s heritage will be presented at the next committee in September.