Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)          Petitions:  

To receive any petitions presented by members of the public.

(b)          Written Questions:

To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 19^th September 2025.

(c)          Deputations:              

To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 10am on the 19^th September 2025.

(a)          Petitions

1)            Extend public toilet opening times

33.1      Cabinet considered a petition signed by 410 people requesting public toilet opening times be extended.

33.2      Councillor Rowkins provided the following reply:

"Thank you for your petition. First, I hope you will have seen how important we believe public toilets are for our city. Since being elected in 2023, we’ve reopened 12, refurbished 9 (including the seafront) and changed the opening hours so that some sites that were previously closed over the winter are now open year-round. We’ve also done a great deal of work on providing accessible facilities, including raising the entire level of the facility at Goldstone Villas from it’s previous subterranean configuration.

Brighton & Hove’s beach culture is vibrant and active beyond the current operating hours, and of course we’d like our facilities need to reflect that reality as far as possible.

We are actively exploring two practical approaches to make that happen. First, we’re consulting with staff about amending the summer rota to allow for later closing times. This is timely, as we’re also recruiting additional staff to support the reopening of the toilet at Victoria Park – the thirteenth we’ve reopened - and other facilities in the west of the city, which should give us more flexibility in how we manage resources.

Second, we are investigating the feasibility of installing automated door mechanisms—systems that allow for remote-controlled or timed opening and locking. That would potentially enable earlier opening and later closing, while also addressing safety and cleaning logistics. We’re mindful of previous concerns about people potentially being locked in, so any solution will be carefully assessed to ensure it’s safe, reliable, and practical.

Thank you for bringing your petition today, and I can certainly assure you that we view the city’s public toilets as crucial to our residents and visitors".

33.3      Resolved- That Cabinet note the petition.

2)            Objection to Withdean Indoor Tennis Court Conversion

33.4      Cabinet considered a petition signed by 864 people requesting that plans for the conversion of Indoor Tennis Courts at Withdean Sports Complex be paused for further consultation.

33.5      Councillor Robins provided the following reply:

“The plans to convert the two indoor tennis courts into four indoor padel courts and one pickleball court has been halted at Withdean Sports Complex. Along with Freedom Leisure and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Officers will be reviewing padel opportunities and tennis delivery at both Withdean and across the city. This will include speaking with other stakeholders, working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) on a padel and tennis strategy and then implementing wider consultation – which is likely to be through a Your Voice survey”.

33.6      Resolved- That Cabinet note the petition.