Agenda item - Deputations from members of the public.

A list of deputations received by the due date of the 13^th October 2011 will be circulated separately as part of an addendum at the meeting.

22.1         The Mayor reported that three deputations had been received from members of the public and invited Mr. Frampton as the spokesperson for the first deputation to come forward and address the council.

22.2         Mr. Frampton thanked the Mayor and stated that, “The Motorcycle Action Group or, MAG as we are widely known, is an association of Motorcyclist’s and Scooter riders who lobby; Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, Local Councillors, County Councils, Transport Associations, on matters that, directly or indirectly affect motorised 2 and 3 wheel transport. MAG would like to help Brighton and Hove on its path to ‘Sustainable’ status by helping to ease congestion on the City Centre routes.

If, Motorcycles, Scooters and all powered two wheelers were allowed to use the bus lanes this would remove them from the normal flow of traffic, help the users and owners to get into the City Centre quicker therefore reducing emissions.  We can supply evidence to support this.

Extensive studies have been done showing time saved, reduced emissions and accident rates.  Stakeholders will need to be consulted in this process, Cyclists, Buses, Taxis, and Pedestrians.  We are happy to supply historic evidence for these consultations that have been untaken before. Generally the outcome of these consultations is positive but we still have stakeholders that are not in favour.  Slowly the majority of these are being won over with the passage of time.  Cost; the cost to a council is generally £100 per traffic order along with the placing of the Motorcycle profile to the bus lane signs. Opening 1 x bus lane equates to 1 x traffic order.  The Motorcycle decal is now readily available so signs do not need replacing.

Advantages; help with reducing emissions in and around the City centres, safer faster travel for motorcycles and scooters, reduction of cars entering and parking in the City Centres.  If 8 car drivers are encouraged on to Motorcycles and / Scooters you could fit those 8 into 1 car bay!  Code of Conduct; there is an established code of conduct issued to every motorcyclist and scooter rider for them to adhere to.”

22.3         Councillor Davey thanked Mr. Frampton for attending the meeting and putting forward the deputation.  He replied, “I’m glad you followed up on my suggestion to engage with the Local Authority. I am also pleased that MAG is now represented on the Transport Partnership and I know your colleagues have given an effective voice to power two wheeler users.  This is clearly a complex road safety issue and there will be many different views on it as we’ve already heard so I think we’re in the start of the process.

            As I’ve already said to some of your colleagues, I remember you saying you’d looked at theLocal Transport Plan and you didn’t think you could spot the word motorcycle that is something we want to change.  I do see powered two wheelers as being part of the transport solutions in the city but this isn’t something we can just rush into.  It would also involve working with East Sussex because, clearly, the A259 Bus lane runs/starts/ends in East Sussex depending on which way you are going.

            I think it would be very helpful, if you haven’t already done so, to share the information that you have with Council officers and what I’ll ask for is that they can provide a report that will summarise the issues, look at the evidence elsewhere and then we can look at that in the new year and take that forward as part of the continuing dialogue on this one.”

22.4         The Mayor thanked Mr. Frampton for attending the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. She explained that the points had been noted and the deputation would be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Cabinet Member Meeting for consideration.  The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

22.5         The Mayor then invited Mr. Frisby as the spokesperson for the second deputation to come forward and address the council.

22.6         Mr. Frisby thanked the Mayor and stated, “Saltdean Residents Association wishes to express its concern for the future of Saltdean Lido and the poor community facilities that currently exist and to ask that the Council takes action to resolve these concerns. 

            I represent the Saltdean Residents Association which with thousands of individuals is gravely concerned about the situation at the Saltdean Lido.  My deputation to you is in two parts. Part one is a gentle reminder to you (councillors) of your duty of care towards this iconic building and a further reminder concerning its ultimate ownership. In our opinion, ownership of the Lido lies not with the present or future lessee. Neither does it belong to you, the electorate, Councillors, or paid officials of Brighton and Hove Council.  

            It is our conviction that ultimate ownership of every building inherited by you or entrusted to the Council belongs to the peoples of our beautiful city. You are the custodians and protectors of our cultural and architectural heritage with the profound obligation to protect that heritage for future generations of Brightonians.

            The second part of the deputation is a plea. We in Saltdean have been blessed with the emergence of an extraordinary team of capable young professionals who have energised our community regarding the Lido. Their business plan described by independent consultants as robust, is strong, inclusive, financially self sufficient and self supporting.  Their mission; an admirable combination of vision and community spirit.  Please be brave enough to say enough is enough to the stalemate concerning this important communal building.  Help make the Saltdean Lido complex what it should be, a modernised vibrant communal centre whose cultural and social amenities would be fit for a changing population in a twenty first century, rather than what it has now become, a major source of anxiety for the voices of Community Charge payers of Saltdean, Rottingdean and  Brighton.

            In conclusion I appeal to you as recent elected Councillors.  You have the power to make a change for the better and all the information needed to make that change. You will know from reports from you own architects and surveyors the unsatisfactory state of the fabric of the building, which include Saltdean Lido itself, plus various community ruins and a very very busy public library.   You probably now know that Saltdean Lido and it’s art deco buildings have been placed on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register for the first time. You may not be pleased to know that Saltdean Lido is the only building owned by a Local Authority to appear on that ‘At Risk’ register in  the south east.

            You will know from the business plan presented to you by the Save Saltdean Lido Campaign Committee that there is an alternative to the site which to date seems more intent on private development than the needs and aspirations of our developing community. You will also know that the proposal lays out how the site could be financially self sufficient if operated as planned by a community interest company a not for profit organisation. You will know that Local Authorities have a primary role protecting the historic environment and that they can take action to secure the preservation of historic building through the use of statutory notices.

            You may not be aware that English Heritage runs a grants scheme to help underwrite the urgent works and repairs notices. The time is right for you to act, be brave enough to ignore those from central government or within your own midst who may argue against reassignment of the lease for the complex. Doing nothing is not an option, the problem will not go away, in fact any delay will incur more costs due to the rapid deterioration of the fabric. 

            We will revitalise the Saltdean Lido Complex bringing the entire site to the 21^st century and we pair your investment and our community by becoming a major tourist asset to be enjoyed by all those who visit or live in our city.  Please reclaim this iconic building in whatever way possible and give it back to us the, the residents of Brighton and Hove.”

22.7         Councillor Bowden thanked Mr. Frisby for attending the meeting and putting forward the deputation.  He replied, “I kind of share many of your sentiments, we’ve been in office for only a few months and we have been, as you know, very active and I think suffice to say we will do all we can to help you, we want a vibrant Lido.  That’s what we’re going to work for with the Communities Association, the Residents Association, the Campaign Group and the Lessee.”

22.8         The Mayor thanked Mr. Frisby for attending the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. She explained that the points had been noted and the deputation would be referred to the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Cabinet Member Meeting for consideration.  The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

22.9         The Mayor then invited Mr. Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown as the spokesperson for the third deputation to come forward and address the council.

22.10    Mr. Kirby thanked the Mayor and stated, “The Future of Saltdean Lido is a critical issue amongst my constituents and I would like the council to address the following points:

•     The leaseholder has publicly stated on the record for well over 7 years that he wishes to build flats and houses on the site which local people strongly oppose.

•     The Save Saltdean Lido’s Campaign vision for the future of the building.

•     Action which the Council could undertake to resolve the issues at Saltdean Lido.

•     The future of Saltdean Lido is to ensure it becomes the hub of the community as it was always intended.”

22.11    Councillor Bowden thanked Mr. Kirby for attending the meeting and putting forward the deputation.  He replied, “So far as the Council as a landlord is concerned, our mission is to ensure that the community facilities are provided, talk about development to ensure that those community facilities are provided is an unnecessary and completely unwelcome sideshow as far as I’m concerned and the Council.

            The previous administration served a repairs notice on the lessee and we are in negotiations with him.  I am not able to say anything more about that complex situation for legal issues.”

22.12    The Mayor thanked Mr. Kirby for attending the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation.  She explained that the points had been noted and the deputation would be referred to the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Cabinet Member Meeting for consideration.  The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.  She also noted that this concluded the presentation of deputations to the meeting.