Agenda item - Petitions for Council Debate

Petitions to be debated at Council.  Reports of the Monitoring Officer (copies attached).

(a)       A Permanent Local Archaeology and History Display in Brighton Museum  – Lead Petitioner Ms. F. Briscoe;

(b)       Build our City an Ice Arena – Lead Petitioner Master S. Keywood.

39.1         The Mayor stated that the council’s petition scheme provided that where a petition secured 1,250 or more signatures it could be debated at a Council meeting. She had been notified of two such petitions which had sufficient signatures to warrant a debate and therefore would call on the lead petitioner to present their petition before opening the matter up for debate.

39.2         The Mayor then invited Mr. Rudling as President of the Brighton & Hove Archaeological Society to come forward and present the petition.

39.3         Mr. Rudling thanked the Mayor and presented the petition which called on the Council to provide space and resources for a permanent display dedicated to the story of Brighton and Hove for the benefit of local residents and visitors. He confirmed that the petition had over 3,000 signatures from residents and visitors and hoped that consideration would be given to restoring the display space that had been removed in 1998 without any consultation.

39.4         Councillor Robins thanked Mr. Rudling for attending the meeting and presenting the petition. He also wished to thank the Archaeological Society for its active support throughout the city.  He stated that the council was committed to supporting the promotion of Brighton and Hove’s history and noted that it had worked with society over the last 3 years on various projects.  However, there was a need to consider the cost of proving a suitable permanent display area when the council faced unprecedented financial challenges.  He therefore hoped that the successful working arrangements could continue but was unsure that a permanent display area could be located at the Brighton Museum.

39.5         Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that there was an important consideration to be made in that the past should be recognised and information made available to future generations.  He therefore hoped that a positive response to the petition would be forthcoming at the committee meeting.

39.6         Councillor West stated that he was disappointed by Councillor Robins’ response and believed that there was a need for such a display at the Brighton Museum.  It was important to engage people’s interest in the city’s history and suggested that funding should be sought to enable a display to be provided.

39.7         Councillor Robins stated that he was very happy to explore options with officers and the Society and hoped that a way forward may be found.

39.8         The Mayor thanked Mr. Rudling for attending the meeting and noted that the recommendation was to refer the petition to the Economic Development & Culture Committee for consideration and put it to the council to agree.

39.9         RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Economic Development & Culture Committee for consideration at its next meeting.

39.10      The Mayor then invited Master S. Keywood to come forward to present a petition requesting the provision of an ice rink in the city.

39.11      Master Keywood thanked the Mayor and stated that he had a combined paper and e-petition with over 2,000 signatures calling on the council to build in ice arena in the city.  He stated that Brighton and Hove was behind other leading cities such as Manchester, Nottingham and Telford all of which had their own ice arenas.  He believed this had to be addressed and provision made within the city rather than leaving residents to have to travel to other arenas.  He also drew attention to the council’s SR21 Policy and suggested that an arena could be included in any future major development within the city.

39.12      Councillor Morgan thanked Master Keywood for presenting the petition and acknowledged the campaign that he was instrumental in taking forward.  He had been disappointed when the proposed development at Black Rock had not come to fruition and he was keen to learn how other cities had been able to secure ice arenas for their areas.  He was aware that an ice arena was an expensive consideration for any proposed development but would happily explore that if a developer came forward.  In the meantime he hoped that Master Keywood enjoy the temporary ice rink that was to be at the Royal Pavilion again during the Christmas period.

39.13      Councillor Druitt stated that having been able to previously enjoy ice-skating as a young person; he hoped that Master Keywood would continue with his campaign and that it would see the realisation of an ice arena in the city in the future.  He fully supported the petition and hoped to discuss the matter further at the committee meeting.

39.14      Councillor G. Theobald stated that he wished to congratulate Master Keywood on his petition and on coming before the council.  He could recall watching the Brighton Tigers at the old stadium and was sure that all the Groups supported the concept of having an ice arena in the city.  They were extremely expensive to provide but he hoped that a developer would come forward with a proposal and it would see the provision of an arena in the city in time for Master Keywood to enjoy.

39.15      Councillor Cobb stated that she fully agreed with the petition and felt that the city was behind in regard to the provision of leisure facilities and noted that technology more than 30 years ago used the heat from a swimming pool to cool the ice of an ice rink and vice versa. She was sure that technology had advanced over this time period, and suggested that the proposed King Alfred development should be able to provide such a facility to enable the inclusion of an ice-rink.”

39.16      The Mayor thanked Master Keywood for attending the meeting and noted that the recommendation was to refer the petition to the Economic Development & Culture Committee for consideration and put it to the council to agree.

39.17      RESOLVED: That the petition be referred to the Economic Development & Culture Committee for consideration at its next meeting.