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 notified by the due date of 15 June 2022;

i.               Rethink the Skateboard and Bike Pump Park at Hove Lagoon – Liz Cook

(b)           Written Questions: To receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 10 June 2022;

(c)           Deputations: To receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 10 June 2022.

Petitions

5.1 The Chair invited Liz Cook to present the petition on page 21 of the Agenda.

5.2 Liz Cook presented the petition ‘Rethink the Skateboard and Bike Pump and Hove Lagoon.’

5.3 The Chair gave the following response:

Thank you for the petition and for raising this issue.

As you are aware, “The Kingsway to the Sea project” is a scheme to rejuvenate West Hove Seafront, and since the idea first began in 2018, when the West Hove Forum approached the council to work on plans to develop the area, the council officers have been engaging with local residents and representatives from businesses, clubs and voluntary organisations as part of the West Hove Seafront Action Group whose involvement is continuing to help shape the scheme. I think it’s important to consider all this engagement alongside your petition so that we make the decision that best reflects the needs of the city. 

The proposed plans to-date have been informed by public consultation in Sept 2021. And essentially, these plans include what residents and businesses in the area have told us they would like to see.

Last month, in May, two engagement sessions gave locals an opportunity to see the plans and give their feedback through an online survey. Overall feedback is positive with 86% of respondents recognising the plans will improve the seafront and in favour of the range of facilities proposed.

An objective of the project is to create an integrated park with attractive green spaces, better biodiversity and a range of recreational facilities and improved amenities for people of all ages. We now have an opportunity to rejuvenate and enhance these open spaces and provide something new that caters for our younger age groups.

As the demographic of West Hove has changed over recent years and there are many more families and young people in the area, we now have an opportunity to rejuvenate and enhance the open spaces and provide something new that caters for our younger age groups.

The proposed skate park, pump track and roller area are an important element of the scheme that meets the needs of younger age group. And its proposed location, next to Hove Lagoon, would link with existing family amenities such as the play park and paddling pool.

The scheme includes provision of more toilets, and the project has also brought forward the refurbishment of the WCs at Hove Lagoon which will make this a more attractive and accessible facility for all, whether people are in the skate park area or visiting the Lagoon.  

Green space is a very important aspect of the scheme and current plans demonstrate this. The scheme includes designated green spaces for people to meet, picnic, exercise and play, and regarding provision for dogs, dog walking would be welcome across the majority of the park (except play and the specific sports areas). And it’s worth noting that there are also adjacent dog friendly beaches available all year-round

We will continue to engage with local groups and there will be an opportunity for further consultation as part of the planning process and you may wish to make comments on the planning application when this is published, but I’m confident we can achieve a good balance for all.

RESOLVED: The Committee agreed to note the petition.

Written Questions

5.4 The Chair invited Ruth Farnell to put the question to Committee.

5.5 Ruth Farnell asked the question regarding Equality Impact Assessments.

5.6 The Chair gave the following response:

Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) were completed by Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council for the Pan Sussex Strategy for Domestic Abuse Accommodation and Support  2021- 2024 and have not been published. This was an oversight and Officers will rectify this omission and ensure that the BHCC EIA is published on our webpages.

5.7 The Chair invited Nicola Benge to put the question to Committee.

5.8 Nicola Benge asked the question regarding Refuge Accomodation.

5.9 The Chair gave the following response:

Thank you for the question.  Councillors have been informed that there is a dedicated manager available at the refuge during the week. Additional management support is also available via the extended Stonewater management team.

Council officers are aware that one  flat was without heating for two days earlier in the year. However electric showers in the flats did mean that there was access to hot water. Officers were told that As soon as the refuge staff were made aware of the issue they contacted the building owner who is responsible for the maintenance to undertake the necessary repairs and that additional heating was available to the resident.

Council officers have been informed that Residents are supported to make benefit claims where required and to access GP surgeries and school admissions and that Key workers are available to residents through weekly sessions and ad hoc discussions when required. A choice of well being activities is provided for residents including Music therapy  and gardening provided by RISE. RISE also work with the support workers to deliver support for women and children around their mental health and well being. As well as this additional activities are available including yoga and kick boxing which was specifically asked for by residents. A new craft club has also been established at the request of the women and there are specific activities for children.

The contract is monitored quarterly and as well as providing data, the provider meets with the commissioner each quarter to discuss any concerns with the delivery of the contract and how these can be overcome. Council Officers have recently visited the refuge and are satisfied that services are being delivered in line with the contract. Councillors have requested sight of the monitoring information for these contracts.

5.10 Nicolas Benge asked a supplementary question regarding a report from the Brighton Council Cross Party Working Group looking into the 2021 Violence Against Women & Girls Commissioning process. The Chair responded that the report would be publicly available from the 7^th July going to P&R.

RESOLVED: Democratic Services to email all public question responses to Nicola Benge.

5.11 The Chair invited Lesley Hammond put the question to Committee.

5.12 Lesley Hammond asked the question regarding Domestic Abuse Support.

5.13 The Chair gave the following response:

The post has been appointed to and the postholder has been in post since 7th February 2022. The first meeting of the Lived Experience Board took place on 19th April 2022.

RESOLVED: Lesley Hammond to be sent details of the new Community Engagement Officer in post.

5.14 The Chair invited Richard Valder-Davis to put the question to Committee.

5.15 Richard Valder-Davis asked the question regarding a Storage Unit at Saltdean Beach.

5.16 The Chair gave the following response:

Thank you for attending the meeting Richard. The work you do is really important. It would depend on the specifics of what needs to be stored, but please get in contact with Please could Mr Valder-Davis contact Toni Manuel, Seafront Development Manager directly to discuss what storage options might be available.

RESOLVED: Richard Valder-Davis to get in touch with Toni Manuel to discuss storage solutions.