Agenda item - Chairs Communications

79.1      The Chair provided the following communications:

It’s been a busy few months since the last meeting of this committee.

Our CityParks Team has been working to increase the number of applications for our Assistant Seasonal Gardner vacancies. 

With a shortfall in applications for the 10 vacancies. the team has been working with Plumpton College, to offer a 5-day long intensive horticulture training programme.  The successful attendees will be awarded a City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture, along with the opportunity to attend an interview for the roles available.

Work is also continuing to educate the community in the disposal of electronic waste responsibly, via routes such as Tech-Takeback, Revaluit (: Re-value-it) or our local recycling centres. 

Proving such a success, through collecting donations from the public, Tech-Takeback has now opened a new store in Brighton. It’s a shop with a difference, where donated gadgets are restored and then sold at a price the customer is happy to pay.

Tech-Takeback employs four apprentices, who are busy learning the skills to enable them to undertake repairs confidently, ensuring there are plenty of refurbished gadgets for everyone to purchase.  

Officers are also working hard to deliver key projects in the coming weeks to improve safety on our roads, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality

This weekend community engagement workshops will take place on the Hanover and Tarner Liveable Neighbourhood Pilot Project while work on the first of six new School Streets schemes will begin at St Mary’s Primary School this Easter.

A project that will help to future proof the city against coastal erosion and flooding will also start this spring with site surveys, ground investigations and technical design planning.

Working with partners, this project will repair, strengthen or replace flood defences and install new timber groynes – just one of the steps we’re having to take to protect our city from the devastating impact of the climate emergency.

Finally, as you will be aware, today is Nick Hibberd’s final ET&S meeting with the Council. Nick has been with the Council for 25 years I know that everyone in this room, across the council and beyond deeply values his expertise, professionalism, and leadership as well as his openness with members of all political groups.

Nick has led the council on many pioneering schemes including many that have been agreed in this very room by this committee and helped guide us through very challenging circumstances not least through the council’s covid recovery and renewal programme.

I would personally like to thank Nick for all of his support and the great team he leaves behind.

Nick leaves us for an incredible opportunity, and I hope you will join me in a short round of applause and stand up”.