Agenda item - Member Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by Members:

 

(a)           Petitions: To receive any petitions;

 

(b)           Written Questions: To consider any written questions;

 

(1)       Councillor Wilkinson- Park & Ride

(2)       Councillor Platts- Outstanding reports

(3)       Councillor Appich- Bikeshare scheme

(4)       Councillor Appich- Hove Station footbridge

(5)       Councillor Platts- Graffiti

(6)       Councillor Platts- Graffiti support

(7)       Councillor Platts- Glass recycling

(8)       Councillor Platts- Fly tipping

(9)       Councillor Platts- Communal bins

(10)    Councillor Platts- Cycle lane parking

(11)    Councillor Platts- Carton recycling

(12)    Councillor Platts- Potholes

(13)    Councillor Platts- Double yellow lines

(14)    Councillor Platts- Tree replacement

(15)    Councillor Wilkinson- Road Safety Strategy

(16)    Councillor Wilkinson- Hove Station Corridor

(17)    Councillor Wilkinson- Climate change

(18)    Councillor Wilkinson- Climate change mitigation

(19)    Councillor Wilkinson- Assemblies

(20)    Councillor Bagaeen- Blocked drain gullies

(21)    Councillor Nemeth- Bikeshare

 

(c)           Letters: To consider any letters;

 

(1)       Local transport and environment issues associated with the operation of Mill Road Park and Ride, Westdene- Councillor Bagaeen

(2)       Graffiti on Shopfronts- Councillor Nemeth

 

(d)           Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Full Council or submitted directly to the Committee.

 

(1)       Underground Super-bins- Conservative Group

(2)       Public toilets- Conservative Group

(B)      Member Questions

 

(1)           Blocked drain gullies

 

42.1      Councillor Bagaeen read the following question:

 

“Residents of Goldstone Close are at their wits end after recurrent flooding on their street due to blocked drain gullies.

One resident says they have emailed the council ten times in three years but that the council is not doing anything about it and ‘never clear the drains’.  There are many pensioners on the street who are upset about the situation.

I understand that under the Council’s drain gullies policy (risk-based approach) the Council only clears gullies that it has identified and categorised as ‘highest risk’ of flooding.

Can the Chair advise how many drain gullies have been assessed as highest risk under the Council’s policy and whether Goldstone Close is one of them?”

 

42.2      The Chair provided the following reply:

 

“The council clean all its 20,000 gullies across the city on a cyclical basis using a risk based approach. The aim is to empty and cleanse all of them at least every 18 months and the majority at least once a year. With the impacts of climate change this is having an increasing impact on our resources as rainfall is of a higher intensity and duration so we are looking at a future programme that may require additional funding.   The team  identifies silt levels in the gully’s each time they are cleansed and those that constantly fill to high levels are added to an ad hoc jetting list.  Therefore, the numbers on the list constantly change as once they have been cleared, they often can be moved back to the longer list and I can confirm that Goldstone Close is not on the highest risk.  Inspections have confirmed that the road suffers from leaf fall and that is why some ponding occurs and particularly due to high rain fall that unfortunately led to the resident’s garages being flooded.  The service will be working closely with City clean to try and tackle the leaf fall”.

 

(2)           Park & Ride

 

42.3      Councillor Wilkinson read the following question:

 

“At the June ETS committee I asked the Chair why the Park & Ride feasibility study work that was agreed in 2021 had not begun yet and when will it.

In replying, the co-chair of the ETS Committee said, ‘the funding available for this work remains allocated to it, but not yet begun owing to officer commitments on other projects and the need to locate and retrieve information on the previous work on possible Park & Ride Sites’ and that ‘the study should be completed before the end of 2022’.

The administration has often  said it does not support a Park and Ride scheme but In light of the fact that a feasibility study was asked for last year and funds secured for it, can the Co-Chairs of the ETS committee please provide an update on its progress, and confirm that this study will be completed by the end of 2022?”

 

42.4      Councillor Wilkinson put the following supplementary question:

 

“How can we be serious about reaching carbon net zero by 2030 if we can’t even get on with a Park & Ride feasibility study. Given that the Climate Assembly had a Park & Ride in its top ten recommendations, does the Chair share the Labour Groups concerns that this is a can that seems to being kicked down the road?”

 

42.5      The Chair provided the following reply:

 

“I’m casting my mind back to June and I probably replied with a similar answer. You are right that Park & Ride isn’t in our manifesto, and we don’t support it for the reasons I outlined in June. I genuinely apologise that it has taken so long but it has as you know been an incredibly difficult year financially and for officer time. I will reply with the same answer I used in June that previous to this Green Administration, you had a year in Administration and previous to that you had four years in Administration to bring forward something like this. So yes of course we want to get to carbon neutrality and we our trying our best. And once again, I apologise that it has been delayed until the New Year”.

 

(3)           Outstanding Reports

 

42.6      Councillor Platts read the following question:

 

“A number of residents’ groups have taken the time and trouble to come to ETS committee to express their concerns about road safety, including requests for speed reduction and crossings. The Class Divide campaign have made several representations on behalf of a disadvantaged community to get better transport to schools as there is no local secondary school in Whitehawk. The Labour Group have supported all of these requests by asking for reports, so that progress can be made. Coming to Committee is an essential part of the democratic process to ensure local people’s voices are heard. Our communities need to be listened to but the vague response we have received to date demonstrate a lack of commitment and suggests that the Administration do not respect the requests that are being made by local people. Some people just feel ignored.  To show that the Administration is taking local people’s requests seriously, please can the Co-

Chairs of ETS publish a date by when a schedule of all outstanding reports will be provided to ETS Committee?”

 

42.7      The Chair provided the following reply:

 

“Thank you for your question. Please let me reassure you and residents groups that the administration is fully committed to improving the City’s Transport Network as well as Road Safety for all its residents. This is clearly evident in the fact that we are currently embarking on the biggest transport investment programme for a generation.

For example, following on from the recently completed Valley Gardens Phases 1 & 2 we are soon to begin work on Phase 3.  Officers are also working hard on major improvements to Western Road, the A259 Western phase 2 Cycle Lane and the A23 Cycle Lane as well as new proposals for Marine Parade, the Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Hanover & Tarner, feasibility work on the Mini-Holland project in Hove, the Liveable City Centre Project, the Cycle Hanger project, The Ultra-Low Emission Zone, a new Bike Share including 60% e-bikes, pedestrian improvements to Hove Station; the £28 million of investment for improving public transport, including new bus services as part of the BISIP project and the rights of way improvements in Happy Valley. Work is also on going in key areas such as the School Streets programme.  The pedestrian network improvement programme is presented at this committee.  There is also work to improve road safety with schemes being developed at Trafalgar Street, Wilson Avenue and Hove Park Road.  There is also good progress being made on the implementation of new accessible bus stops across the city and dropped kerbs and on-street cycle parking. 

Officers are doing their very best and in terms of the specific requests on Road Safety and general speed related concerns that have been brought to committee such as Reigate Road, Portland Road, Beaconsfield Road, Marion Road, Upper North Street, Shirley Drive and Bexhill Road, these will be combined into a future report that is currently scheduled for the new year and likely coming to January ETS Committee.

Officers have brought 146 reports to this committee over the past two years, which are constantly delivering on the council’s corporate plan.  A corporate plan which the Labour Group voted for in 2019.  Each of the reports to this committee takes between 10 and 15 hours of officer time to prepare, review and finalise.  The call for up to five reports at every ETS committee and a total of 36 reports has led to a backlog of 22 “called for” reports which will take around 330 hours of officer time to prepare – this is not possible to resource in the next 12 months within our budget constraints and on top of delivering the corporate plan priorities.  

Members of this committee to asked to recognise that it would be an effective use of officer time to prioritise what is listed on the backlog of “called for” reports to enable issues of greatest importance for residents to benefit from officer time and attention. We should be mindful of the wellbeing of officers and recognise the number of transport schemes already underway across the city. A list of “called for” reports has previously been provided to the Opposition Spokespersons and will be provided again by the end of November”.

 

42.8      Councillor Platts commented that it was Members democratic right to bring questions to committee to obtain clarification.

 

42.9      The Chair replied:

 

“And I would agree and I’m sorry if you think I’m lecturing and I’m sorry if my tone came across like that. I’m just trying to be pragmatic about this and we genuinely are. We’ve got a long list that we’re trying diligently to work through”.

 

(4)           Bikeshare Scheme

 

42.10   Councillor Appich read the following question:

 

“Many of us use and love the Brighton BikeShare scheme so we were shocked and disappointed to hear the scheme will be paused for several months. It is also concerning that this issue wasn’t brought before this Committee before being publicised in local press. In fact, Councillors got only 8 minutes notice of the matter before a press release was issued. Can the administration explain who made the decision to pause including which councillors were consulted, what alternatives were considered and what impacts assessments were taken into account?”

 

42.11   The Chair provided the following reply:

 

“Thank you for your question. The decision was made because the bikes are not in good condition after five years on the streets, and the poor strength of Vodafone’s 3G signal has led to a backlog of repairs and a drop in bike availability. These factors mean it is not possible to continue providing a reasonable service.

The decision is intended to prioritise the customers and staff by a giving a clear two-month advance warning of the winter service suspension. The other alternatives explored were either financially unviable or would have led to greater customer inconvenience and risk as bike availability and quality continued to decline.

The problems with the 3G signal emerged in May following the switch over to Vodafone SIMs in every bike controller in late April. The Operator was unable to resolve the matter with Vodafone between June and July, and in August the Council’s Chief Executive wrote to the CEO of the telecom provider requesting a discussion on local 3G signal issues impacting on the scheme.

The issue was also raised publicly on the 24th of August when the Operator made an online statement to customers acknowledging ongoing technical issues, explaining what they were doing to resolve these, and offering advice on how to optimise their chances of finding a bike to hire.

The Chief Executive’s letter received no response from the telecom provider, and in late-October the decision was made to withdraw the fleet. The decision was taken by the Executive Director with the support of the Administration.

The technical alternatives considered included switching the system to another telecom provider, using a multi-SIM telecom solution, and replacing all controller hardware to make the system 4G compatible, all of which proved unviable for a fleet coming to the end of its five-year street life because of the large costs involved

Operational alternatives such as a reduced repair and redistribution service or smaller hire area were also considered but rejected because the impact on revenue over winter would not cover unavoidable operational costs while the declining quality and number of available bikes could put customers at risk and put them off using the reorganised scheme.

The proposal for a free system open to everyone was ruled out because of the insurance risk to the Council and safety concerns around the riding of un-serviced bikes, potential obstructions to footways and roads, and an increase in vandalism.

We expect to make an announcement on the reorganised scheme very soon and before the current scheme is suspended. Customers can look forward to a city-wide scheme with more docking stations and a bigger fleet that will be 60% electric, as well as other innovations”.

 

42.12   Councillor Appich read the following supplementary question:

 

“When a new scheme is presented, will we be considering local community enterprise organisations as providers, what will happen to existing hubs, particularly those that are in more accessible areas and whether we are going to improve outlying area accessibility as part of the new scheme?”

 

42.13   The Chair provided the following written response:

 

“The bidding process has already taken place and a preferred bidder has been engaged.

Bidder information days took place last autumn, and feedback from these was used to finalise the contract specifications. The tender was advertised in May 2022 via the Southeast Shared Services procurement portal and was open to any potential bidders. Bid assessments took place during June and July. The preferred bidder and all unsuccessful bidders received letters on 22 August.

Contract negotiations began in late September and were concluded by early November. We are now in the final phase of contract formation.

The preferred bidder has already had preliminary discussions with local SMEs and Community groups about potential subcontracts and their community engagement plans.

The existing network will remain in place with some adjustments to selected locations to optimise access. The new fleet will be compatible with the existing stands

The Council commissioned a Hub network review in Autumn 2021 which was completed by Steer Associates in March 2022. The report considered eighty-five sites suggested by ward Councillors and other key stakeholders. These were assessed using nine indices to determine commercial viability but also considered factors such as health deprivation and deprivation overall. Wards without hubs were prioritised within this assessment, as well as those with gaps in the existing network.

The new Operator is required to accept a shortlist of fourteen new sites to add to the network to make the scheme truly city wide and to deliver ebike access to outlying areas. All other suggested sites remain on a longlist for future consideration.

Following contract completion, the Operator must produce initial designs for the shortlist sites which will then be used for preliminary consultation with Ward Councillors. Final designs will then be used as the basis for Traffic Regulation Order amendment and footway licence consultations in the new year, with a report on any objections on the agenda of the ETS committee in March 2023. Shortlist sites will be installed during Summer 2023 as the new scheme is rolled out.

Eighteen further sites which will plug gaps in the existing network and can potentially be funded by other Council programmes and projects and Developer contributions will also be implemented in due course”.

 

(5)           Bikeshare

 

42.14   Councillor Nemeth read the following question:

 

“Please summarise the key financial implications of the sudden withdrawal of the Council’s Bikeshare scheme with particular emphasis on how much money the Council is set to lose and how much extra investment is likely to be required over and above what was initially budgeted”

 

42.15   The Chair provided the following reply:

 

“In the November 2015 ETS report, the Council committed to investing 100% of its share of surpluses from Bikeshare hire revenues back into the scheme. By the end of the first three years of successful operation the Council’s annual surplus share held in reserve totalled £135,400

Surplus reserve funds were used during years 4 and 5 to fund 160 bike refurbishments costing £77,000. The remaining sum of £58,400 together with external contributions is being used to cover the full cost of keeping the scheme running until 31 December. This use of reserves and contributions to protect jobs and the service up until that date will not impact on the Council’s in year financial position. 

In 2020-21 the Council committed a recurring annual revenue contribution of £38,000 to support the scheme following the end of previous Department for Transport grant funding support. This funding has been used to support the scheme and it is not anticipated to be overspent this financial year.

A full decommissioning plan for the current fleet is being developed and it is anticipated it will require an extra investment of £110,000. The plan contains several costed options for conversions to repurpose newer and refurbished bikes or stripping down of bikes at the end of their street life for reusable and recyclable parts.  Officers will submit fully developed proposals to the Circular Economy Programme. This will be added to a list of pipeline projects for the Members’ working group to consider as an option for funding this extra investment requirement in the new year”.

 

42.16   Councillor Nemeth read the following supplementary question:

 

“If the contract is being ended early and therefore the council will be losing income it otherwise would have got, do we have a litigation situation?”

 

42.17   The following reply was provided on behalf of the Chair:

 

“In the first few years of the scheme the Council did have a surplus and that was put into reserves which has essentially what Councillor Davis was saying. The scheme is now losing money and the proposal was always that we would reinvest the money we set aside so it will see the scheme through”.

 

The following written response were provided to the remaining questions subsequent to the meeting

 

Hove Station Footbridge- Councillor Appich

 

“Thank you for your question seeking clarification about the response to the deputation that was given at the last committee.

In clarifying the references that have already been made to Section 106 funding, I would reiterate that it should be directly related to mitigating the impacts of a particular development that is given planning permission.  For transport, this mitigation is usually a list of highway/sustainable transport works which are set out in the Planning Committee report and secured through appropriate legal agreements.  These works are usually required before a development is started or occupied. 

As you have highlighted, there is an overall amount of funding that has been secured by the council from Section 106 agreements for permitted developments across the city.  It is made up of sums that relate to individual developments and for different purposes; one of which is transport.  The individual sums secured through this process need to be used for the locations or purposes which are specified in the agreement, and therefore cannot be transferred to other locations or measures.

The permission for the Sackville Trading Estate planning application and associated legal agreements include a number of specific sustainable transport measures to improve the public highway, but did not refer to the new footbridge.  The concept of a new bridge is suggested as part of a wider masterplan, and the progression of that plan will involve the council and a number of partners and stakeholders.  Further collaborative working will therefore take place between these parties to develop proposals, including connectivity across the railway by a number of means.  Through this work, future options and opportunities, including any further design feasibility, and how they could be progressed, will become clearer. 

I can confirm that the committee did agree that a report would be brought back to it on this matter, and that report will be prepared for consideration early next year”.

 

Road Safety Strategy- Councillor Wilkinson

 

“Thank you for your question. We are currently implementing one of the largest investments in transport for a generation and the majority of our key schemes such as Valley Gardens, Western Road, A23 and the A259 all aim to improve road safety for all users.

Furthermore, we do still have an active road safety strategy and we are continuing to carry out measures to improve road safety at locations where we know there are problems, such as Valley Gardens Phase 3 which will begin shortly. There is also work to improve road safety with schemes being developed at Trafalgar Street, Wilson Avenue and Hove Park Road.

I would also like to point out that Road Safety is a priority for the City Council and upheld within its existing Road Safety Strategy that adopts strict national criteria to support the reduction of road traffic accidents and injuries, working in partnership with Sussex Police and East & West Sussex County Councils. As a result we do need to use specific metrics within this strict national criteria to enable Road Safety Schemes to be brought forward in response to data and officer assessments rather than from requests from the public. This would not be prudent and could also lead to worsening Road Safety and more injuries where schemes are not designed in accordance with this methodology.

In terms of updates, I can tell you that there is a report scheduled to come to the Committee in the new year that will set out our new framework for assessing and prioritising road safety requests and schemes  that will also address the question of taking forward a Road Safety Danger Reduction Strategy and the potential abandonment of the Council’s existing Road Safety Strategy. I also understand that officers are intending to meet and brief you on current safety related projects and work”.

 

Hove Station Corridor- Councillor Wilkinson

 

“An update on the Pedestrian Priority list was provided at ETS Committee on the 16/11/2022. This included an update on the Hove Station Corridor improvement project. We will be able to share the consultation results with you but this will have to follow to allow officers to check all sensitive data is removed”. 

 

Climate Change- Councillor Wilkinson

 

“The Council’s emergency planning team has a data base of individuals with health issues that may make them more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We are also aware of the locations where extreme weather events commonly cause the most damage, such as flood prone areas of the city. These factors help inform the Council’s responses to extreme weather events. 

Residents who may be at risk from the impacts of climate change include council tenants on low incomes, who may be affected by rising fuel bills. Helping residents to live in well insulated, efficiently heated, healthy homes remains a key long-term commitment for the council. For council-owned homes, this includes investment in installation of solar panels, new doors and windows, insulation, heating upgrades and renewable energy where appropriate.

The council also provides residents with tailored energy advice and support, small measures within properties, and embedding long-term behavioural change to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel costs.

For private owners and renters, the council has earmarked up to £1m in 2022-23 for Warm, Safe Homes Grants. Longer term, the council will establish a Brighton & Hove Warmer Homes Programme for private sector housing.

Information on all council services which support vulnerable people with the cost of living, including emergency financial help and support to improve well-being, can be found at the ‘cost of living’ hub, accessible from the home page of the council’s website”.

 

Climate change mitigation- Councillor Wilkinson

 

A range of thematic multi-agency partnerships operate within the city, many of which give focus to the route to net zero. Key partnerships which contribute to this agenda include strategic groups such as City Management Board, Brighton Economic Partnership, GBEB (energy plan, water plan) and Transport Partnership. There also is an active Carbon Neutral 2030 Member Working Group in place for internal governance. All plans and strategies will include engagement with different partners to ensure shared objectives are identified. There is designated support on climate communications and engagement. Additionally, a City-Wide Climate Partnership is being explored in recognition of the significance for all partnerships.

 

Assemblies- Councillor Wilkinson

 

“Following on from the city climate assembly on transport and travel, one option is to consider delivering another climate assembly on a different theme. However, this is quite a resource intensive approach and it may be better to consider other forms of engagement such as delivering though existing groups and partnerships, and supporting community events. If taking forward another climate assembly, it is important that it focuses on an area where the city council has the policy levers available to respond to the assembly members’ recommendations, as we were able to do with the Climate Assembly on transport and the development of the Local Transport Plan 5”.

 

Councillor Platts- Graffiti

 

!Thank you for your question.

The current Targeted Action Zones programme is focusing on high foot fall areas and reflect parts of the city where Cityclean receives many complaints about graffiti. If there are other areas across the city that would benefit from the Targeted Action Zones programme, please share with the Environmental Enforcement Team who can look to adopt the same approach”.

 

Councillor Platts- Graffiti support

 

Thank you for your question.

The leaflet provided to businesses as part of the Targeted Action Zone programme contains advice on how businesses can prevent graffiti. This includes:

·       Regular maintenance, including the quick removal of graffiti

·       Reporting incidents to the police

·       Improving lighting

·       Using anti-graffiti laminate coating

·       Avoiding block-coloured walls

·       Installing security cameras (and/or placing up signage indicating this)

·       Commissioning a mural

 

Councillor Platts- Glass recycling

 

“Thank you for your question. Placing communal glass bins alongside all refuse and recycling bins will be trialled as part of the communal bin system pilot in the Brunswick & Adelaide and Regency wards.

The reason there are fewer glass bins available is due to complaints received over the years about the noise caused from the current bins so to mitigate this, some bins have been removed.

Through the communal bin trial, a specifically designed bin, to absorb the noise caused by glass will be used. The bins will also have sturdier lids and appropriate apertures to contain as much noise as possible. The results from the trial will enable Cityclean determine whether the bin is suitable to be rolled out to the whole communal bin area, or whether another solution is required.

Officers in Cityclean are currently working with colleagues in Parking Services to identify the impact on parking spaces and associated loss of income, if there is any, so that all factors can be considered before moving ahead with the pilot. It is hoped the proposals can be shared early in the New Year”.

 

Councillor Platts- Fly tipping

 

Thank you for your question. This relates to a specific ward issue and should be directed to the Members Enquiry Service

 

Councillor Platts- Communal bins

 

Thank you for your question.

A label, with a QR code, directing residents to the council website could be added to the communal bins. However, there already several signs on the bins which may mean people do not see it. There is also no assigned budget for this so consideration will need to be given to how this is funded.

A review of signage is being completed as part of the communal bin trial project.

 

Councillor Platts- Cycle lane parking

 

“There have been a lot of difficulties with the enforcement of delivery drivers parking in cycle lanes as they drove off before enforcement officers had the opportunity to issue a ticket due to the observation time required.

However, officers in Parking Services have undertaken a lot of work to improve and take forward cycle lane enforcement following powers being given to local authorities to allow enforcement through CCTV. We now enforce a few mandatory cycle lanes by CCTV where cameras are available. These meet the strict criteria of also having double yellow lines and no loading restrictions which were already in place in these locations.

Officers are working on a further 6 sites being enforced by CCTV and there are proposals for at least another 11 sites which will take more time as they require new parking restrictions so the Traffic Regulation Orders will need to be amended to enable us to enforce these”.

 

Councillor Platts- Carton recycling

 

Thank you for your question.

Since July 2021, no further carton bins have been sited across the city.

Cityclean has recently completed a recycling point site audit to review all the existing sites across the city. Part of the reason for the audit was to identify where additional containers can go, particularly for materials which are not collected as part of standard kerbside or communal recycling, such as cartons.

There are also cost implications of placing more carton bins across the city which need to be considered. The full review of recycling point site audit and costed options for change will be presented to this committee in 2023/24.

 

Councillor Platts- Potholes

 

Thank you for your question. This relates to a specific ward issue and should be directed to the Members Enquiry Service.

 

Councillor Platts- Double yellow lines

 

Thank you for your question. This relates to a specific ward issue and should be directed to the Members Enquiry Service.

 

Councillor Platts- Tree replacement

 

Thank you for your question. This relates to a specific ward issue and should be directed to the Members Enquiry Service.

 

(C)      Members Letters

 

(1)           Local transport and environment issues associated with the operation of Mill Road Park & Ride, Westdene

 

42.18   Councillor Bagaeen presented a letter relating to transport and environment issues associated with the operation of Mill Road Park & Ride, Westdene.

 

42.19   The Chair provided the following response in writing:

 

Thank you for raising these issues with me by submitting your letter to the ETS committee.   I am sorry to read of the concerns that residents have expressed to you about parking, litter and graffiti in areas adjacent to the match day Mill Road Park + Ride site.

The council works closely with the football club on transport and travel arrangements for events and match days at the AmEx Stadium.  Therefore, in order to better understand the issues that are related to parking, it would be helpful to have more information about any specific dates when this is occurring, which roads are affected and what the scale of the problems are that are being reported.  This information can then be passed to the football club to initially review and comment on, and the options that may be available to address this can then be considered.

This information can be sent to Andrew Renaut, our Head of Transport Policy & Strategy, who will then liaise with the club.

 

42.20   Resolved- That the committee note the Letter.

 

(2)           Graffiti on shopfronts

 

42.21   Councillor Nemeth presented a Letter on various matters relating to graffiti and enforcement.

 

42.22   The Chair provided the following response:

 

In response to your specific questions:

 

Why are traders being so aggressively pursued when they are victims of crime, rather than perpetrators?;

We don’t agree that this approach is aggressive. A warning is issued to enable the property owner to deal with the tagging. The approach adopted is that which this committee agreed in November 2020.

 

Does the Council definitely have the power to follow through with the threatened actions?;

As stated in the November 2020 committee report:

·       The power to issue Community Protection Notices is found in section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. That section provides that a Community Protection Notice can only be issued if the individual or body concerned has been given written warning that a notice will be served unless the relevant conduct ceases, and that the conduct has continued.

 

How many cases have been pursued to date where graffiti has not been removed?;

 

190 Community Protection Warnings have been issued

 

67 Community Protection Notices have been issued

 

Of the 67 Notices issued, the majority have complied with the request with. For those that did not comply:

·       10 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued

·       And two remedial actions carried out where by Cityclean has removed the graffiti and the business has been asked to cover the cost

 

Will the wording now be changed to reflect the fact that the policy would be so much easier if traders were won over to the idea?; and

The wording of the letter cannot be changed as it needs to comply with the legislation. In recognition of this, a leaflet is provided to business owners alongside the letter, explaining why the council has adopted this approach and advice on what business owners can do to prevent graffiti.

 

Will the Council apologise for warnings that have been issued to date?

The warnings issued to date are in line with the approach that has been agreed by committee. I am sorry that you and some business owners feel the approach is aggressive.

We can look to put your proposal into the letter that goes out as suggested

 

42.23   Resolved- That the committee note the Letter.

 

(D)      Notices of Motion

 

(1)           Underground superbins

 

42.24   Councillor Nemeth moved the following Motion:

 

This committee:

 

1)    Notes concerns of residents and businesses regarding the state of the city, including unsightly and graffitied communal rubbish bins, often overflowing litter, that attract rats;

 

2)    Notes the recent roll-out of Underground Super-bins elsewhere in the UK, which can hold up to 5,000 litres of waste in containers below the street level; and

 

3)    Calls for a report into whether Underground Super-bins could be a solution to some of the waste problems Brighton & Hove.

42.25   Councillor Bagaeen formally seconded the Motion.

 

42.26   Councillor Wilkinson moved the following amendment to the Motion:

 

1)    Notes the recent successful roll-out of Underground Super-bins by the Labour Council in Liverpool elsewhere in the UK, which can hold up to 5,000 litres of waste in containers below the street level, are capable of eliminating issues associated with wheelie and communal street bins such as rats, flies and litter, and have the potential to help local authorities work towards building ‘Zero Waste Cities’ and;

2)    Calls for a report into whether Underground Super-bins could be a solution to

some of the waste problems Brighton & Hove, and how Brighton & Hove could work towards becoming a ‘Zero Waste City’.

 

42.27   Councillor Appich formally seconded the Motion.

 

42.28   Councillor Nemeth accepted the Labour Group amendment.

 

42.29   The Chair put the Motion as amended to the vote that passed.

 

42.30   Resolved-

 

This Committee:

 

1)    Notes concerns of residents and businesses regarding the state of the city, including unsightly and graffitied communal rubbish bins, often overflowing litter, that attract rats;

2)    Notes the recent successful roll-out of Underground Super-bins by the Labour Council in Liverpool, which can hold up to 5,000 litres of waste in containers below the street level, are capable of eliminating issues associated with wheelie and communal street bins such as rats, flies and litter, and have the potential to help local authorities work towards building ‘Zero Waste Cities’ and;

3)    Calls for a report into whether Underground Super-bins could be a solution to

some of the waste problems Brighton & Hove, and how Brighton & Hove could work towards becoming a ‘Zero Waste City’.

 

(2)           Public Toilets

 

42.31   Councillor Nemeth moved the following Motion:

 

This committee:

 

1)    Notes concerns from across the community about the sudden closure of 17 public toilet sites in the city;

 

2)    Recognises that the root cause of the closures is the Administration’s policy of insourcing the public toilet maintenance on 1^st February 2022, cancelling a 10-year maintenance contract that had been signed with Healthmatic in 2017; and

 

3)    Calls for an urgent report that considers all options to re-open public toilets at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

42.32   Councillor Bagaeen formally seconded the motion.

 

42.33   Councillor Platts moved the following amendment to the Motion:

 

 

1)    Notes concerns from across the community about the sudden closure of 17

public toilet sites in the city;

 

2)    Expresses concern that a report was not brought to committee before decisions were made about closures with regard to toilets not closed temporarily for refurbishments; Recognises that the root cause of the closures is the Administration’s policy of insourcing the public toilet maintenance on 1st February 2022, cancelling a 10-year maintenance contract that had been signed with Healthmatic in 2017; and

 

3)    Recognises that genuine consultation with ward councillors, local residents associations and stakeholders is required before any further closures are implemented;

4)    Restates the request at Full Council in July for alternative provision to be made available whilst refurbishment work is undertaken in locations that continue to be heavily used during the winter months, such as Hove Promenade, and requests officers consider interim measures including but not limited to the provision of portaloos;

5)    Requests officers:
a. engage with local businesses to see if their toilets can be made available for public use
b. ensure adequate signposting to these alternative facilities is provided

 

6)    3)Calls for an urgent report that considers all options to re-open public toilets at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

42.34   Councillor O’Quinn formally seconded the amendment.

 

42.35   Councillor Nemeth accepted the Labour Group amendment.

 

42.36   The Chair put the Motion as amended to the vote that was agreed.

 

42.37   Resolved-

 

This Committee:

1)    Notes concerns from across the community about the sudden closure of 17 public toilet sites in the city;

2)    Expresses concern that a report was not brought to committee before decisions were made about closures with regard to toilets not closed temporarily for refurbishments;

3)    Recognises that genuine consultation with ward councillors, local residents associations and stakeholders is required before any further closures are implemented;

4)    Restates the request at Full Council in July for alternative provision to be made available whilst refurbishment work is undertaken in locations that continue to be heavily used during the winter months, such as Hove Promenade, and requests officers consider interim measures including but not limited to the provision of portaloos;

5)    Requests officers:
a. engage with local businesses to see if their toilets can be made available  for public use
b. ensure adequate signposting to these alternative facilities is provided

Calls for an urgent report that considers all options to re-open public toilets at the earliest possible opportunity.