November 12th 2007 - meeting minutes
The 'Loaves and Fishes' sculpture by John Skelton at Brighthelm Church and Community Centre
All licence extensions to be opposed
Attendance
17 people. Welcome to Wendy Kassamani from Kemp Street and Will Boden from Over Street, attending for the first time.
Apologies
Mark Erickson, Francis-Clark-Lowes, Barry Leigh, Roy Skam, Sarah Dunsmure, Paley O'Connor, Elly, Gerry Roberts, Henry Law, Peter Stocker, Rev David Coleman
Minutes and matters arising
Elly is happy to talk to a future meeting about organising street parties (meeting suggested the spring might be a good time). There are some paper plates, tablecloths etc from the Tidy Street party for future social events.
Planning
There were no controversial issues - most applications had already been discussed.
D Lewis had written in about the Astoria Bingo Hall, which is in disrepair. Not sure what can be done about it, but it is owned by Stomp. ACTION: Peter Crowhurst will reply suggesting she contact Stomp to complain.
Sustainable Building Design, a consultation document. Gabrielle Villermet and Barry Leigh had both looked at this, commended the aim but felt that the language was complex and that they were not qualified to comment. Cllr Ian Davey said it was felt to be pushing forward the sustainability agenda, although implementation and enforcement are key to its effectiveness.
There was some discussion about outdoor heaters and their environmental unfriendliness. Freestanding ones do not require planning permission, but those fixed to a building do. (It was noted that two such have appeared on the Heart and Hand).
Licensing
Peter Crowhurst reminded the meeting that the NLCA policy is to oppose all extensions of licences due to the 'cumulative impact' in this area, and to oppose all new applications. The meeting, after discussion, agreed that it still supported this position given the density of residential dwellings in the area, the problems of minor rowdiness later into the night, not wanting North Laine to be known as an area to come to late at night, etc.
Application by the Gloucester Club to remove restrictions on under 18s. If this is for alcohol-free events for young people or to attract families to the restaurant, the meeting agreed that it would support this move.
Application by Giraffe, café-restaurant due to open opposite Starbucks on the Jubilee site, for music and alcohol to midnight. It already has A3 permission so it is not possible to object, but NLCA will write to point out that it originally opposed the A3 application on the grounds that too many permissions of this nature risked homogenising the area and losing the diversity that is the appeal of the North Laine - and that our concerns are being borne out.
Gardens, pub on Kensington Gardens, has applied for an extension. ACTION: Peter Crowhurst will leaflet local residents to ensure they are aware, deadline November 27th.
Report on licensing hearings
Bill's - Council granted an extension to 11pm, but set conditions in response to residents' concerns, eg no deliveries between 11 and 5.30am, need for a staff member to be present from 5.30, waiter service only for drinks. This was felt to be a positive outcome for neighbours.
Basketmakers withdrew its application for later opening to 1am on Thursday and to amend the need to clear the outdoor tables by 8pm. The situation has been very difficult for neighbours, and it was suggested there may be a licensing review if residents support this and continue to log any concerns over the winter.
Reports
Runner - deadline end of week. Collection Friday 30th November 4-7pm or Saturday 1st. Margaret Daly and Henry Bruce offered to deliver to North Road, but the street representative vacancy will be advertised in the Runner in case a North Road resident comes forward.
A student from Sussex University is making a documentary about the North Laine and regeneration/gentrification.
Brighton Society - Sandy Crowhurst noted that there are proposals for redeveloping Brighton General that were so poorly publicised that the Brighton Society has asked for more public consultation.
No report on the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum conference.
Communal bins
Peter Crowhurst went on a tour of the site for the bins and produced maps to show where they are proposed. The Council's rules are that they should not be in front of people's houses, not in a parking bay (only one will be lost in the North Laine), and should be on 'walk routes' so that people deposit rubbish on their way to the shops etc. They would be emptied every day and cleaned occasionally. Most will be in the road and some on raised pavements. The meeting was generally well disposed to the idea, mainly because binvelopes have proved so problematic and messy. It was felt there was a need for consultation before, and possibly after, they have been in place for a while. There were concerns about the impact on recycling and the fact that this represents a move away from any possibility for 'pay as you throw' schemes. It was felt that the Council must use any savings for encouraging recycling.
Queen's Gardens
No resident attended but emails from Gerry Roberts and Henry Law were read out and noted - problems of mess from binvelopes etc. Cllr Davey has worked with Gerry Roberts to get graffiti cleared and the Council is now trying to enforce appropriate binvelope behaviour, so there are some signs of improvement.
Valerie Kippax noted that the Council had not responded to her complaint about Southern Water debris left in Upper Gardner Street. ACTION: Cllr Davey to follow up.
Future meetings
ACTION: Sara Bragg to ask Sarah Lewis to speak on Transition Towns, maybe February. Susie Lloyd may be able to arrange a speaker on Trading Standards. Ian Davey to ask in the Council about a speaker on insulation and other environmental measures.
Social events
Theatre Group next outing 13th December. Discussed arrangements for December Social including debating whether wine should be bought from local independents. Agreed to ask for a small donation towards costs.
Any other business
Due to serious health issues Sara and Mark, the 'tumour twins', have to step down as secretaries in January, earlier than foreseen. Kevin, Gabrielle, Sandy etc kindly agreed to step in to manage minute-taking, distribution, Runner reminders etc in the short term. However, Sara and Mark's four-year term of office was due to end in April anyway and there is a need for someone to take this on on a more permanent basis.
Brighthelm has written to ask for a donation to its Christmas Day meal. Agreed to give £50, but to mention to the vicar some reservations about the event that were aired at the meeting. ACTION: Sara
Will Boden pointed out that there is a Council Community Development Fund - money for engaging the local community, encouraging participation, etc. Deadline mid-December. There may be scope to apply for something for Pelham Square. ACTION: Elly and Sara B may look at this, or defer to next year.
This page was added on 07/03/2008.