October 8th 2007 - meeting minutes

Loaves and Fishes sculpture by John Skelton, Brighthelm Church and Community Centre

Noise in our streets confirmed as nuisance by Council officer

Attendance

34 people. The meeting welcomed a number of new residents, including Claire Garton from Over Street and Rev David Coleman, new at Brighthelm.

Apologies

Sara Bragg,  Kevin Daly

Minutes

The minutes of the September meeting were agreed. Matters arising from the minutes were dealt with later in this meeting, but Mark noted that the two street parties, in Over Street and Tidy Street, had been a great success. Tidy Street had not needed the £75 grant from the NLCA, Over Street did use their money, and the NLCA now owned two more portable gazebos for future events.

Licensing in the North Laine

Tim Nichols, Head of Licensing and Planning at Brighton & Hove City Council, addressed the meeting on the topic of licensing, specifically as it affects the North Laine. He introduced the subject by reflecting on some recent changes: the new licensing act that allowed '24-hour drinking', anti-smoking legislation, new forms of control inside licensed premises, the difficulties of enforcement and the challenges facing the environmental health officers, particularly those arising from noise complaints.

The meeting heard that there had been a 8.7% decrease in public place violent crime since the new licensing act came into force, and only a very modest rise in the number of licences in Brighton, and these probably due to more off-licences opening. He noted that noise in streets was most definitely a nuisance, but this was difficult to prevent through enforcement. Overall he described a mixed picture, where a major industry for Brighton & Hove was changing quite rapidly, with some new problems emerging but others decreasing.

In the following lively debate a number of members raised issues specific to their locale and vicinity. We also heard from members of the licensed trade, who are doing their best to comply with legislation and ensure good relations with their neighbours. Tim Nichols was surprised to hear that attempts by NLCA to speak at licensing hearings had been refused by licensing officers and told us he would look into this matter. NLCA is an interested party and has every right to make representations at licensing hearings.

The meeting thanked Mr Nichols for a very useful and enlightening session. Tim Nichols, in return, asked the meeting for its opinion on the street market in Upper Gardner Street. We again collectively affirmed our support for this historic market and urged the Council to rectify any anomalies concerning parking to ensure that the market can continue unimpeded.

Planning

Barry Leigh and Gabrielle Villermet introduced the most recent planning applications.

Group reports

Runner: the meeting thanked Jackie Fuller for yet another superb Runner.

Social: the two street parties were a great success and represented all that was good about the NLCA.

Any other business

The Secretary reported that NLCA had been approached by the Council concerning the siting of new, covered cycle racks in Tichborne Street. Following an examination of the plans and discussion - including noting that, although on-street, these cycle racks would not remove any car parking spaces - the meeting agreed that they deserved support.