February 11th 2008 - meeting minutes

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

The challenges of climate change and peak oil

Attendance

23 people attended.

Apologies

Mark Erickson, Paley O'Connor, Emma Gardner

Minutes and matters arising

- It is Stella Mainstone not Sheila as last correction to minutes had it!

- It is the 'Commemorative Plaque Panel' (not blue plaque) that has agreed to a plaque in Kensington Gardens to mark the site of Anita Roddick's first Body Shop, to be paid for by private subscription.

- And it is the British Ex-Boxers Association that is commemorating the 19th century boxing champion Tom Sayer in Orange Row.

Main topic

John Bristow gave a very interesting talk about Transition Towns (TTs) - see www.transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk. There are currently 35 TTs, which aim to 'inspire, educate and support our community in mobilising responses to the challenges of climate change and peak oil'. They focus on reducing consumption of and reliance on oil, increasing local sustainability and resilience - which also necessitates building strong local communities. TT B&H has special interest groups on a range of topics, eg energy, transport, food, buildings, local economy etc - and about 200 members. Anyone is welcome to go along to meetings and see if they are interested in them.

Planning and environment

Barry Leigh and Gabrielle Villermet reported.

-       36 Church St (old 2nd hand clothes shop): two options, refurbish or new structure with façade kept, rest demolished, increased height. NLCA prefers refurbishment but second option is improved from last application.

-       Old Music Library: internal changes to a spa, retail area and café. NLCA no comments as all internal.

-       99 North Road (Foam Shop): NLCA will object to loss of gap between North Road and Vine Street, which is typical of the North Laine but which will be lost under current proposal.

-       19 Gardner St (Hemp Shop): change of use from Retail (A1) to café/takeaway (A3/A5). NLCA will object in line with its policy of supporting diverse uses.

-       Jubilee St (Giraffe café on corner): internally illuminated sign. Against planning guidance for conservation area so NLCA will express concerns that it should not be too intrusive.

-       Queensbury House, Queen's Road and 10-12 Frederick Street: additional 2 storeys. NLCA will object as already too high at 5 storeys - but will not object to 2 new maisonettes on Frederick Street.

Licensing

Roy Skam reported.

-       The George, Trafalgar Street: want to reinstate live music 10am to midnight 7 days a week. ACTION: Peter Crowhurst to alert local residents. Meeting felt that midnight is very late especially as live music will be much louder than background recorded music as now.  NLCA will object if residents do.  Cllr Davey happy to speak for residents too.

-       Update on NLCA at licensing hearings is that NLCA can speak provided it has the names and addresses of those the NLCA is representing. This is a slight shift of position from excluding NLCA as before.

-       Cumulative Impact Area: this doesn't reach North Laine, only North Road, but North Laine will be monitored.

-       White Rabbit pub (formerly Garden) in Kensington Gardens: Environmental Health has decided that its smoking terrace in the rear is a statutory nuisance.

Reports

Runner: Mark was thanked for his letter to street reps, which helped produce a much better response for collection. Next issue is the AGM one, so officers' reports are needed as soon as possible.

Other amenity societies: There is some debate about the future of the Brighton Society, as Selma Montford wants to do less work than previously. The Kingscliffe Society may have to close as it lacks officers.

North Laine Traders Association: Their AGM will be on 11th March at 6pm at Komedia.

Web Group: This is well underway but there is still space to get involved. No experience is required but members do need to have a computer.

Funds: T reasurer Clifford Jaques reported that the NLCA has received a legacy of £1000 from the family of Ted and Joan Warburton, ideally for Pelham Square improvements. NLCA will get together with the Friends of Pelham Square to organise something in the context of overall improvements.

Any other business

- NLCA has been approached by Street Party UK about making Brighton the street party capital of the year!  This depends on the energies of individuals and streets, not the NLCA.

- QueenSpark Books is running a free photography course on four Saturday mornings.

- City College redevelopment: the coverage in The Argus was inaccurate, as there will be a public consultation later over the plans.

- The Trafalgar Street Post Office is expected to close on February 22nd. The meeting expressed outrage and upset that there will be no Post Office in the North Laine.