July 14th 2008 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

City College application being submitted

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secetary

Welcome to new members.  Apologies received from: Helen Cornish, Kevin Daley, Heather Hacker and Paley O'Connor.  (27 people in attendance.)

The Minutes for 9th June were accepted.

Police report

It was noted with regret that when the Pelham Square Action Group was convened there was a very small resident turn out.  This sends out the message that this is not an issue for residents.  It is important to ring in any reports of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing, as the more reports received the greater the priority given to the area.  The issue of the shoes hanging from telegraph wires was discussed, and a question was raised as to what these actions actually signified.  If you are concerned please contact the police (direct number to follow).

Licensing, planning and environment:

• Agreed to support the CAG recommendation to refuse the redevelopment of 1-2 Regent Street
• Agreed to make no comment regarding 13-16 Vine Street and 14 Kensington Place.
• The Black Horse are likely to apply for a licence for longer hours soon.
• If you are concerned about the legality of street furniture, please contact Roy Skam and if possible take photos.

City College redevelopment

Maggie Deacon updated the meeting.  The application will be submitted in the next couple of weeks.  This is a very challenging site and the college are constrained by trying to balance the funding requirements, the student needs and the concerns of the community.  The team has looked into addressing all the concerns that have been raised and have carried out assessments as requested, the results of which have meant some changes to the plans. These are available upon request.  They will be repeating the consultation with the community and will ensure that all residents are informed of this process.  After the plans have been submitted a meeting of interested NLCA residents will be arranged to make comments on these. Please contact Peter Crowhurst if you want to be part of this meeting.  Additional comments can be made via the NLCA website.

Communal rubbish bins

Councillor Ian Davey advised that the results of the survey for Area 12 (which covers North Laine) showed that of the 25% of residents who responded, 69% were in favour, and 22% against communal bins.  A recommendation will be made to the Cabinet Minister in September, who will make the final decision.

Runner

Brighton Society

They are assessing and commenting on Brighton & Hove's 'Core Strategy'.

North Laine Traders Association (NLTA)

• They are launching a competition for a two minute video that sums up traders in the North Laine.
• Their newsletter will be two sides of A4 in future to reduce paper usage.

Social Events:

• Pelham Square picnic:  Will be held on 17 August, 2-5 pm, so bring your picnic and meet your neighbours! We need a 'meet and greet' person for this event. Anyone interested please contact Peter Crowhurst.

• Tea Party: This has been arranged for Sunday 7 Sept, 3-5 pm at the Pavilion Gardens Café

• Theatre group:  Next event is 'Old Times' by Harold Pinter on 18 September - please contact Peter Crowhurst

• Street Parties: Over Street and Frederick Gardens are joining together for their street parties. The party in Kensington Place is being organised....again other streets are encouraged to join in and hold their own.  If you have questions on how to run a street party there are some tips on the website.

Speaker: Geoff Mead on 'Cultivated with great spirit' - a history of market gardening in North Laine'

Geoff told the story of small-scale food production in and around Brighton, as it developed and evolved to service a growing tourist trade and increased population.  The North Laine is fortunate to have very fertile soil so was very well placed to play an important role in feeding Brighton and its many visitors.  As the population grew so the market gardens had to move further and further out, leaving many street names across North Laine as their legacy.