October 13th 2008 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Changes to refuse and recycling arrangements: - communal bins

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secretary

Welcome to new members.  Apologies received from Henry Bruce, David Coleman, Peter and Sandy Crowhurst, Lizzie Deane, PCO John Sharman, Sharon Thomas.   (22 people in attendance.)

The Minutes for 8th September were accepted.

Main Topic: Changes to refuse and recycling arrangements in Brighton - communal bins

Gillian Marston, Assistant Director of Cityclean and Cityparks, outlined the planned changes which will be implemented over the next year or so.  The Council has just completed work on a new waste transfer station at Hollingbury.  The accessibility of this site will save a lot of time and enable efficiencies to be made in route design, which in turn will mean a reduction in refuse collection crew numbers.  In addition, from February 2009 a new recycling sorting facility will be completed which will reduce the need for residents to sort recycling.  It has also been agreed that communal bins will be introduced into the North Laine from June 2009.  This decision has been taken after positive feedback from the consultation and trials in the Montpelier and Clifton areas.

The placementof the 3,200 litre communal bins in the North Laine has been planned carefully, attempting to ensure that they are not put outside private residences and that they don't interfere with doors, windows or sightlines. However, this is difficult and it may be that some minor changes can be made if residents contact the Council.  It was noted that some residents had issues about the placement of a couple of bins and that the Council had not been responsive to their concerns. Gillian agreed to look into these.  Placement etc will be reviewed periodically once the scheme is in place.  100 car parking spaces will be lost across the city centre in implementing this scheme - but feedback showed that this was not seen as a major problem.
The bins will be emptied at least three times a week including at weekends and during bank holiday weeks depending on need, which will reduce the possibility of smelling and overflowing.  Experience has shown that fly-tipping should not be a problem.  The bins will be operated via a foot pedal and those that need assistance will be offered this in the run-up to implementation.

Although the binevelope scheme has been effective in reducing rubbish bags being attacked by birds, it has not  been used consistently by residents. It cannot be rolled out across the city centre as it does not meet the needs of multi-storey flats etc.

The recycling collection will not be affected by the introduction of communal bins.

Planning and environment

Licensing: Nothing to report on licensing from Roy.  There was a question regarding the legality of the 'smoking area' at the back of the Brighton Tavern.

Planning applications: The meeting agreed not to comment on: 18 Sydney Street, 81 Gloucester Road, Evolution - 42 Bond Street, My Hotel - 17 Jubilee Street, Flat 11, The Old School House, 35 Frederick Place.  And to re-object to: 1 Regent Street.

City College: They had now submitted their application, and as this is a major development the November meeting will focus on this as the main topic.  The details of the application are on both the Council and the City College websites.

Reports:

Runner: Apologies for the delay in the last issue and thanks to Ruth who covered for the absent Street Reps.

NL Traders Association: There is a desire to continue this positive relationship.

Living Streets: Nothing to report.

Social events: