June 8th 2009 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Researching your family history

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secretary

Welcome

Welcome to all, particularly new members. 18 attended. Apologies from Christine Clark-Lowes, Margaret Daly, Lizzie Deane, Roy Skam.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting were approved.

Our speaker

Sally Blann, from the Brighton History Centre, spoke to us about the rewards of researching family history and explained the many and varied resources available to support your research. She explained that, whatever draws you in, there are many places to get information, although it can be a time-consuming process. If you are starting out, pick one path and follow it - this will help keep it manageable - and try to be well-organised and systematic in your searches. The History Centre is a great resource to help you start and continue your journey, so go and find them on the first floor of the Museum.

Environment

Licensing

The newsagent at 33 Sydney Street has been granted a licence to sell alcohol 8am - 11pm every day.

The Queen's Road Tesco's licence hearing is on 23 June and the NLCA will be objecting.

Planning

London Road Masterplan: This is available online and comments are welcomed from all residents up to 6 July. It was noted that the plan is not particularly specific so it is difficult to respond. Barry Leigh and Sandy Crowhurst will be reviewing the plan and responding on behalf of the NLCA. There is concern that, whatever the plan, there is not any money to implement it. Another London Road is to hold drop-in sessions on the SPD on 9 and 10 June between 6.30 - 8.30pm at Calvary Church, Preston Circus.

It was agreed to make no comment on the following applications: 34 Marlborough Place, 41 Bond Street, 5 Frederick Gardens and 144 North Street.

It was noted that we had already objected on principle to the change of use A1 to A3 for Utopia Cafe, 49 Gardner Street.

Re the rear of 100 North Road, the meeting felt that this retail application was positive for North Laine. However, due to the proximity to residents, it was agreed unanimously by the meeting to ask for conditions to be added to the application around noise, rubbish disposal, hours to be restricted to 6pm, and staff smoking.

The meeting wanted to support Vine Street residents with any issues they are having with "Bills".

Reports

Runner

A couple of people have shown an interest in fulfilling the advertising role.

Brighton Society 

The AGM is on Thursday 18 June at Brighthelm Church and Community Centre at 7.30pm.

Police

No report.

Traders

No report.

Website group

The group is arranging a social quiz, to be held at the Lord Nelson pub on 9 July. The cost would be £5 per person and limited to 40 people. Food will be provided by the NLCA, however any contributions are welcome.

Living Streets

Bruce Smith has just completed the street audit of Gloucester Road.

Social events

Theatre group 

The next theatre visit will be to "Hayfever" by Noel Coward on 25 June.

Any other business

Some time ago we received £1,000 as a legacy from Ted Warburton. Any ideas are welcomed for a final proposal in Oct/Nov 2009. The group considering this is holding its first meeting this Friday 12 June.