March 9th 2009 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Reducing the carbon footprint of public transport

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secetary

Welcome

Welcome to all, particularly new members. 28 attended. Apologies from Matthew Birch, Peter Crowhurst, Lizzie Deane, Geoff Mead, and Sharon Thomas

Minutes of last meeting

The Minutes of the last meeting were approved, with the addition of Jackie Fuller being added to the apologies.

Speaker from the Big Lemon Bus Company

Tom Druitt, the founder of the Big Lemon Bus Company, explained the ethos behind the company and their plans for the future. The company seeks to reduce the pollution and carbon footprint of public transport and bus and coach services while keeping it affordable for all.

Their current services include:

• a regular bus service between Brighton city centre and Falmer, which is competitive to the city bus service and which accepts bus passes
• private bus and coach hire; and
• services to major festivals over the summer.

All their buses run on bio-diesel processed locally from waste cooking oil from across Sussex. They have a club model which allows for people to invest in the Big Lemon's expansion of services within and outside Brighton & Hove. If anyone is interested in knowing more please see their website www.thebiglemon.com or ring 01273 681681.

Environment

Licensing

There were no applications to comment on.

Responding to a number of issues regarding increased noise and public nuisance outside pubs in the North Laine, Roy presented a draft report to send to the Licensing Strategy Group, requesting:

• That the North Laine be included in the Cumulative Impact Area;
• A greater police presence on Friday nights at closing time within the area;
• More police monitoring of pavement drinking;
• Licence reviews of pubs causing a public nuisance.

The report was proposed by Jackie Fuller and seconded by Ruth Goodall and passed unanimously.

Concern was expressed regarding the future of Komedia.

Planning 

The meeting agreed to make no comment on the following applications: GB Liners, 12 Frederick St; 23 North Pl, Aspect House - 84-87 Queens Rd, Block K, Brighton Station, and 101-102 North Rd.

Reports

Runner 

The date of collection is 4 pm on Thursday 26 March from Ruth Goodall, 50 Tidy Street.

Police

There are continuing problems with squatters - residents are asked to report anything to the Police as soon as possible. Also there has been an increase in unlicensed DVD sellers in the area. If you are aware of where they are operating, please let the police know.

Traders 

The Traders' AGM is on 24 March at the Lord Nelson pub with Geoff Mead speaking. The Council are reviewing the street furniture licencing rules, and if you have any comments to make please contact Ian Denyer at the Council.

Website group

The group would like to encourage people to make comments on the website pages so that it becomes more of an interactive forum. The group is considering having a social event to celebrate the first anniversary.

Brighton Society 

The public enquiry into the Royal Alex building is to take place on 12-15 May at Brighton Town Hall.

Living Streets

No report. Plans are still being finalised to replace signposting in the area.

Social events

Any other business 

Following the success of last year's heritage weekend open houses, there is a plan to make this year much bigger and higher profile. We need residents to volunteer their houses for this event. It will be focused around Foundry Street due to its industrial past.