September 14th 2009 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Inspector Leet hears of anti-social behaviour in the North Laine

Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secretary

Welcome

A welcome was extended to all, particularly new members. 22 attended. Apologies were given from Christine Clark-Lowes, Helen Cornish, Margaret Daly, and Geoff Mead.

Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved. Kevin Daly reported that he appreciated the support given by the association and by Sandy Crowhurst with his objection to Mange Tout's licensing application.

The main speaker, Inspector Leet

Inspector Robert Leet, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Central Brighton, spoke to the meeting. He explained how his team of 3 Sergeants, 9 Police Constables, and 28 Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs) cover the area from Kemp Town across to the Hove border and up to Preston Circus. The teams are split into areas which are natural geographic, social or historical areas; 1 Sergeant, 2 Police Constables and 6-7 PCSOs are allocated to the North Laine area. The local action team (LAT) which sets the three priorities for the police team is for the North Laine the NLCA meeting. Priorities need to be reasonable and focused.

Inspector Leet heard how anti-social behaviour in the form of noise, low level vandalism late at night caused by revellers winding their way through the North Laine to the station causes much stress to residents. Unfortunately there is no mechanism to report these incidents as there is no criminal damage and noise is not at a particular property.

As there is no official record the Council do not believe that the problem exists and therefore are not inclined to include the North Laine in the Cumulative Impact Area. Inspector Leet agreed to look at what the Council counts as evidence, as well as to investigate options for setting up a website log for anti-social incidents.

Ideas for police priorities for the area included addressing the congestion at the bottom of Trafalgar Street; rogue cyclists; bicycle thefts, and traffic speed in the North Laine. A number of these things need to be addressed by the Highways Department. This might be an option for a future meeting.

Environment

Licensing

The applications for the Gloucester Street and Aruna's News were both granted. The hearing regarding Bill's Produce Store granted the alcohol licence from 8am - 10pm; there are still issues regarding the rubbish, smoking, noise and deliveries and residents will continue to document this.

Tim Nicholls is on record as supporting the Licensing Act in 'The Publican'.

The meeting agreed to object to the applications form the Green Door Store, Lower Goods Yards at Brighton Station and 'Go Local', 93 North Road.

Planning

The meeting agreed to make no comment on the following applications: 29 Queens Gardens; 104 North Road; 44 North Road; 17 Jubilee Street; 2 Upper Gardner Street; 73-75 Trafalgar Street; Unit 6, Block 4, Jubilee Street.

The meeting agreed unanimously to object to the application for 114 Church Street.

Reports

Runner

The collection for the next issue will be on 1 Oct from 50 Tidy Street from 4pm. There are still no permanent advertising coordinators yet. If anyone is interested please contact Jackie Fuller.

Brighton Society

The planning officers are now preparing a new brief for the Royal Alex. The hearing regarding the 'Explore Living' plans for the Brighton Marina will start on 3 November.

Police

In August there were 91 incidents of antisocial behaviour, and 32 reported missing persons, which distracts resources for other priorities. The police have caught two graffiti artists, Silo and Posh.

Traders

No report was received. It was agreed to thank Peter Stocker for all the work he has done for the association.

Website group

A new website editor has joined the group.

Living Streets

No report was received.

Social events

Theatre Group - The next theatre visit will be to 'The Pillowman' by Martin McDonagh on 1 Oct. Then Blood Brothers (play not musical) on 5 November. Contact Peter Crowhurst if you are interested in attending.

Pavilion Gardens Cafe - The meeting agreed to thank David Sewell for the fantastic tea for residents in the Pavillion Gardens Cafe.

Any other business