February 9th 2009 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Updates from City College and Southern Water

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint secretary

Introduction

All were welcomed, particularly new members. 27 attended. Apologies were received from Jonathan Bromberg, Margaret Daly, Lizzie Deane, Helen Cornish, Bruce Smith, Peter Stocker.

Minutes of last meeting

These were approved.

Matters arising

- 31 Queens Gardens roof light has planning permission.

- It was confirmed that the speaker at the AGM will be the Head Gardener at the Pavilion.

Environment

Planning

City College: Charles Blunt gave an update.

The major funders, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), have placed all applications on hold for the next 3 months. The College have met with a regional representative of the LSC and they have assured them that the plan is still on the programme as they recognise the importance of the vocational training that the College offers. A decision from the regional council is expected in April and then it will go to the national council. There is some concern regarding phase II, as with the financial downturn the amount the College can recover from the sale of buildings is much less. They are seeking to work with the LSC to come up with a compromise on this. The city council has granted an extension on the plans until 18 March 2009.

Southern Water – North Road works

These works replacing both gas and water pipes are planned in three sections for traffic management and it is expected that each section will take between 2-3 months. The project managers are very well aware of the disruption that this will cause and ask that if residents have any issues or deliveries you let them know as soon as possible and they will work to accommodate your needs. Any planned stoppages for gas and water that will affect residents will be notified in writing. Southern Water operate an ‘open ears’ approach, so please see the article in the next Runner for contact details. There have been some issues of drivers behaving dangerously and if residents see this then please report it to the site managers.

NB The meeting agreed to write a letter to The Argus supporting Southern Water for being consultative and communicative.

Other applications

- It was agreed to make no comment on the following applications: Season’s Café, 22 North Road, 31 Tidy Street and 13 New Road.

- It was agreed that Helen Cornish should write a letter in general support of the Brighton Railway Station illuminations in the Trafalgar Street underpass.

Licensing

Fountain Head: Simon Wolpin from Inn Brighton, the owner of the Fountain Head, attended to answer questions. Following two representations from the NLCA concerning potential disturbance in Cheltenham Place, a variation application has been agreed: there will be less seating and a wall is to be built to stop clients spilling onto the street. The pub needs to mend some bridges with the residents.

Other issues

- Komedia have advertised to let out their upstairs venue.

- It was agreed that we should paraphrase the inspector's comments regarding gas heaters for the next Runner.

- A question was asked about who is liable for rat infestation resulting from communal bins. Letter to go to CityClean clarifying this.

Reports

Runner

We need Street Representatives for Robert Street, Blenheim Place and North Road.

Police

There will be a street surgery at the Library on 23 February, 12-3 pm

Traders

The Traders Association AGM is on 24 March at the Lord Nelson with Geoff Mead speaking. Due to limited space please contact Peter Stocker if you wish to attend.

Website group

This will next meet on 18th February.

Other groups

There were no reports from the Brighton Society or Living Streets.

Social events

Theatre Group

The next theatre visit will be to ‘A few good men’ on 2 April. See Peter Crowhurst for tickets.

Other

Geoff Mead has agreed to lead a walk from North Laine to The Lanes on Thursday 23 April.

Any other business

Keith Taylor has recently had surgery and we all wish him well.