February 8th 2010 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

History of South Downs National Park

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint Secretary

All were welcomed, particularly new members. 21 people attended. Apologies were received from Maureen Brand, Bobbie Cheesman, Lizzie Deane, Terry Etherton and Bruce Smith.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

History Centre

The strength of community feeling against the decision to close the History Centre has forced the Council to reconsider its decision.  The Centre will be kept open, at least for the time being.

South Downs National Park campaign 1990 - 2010

Chris Todd, the South Downs Campaign Coordinator, took us through the interesting and chequered history of gaining National Park status for the South Downs.  On 1 April 2010, the interim South Downs National Park Authority Board will be established and will work towards being fully up and running by 1 April 2011.  From this time, the Council will no longer have planning control of the area.

Although there are no guarantees, National Park status could lead to:

- improved infrastructure,  eg better bus links to the South Downs;

- greater transport integration, eg bikes on buses and trains;

- improved and safer access;

- low key accommodation flourishing in the South Downs area;

- better understanding and awareness of the downs and their significance;

- action to counter deterioration in rights of way;

- increased biodiversity;

- economic benefits to the area;

- greater long term protection for the downs.

National Park status is a tool to deliver these improvements, not an end in itself.

Environment

Licensing

No applications have been submitted this month.

There have been two hearings:

-  Mulberrys, York Place, were granted a licence from 7am – 2am. We had objected. Sandy Crowhurst had attended the hearing and was disappointed that no resident or trader was there.

- Music Library restaurant were granted a licence from 8am – 12pm (to empty by 12.30pm) with the following conditions: no music at all; 20 outside covers (reduced from 60) to be completed by 10pm; earliest refuse collection at 7.30am; no rubbish to be put out after 10.30pm.

Planning

It was agreed to make no comment on applications relating to 4 Tichborne Street, 45 Gloucester Street, 114 Church Street and 11-12 Trafalgar Street/25 Pelham Square.

18 Bond Street - The meeting voted (12 for suggestion / 4 for no objection) to suggest that double doors with a fixed glass panel be considered, instead of bifold doors (which tend to be the type liked by restaurants).

95 Trafalgar Street – It was agreed to object, as we have done to previous applications.

10 Kensington Gardens – It was agreed that we write and object to the upgrade of plant on the roof at the rear of the building backing on to Upper Gardner Street, to support residents.

Reports

Runner

The latest edition has received very positive feedback – well done to Jackie Fuller and all contributors. There has been increased interest from advertisers and there were a number of new adverts for this edition, particularly from Trafalgar Street, thanks to the focus on the street and the work of Kevin Daly.

We now have street representatives for all streets and in some cases we have reserves!

We still have no long term solution to the need for an advertising coordinator, but if any resident is interested in helping in any way - perhaps with one or two issues or one or two advertisers - please contact Jackie Fuller.

Brighton Society

Stanmer House is up for sale.

Police

The police have been working on distributing leaflets about cycle prohibition and posters on late night noise. They have had some resources to undertake the stopping and ticketing of drivers on Sydney Street and will undertake more when resources are available. They have also undertaken an assessment of road signage and have a plan for improvements.  Clarification is being sought on North Laine’s 20 mph speed restrictions.

Parking by Dominos drivers is still a fluctuating problem.

Traders

The traders thanked the NLCA for the recent article in the Runner.

Website group

The group’s next meeting will be on 4 March 2010.

Living Streets

The bin in Robert Street has been moved.  Living Streets are speaking to the Council regarding pavement gritting and are looking at pig pen railings. They have also made a submission regarding 20mph speed restrictions.

Social events

Theatre Group

The Theatre Group will be going to see ‘The Seagull’, by Anton Chekov, on 11 March.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Peter Crowhurst.

Any other business

The AGM will be on 19 April 2010. Lynne Arnold will ask Rose Collis - one of the authors of the Brighton Encyclopaedia - to speak.

It was agreed to put a copy of the Local Action Team priorities on the agenda for each meeting.