May 10th 2010 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

The future of the NLCA

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA Secretary

Welcome to all, particularly new members.  16 people attended.

Apologies were received from Ian Davey, Lizzie Deane, Keith Taylor, Gabrielle Villermet and Pete West.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Licensing

10 Kensington Gardens (Chilango’s): have had their application to close at 11pm (reduced from midnight) granted.  The owners have been communicative and have established good relations with NLCA representatives.  If any resident wants details of the solicitors acting, contact Roy Skam.

Seasons Café: our objection was rejected - the change was considered "a minor variation", as the licence application did not change the number of opening hours and didn’t extend into the hours 11pm – 7am.

Planet Bollywood are looking to take over the ex-Barfly on York Place. They are applying for a licence but there is no detail as yet.

Planning

It was agreed to make no comment on applications for: 95 Trafalgar Street, King's Court, King Street, 52-55 Trafalgar Street, 48 Kensington Place and 112 Gloucester Road.

10 Kensington Gardens (Chilango’s): objection has been sent as externally illuminated projecting signs are against Council rules for conservation areas.  The application regarding plant (discussed at previous meetings) has been withdrawn.

52-55 Trafalgar Street (Toy and Model Museum): Sandy Crowhurst was asked to write to the Council saying that the proposed murals are a great idea.

Local Action Team priorities

PC Ben Jameson introduced himself as one of the now four PCs assigned to our neighbourhood team (a 100% increase).  The priorities for this team come from responding to crime trends as well as the priorities from the Local Action Teams within the area.  

It is interesting that a lot of crime within the North Laine is actually not against locals, but visitors.

1.   Antisocial behaviour: it is questionable whether increased resources within the area would have any real effect.  It is a very difficult problem to solve, but advertising/publicity about the effects may help.  This is really a problem because of the Licensing Act. It was agreed to ask the police licensing officer to attend a future meeting.

2.   20mph speed limits: All of North Laine has a 20mph speed limit, but it is not currently enforceable due to the signage being inadequate.  The police are in contact with the Council regarding this.

3.   Cycles: Most theft is by organised gangs and the police have had some significant success by catching two individuals.  Cycle routes through North Laine, like those in the rest of the city, are unclear or confusing.

Future of NLCA

The issues of having no chair, a reluctant secretary and no advertising coordinator for the Runner still remain.

The amendments to the constitution mean that Peter Crowhurst, who was elected as vice-chair, can continue to chair meetings.  However this does not answer the question of why people are not coming forward.

The issue of not having an advertising coordinator is a problem - as Jackie is not able to continue to do this role - which means that we won’t have any ongoing advertising to pay for the Runner.

After a lot of frank discussion, it was agreed that we need to go back to residents to ask what they want from the NLCA.  Lynne Arnold is to write an article for the front of the Runner.

It was agreed to pursue the idea of working with City College – getting students to support the Runner’s production.  This is a long-term option.  Peter Crowhurst will take this idea forward.

Reports

Runner

See above

Brighton Society

No report.

Police

See above

Traders

No report

Living Streets

Living Streets is working to get clutter removed from Trafalgar Road, Gloucester Street and Gloucester Road.

Website group

No report

Social events

Theatre group

The group is going to see Romeo and Juliet on 24 June.  Contact Peter Crowhurst if you are interested in coming along.

Any other business

A grant has been approved for the history trail leaflet.  This will be finalised very soon.