December 13th 2010 - meeting minutes

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

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

Speakers and topics for future meetings

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA Secretary

Welcome to all, particularly new members.  Apologies were received from Helen Cornish, Taji Dhaliwal, and Roy Skam.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the October 2010 meeting were approved, as were those for the November 2010 meeting, with the amendment that Phil Fryer is from City College, not the City Council.

Planning and licensing

Based on the Standing Orders agreed at the last meeting, only planning applications that have no precedent were discussed.

Planning

We have been contacted with regard to plans for The Level.  The meeting agreed to invite a representative from the Council to our February meeting.

Licensing

The Trawlerman had their application for an alcohol licence until 2am approved. 

The hearings for Go Local and Sainsbury's are taking place on Monday 20th December 2010.

50 Kensington Place update

Peter Crowhurst attended a recent full Council meeting and asked two questions for Councillor Maria Caulfield, Cabinet Member for Housing.  He was very disappointed with the responses and has written a series of complaint letters regarding the responses and the Council’s approach to the refurbishment. 

The Council is now saying that there is money to refurbish and it will cost £65,000 (we were told that it would be at least £100,000).  There is concern that this is not enough for a Grade II listed building.

Summer Fête update

This is now arranged for 18th June 2011.  We have agreement to use the City College car park, and if the weather is inclement they will give us use of the College hall.  Applications to the Council are now in process.

Reports

There were no reports.

Future meetings

The main speakers/ topics for future meetings are as follows:

· January 2011 – John Baradell, Chief Executive.  It was agreed to ask John to stay for the whole meeting.  We will delay the tea break until the end.

· February 2011 – How to finance the NLCA.  The Officers will present some options for discussion

· March 2011 – Roger Dowty, Design and Conservation Manager

· April 2011 AGM – Any ideas for speakers would be welcomed.  Lynne Arnold suggested inviting someone from the Brighton Oasis Project to discuss their work.

Residents’ concerns

Plans for the Astoria will be going to the Conservation Areas Group (CAG) for discussion.

Any other business

Thanks to Komedia for giving us the space for our Christmas social.