Sheepcote Valley - traveller site

A number of residents of my ward have been contacting me regarding the story in today's Argus which says that the city council is going to propose that a permanent travellers' site is located on the former BMX track in Sheepcote Valley.

Neither I nor my two ward colleagues have been advised by council officers or members of the Cabinet that Sheepcote Valley is being considered for a permanent traveller site. The issue of traveller accommodation was due to be discussed by the Cabinet on the 10th July, but the item does not appear on the agenda as scheduled.

We have now asked for a briefing by officers on what is being proposed, and when the decision will be made by the Cabinet. We will be asking that there is full consultation with local residents and with user groups of Sheepcote Valley before any proposals are agreed by the Cabinet and submitted for approval by the Planning Committee.

Pavement politics

This weekend my ward colleagues and I will be going door to door in Maresfield Road asking residents about their views on parking in the area and what solutions they would like to see.

On Monday this week I attended the citywide Community Safety Forum where the police reported a 20% drop in overall crime, and 16% drop in violent crime, which is welcome news. I raised the issue of dog fouling, and was assured that Police Community Support Officers do have the power to ticket people who do not clean up after their dogs. New signs advising dog owners of their responsibilities will be going up in parks and open spaces, and an item will be included in City News and the tenants' newsletter "Homing In" encouraging people to pick up what their dogs leave behind.

Meanwhile the Sheepcote Valley issue (see previous blog entry) continues to draw in e-mails and letters - ward colleagues and I have sought a briefing this week to find out what is going on.

Harmony World Festival

I'm pleased to be able to help promote the "Harmony World Festival" on Saturday 19th July between 12 and 4pm at the Crew Club on Coolham Drive, Whitehawk.

The event, which is backed by the East Brighton Community Safety Team and the Whitehawk Crime Prevention Forum, is a free festival of world music, food, performance and crafts. It is aimed at promoting community cohesion and tackling discrimination.

Anti-racism posters created by local children and young people will be on display and competition winners will be announced. All are welcome.

Young people promoting diversity in East Brighton

Congratulations to all involved in the Harmony Festival which took place today at the Crew Club in Whitehawk, organised by the local police and community safety team.

The posters created by the young people of Whitehawk promoting anti-racism and inclusion were really impressive, and it was a tough job choosing one from many very effective entries. The winners will be made into posters and other material and used across the city to promote diversity and inclusion.

Sheepcote Valley - traveller site update

There will be a special meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday 31st July at 4pm in Hove Town Hall to discuss proposals for the provision of permanent pitches for travellers in the city.

The report containing the proposals is published this coming Tuesday. I have still had no confirmation of whether the proposals will include a site on the former BMX site in Sheepcote Valley in my ward, however it has been widely anticipated that it will be the only site to be considered and voted on at the meeting.

Any proposals will be subject to a planning application.

New tenant groups for Manor Farm

Two new tenant and resident groups are being launched in the Manor Farm area of my ward:

Manor Farm South will cover Manor Road, Manor Gardens, Manor Green, Manor Way, Manor Crescent, lower Manor Hill, Manor Place, Playden Close and Flimwell Close. Their first meeting will be on Tuesday 29th July at 6.30pm in Robert Lodge.

Manor Farm North will cover upper Manor Hill, Maresfield Road and Cowfold Road. Their first meeting will be on Thursday 7th August at 6.30pm in the Manor gym on Manor Road.

Local councillors will be at both meetings.

Further update - Sheepcote Valley traveller site

The time of the special cabinet meeting to decide on a permanent traveller site for the city - believed to be the former BMX track in Sheepcote Valley - is now 10.30am on Thursday 31st July.

The public will not be permitted to speak at the meeting.