Message from the Police
Please see below some information I've received from the Police, in a recorded message.
. There is current ongoing theft of motor vehicles and theft of property from motor vehicles in the central Hove, central Brighton, North Laine, St Peters, Hanover and Preston Park areas. There have been over 70 reported offences in Brighton & Hove since the start of the year. Please remind your neighbours and family & friends when they visit not to leave any property on display and to lock cars and set alarms where fitted. Please stay alert to opportunistic crime and if you suspect a criminal offence please report it by telephoning 0845 60 70 999. Or if an offence is in progress then dial 999. Additional information is available from Brighton & Hove Police stations.
Poets Corner - Ceramic Tiles
The traditional ceramic street signs in Poets Corner are being cleaned at the present time. It is hoped the work will be completed by the end of this week. The signs have not been cleaned for some time.
If you wish to contact me on this or any other issue, please email me on:
brian.oxley1@mac.com
Street Lighting
I am having a meeting today with the Council's officer who deals with the street lighting contract, and my colleague, Councillor Averil Older. You may recall that both of the Wards we represent have been experiencing lighting outtages. In fact, I understand from a resident who has been in touch with me recently that problems are again being experiecned along the Kingsway. I will report back after the meeting.
David Cameron visit
Last Thursday, I was pleased to be able to welcome my national Party leader, David Cameron MP, to Brighton and Hove.
Mr Cameron spent part of the afternoon at the St Patrick’s night shelter, and toured the premises with Father Alan Sharpe. He particularly enjoyed trying out one of the six Japanese-style sleep pods that Father Alan has recently purchased. He also enjoyed talking to many of the people who rely on the services that St Patrick’s offers.
After his tour, which was designed to highlight examples of work in the voluntary sector, Mr Cameron held a twenty-minute question and answer session with local journalists and photographers.
Everybody involved with the visit had a really interesting and enjoyable afternoon. It was also nice to gain some extra media exposure for St Patricks and the work they do.
Lighting Update
My colleague, Councillor Averil Older and I met the Council's officer earlier this week to discuss the problems of street lights being out for extended periods in the area. We were told the following:
Brighton and Hove City Council contract for the repair of street lighting in the city. The current contractor is a company called COLAS who are performing well. It is a joint contract with East Sussex County Council.
The performance is assessed by using random scouts to ensure that they keep to the 98% performance standard and the fault reports are monitored and on average they exceed their response times and attend faults within 4 days rather than the 5 days obligation.
Delays occur when special equipment is required or when a new mains connection is required.
EDF are the statutory undertaker for providing a mains supply and the majority of the Council's lighting is connected to this cable network. The Council does not have a contractual relationship with the company as they are the only provider and will not agree to such a relationship. The Council does have 2 monthly meetings with the company to discuss problems and workload.
This is the same situation nationally with all of the network providers, for instance West Sussex has to deal with 2 network operators. EDF has stated that they are looking to develop a charter similar to the one previously used by SEEBOARD. There would still be no actual performance criteria that could be enforced. Nationally OFGEM are taking an interest in this issue are also looking at opening up competition for connections, something that the network operators are fighting.
I am continuing to pursue the issue of lights out along the Kingsway, which is the latest problem that has been reported.
Advice Surgery
Today (14th February) is the second Westbourne Ward surgery of February and will be held at Hove Museum from 5pm until 6.30pm. No appointment is necessary.
If you cannot attend the surgery but wish to raise an issue with me, then please email:
New PCSO for Westbourne
At our Ward advice surgery last night, Denise and I met PCSO Julie Wornham who has recently taken over the Westbourne beat. Julie has previously worked in Hangleton and Knoll and has been a PCSO for some time.
You can read about Julie on her space on Sussex Police's web site by following this link:
The link gives you information on how to contact Julie by phone or email and has a section about what's happening in the local area. Denise and I look forward to working with Julie in the future.
Westbourne Hospital - New Church Road
Denise and I are receiving many expressions of concern about the proposed redevelopment of the
The main concerns are around the lack of parking, the style of the design, which is felt to be out of keeping and the fact that such a development is taking place in a conservation area.
Below is an extract from the Council's planning website which describes the proposals:
A three storey block with fourteen bedrooms for short break accommodation. A three storey block to form a house & five flats for people with learning disabilities. A four storey block & six storey block comprising of a total of twenty three affordable flats.
If you wish to give views on this development please contact me or Denise (my email address is: brian.oxley1@mac.com ) or contact the officer dealing with the application. His name is Paul Earp and can be contacted on 01273 292193.
I hope this is helpful.
Westbourne Hospital - weekend developments
Over the weekend a number of people have been in touch with me about the re-development of the Westbourne Hospital site and Denise and I are in the process of writing to 300 residents in the area explaining our view of the proposals and how to make representations to the Council. All of the representations we receive as local councillors for the area we shall pass on to Council officers.
If you are interested in this issue and would like to see a copy of the letter we are circulating, please email me at:
This Week
This week is a particularly busy one for the Council. Yesterday, the Children's and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee met and decided to ask the Children's Families and Schools Committee to look again at the secondary admissions review for schools.
Tomorrow, the results of the ballot of the Council's tenants (and the indicative vote of leaseholders) will be announced and the tenant will determine whether the Council's housing stock is transferred to a new housing association or whether the stock stays with the Council.
On Thursday, the Council will decide on its budget for the forthcoming financial year (2007/08). This will also decide the level of Council Tax. My colleagues and I will be responding to the Labour Administration's proposals.
Parking in Zone W
Denise's and my recent Window on Westbourne newsletter mentions the continuing issues residents are facing regarding parking in the area. We mentioned the hours that cars can park in Zone W. We have recevied a number of complaints about confusing parking signs and in the leaflet we explained the hours of operation in this area. We understand new signs should be coming and they should be much clearer.
School Admissions
Thank you to residents who've written to me about the School Admissions issue (SAR). Please be assured that I took careful note of the issues that were being raised and kept them in mind when I discussed the review with my colleagues.