Ward Advice Surgeries
This month's Westbourne Ward advice surgeries are on the 4th August at the Talk Shop on Tamworth Road (from 10-11am) and on the 8th August at Hove Museum from 5-6.30pm.
No appointment is necessary.
Fareshare
Yesterday, I had the chance to visit the Fareshare food distribution centre which is located at Westgate Road in Brighton.
The idea behind this organisation is simple but really effective. They have delivered to them food that is past its sell-by date but not past its use-by date and then the food is quickly distributed to groups and organisations around the city to help people who need the food before the use-by date expires.
The organisation provides tons of food each year helping hunddreds of people.
I met the manager, Nathan Au, had a tour of the warehouse and had a discussion about the work of the organisation.
Fareshare can be contacted at:
info@faresharebrightonandhove.org.uk or telephone 01273 671 111.
If you want to contact me, please email me at:
Former Car Repair premises in Poets Corner
In January 2006, the former Malvern Service Station in Poets Corner burnt down. A number of families had to be evacuated from the area as a precaution because the site had an oxy-acetylene tank on it and there were fears that it had been 'heated' by the fire. As it happened the tank was safe, was then removed, and people moved back home.
Since that time the site has been vacant - scaffolding is erected against the
adjacent building on Montgomery Street and plastic covers against the
one on Westbourne Street. The site has been mainly closed off since the fire but open from the Montgomery Street side.
I walked past last Saturday and noticed the current state. Following representations, I am now making enquiries as to what is happening to the site. I will report back as soon as I have any news.
If you wish to contact me on this or any other matter, then please email me at:
Pride
Pride was a great event on Saturday. The crowds were fantastic and everyone present seemed to be having a good time. I was able to travel with the Mayor, in the bus at the end of the parade, and it was great to see all the floats and the effort that had been put in by all those taking part.
Congratulations to all those involved with the event.
Advice Surgery
The next Westbourne Ward Councillors' advice surgery will be tomorrow at Hove Museum on New Church Road. It will run from 5-6.30pm and no appointment is necessary.
Travel Planning News
Your Journey
This summer, the Council’s team of Travel Advisors will be visiting homes in
Your Journey has held a Big Bike Day in
For more information, please contact Charlotte Welch, Your Journey on 01273 293862 or email travel.planning@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Tree pruning
I have asked the Council to prune the street trees in the Pembrokes area of the Ward. I have noted that several trees have very low lying branches which are quite difficult to avoid. I will report back on this when I have a response.
New Malvern Garage site - Montgomery Street
I promised to report back regarding this site after I had made enquiries of Council officers. I understand that any rubbish on the site is to be removed and I have now asked the Planning Department if there is any news on what is to happen to the site.
I will report back again when I have any further news.
If you want to contact me about this or any other issue, please email me at:
Tree pruning - update
I mentioned recently that I had been in touch with the Council about the low branches on a number of trees in the Pembrokes area of Westbourne ward.
I understand the trees are pruned on a three year cycle and are currently at their
largest due to the fact that they are at the end of that period and pruning
is due this Autumn/Winter period. The low growth has been a problem this year as the rate of growth has been encouraged by the substantial rainfall we have experienced.
Many of the trees involved are Elm and therefore vulnerable to disease, this has complicated the issue, not just in the Pembrokes area but more generally.
Between the main disease infection period, June to September, the Council tries not to prune Elm as the pruning process releases Cubebene, a chemical on which Elm Bark Beetles, home into otherwise healthy Elms causing infection.
I understand that, taking all this into account, pruning should take place in the autumn of this year. The Council is currently surveying streets for the pruning rota and this will commence immediately after there is certainty that the infection period is over.
Disabled Workers Forum
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet members of the City Council's Disabled Workers' Forum. We met at the Jubilee Library in Brighton.
After I said a few words of introduction members of staff present asked me questions about adaptations, building accesibility and I talked about the Disability Equality Scheme that the Council is working to.
The Forum meets every six weeks and is a place where representatives can raise issues and questions of concern and discuss issues.
A number of issues were raised which I shall need to check the detail of and I have promised to go back to the Forum on these points.
If you wish to contact me on this or any other issue, please contact me at:
Portland and Clarendon Forum Meeting
This morning I attended a meeting of the Portland and Clarendon Forum, which was held at the Salvation Army premises on Sackville Road. The forum covers the area from Portland Road to the north of Westbourne Ward, the same area in Wish Ward and the Clarendon area of Goldsmid Ward.
A number of helpful updates were given in connection with environmental issues to do with Stoneham Park, healthy eating initiatives in the area and crime and disorder problems.
Other issues were raised and I will report back on these, in greater detail, over the next few days.
If you would like to contact me on this or any other issue, please don't hesitate to be in touch by email at:
Sheridan Terrace
I have recently received representations from residents in relation to the recently lodged planning application for 11 & 11 A
Planning permission was granted on the 13 September 2006 for external alterations to the elevations, extension to first floor and roof to provide 2 no. flats (ref: BH2006/01707). The application was presented to Planning Applications Sub-Committee at my request on the 30 August 2006.
Planning permission was granted for an extension to the building, however, works commenced on site and the applicant's building contractors demolished 11 A
The proposal is essentially the same as the previous approved scheme in terms of scale and size of the extension.
I have received representations in respect of this application, the consultation period for the application ends on the 28 August 2007.
Given that the consultation period has not expired, the officer has not formulated a recommendation yet.
If you wish to contact me on this or any other issue, please email me at:
Citizenship Ceremony
Today I was able to participate in a Citizenship Ceremony in Hove Town Hall. About 40 people attended and had their British Citizenship bestowed upon them. The new citizens had their friends and family with them.
The Vice Lord Leiutenant, Peter Field, and the Deputy Lord Leiutenant of Sussex, Major General John Moore-Bick were present, to represent the Queen, and each person, after they had either taken an Oath of Allegiance or affirmed the Oath, were presented to the Vice Lord Leiutenant. I was asked to present a welcome pack to each person and I also offered my congratulations as did my colleague, Councillor Ann Norman, who is the Lead Councillor for Finance and Resources and who was also present.
The ceremony is one of a continuing number and there have been 70 so far. 40 new citizens were created today.
I felt honoured to be part of such an important day for so many people. Council officers did a great job in creating such a dignified and happy ceremony.
If you would like to contact me on this or any other issue, please contact me at:
Health projects in the Portland and Clarendon areas
I mentioned earlier in the week that I had been at the meeting of the
Health Project Proposals for
£250
This money is to support the setting up by the TA of regular activities for the older people on the estate in the residents room in Muriel House.
Cookadoodledoo
£500
The project we are applying for this funding for is the Tutti Frutti Fun Day. This is a free open day for parents and children, with the emphasis on the under-5s, and it’s a day where everyone gets involved in cooking something delicious to take home. We will have activities suitable for older children to do on their own, and lots of opportunity for parents with pre-school children to do simple cooking which they can repeat at home.
The aim of the taster day for us would be to launch the Tutti Frutti Club, basically a regular get-together session during the week for parents and toddlers to come and have fun with food whilst sharing their own valuable experiences around children’s eating and having access to basic nutrition information and recipe ideas as well.
Hove Naturally/Vallance Community Centre
£1,358
In partnership with Richard Mangus at the Vallance Centre we are planning to offer a weekly pilot “Drop In” on Wednesday afternoons at the Centre. We will be offering low cost complementary therapy approaches, one to one support, self help techniques and personal development to promote health and well being.
We also plan to hold a health and well being event in the centre in the autumn. This will be in conjunction with Caroline from the Carer’s Centre and Sean from the Neighbourhood Care scheme.
Hove YMCA
£752
The project is a healthy cooking/eating and physical programme incorporated into the school activity holiday programmes during October half term holiday and Feb half term holiday.
Children and young people including young people with moderate learning difficulties will during the half term programmes undertake a Mission Possible programme.
Additionally the programme will support 2 older young people as volunteer to support the delivery of the healthy cook aspect of the programme.
Honeycroft
£440
This money will pay for fun food resources for the new Community café to be held at Honeycroft. These colourful displays and posters will support and encourage healthy eating for children and their parents.
The contact person is for these initiatives is Jo Martindale:
jomartindale@trustdevcom.org.uk and phone 01273 262220
If you wish to contact me please email me on: