King Alfred works - update

I have received the following update from officers on the improvement works at the King Alfred Leisure Centre:

The work at the Centre is progressing well and staff are striving to keep the disruption of the service to a minimum. Customers have been very positive about the changes and despite some disruption to their regular routines have been very supportive of what we are doing.

Some of the main points to note;

• The centre opened on time on Monday morning after a very hectic week

• Both sports halls are now back in use as of lunchtime today following the temporary closures while the external wall was ‘secured’ with scaffold and props.

• The carpeting of the foyer / reception area and the painting of the ceiling is complete. The decoration of the walls in the entrance foyer and reception area has started.

• The work to the replace the drain covers in the wet changing area was completed early on Tuesday morning and the drains have been cleared.

• The pool hall lighting repairs have been finished and the carpeting and flooring work completed.

• A large proportion of the identified electrical works has been completed.

• The pool filters have been refurbished.

Castleham - supported employment

On Tuesday, I went with the Leader of the Council - Mary Mears - to visit the Council's supported employment business - Castleham Hove. They employ people with learning disabilities undertaking digital, foil block and pad printing; machine embroidery; mail out, assembly and packing. I was extremely impressed with the work that they are doing and am delighted that the Council is able to support the enterprise. Click here for more information.

To see my latest blog posts please follow this link: http://brianoxleyblog.blogspot.com/

I should point out that this personal site is not operated or sponsored by Brighton & Hove City Council and any views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Council. I will continue to use this blog to talk about Council matters.

Wild West Show at Stoneham Park!

This Saturday the 19th September a Wild West Show will be taking place at Stoneham Park between 12 and 4pm. There will be a fancy dress competition, a gunfight at 'Stoneham Corral' with the Stunt Action Team, Stoneham Saloon (a beer tent), American Hoedown and line dancing, childrens' entertainers and much more!

I would encourage everyone to come along and join in the fun!

Update on works to the King Alfred

The extent of the renovation works to the King Alfred is such that it will be necessary to have a full closure of the Leisure Centre (both wet and dry sports areas) with the exception of the Ballroom. The closure is scheduled to take place from 6th September to 13th September inclusive. But a further 7 weeks of work will then follow on and take place while the Centre is open. A closure is never ideal but the beginning of September is timed for the end of the school holidays and before the start of school/other swimming lessons.

These works include a whole range of improvements that will be noticed by users (as well as a huge amount behind the scenes) such as:

·      Carpet throughout reception area and concourse

·      Floor covering in main pool balcony

·      Ceiling replacement in reception area, main pool changing

·      External repairs to walls, handrails, paving etc.

 I will provide further updates as the work progresses.

Seafront litter

When I was walking along the seafront a couple of days ago I happened to notice that there was a large amount of litter by the brick-built beach huts, which the council owns, across the road from the Fairlawns block of flats.

Westbourne Ward Advice Surgery

Denise and I will be holding our usual two ward surgeries during the month of September.  The first one is at The Talk Shop on the 5 September between 10am and 11am on Tamworth Road.  No appointment is necessary.

The second ward surgery will be held on 9 September between 5pm and 6.30pm at Hove Museum again, no appointment is necessary.  However, if you wish to contact me in the meantime please don’t hesitate to do so.  My email address is brian.oxley1@mac.com.

To see my latest blog posts please follow this link: http://brianoxleyblog.blogspot.com/