Council's response to the big freeze

Due to the mass of coverage in the local press on this issue I thought it might be useful to post the Leader of the Council's latest statement on our response to the recent cold snap. If you have any queries about this, or any other matter, please don't hesitate to contact me - brian.oxley1@mac.com

We will listen to city, says council leader

Brighton & Hove City Council is to bring forward extra measures to tackle future severe weather following the recent cold snap.

Council leader Mary Mears has been reviewing the service after visiting the city's Hollingdean depot today (Tues) to talk to the gritting crews, bin men and women and gardeners involved in the operation.

She said: "I was impressed by the helpful suggestions that came forward from the staff on the ground who are closest to the residents. As a result I will be announcing several key improvements before the New Year.

"As well as making changes in the way we grit the roads and pavements, I believe we must work even better with our partners to make sure that the city keeps moving when temperatures fall.

"We must remember that this was a particularly severe and prolonged cold snap of the type that comes along only once every few years. From the day before the snow we had our gritting and street clearing teams, gardeners, arborists, drivers, bin men and women and managers out and about in the city implementing our severe weather plan.

“However, it is clear to me that many concerns have been raised by residents and they think that we could have done things differently. I want us to address those concerns."

The council has also confirmed that there will be an independent review into the council's handling of the recent winter weather.  An Environment and Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny committee early next year will be tasked with investigating the planning and processes, establishing whether any improvements can be made.

New out of hours mental health helpline

Ths Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have just set up a new out of hours mental health helpline for service users and carers. The new number is 03005000101 and is available from 5pm to 9am Mon-Fri and 24 hours over weekends, bank holidays and holiday periods.

King Alfred update

Please find below the latest update on works at the King Alfred.  The recent appalling weather has not helped the works but progress is still being made.

·       The new stainless steel handrail and safety screens have been installed in the pool hall balcony area.

·       Work to replace the coping stones is on-going

·       A further area of wall requiring wall tie work has been identified and work is underway

·       Painting of the render is now 75% complete. This has been delayed by the weather.

·       Work on the roof and safety railings is still ongoing.

·       The rewiring of the lights in the main hall and small halls is now complete and we have 100% lights working for the first time in many months.

·       A suitable time to carry out the installation of a new heat exchanger unit is being identified. This will involve turning off the heating and hot water to the old part of the building. This work will mean disruption to the heating and will be programmed to minimise the inevitable disruption to the users as much as possible.

·       The entrance canopy roof panels have been replaced and the delivery of the coloured screens has been delayed.

·       Steelwork has now been installed in the ballroom lift shaft

·       The Ballroom widows have been replaced

·       Work to replace damaged lintels has been completed.