Planning Issues In Withdean

Several planning issues in Withdean Ward have been brought to my attention and I am following these up with council planning officers. They all concern various conversions to domestic properties that are causing concern to other residents who live next to, or very close to, such developments.

Quite often extentions to properties do not follow the approved plans and clearly this has a worrying effect on close neighbours if they perceive that the development if larger than proposed or out of keeping with the property or surrounding area.

We, as ward representatives, are always happy to follow up any such instances that are causing concern to our residents.  

National Blood Service

Christmas is fast approaching and this is a time when blood supplies are always urgently needed. If you are already a donor, now is the chance to consider whether you are able to make another donation before the Christmas shopping rush or if this is something that you have already thought about but have never got round to follow this link to find your nearest session  I have been donating fairly regularly since the early 1970's and have just given my 50th donation.I can assure anyone who is thinking about attending that this is absolutely the best thing that I have ever done, it is painless, only takes approximately 30 minutes in total to be checked in, make the donation and have that very welcome cuppa and biscuit afterwards.The staff are marvellous and it really is nice to lie back and have a chat with them whilst making the donation. Please go ahead and find the nearest location to you, I can guarantee that you will probably also feel that this something that costs nothing and is a way to help those who urgently need blood perhaps following an accident or during a routine operation.

Enforcement of Planning Permission

Most Planning Applications are agreed and then built strictly to the plans submitted at the time of the Planning Application. Sometimes this does not happen and plans appear to be "slightly amended" during construction. There have been several incidents recently of this happening in Withdean Ward and it really is important to seek advice from the Enforcements Team at Brighton and Hove City Council before work progresses too far. If any resident sees anything being built that appears to be contrary to the content and description of the original plans, do please let me know at the earliest opportunity so that I can raise the issue as a matter of urgency.

Update On Meeting With Residents

I have been continuing with my work regarding the meeting about a planning issue with ward residents as well as checking up on the progress of a new residential property that is being constructed in Varndean Gardens as residents are concerned that these items are closely monitored as to their progress.  

Planning Meeting with Residents

Following the CYPOSC meeting I left Brighton Town Hall and went directly to a meeting with residents to discuss some planning applications in Withdean Ward. I often receive requests from residents for advice on planning issues and it is always good to meet them in person so that meaningful discussion can take place.

I find that I can usually put people's minds at rest but of course this is not always the case. We always do our best to sort out any problems that residents may have in the hope that everything will eventually turn out in their best interests. 

How big is your Carbon Footprint?

I shall be attending  a meeting "Action on Climate Change" this week  Expert advice will be on hand from the Environment Agency, The Carbon Trust, Southern Electricity, Southern Water, Climate Energy and Brighton and Hove City Council's own Sustainable Transport Team. I will report back topics of interest via my Blog in due course.

Preston Park Car Parking

It is gratifying to note that following many hours of discussions and planning with residents and council officers over a considerable length of time, a new residents parking scheme is going to be worked up in the immediate vicinity west of Preston Park Station.

This should eventually control the serious commuter and holiday parking that has blighted this area for many years.  

Secondary Admissions Review Continued

We are still getting enquiries about the changes anticipated following the Secondary Admissions Review and the meeting of CFS held last Monday November 6th. I am following up all comments and suggestions and Ken and I have a further meeting with Gil Sweetenham next week. Please be assured all your comments and queries will be followed up at this meeting and we will continue to do everything possible to see that as many parents as possible are happy with the place their children are offered at Secondary School.

Preston Park Car Parking

There are ever increasing problems with commuter car parking around Preston Park Station. Many residents are totally fed up with this problem but an item on the Environment Committee agenda for tomorrow will mean there will some discussion taking place around this issue.

I hope a speedy solution can be found so that commuters from as close as Reigate Road and Shirley Drive, among others, can be discouraged from driving and parking such short distances from their homes.    

Policy and Resources Committee November 2nd

I have just returned from the Policy and Resources Committee where items on the agenda for discussion this afternoon included the Discretionary Grants programme 2007/2010 decision on full bid applications from medium and larger sized voluntary organisations. One item included which may lead to concern is the apparent cut in grant for the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) from £133,000 to £100,000 per annum. The reason for this is that £100,000 is the maximum amount of grant funding that can now be allocated by the Council and currently, discussions are taking place to see if accommodation or any such benefit can be offered to the CAB to offset the shortfall.Other items on the agenda were Coldean Library, Beatty Avenue, Coldean where the transfer of land known as Coldean Library, on terms to be settled by the Director of Finance and Property, based on 125 year lease to Hanover Housing Association was agreed by members. The development will also include a further 6 units of extra care housing. Members from all political groups supported the proposals but also agreed that facilities at other branch libraries across the city should be reviewed as soon as possible. The Corporate Assessment 2006 report was also considered by members. A proposal to instigate City Community Awards was defeated.

Facilities at the Royal Sussex County Hospital

I have recently made a very informative visit to the Royal Sussex County Hospital where I have seen some of the recent developments that have been made available for patient care. I vistied a friend receiving care in the old Renal Care facilities a few years ago and have now seen for myself the fantastic facilities and accommodation provided in the new Renal Care Centre. There are facilities for in- patients and also a day care centre where residents can visit for the day, receive treatment and then return to their own homes at the end of the day. The new Childrens Hospital scheduled to come on stream in 2007 will provide medical treatment for children with all associated facilities on hand at other parts of the hospital should the need require and although there is some debate about the cost of the new childrens hospital, I cannot speak too highly about the excellence of the new facilities that will soon be available. Improvements are also in place to provide an even better service at Accident and Emergency with GP provision soon to be available. This will help those patients who make the A and E department  a first call and who after all necessary assessment has been made to establish the medical intervention necessary, can also be seen by a GP before returning home. As always, I must speak of the dedication to patient service by NHS staff who continue to provide excellent treatment at all times in frequently difficult and challenging circumstances..