Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to form a cross-Party working group to look into the implications of people living in vans around the city.
The decision came about following a discussion at the Full Council meeting on the 28th January when Conservative City Council Leader, Councillor Mary Mears, proposed a Motion at the Council initially suggesting that a bye-law should be considered to give the Council powers to move on van dwellers from their parking places. Councillor Mears reported on the concerns that had been raised about the living conditions of van dwellers.
Following a discussion in the Council Chamber with other political parties it was agreed to withdraw the suggestion of a bye-law but the Council Leader proposed the establishment of a working group which would also involve outside organisations that work with the Council, such as the police, and this was accepted.
The debate focussed on the illegality of living on the highway, concerns about health and safety of the van dwellers and the welfare of children.
I will be watching the progress of the working group with interest.
Showing posts with label Brighton and Hove City Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brighton and Hove City Council. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
TACKLING SEVERE WEATHER IN THE FUTURE
Brighton and Hove City Council Leader, Councillor Mary Mears, has announced that extra steps will be taken to help residents and businesses in the city in the future when it is affected by severe weather. Below is a statement made by the Leader of the Council:
'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 (Tuesday) 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.'
'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 (Tuesday) 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.'
Friday, December 11, 2009
SALTDEAN UNDER CONSIDERATION AGAIN
The need for a review of the Saltdean boundary was one of the key issues being considered by Brighton and Hove City Council this week.
Councillors at the Council's ruling Cabinet received a deputation and a discussion was held about whether the City Council should commission a survey of its own of Saltdean residents.
Information was provided that showed that the Boundary Committee, which is the national body which decides whether a boundary review should take place and then considers whether the boundary is changed or not, has no current guidance as to whether a survey would lead to a boundary review and because the need for a change has to be 'evidence based' whether a survey would even count as evidence.
As mentioned in an earlier post the Council's Governance Committee had decided to keep an eye on the matter and consider a further report in the Autumn of 2010 (the Boundary Committee is not likely to consider a review for some years).
This was affirmed by the Cabinet with an additional undertaking given by City Council Leader, Mary Mears, that the Cabinet would agree to a survey at the appropriate time taking into account any guidance on boundary reviews published by the Boundary Committee and to liaise with Lewes District Council and East Sussex County on such a survey as the town is administered by the three local authorities,
Councillors at the Council's ruling Cabinet received a deputation and a discussion was held about whether the City Council should commission a survey of its own of Saltdean residents.
Information was provided that showed that the Boundary Committee, which is the national body which decides whether a boundary review should take place and then considers whether the boundary is changed or not, has no current guidance as to whether a survey would lead to a boundary review and because the need for a change has to be 'evidence based' whether a survey would even count as evidence.
As mentioned in an earlier post the Council's Governance Committee had decided to keep an eye on the matter and consider a further report in the Autumn of 2010 (the Boundary Committee is not likely to consider a review for some years).
This was affirmed by the Cabinet with an additional undertaking given by City Council Leader, Mary Mears, that the Cabinet would agree to a survey at the appropriate time taking into account any guidance on boundary reviews published by the Boundary Committee and to liaise with Lewes District Council and East Sussex County on such a survey as the town is administered by the three local authorities,
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