London Road LAT meeting 6th December 2022

  1. a. Welcome, apologies and introductions

Maureen Winder- Level improvement struggling at the moment

Judy Lynn

Andy Keefe- University of Brighton 

Alan Brigginshaw

Simon Banister 

PCSO’s- Tilley and Sarah

Sarah Tobias

Lucy Dunlevy

Sandy Crowhurst

Tony firmin

Mike hedgethorn

Catherine Clement

Sue Shanks Councilor 

Apologies

Father Ben

Madvey and Suresh

Hazel and Thalia

1b . Minutes of last meeting – not yet available

Presentation and recording of meeting is on the website from the meeting on the 15th November.

  • Date of next meeting – suggest 10th January 2023 (AGM)

CONTINUING FROM LAST MEETING:

    2. Updates

    1. a. New shops and businesses in London Road
    2. Taj and several dessert shops and coffee shops. New Asian business opened today 6th December.
    3. There has been a recent national report of high streets. The national picture is that shops are better to be used than empty.  Footfall is good as they are good for the economy.
    4. Some shops are surviving and some new ones opening such as Surf and Fries etc.
    5. A question was raised about Surf and Fries, which was if the police are keeping an eye on this shop.
      • The council is not aware of any issues, but any issues would be given to the licensing team. Any issues raised by licensing then go to the PCSOs, who then take a look deeper.
      • The only issues they are aware of is at Popeyes, (near Sainsbury’s), which has been logged and will be chased.
    • There are areas of development. A suggestion was made that there needs to be a person keeping an eye on what is going on in the area.
    • How can we create a group of the evolution of the development happening around the area?
      • Communication is key to making this group work if it goes ahead.
    • Simon Banister: there is a focus group with Thalia (project manager of Providence Place) and local residents. Simon noted that finding the right council services are unstable and less known. This could be an idea for this area to start one up.
    • The council have a structural plan, which is a strategic process and involves businesses coming together to build a place you want to see. It is a bit of work, there is funding available to appoint a consultant. Simon is very happy to make this happen if it popular with residents etc.
    • This group could be a form of London Road conference group. There are going to be issues with timing to get this off the ground, due to the ward boundary changes, plus an election coming up.
      • For the election, there was a suggestion that we could have a hustings at a LAT meeting. Seen as a good idea.
    • Neighbourhood conference could include businesses and not just the LAT. It could draw in new people and have a wider perspective. Planning around this in January.

                    Ward Boundaries

    • The LAT would be in the Round Hill ward. They listened to our submission, but the decision is complete. Sue Shanks is going to be standing here and Pete West in Roundhill ward as it stands. More details, look on the electoral website.
    • We are a standing community voice as a LAT.
    • Sue Shanks: it would be a good idea and she knows how to help with this if it goes ahead. It needs 21 people in agreement to start one of these. These groups are a tool to enhance areas.
    • Before plans are there how can we engage the community?
      • People come together in adversity- it Is up hill, but there is improvements slowly happening.
      • Redesigns eg providence place gardens.
      • Funding

    b. City Plan has been adopted

    • Looked at City Plan document, see below:
    • Sue Shanks: this sets out the parameters of what you could have. Not what will be. It shows up what areas of the town are available for developers.
    • This is area is ear marked for high buildings, which needs to be both commercial and residential.
    • The Urban fringe, is in the Benfield valley, Whitehawk areas etc, all possibilities. This is due to money being added, however govement are changing things. The Council has to meet their housing supply.

    c. Police contact – please use website https://www.sussex.police.uk/ and NOT 101@sussex.police.uk

    • Lauren PCSO: They have seen a reduction in crime in April but they need to do another one.

    d. Issues on the Level – as requested

    • Issues on the Level – as requested
    • Work has been done against violence against woman.
    • MW (local resident): Grateful to police support, and the discussion with all the teams in the area. Sue Shanks (councilor) has attended meetings to do with green spaces. It also involves other local groups.
    • They are trying to get boards put up for graffiti, which will be made into a competition for taggers and others to get involved with.
    • Working as a large group has been very positive.
    • There has been a huge support from Mark S. who is leading the project of planting 12.000 trees around the edge and who is in the middle of forming the bid.
    • Lauren PCSO: There have been more meetings to do with the Level. Also more meetings at the hub with all invested parties to be arranged.
    • The police are in talks with people on probation, who will work out of their hut, contributing towards the maintenance of level.
    • There is more money in for tackling graffiti but has had no effect. Businesses have to take charge of this on their buildings; enforcement notices are being put in place.
    • The Peacocks development wall was designated wall for people to tag and paint. Areas like this need to be careful to encourage art like this.
    • It was noted (Simon) that there are no designated graffiti walls in Brighton and hove !
    • It would be great to look at ways to make walls etc a thing. Limited impact but needs to be kept going, pick up in future.
    • Operation safety:
      • Involves, tackling knife crime.
    • There has been a new sergeant take over. The level is a target location. Every other day that the level is patrolled.

                CCTV Camera:

    It is now permanent and was activated 5th December. It views live CCTV, 360oc.  In the skate park it is in operated 24 hours a day, on an ongoing basis.

    • Operator will call into the station is the operator sees anything. It has Inferred/night vision capabilities.
    • There is a JAG (joint action group) meeting, which happens on Wednesday each month and issues are discussed. This is a way to liaise with different services.
    • The Council included all come together, merging issues.
    • There is also an additional group that focuses on hot spotting: looking at trends on the street users. The group members have formed good relationships with each other. Providence place has come up in these meetings. There are 9 hotspots at the moment none up this end.

                Café in Level:

    • Needs a solution but needs to have something done. It is currently In the pipeline of talks, budget etc.
    • Invite someone from city parks to come to this meeting to talk about this potentially. Rachel or Paul Campbell. Needs to be thought through but not immediate, due to council elections and Rachel’s mayoral duties.
    • We could invite Donna Chisum, who is above Rachel, maybe invite to big event.

    3. Ideas for future

    • AGM 10th Jan (overdue!)? Agreed
    • Mailshot?
    • Need another one  to engage people, bring up at AGM.
    • It is the anniversary year of the Duke of York’s cinema
    • Close before 19:50