London Road Area LAT – Chair’s report for year 2023
All in all, the LAT was very active over the past 12 months. There have been fifteen meetings for the public. There have also been several select meetings with the two Council Officers and myself plus Judi Lynn regarding Providence Place/Elder Place improvements.
Many thanks to Mike Hedgethorne – longstanding Treasurer. Also to Lucy Dunleavy who has for many years been on hand as Vice Chair to advise and support. Lucy is stepping down at this AGM (23/4/24). Thanks also to Judi Lynn – chair of Providence Place Steering Group for her tireless activism and enthusiasm. Thanks too to Corinne Lamb for preparing the minutes each month, and helping with setting up and teas and coffees.
Thank you to all who have expressed support and interest in the group over the past year.
We are grateful to our Ward Councillors for a large degree of support, especially given the changes in Ward Boundaries since the May 2023 elections.
We are also grateful to our PCSOs who have attended very regularly – obviously depending on their shift patterns. We have had very useful exchange of information with them.
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The meetings in the past year included a special hustings meeting in connection with the local elections. We also had a personal visit from Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner, and from T/Superintendent Andy Saville who spoke about “Immediate Justice” provision, and Anti-Social Behaviour
Issues of disorder around Abacus seemed to sort themselves out – maybe with a new manager and a new intake of students.
Noise and other issues in Rosehill area were addressed but no follow-through was requested.
Special help was requested by the licence holder of the Signalman – good connections were made, which seemed to make a good difference.
Shoplifting and youth disorder in London Road shops has become a larger theme. But again good connections have been made on this matter.
The matter of the “Red Route” has raised a lot of concerns. While it initially appeared to be a simple experiment with laudable aims the concerns of traders about the perceived lack of adjacent loading bays have continued to be vigorously expressed.
LAT Chairs Forum – although the loss of this central forum has been noted several times no decisive action has actually been taken to press for its reinstatement.
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Summary of meetings from last AGM (10/1/2023) till this AGM (23/4/24)
The minutes show the following meetings and topics.
| date | Attend -ance | Councillors | police | Topics – cut and pasted from agreed Minutes | |
| 0 | 2023 Jan 10th | 16 | 0 | 2 | AGM |
| 1 | 2023 Feb 14th | 13 | 0 | 0 | Firestation redevelopment, Level Café, Level ASB |
| 2 | 2023 March 14th | 12 | 0 | 0 | Environmental enforcement officer by zoom. Shoplifting London Road. Report of disorder in connection with student residence “Abacus House” |
| 3 | 2023 April 25th | 30? | Hustings | ||
| 4 | 2023 May 23rd | 12 | 3 | 1 | Rosehill issues, traffic, noise – Pride concerns |
| 5 | June 15th | 9+ | 2 | 2 | Lisa Lavia – noise issues and solutions. More on “Abacus” problems |
| 6 | July 4: noon-14:00 | 30? | PROV PLACE walkabout | ||
| 7 | July 11th | 15 | 1 | 2 | More on Abacus problems – response from UOS and UOB. Report on Providence Place “walkabout” |
| 8 | September 12 | 23 | 2 | 2 | First discussion of “Red Route” decision to invite Officer to meet with Traders. Catch up on “Abacus” before the start of term. |
| 9 | September 26 | 30? | 2 | 2 | Police and Crime Commissioner Questions included: 101 answering, shoplifting, graffiti, etc. |
| 10 | October 24 | 18 | 1 | 2 | Signalman issues and London Road station area. Abacus issues have gone quiet this term. Asb in London Road shops. Red Route meeting with traders planned. |
| 11 | November 14th 17:15 | 12 | 2 | 0 | Meeting re. Red Route with Council Officer. About 6 or 7 traders. Others were interested but did not attend due to the timing. |
| 12 | November 28 | 15 | 1 | 2 | Signalman – follow-up. London Road shops. Red Route: discussion – “meet again in Feb”. Providence Place/Elder Place update. Report back from “Graffiti and tagging meeting” of 21st November |
| 13 | 2024 16h Jan | 15 | 1 | 2 | London Road – youth disorder, shoplifting. Request for February meeting. Plans for Providence Place event in Brighton Festival |
| 14 | 2024 20th Feb | 28 | 2 | 3 | Red Route – robust discussion. Andy Saville on “Immediate Justice” / ASB. Very lively meeting. |
| 15 | 2024 26th March | 16 | 1 | 2 | Open Forum – Red Route, Policing |
Philip Wells
Elected LAT Chair 20/4/2024
… continued
London Road Area LAT
Providence Place Steering Group, LAT sub-committee
Report for year 2023
In July 2022 Thalia Liebig-Wilkinson was appointed Project Manager plus Hazel Buck (City Regeneration Programme Manager) both of BHCC.
Since the PM was appointed, Philip Wells and I have met frequently with Thalia and Hazel to discuss how to regenerate, make safer, more welcoming and flexible “the Corridor” (which runs from the rear of Aldi to the end of Elder Place i.e. parallel to London Road and including Providence Place Gardens and St Barts church).
As a result of these discussions, there is a Concept Team at BHCC and we hope we will soon see their ideas/plans which can then be put to the wider public.
Due to funding, plans may have to be progressed in stages.
Of note:
Walkabout June 2023 – Flyers were posted through local letterboxes inviting people to an open meeting for residents and interested parties at Calvary Church. Hazel Buck delivered a presentation which was followed by a walkabout with members of the Concept Team to get ideas and feedback. Since then, other interested groups have conducted similar walkabouts e.g. cycling groups.
Brighton Festival 2024: An exciting alternative use of the large space in Elder Place will be happening during the Brighton Festival when The Carnesky’s Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular Outdoor & Circus takes place on the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
With its stories and stunts with a sense of danger and intrigue, these all womxn aerialists, wrestlers, illusionists, glass walkers, drag kings, contemporary clowns, whip crackers, sword climbers, sideshow performers, variety dancers, contortionists, unicyclists, extraordinary performance artists, storytellers, hula-hoopers and hair hangers invite you to witness all new spectacular matriarchal utopias. (see pp 54-55 of the Brighton Festival brochure).
From Judi Lynn, chair of Providence Place Steering Group, sub-committee
16/4/2024
London Road Area Local Action Team 