Have Your Say! Your comments to EBRA

Clearly there are some crimes that go unreported, however the majority are reported to police as we have simplified and diversified the ways that people can report crime, also we record more crime types now than we ever used to.

For example 15 years ago criminal damage under £20 and common assault would never have been recorded and matters such as anti social behaviour and harrassment would have been dealt with very differently than they are now.

My view is that we now have a much better understanding of where we need to concentrate our resources both in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour and as a result are better equiped to reduce and prevent crime through pro-active patrols, targetting offenders and crime prevention initiatives.

I hope that Julie and Sarah reported the end of year crime figures to the LAT as this will have shown that Hove and Portslade experienced an 8.7% reduction in crime compared to the previous years figures with virtually all crime types seeing a reduction in numbers.

I hope this clarifies things for you.

With thanks

Jason Hazzard
Inspector - Hove Neighbourhood Policing Team

21 July 2010

EBRA Says: Great advice here from Lucy, an EBRA Supporter:

If you comes accross a young gull and it is stuck down between tall buildings, it is better to leave it there and contact me on 07966255330.

Please leave it in situ until I arrive and assess whether it can get back onto a roof, otherwise I will work out which roof its parents are on as they will make a racket, and I will endeaver to get the gull onto that roof top.

Most young gulls if left will become prey to dogs, cats or a car, however to remove them also makes it difficult to reunite them with their parents, which is the best outcome.

Lucy XX

EBRA says: We have been told that Tescos are or have bid £1m for The Providence.

At what stage the negotiations are at we do not know. The attitude from EBRA and our sister groups along the Western Road is OK - BUT only if they close their branch at the corner of Holland Road and Western Road. To loose The providence will be in all our interest as they are a constant source of noise late at night.

Dear EBRA

How does moving Tesco to the Providence solve the traffic problems outside the Providence? Since that is exactly the area I am concerned about. Already traffic parks on the foot path on the south side between Norfolk Square and Brunswick Square. If Tesco moves to the Providence it will be worse, there will be increased illegal parking both on the south side and on the north side outside the Providence, where there is a bus stop. Buses already have problems negotiating illegally parked vehicles, if Tesco moves in it will be much worse. People are not considerate when it comes to parking when they want to stop to shop, they will stop in the bus stop and on the double yellows and on the footpath, no matter what. Pretty soon someone WILL be knocked down, it is already dangerous. With increased illegal parking from a supermarket it will be all the more hazardous and chaotic.

Secondly Tesco will need deliveries, how will they negotiate 40’ articulated lorries in a busy main road with NO side access? Remembering that there is a bus stop right outside the Providence. will they do it during the day? (Seriously disturbing the traffic and the buses) Or at night (with all the noise that will bring)

Also ask why do Tesco want to move into the Providence when they have a perfectly good store 300m down the road? Tesco do not do things for the good of the community, only for sound economic reasons and for their bottom line…

If Tesco does move in, ALL of the small businesses along the south side of Western Road will be affected, most will suffer, some will go under, with the loss of jobs and thus, money, in the area, not good in this current economic climate. Most of the small businesses on Western Road contribute to the local economy, Tesco will not, it will take money OUT of the local economy.

Tesco does not have a good record of adhering to promises made in order to secure developments, there is much published and on line about this. They often renege on promises made and getting things in writing is notoriously difficult.

Why do we need another supermarket here? We already have a massive Tesco in Church Road, a Waitrose, the Taj, 2 Sainsburys, A co-op….we need another supermarket like we need a hole in the head. OK so there are problems with the Providence but don’t sell out to the devil to escape the fire….it just doesn’t make sense. The problems with the Providence can be overcome by negotiation and talking, not by selling out...

...I’m afraid I cannot agree with you regards The Providence and Tesco, I have never found the noise an issue, it’s never that late at night, the new bar, Bradshaws is more of a problem. We need live music venues in Brighton and they are being closed at a rate, Hector’s House, Pressure Point, Barfly, Engine Room all gone recently…Brighton IS a music town and we need music venues.

If we get a Tesco, parking will become even worse, people will stop just to shop, and park illegally, on the bus stand, then there are issues of deliveries, how where and when? Tesco is using its muscle to move small traders out, does the EBRA not care about the small traders on the south side? They WILL all close if Tesco goes ahead, at the loss of all that business, local economic input, jobs. Those who have businesses on the south side also shop locally and live locally, Tesco will not put back into the local economy. I cannot see why you support it, there are enough super markets in the area already, it will bring nothing to the area and only cause more litter, traffic, noise, problems, far more than the Providence at the moment. The Providence (before that the The Litten Tree before that I forget.) has always been a music venue, so noise has always been present and never really an overriding issue, this is an inner city area, so some noise at night is to be expected and tolerated …..wasn’t there an issue some time ago about the removal of the antique frontage from the existing Tesco that was supposed to be replaced and never was?

I’m afraid we are at odds over this, I will vehemently oppose plans for a Tesco, it will bring nothing to the area and actually be detrimental in terms of traffic, litter, noise, parking….sorry…

Kind Regards

Simon Binns

10 July 2010

EBRA says: Thank you for your email re The Lawns. Paul Elgood and City Parks along with myself and other residents groups did a walkabout on Ther Lawns recently. We noted all that you have mentioned. Paul and City Park are investigating the problem of heavy vehicles using the grass during events and will be reporting to us when answers are to hand.

You can see our Petition News in The Argus by clicking HERE!

Dear EBRA

In response to your recent dialogue with Paul Elgood and Sussex Police Officers; I would like to add further comments to this strand of conversation.

I have noticed and taken note of multiple groups of people enjoying themselves on Hove Promenade and on Hove Lawns. As these are Public and Council owned property I would hope the authorities will take an active approach to promoting and protecting the Social and Ecological benefits of these spaces.

I have noticed and taken note of many instances where people(s) are holding Barbeques on these areas. Their friendships and relationships with each other tend to develop and grow on a Social level.

I have noticed and taken note of many instances where pigeon(s) are enjoying dust-baths in the ash patches the July heat. Their health and feather condition tend to develop and grow on an Ecological level.

I am trying to understand why the recent festival held on Hove Lawns was permitted to go ahead, considering the destruction caused by multiple vehicles and bulding being erected on the site. Is this vandalism ignored because of the financial gain for companies, promoters and other beneficiaries? Why is this not considered in a second petition? It has also temporarily restricted the use of Hove Lawns as a Barbeque and preening site for the local residents, feathered and otherwise.

Daniel Moore Gobbitt
12 July 2010

EBRA says: We DID publish your comments because this is a community website! We absolutely agree that the Lawns should be shared for all to enjoy the summer...but the grass takes around 18 months to grow back properly and we would love to see people BBQing on the beach instead...where everyone can still have fun and enjoy this glorious summer!

What we are trying to do is control them and get installed proper facilities for them like they have in Australia. City Parks are trying out several ways to do this.

Thanks for your feedback!

You can sign our ePetition here.

Dear EBRA

Get over it. People want to relax and chill, it is difficult in an urban enviroment but the grass ALWAYS grows back. As long as you are not causing a disturbence and dispose of the bbq afterwards then WTF lets party!!!! By the way my nan lived in Brunswick Square before she died, my lasting memory of her is saying how much she enjoyed watching young families /couples enjoy themselves on the grass......GET OVER IT.... you should concentrate on DOG S**T

You have my permision to publish this....but I bet you won't.

Patrick Roberts 11 July 2010

EBRA says: This really is GREAT news! Please continue to sign our petition to keep up momentum!

You can sign our ePetition here.

Dear EBRA

Paul - EBRA Supporter

EBRA says: It's wonderful to have an email from someone so passionate and enthusiastic about the current Government. The press is incredibly hot on this issue today and Nick Clegg says:

"The Coalition Government is committed to restoring and defending your freedom – and we're asking you to participate.

We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society through our Programme for Government. We want to restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses."

This site gives you the chance to submit, comment on, or vote for ideas about how we can do this. Your ideas will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law.

So if there are any laws or regulations you'd like the Government to do away with, then submit your idea. If you see ideas there already that you like the look of, then rate them and get them moved up the list. And if there’s more you’d like to say, then talk to others in the comments section for each proposal.

It’s time to have your say. After all – it’s your freedom.

http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/

Thanks for your email and your link, Valerie! Keep them coming!

Dear EBRA

I have been mightily gobsmacked by the dynamic duo (Clegg & Cameron) and the astonishing style of government they have been unrolling (unleashing!) and presenting to the Country. Coalitions traditionally mean stagnant. Not this one!

I think their fellow politicians have been just as astonished. I put it down to a particular chemistry between Nick Clegg (the Lib Dem leader) and David Cameron (the Conservative leader) that has resulted in a daredevil bravery & dynamic that is making them look more and more like a pair of Miami Vice or other TV series celeb-style heroes - but with substance and serious creative cahones (balls!). The political equivalent of the Israeli Mossad daredevil rescue at Entebbe airport all those years ago (sorry if you are so young you don't know what I am talking about on that one!).

This rescue attempt is on democracy and on a Broken Britain that's really lost its way.

Are these two men, almost single-handedly rescuing this country? Dragging politics into a whole new way of working? Look at this link, listen to the Nick Clegg video launching it and prepare yourself. I was floored. Many of you will have heard it announced on the morning radio.

Put this link into 'Favourites' on your computer! This is just..."BEYOND"...!

http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/

This move goes beyond their declared bonfire of laws and vanities from all previous governments - not just the last one. Enjoy! Feel the energy and make your own suggestions!

Valerie - EBRA Supporter

EBRA says: We have never had a response an any other subject that compares to the flood of emails received when we ran this story. At least not since I were a lad. Here they are. You can send more if you like!

Dear EBRA

Has anyone asked the Council how many of the parking spaces in the Lanes underground car-park, by Brighton Town Hall, are reserved for the exclusive use of town hall staff and visitors?

The Town Structure Plan for Brighton and Hove specifically seeks to exclude the use of cars for travel to work, but, before the new Brighton Town Hall was built, the council were happy to flaunt this requirement for their own employees, by reserving the then adjacent Floral Hall car park exclusively 100% for their own use whilst charging the rest of us the most expensive meter-rate parking in the UK. ~ I hesitate to believe that they have since changed their spots.

How many cars does the Lanes park accomodate in its entirety? I know that it affords 189 spaces for the use of the general public, and 65 odd for the Thistle Hotel. ~ The balance that remains is the number that the Council reserves for its privaleged own use at our expense. How many is it? Are we, by chance, also looking at another scandal here?

Howard Bayley 27 April 2010

EBRA asked local councillor Paul Elgood for his comments and he replied as follows:

It has amazed me that this bus service is run at all, especially at a time of such severe budget restraints. It was introduced by Labour and continued under the Conservatives. We were amazed that until April the bus didn't even have disabled access on it, so previously disabled staff members couldn't even use it and were told to get the normal bus services instead.

The Liberal Democrats would scrap the service, but the council would need to provide an alternative for disabled and less mobile members of staff. However, that could be arranged at a tiny fraction of the cost.

I have previously asked that the bus makes more stops on the seafront route. The problem with this I am told is that the bus doesn't run on weekends when such a service would be most in demand. It does annoy me that there such limited bus services on the seafront so I do think this needs to be looked at as well.

One way to increase usage would be to simply run it along Church Road and Western Road. How many times have we had to stand on buses along there? The council would find that the service would pay for itself very quickly as all other routes along there are packed.

So in a nutshell the service should be reviewed in its present form and the money put into frontline services. Staff can easily be provided with alternatives on the existing network or the bus itself used to take the pressure off other routes which are under huge pressure . I hope this is helpful to you.

Rgds, Paul 17 April 2010

Why doesn't this surprise me! It's what I've come to expect from our local council.

Daniel Bodroghy-West 24 April 2010

Dear EBRA

Sounds like it should be stopped and money used for more urgent needs...

EBRA member 21 April 2010

Dear EBRA

I often see this bus on its route from Hove Town hall and very rarely do I see any passengers on it. I worked at Kings House for a short time about 5 years ago and nobody used it even then .

There is an excellent service around the city and council staff have a wide variety of buses they could use. This service should be stopped

EBRA member 12 April 2010

Dear EBRA

I often see this bus on its route from Hove Town hall and very rarely do I see any passengers on it. I worked at Kings House for a short time about 5 years ago and nobody used it even then .

There is an excellent service around the city and council staff have a wide variety of buses they could use. This service should be stopped

EBRA member 12 April 2010

Dear EBRA

Thanks to Bill Cowell and his diligence, has managed to expose Brighton & Hove City Council's corrupt callousness and arrogance as it tries to justify a "staff bus" at £93,161 a year. A percentage of our council tax rises are paying for this.

I tried to board this bus out of curiosity recently by the west pier to see where this bus actually travels to and from, but I was refused as I didn't have the correct "bus-pass". I asked what IS the correct bus-pass and where can I purchase it? Or can I just pay cash for the fare? He replied; " You need to get a bus permit from the council". He then closed the doors on me and just drove off.

My reaction to that was Roger French needs to be told about this strange behaviour from one of his drivers. But now Bill Cowell's investigation has come to light, it explains why the council was trying to keep very quiet about this little perk for its staff. Just like everyone else, I have to pay to travel to and from work by bus, or sometimes train.

I can't see any justification in providing decent paid council office workers free bus travel to and from work. What typical arrogant behaviour from a conservative run local authority that is basically putting two fingers up to the hard working, council tax paying residents of Brighton and Hove by providing this totally unnecessary little luxury for its staff at our expense.

I am extremely disgusted with this shameful waste of taxpayers money. Shame on you all at Brighton & Hove City Council.

Collin Deurance 12 April 2010

EBRA Replies: Thanks Collin. If you couldn't get on, how can the Council say this is a "a public service for the City"?

This is absolutely outrageous. Spending £93,000 of taxpayer's money on a private bus service for council staff when there is a perfectly adequate public service is unacceptable. "To cut down on car usage or to provide alternative transport for employees without cars" is a stupid excuse.

Why can't council employees just hop on the bus with the rest of the public? How can the council justify spending £93,000 on such a stupid, wasteful service when there are so many more needier, worthier causes in this city? We shouldn't have to write to councillors to tell them this. Any truly public-spirited civil servant should already know this.

Disgraceful!

WH, 9 April 2010

Why can't they use the cycle lanes along Grand Avenue and the Promenade that follow the route of the bus?

Hassan Khabbazeh (EBRA Committee member) 9 April 2010

I have seen it running without passengers...some call it the ghost bus!

Martin, 9 April 2010

Why are you always complaining? I like the 11X, you get to choose your seat and the view is nice.

A Spoove, East Grinstead,
11 April 2010

EBRA replies: It takes all sorts! Seriously though, is it not time the Council started taking notice of the paying customers?

We have exactly the same problems in liitle Western Street.Also what is worse is the acidic smell of car paint wafting out of the garages who seem to use it as a car paint shop.Game is up and time to get the council involved.However call me cynical as they still cant seem to stop the lout at Amber Foods constantly parking right by the zebra crossing where some one is going to be killed as you cant see any of the approaching traffic.

Name withheld [but very p***d off]

29 March 2010

EBRA replies: Yes, it isn't good enough. We all have to get along and that implies a bit of give or take. Not just take.

I read what Paul Elgood had to say but I would like to add a few words to this. These are worthy aims, but nowhere is there a mention of easing parking restrictions to help small traders. No matter what people say about green policies, struggling with your cumbersome weekly shopping on the bus is a very difficult experience. I've pulled muscles on more than one occasion. It's tough for everyone, not just disabled people.

I would much rather do the bulk of my weekly shopping in lovely shops like Taj, but the restricted parking forces me to use supermarkets with car parks. It is quite simply so much easier to load your heavy shopping into the boot of a car and drive home with it.

When will people see that the parking problems in this city - and nationally - have nothing to do with having too many cars on the road? It is simply a matter of extra taxation: in other words, councils filling most of the available space in shopping areas with double yellow lines so that they can force people into paying over-inflated fees for parking. These days I avoid shopping in the centre as much as possible - when I do go into the centre of the city I restrict myself to buying only one or two small items that I can carry easily. So from time to time I've bought one or two items in Taj that I find hard to get elsewhere - but that's it. The lion's share of my weekly food shopping is done in a supermarket.

If you're REALLY serious about helping small retail outlets, you need to stop deterring customers from visiting shops in the city centre. This is the single most important thing you could do to help small businesses in this city. Councils are making a lot of money out of this, but they need to find other ways of raising revenue.

They need to stop making the city centre so inaccessible to the public. Public transport is fine for getting around, but not for carrying home your shopping. But which council/political party is going to be brave enough to accept the potential decrease in its parking revenue in order to give small businesses that kind of helping hand? All of the other promises we've just read are welcome of course, but while everyone is still avoiding the main issue of parking then I am convinced that all of these promises combined will still not give small businesses the kind of help they really need.

Winged Horse

27 March 2010

EBRA replies: We agree, Council policy does drive people to the out-of town stores, but where will all the cars park if this policy is changed?

The Regency Society is supposed to protect existing (Regency architecture) buildings, not stop future developments because they dont like it.

Candice Clarke

25 March 2010

EBRA replies: EBRA just wonders why the Regency Society has been supporting developments in conservation areas that nobody likes!

The only common factor in all of this, is the management, get rid of them and this venue may stand a chance.

Name withheld

22 February 2010

I have no faith in the present management as I think they have milked the funds dry. The excessive yearly pay to Mrs Neiman is a good example.

I also have noticed on many occasions the arrival of staff by taxi. What's wrong with taking the bus or walking to work? Give it a year and the debt will increase and even more money wasted.

Piggy (Name withheld)

30 January 2010

The Editor replies: Thank you for your emails. It is EBRA's policy to support the Arts Centre but the Trust certainly made an awful mess of managing their finances.

It is obvious that M Zone just HAS to be extended if there is a 12 month waiting list. The only concern I have is that there are FAR TOO MANY Office/Shop permits for people who do not live in the area and park their cars whilst going to their place of work. This is ABSOLUTELY what the scheme is not about and NOT why it was set up in the first instance. They HAVE to find another way by using the EXCELLENT public transport i.e. Buses and NOT bringing their cars into the City.

David & Val Tillson
4 December 2009

EBRA replies: We agree, residents should have priority as Council policy states, and Zones M, N and O should be merged to ease the pressure and shorten waiting lists.

Hi Bill,

I feel very uncomfortable with the misrepresentation in the minutes of the EBRA committee meeting regarding the incorrect information about the Iron Dukes front door being open until 3am most nights. I feel disheartened at what feels to me to be more than an issue about not an unreasonable requests from the Iron Duke to make their business work; the approach of the committee trying to gain more support against the Iron Duke from EBRA members feels totally biased and there seems to be no representation of EBRA members who do not agree with this. I am wondering how this decision by the committee is made on false information, and do all the committe members agree to this decsision to vito the Iron Dukes plans. I would like all EBRA members to have a copy of this email, and I woukld like to know who the members are.

We live in a comminity which needs to communicate clearly and from the heart. I feel that Waterloo Street is a wonderful place to live due to the people and the location. We need to try to foster an atmosphere of care and clarity, I am not saying we need to agree with one another, however hear, tolerate and respect others experiences, and work together rather than in an atmosphere that feels pitted against the other.

I am aware that I could have ignored this whole process, which is maybe what the community is doing and how easy that is to do in the busy lives that we lead, however where I feel uncomfortable enough about something that is occuring under my nose, I feel I need to express my concerns.

Warm wishes
Lucy De Sousa.
20 November 2009

EBRA replies: Thank you Lucy. The hours quoted in the first issue of the Committee Meeting minutes were a daft mistake, they have been corrected and we apologise. No decisions were made on "false information", the correct opening hours proposed were well known all along. In fact no decision was taken at all, if you read the minutes (Item 4) it merely states the position and records the genuine worries of some members, as also does the news item on our home page. In fact we completely agree with you!

Dear Sir/Madam,

I was astonished to read in the latest addition of your newsletter, a whole subsection titled 'Amber Foods latest'. As a local resident I cannot comprehend your total victimisation of a young entrepreneur trying to make a go of a business in these tough times. With the recession in full swing every small business needs all the help it can get from the community it caters to. Therefore, you unabashed propaganda campaign against Amber Foods is completely unbelieveable. Brighton's appeal as an cosmoplitan city lies in the presence of these small businesses. Eliminating these kinds of shops from the high street, will not only make our wonderful area a less pleasent place to live in, but will also have an impact on our property prices.

The picture posted indeed portrays a tight highway. However, they were taken around the time of halloween as can be seen with only pumpkins on display. Did you take a wonder around Western Road, when David Rhodes, Tesco, and Taj all had similar, if not more obstructive displays on the pavement around that time?

Please stop this harrasment, persecution and hatred immediately! As a local resident I find your campaign of vilification of a young man(he seems to me in his late teens) trying to make an honest living deeply offensive. At least he's not a lager lout causing worst disturbances of a much more destructive nature. In the interests of impartiality, why not hold interview with Mr Khan so the residents can hear his views, so a more well informed perspective can be gained?

I hope you print this letter in your next edition, and Amber Foods has just gained me and my husband as customers.

Sincerly Yours,

N. Knight
17th November 2009

Dear Bill,

I printed - and then went to bed with - the minutes of your last committee meeting. You and everyone concerned with this are doing such a good job. I feel extraordinarily guilty that I have never attended a meeting. But this is because I am away working and am so seldom here.

Your committee is vitally important for this area, and you are the king pin to keep it together and organize it. I do admire you and everyone involved. If I can get my 'Father Brown' play into production next year, then perhaps I won't have to go away on tour all the time, and I will be able to join you and help rally support. Warning. If my play goes into production, I expect EVERYONE to go to see it!

Not much else I'm afraid, but if you e-mail me an address and the name to whom I should write as recipient, I'll gladly donate £50 towards the cause. I was particularly impressed by the person who donated a similar sum towards a crocus patch in Norfolk Square.

Fond regards, Bruce Montague

About Bruce: Truly famous actor of screen, TV and the stage, he has appeared in literally hundreds of productions over many years, and throughout the English-speaking world. Do you remember him as Leonard in Butterflies? Or maybe you saw him in The Onedid Line or George and Mildred or...

He is also an EBRA member, but not many people know that!

Dear EBRA,

An old guy with dark glasses keeps photographing my house! He says he is 'photographing Estate Agents' boards for EBRA'. I have told him to go away but he keeps coming back. If this is EBRA's doing than please ask him to stop!

Nervous of East Brunswick, 3 September, 2009

Dear EBRA,

My cat went missing last week. She answers to the name Snookins, but she has a tartan collar with a metal tag with the name Conseuela, that was my other cat that died and I couldn't afford a new collar. She is very friendly so if you have acquired a cat that is black and brown with one white ear she likes fresh tuna and chorizo sausage from Waitrose, water, no milk please.

Elderly of East Brunswick (phone no. supplied), 5th August 2006.