Minutes of Committee Meeting Held Saturday, 3rd June, 2006

Committee Members in Attendance

• William Cowell, Chairperson
• Richard Gamper, Deputy Chairperson
• Sue King, Treasurer
• Geraldine Diggins, Secretary
• Eleanor Gamper
• Mitchell Stubbs
• Mark Harris
• Peggy Thomas
• David Hales

Apologies received from David Maunder and Enrico Dummett

Call to Order

The meeting began at 11:30am in Flat 2, 23 Waterloo Street Hove BN3 1AN

Introduction of secretary

Bill Cowell introduced Geraldine Diggins as a volunteer to be secretary and there were no objections.

Treasurer's Report

Sue King, treasurer, reported that there was approximately £50 in the Association's account. It was sugested that a reminder should be sent to all our members. in an effort to encourage more members to pay the minimum £3 annual contribution. All those present agreed.

Noise

Richard Gamper stated that the landlord of 'The Conqueror Pub' was interested in having a good relationship with the local residents. It was suggested that if there is any disturbance from any Pub in our vicinity, that we first make contact with landlords and owners before making an official complaint. If that fails, then Bill Cowell, Chairperson or Richard Gamper, Deputy Chairperson should be asked to intervene. Richard Gamper advised that any official complaint concerning noise or disturbance cannot be done anonymously.

Street Cleaning

It was agreed that there was insufficient manpower to adequately deal with our street cleaning and that Cityclean would be contacted in an effort to try to improve this.

Litter is still a problem on Brunswick Street East, Upper and Lower Market Streets and on the lower part of Norfolk Square and on Brunswick Terrace immediately next to the Embassy Court. Until the Communal Bins for these areas are installed we will continue to have problems with vermin tearing the bags open for food.

The Riz Raz restaurant on Western Road is a problem as it continues to use green plastic bags for its commercial waste. This would be taken up with Environmental Heath to see if they can be obliged to use a solid bin as other restaurants do in this area.

It was discussed and agreed that if everyone, owners and tenants, each did their little bit to pick up litter and remove weeds from their own areas, it would instill a feeling of pride in our neighbourhood, which would be contagious. It was felt that there is a limit to what The Council can do for us, we have to each do our part.

Condition of brick pathway at Brunswick Street East

Richard Gamper was concerned about the poor condition of the brick pathway on this street and feared that the council would repair it with tarmac. Bill Cowell reported that after recent discussions with Paul Elgood there was a plan to repair this and other paths in our area. Bill Cowell will ask Paul Elgood exactly what is planned.

Parking on Brunswick Street East and various other traffic problems

Brunswick Street East, consists of mixed use, garages, houses and flats. Some garages are taking up to 6 parking spaces as well as parking illegally on double yellow lines. Car are displayed for sale on Residents Parking Bays. It is felt that the Council should give more support to residents. The same Parking restrictions that are applied to Residents should be enforced on businesses. This will be taken up with Cllr Paul Elgood. Changes must be made.

There are 5 new properties on this street and it was agreed that enquiries should be made concerning their parking rights. Bill Cowell to check.

Parking signs being defaced is causing a problem in as much as wardens cannot enforce the Parking Rules. Action must be taken to replace missing signs the day they are removed or defaced.

Speed bumps on Waterloo Street are proving ineffective and causing noise when cars hit them..

One way signs on Cross and Waterloo Streets are often being ignored. High speeds when vehicles use the streets as 'rat runs' are a very real danger to all.. The majority were in favour of a 20 m.p.h. speed limit on all the residential streets within the Brunswick Area.

Crossing at the Embassy Court across to the Meeting Place leaves inadequate time for anyone with a disability to cross even to the middle of the road, let alone all the way. The timing of the lights needs to be altered before there is an accident.

Richard Gamper agreed to bring all of the above traffic and parking issues to the attention of the Police at the upcoming Brunswick and Adelaide Police Meeting being held on 27th June, 2006.

Norfolk Square railings

Bill Cowell confirmed that the petition to reinstate the railings had been accepted by the council and was under consideration.

Estate Agents Boards

The council accepted the petition to extend the prohibition of Estate Agents Boards to the whole of the Brunswick Conservation Area. This will tie in with the ban already in place for Brunswick Sq/Terrace, Adelaide/Palmeira etc. The matter is now being discussed by The Council and hopefully our request will be accepted.

The Bye Laws for Estate Agents Boards were read out and it was agreed that all Estate Agents are taking no notice of these Bye Laws. i..e. Only one sign per property is allowed. If there is more than one Agent involved, the signs have to be joined back to back and cannot be displayed separately. Sold/Let Boards can only be displayed for 14 days after the property has been sold or let.

It was agreed that when we were aware of the Bye Laws were being ignored, we must contact the offending Agents in an effort to make them comply with these regulations.

Notice Board at Norfolk Square

Bill Cowell advised that the key for the Notice Board is now with Reggie Vincent (Friends of Norfolk Sq & EBRA) Notices displayed must be of a non-religious and non- political content, except for our Councilors who may display their information.

Quarterly committee meeting

The majority agreed that there should be a quarterly committee meeting. No date was fixed for the next meeting, but it would be held late August

The meeting adjourned at 12:45pm.

Respectfully submitted

• Geraldine Diggins, Secretary
• East Brunswick Residents' Association

To be e mailed to all our members. Copies will be delivered to members without e mail.