Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of EBRA
Held on Sunday 12th November 2006, 3.00pm at The New Venture Theatre

In the chair: Bill Cowell

Committee Members Present

• Richard Gamper
• Eleanor Gamper
• Sue King
• Jim Livesey
• Reggie Vincent
• Mark Harris
• Peggy Thomas
• David Hales

Committee members not present

• David Maunder - no reason given
• Mike Stubbs - moving from area.

As the minutes of the previous AGM held on 11th February 2005 had been circulated to all prior to the meeting, it was agreed there was no need for them to be read out. The minutes of the meeting were agreed by those present at the meeting.

1) What we have achieved since the last AGM

a) Communal waste bins

As a result of representation to the Council waste bins have been located in Waterloo Street, Norfolk Square and Western Street. This has resulted in a huge reduction to the amount of litter in the streets.

b) Norfolk Square Iron Railings

A Petition to the Council to replace the existing modern chain link fence round Norfolk Square with cast iron railings has been agreed by the council. This is currently being costed by them.

c) Estate Agents' Boards

A Petition to ban Estate Agents' boards being displayed outside premises in the Brunswick Conservation Area has been submitted to the Council. This is currently being considered by them, but if agreed may only apply to Grade 1 & 2 listed buildings. We would need to lobby for this to be extended to all buildings.

d) Pavements

The pavements round Embassy Court are to be repaired following complaints to the council by EBRA. Pavements in Brunswick Street East are also to be repaired.

e) Street Lighting

The Council have noted and approved some improvements that need to be made to the street lighting in the Brunswick area. These changes have been approved and will be carried out as soon as possible.

f) Website

Jim Livesey has very kindly spent a lot of time constructing a website for EBRA. The site is receiving some 100 hits a day. Jim is keen to receive articles/items of news etc to put on the site. The key to a successful site is to have an ever changing site of interest.

g) The Garden at Waterloo Arch

The garden, which was built with money that was donated by a local resident, has yet to be completed due to lack of further funds. Through representation to the Council by Bill Cowell, two olive trees have been planted to the rear of the garden. Application for funding of £8,500 to complete the garden has been made to the BBC's "Breathing Places" scheme. Funding is available from the National Lottery. Decision will be made in May 2007

h) Friends of Norfolk Square

The Friends of Norfolk Square are now part of EBRA and Reggie Vincent founder of The Friends of Norfolk Sq is now on the Committee of EBRA

i) Graffiti

The British Telecom junction boxes covered with graffiti have now been painted by BT. The redundant BT box in Norfolk Square has been removed.

2) Items currently being dealt with

a) A-Boards, Tables and Chairs on the pavement

This is a continuing problem that has been very difficult to resolve. Cllr Pennington very kindly provided us with a list of licensed A-boards in Brighton and Hove. At the last count on the Western Road 78 boards were on the pavement between the Freemasons pub and Norfolk Square. Only 7 A-boards are licensed in Hove. The council's Highways Officer seems unable to enforce regulation of the boards due to lack of funding. Some action has been taken by the Council, but more needs to be done. EBRA will continue to pursue this problem.

b) Street Cleaning

The standard of street cleaning still leaves a lot to be desired. The area covered by the street cleaner is far too large for him to effectively keep the streets clean. All EBRA members are urged to keep the pavements outside their property clean and encourage others to do likewise. Fouling of pavements and streets by dogs is a constant problem. Members are urged to contact the Dog Warden if offenders are seen. The Dog Warden will be requested to patrol the area and signs put up warning offenders they will be prosecuted.

c) Street Greening

Discussions are continuing with the Council to identify where trees could be planted. Only one Arboreal Officer is employed by the Council, on a one day a week basis. Progress is therefore unfortunately slow.

d) Traffic Problems

Heavy goods vehicles using Waterloo Street and Little Western Street to enter the EBRA area are causing damage to the road surfaces and properties. Bollards that were recently erected on the pavement to protect a house in Cross Street have already been damaged by a vehicle. The fence around Norfolk Sq was knocked down by a large vehicle unable to turn the corner. In addition, speeding traffic and traffic going the wrong way in one way streets is causing danger to pedestrians. Noise and vibration is damaging buildings. These problems have been discussed with Cllr Elgood and a number of suggestions such no HGV's, 20mph limit, calming measures, have been put to him. Discussions are continuing, to resolve these problems.

e) Painting Bollards

Bill Cowell reported that he is still waiting for the Council to provide him with paint so that he can paint the rusting bollards in Waterloo Street.

3) Constitution

Bill Cowell proposed the following changes to the Constitution:

Chairperson Deputy Chairperson Secretary Treasurer Webmaster

Bill Cowell Richard Gamper Vacancy Sue King Jim Livesey

All the above have agreed to continue in the above positions. Geraldine Diggins is not standing for re-election as the secretary. This position is now vacant. She did accept the position of Street Representative for Western Street/Golden Lane. Jane Austin has volunteered to be a Street Representative for Upper/Lower Market Street and Waterloo Street along with Peggy Thomas. Richard Oxford has volunteered to be Street Representative for Farman Street.

Street Representatives

Waterloo Street, Ivy Place & Chapel Mews Brunswick Street East & Donkey Mews Farman Street Upper/Lower Market Street (Kerrison Mews) Norfolk Square/Place Western Street & Golden Lane Friends of Norfolk Square (Gardens) Little Western Street Cross Street

Peggy Thomas & Jane Austin Eleanor Gamper Richard Oxford Peggy Thomas & Jane Austin David Maunder Geraldine Diggins Reggie Vincent Mark Harris & David Hales David Hales & Mark Harris

The above have agreed to represent the above streets. It was agreed that Street Representatives would normally be the focal point for residents' issues, but would report to the committee any problems they were unable to resolve locally.

The above changes and appointments were voted on and agreed unanimously.

Membership from outside EBRA

It was agreed to allow membership of EBRA to those living outside EBRA area. However, they would not be allowed voting rights. This was proposed by Bill Cowell, seconded by Jim Livesey and unanimously agreed.

4) Planning Monitor

To avoid planning applications being overlooked by interested residents, Jim Livesey suggested a planning monitor be appointed to peruse the council's planning website on a weekly basis. Any planning applications in the EBRA area would be reported by them to Jim Livesey, who would record the application on the website. These planning applications could then be tracked via the website and updated with progress of the applications. Where objections are raised and lodged with the council, there must be 5 or more objectors before the case is submitted to the Planning Committee for their consideration. If less than 5 the application is determined by council officers. Cllr Pennington suggested that if EBRA were to lodge an objection, that would count as only one objector. Ideally one of the objectors should have close association with the site, ie a next-door neighbour. Mark Harris kindly agreed to be the Planning Monitor.

5) Noise patrol

Sue King proposed that EBRA lobby for additional funding to pay for extending the hours of work of the Noise patrol. Currently in the evenings the Noise Patrol is only available on Fridays and Saturdays between 10.00pm and 2.00am. Noise complaints outside these hours cannot be dealt with at the time of the disturbance. Sue King outlined the noise disturbance that had occurred at 7 Waterloo Street and the problems she encountered with having the complaint dealt with. It was explained that the more people that complained, the more likely the complaint would be dealt with. The Noise Patrols' telephone number will be put on the website and EBRA would lobby for extending the hours of the patrol to include bank holidays.

6) Any other business

Licensing applications Jane Austin raised concerns about the ever increasing number of premises in the area being awarded alcohol licenses by the council. At least three new nightclubs were due to open shortly in the area. Jane suggested we need to find out what are the council's long term plans for the area, in respect of licensed premises. Jane Austen agreed to meet with Cllr Elgood to find out the plan for Brunswick

St Andrew's Church It was reported that the installation of central heating in the church would be completed by Easter. Additional funding for this project was currently being applied for. Christmas cards were now available in aid of this.

Proposals of thanks were made to Bill Cowell and Jim Livesey for all their hard work on behalf of the residents of this area over the last year. Cllr Pennington was thanked for attending the meeting.

Minutes taken by Richard Gamper and typed by Eleanor Gamper - thanks to both

Bill Cowell
Chairperson EBRA