Thursday 23 June 2011

Green councillors seek to give Gypsies and Travellers same respect and consideration as any other community, in return for "Good Neighbour Compacts"

Brighton and Hove City Council will seek to engage with Travellers on the same terms the rest of the community, a Green councillor Pete West said in Press Release issued 15 June 2011.

As part of its ‘firm but fair’ approach to unauthorised traveller sites, Brighton & Hove City Council plans to ask travelling communities entering the city to sign up to Good Neighbour Compacts. The council is in talks with Sussex Police about how the proposals can be implemented.

”The compact is one of the proposals contained in our review of the city’s Traveller Strategy,” said Cllr Pete West, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability. “Compacts are already used widely in social housing and we would hope that most travellers will sign up.

“We are not expecting Compacts to solve all the problems but we believe they will help. They are a new approach to a problem that no other previous administration in this city - Tory or Labour - has been able to solve.

The search for a permanent site is also an urgent priority for the council. “We will consider sensible locations where travelling communities might be allowed to stay for short period of times,” said Cllr West. “This is a better alternative than the current cat and mouse game, which sees travellers moving from site to site, sometimes causing damage as they go.

Another proposal would see greater value for money protection given to the environmentally sensitive parks and open spaces, which have been damaged by travellers.

“We will, of course, consult the resident community and the travelling community before changes are made to the Travellers Strategy, which was introduced in 2008 by the then Tory administration,” added Cllr West.

Traveller numbers this summer are not unusually high, however there is a higher number of traveller children and this has made the need for careful and sensitive handling of unauthorised sites extremely important.

”We follow the procedures outlined in Government Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping published in 2004 and the Travellers Strategy,’ said Cllr West.

Partnership with the Police is central to this work. A joint visit is made to any new site within one working day of the site being established in line with police protocols, and health and welfare checks are carried out.

“We have a small Travellers Team, which is very hard-pressed in the summer months when traveller numbers rise. Government spending cuts make it impossible to increase the size of this team.

“Our aim is to ensure Gypsies and Travellers are treated with the same respect and consideration as any other community,” said Cllr West. “By the same token, we expect all communities nomadic or otherwise to respect our parks and open spaces and to treat other people with respect and dignity and not to engage in anti-social behaviour.

“Unfortunately, there are a minority of travellers who behave badly, as there are in all communities.

We will always use our legal powers and resources to tackle unacceptable behaviour. This may involve powers of reasonable persuasion and application to the magistrates’ court seeking eviction from council owned and privately owned land. We always support the police where they use their powers to deal with criminal and anti-social behaviour as part of our firm but fair approach.

”While I appreciate and sympathise with the concerns of many residents about the recent impact some unauthorised encampments have been having on parks, I wish to reassure them that the council is doing all it can within the bounds of its legal obligations, and our desire to be firm but fair,” said Cllr West.

“I am greatly concerned about the politicisation of the issue by some opponents which I fear risks stoking up prejudice and racial hatred, and would ask for calm and understanding from all.”

A spokesperson for Sussex Police added: “Sussex Police is committed to reducing any tensions between the settled and traveller communities, deal with any crime or anti social behaviour amongst all groups and, when requested, consider the emergency powers that exist to require people to leave unauthorised encampments.”

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Spanish Revolution protesters leave Old Steine camp, Brighton

9 June 2011. Protesters occupying the Old Steine in central Brighton agreed to quit their camp, according to Councillor Ben Duncan, Cabinet Member for Communities in Brighton and Hove City Council.

He said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest and will facilitate it where possible but we will take action where necessary to fulfil our duties as a council and these include ensuring public parks are protected for the whole community.

"The right to peaceful protest does not include the right to camp in public parks and we will uphold local bylaws to prevent this. We have accommodated the protesters' protest and allowed them to make their point and they have behaved well so far and we expect them to leave this Sunday. It's good news that they have promised to move on and I expect them to fulfil that promise."

The following pictures capture the spirit of the non-violent protest...


Click 'Read more' for more pics...

Monday 20 June 2011

Recycle Week - Green councillor Pete West spends a day with refuse collectors and says more recycling of household waste is possible and will save landfill tax

June 17 2011. Ahead of National Recycle Week, which runs from June 20 to 26, Councillor Pete West, Brighton & Hove City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, accompanied refuse and recycling crews on their rounds to see collections at first hand. He said much more could be done toward recycling in Brighton and Hove.

He said: "For every tonne of waste that goes to landfill, the council has to pay £56 in Landfill Tax - that's council taxpayers' money which could be much better spent elsewhere."

"Many people are already recycling, but there is more that can be done - from going out with a refuse crew on their round earlier this month I know that materials that can be recycled are still being put out in refuse bins. There are lots of ways we can all make a difference and cut waste, whether it is by reusing items, for example, by giving them to a charity or community group which can make use of them, or recycling using the 'black box' doorstep recycling scheme, and recycling points around the city. The YMCA charity shop at the Hove Recycling Centre is proof that one person's rubbish is another person's treasure."

Central Sussex YMCA shop at Hove Recycling Centre is a charity shop putting tonnes of rubbish to good use - and raising thousands of pounds for local people at the same time. They supply recycled goods to Sussex Central YMCA shop at Brighton & Hove City Council's recycling centre off Old Shoreham Road in Hove is a treasure trove of goods - including the kitchen sink! Items which might otherwise have ended up being discarded as rubbish are donated for sale at the shop and a paint recycling scheme is about to be launched there.

The role of the shop which is run by Sussex Central YMCA, in association with the city council, is being highlighted as part of national Recycle Week which runs from June 20 to 26.

It is one of a variety of ways across Brighton & Hove in which residents are being encouraged by the city council to reuse and recycle as much waste as possible - to help the environment and cut costs. These include doorstep recycling collections; recycling banks across the city collecting everything from glass and cans to bras and toys; recycling centres; sales of subsidised home compost kits; and providing details of local charities and community groups which can reuse furniture, timber, bric-a-brac, paper and other unwanted goods.

All kinds of items which might otherwise have ended up being discarded as rubbish are donated for sale at the shop. Furniture, clocks, clothes, bicycles, and electrical goods, and bric-a-brac make up the bulk of its stock but quirky and unusual items also come its way - recent donations, for example, have included a Sphinx garden ornament which was so heavy it need four people to move it and was soon snapped up by a new owner; large plants which have outgrown their home; a sledge; ironing boards, and sinks.

A paint recycling scheme is also about to be launched at the shop, under which people can donate leftover unwanted tins of paint, to be used by local charities, community groups and people on low income free of charge. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/paintreuse

For the YMCA the store, and their other high street shops, are a vital source of income which raise essential funds for the charity's work with children, young people and families in Brighton & Hove.www.hoveymca.org.uk

Recycling Factfile

For full details about recycling in Brighton & Hove and the range of materials which can be recycled visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/recycling

Around 30,000 tonnes of waste are recycled in Brighton & Hove every year from doorstep collections, recycling points and recycling centres - the equivalent in weight of 2,100 double decker buses. (This is out of a total of around 108,000 tonnes of waste generated in the city each year.)

Brighton & Hove City Council's recycling centre are operated on behalf of the council by Veolia Environmental Services. They are located off Old Shoreham Road, Hove, BN3 7AE, between Aldrington Avenue and Leighton Road, and off Wilson Avenue, Brighton, BN2 5PA, about half way up Wilson Avenue, on the eastern side.

A huge range of materials can be recycled at these sites, from cans, aerosols, and cooking oil to metal, car batteries, computers, TVs, textiles and shoes

Turning food scraps into compost is another way of cutting waste and a new video on the council's website www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/composting gives tips on home composting. Subsidised compost kits are available from the council.

Recycle Week www.recyclenow.com

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Call for decriminalisation of drugs from Police Chief and Green MP in Brighton and Hove

Ecstacy pills
Collection of Ecstacy (MDMA) tablets
14 June 2011. A call for decriminalisation of personal drug use, and a health based approach to treatment, has been made Brighton's Green MP Caroline Lucas - and her call has been backed up by Brighton & Hove Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.

Caroline Lucas said an evidence-based approach is needed to tackle the UK's drug crisis, reduce the number of drug-related deaths, and make our communities safer. 

In a speech to NHS healthcare professionals in Brighton yesterday evening, Green Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas supported the findings of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which earlier this month called for a major review of drugs policy.

Caroline said, "There is growing agreement across the scientific and political communities, in the police and the legal professions, that we need to move away from prohibition of use towards an evidence-based, public health approach to drug addiction.

"One of my top priorities as a local MP is to tackle Brighton and Hove's very sad reputation as the drugs death capital of the UK.

"In order to do that, we need to recognise the reality that the so-called ‘war on drugs' has failed - and start dealing with drugs differently.

"Here in this city, we understand more than most the consequences of a national drugs policy that has failed our citizens and our communities.

"Having seen the commitment locally to successful evidence-based treatment and support programmes, I think we are also well placed to start shaping an alternative approach - one that works."

Caroline, who is an active member of Parliament's All Party Group for Drug Policy Reform, is planning a high level roundtable in the city later this year, bringing together medical experts, and key local stakeholders, including the police and council representatives, to help develop an alternative approach.

Caroline believes that Brighton could set a positive example for other cities battling high levels of drug misuse by shaping a different approach which builds on successful initiatives that are already happening in the city, such as the highly successful RIOTT trial, which demonstrates that previously unresponsive patients can achieve major reductions in their use of street heroin.

In her calls for a potential decriminalisation of personal drug use and a health based approach to treatment, Caroline is joined by Brighton & Hove Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.

He commented, "My officers will continue to enforce the law as it stands. However, my personal view is that whilst production, supply and trafficking are and should remain crimes, the use of drugs is not well addressed through punitive measures.

"Providing people with treatment not only resolves their addiction - thereby minimising risk of overdose, drug related health issues, anti social behaviour and dependence on the state, for example - but cuts the cost to the community by reduced offending."

Caroline added, "We have some excellent practice in the city in dealing with drug addiction, both from the third section, and from interventions like Operation Reduction, run by the local police.

"Over the coming months, I want to work closely with key agencies, healthcare professionals and community groups to explore ways for us to make a change for the better. I want to hear from local people about whether the city's services are currently equipped to best reduce drug-related harms - and how they could be improved.

"One area I should like to explore is extending the provision of naloxone, used to counter the effects of heroin or morphine overdose, to all prisoners leaving prison with a history of addiction.

"Pilot programmes in Scotland and Wales are already showing positive results in terms of lives saved."

She has also called for an urgent review of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, together with a cost benefit analysis to compare its effectiveness in reducing the societal, economic and health costs of drug misuse with an alternative approach based on treating drug addiction as a health issue, not a criminal one.

"In this age of austerity, when we are told that every penny of public spending must be justified, nobody is checking whether the war on drugs is value for money or money and effort wasted", Lucas will say.

"I don't think it will be easy.

"A new approach, based on treating drug addiction as a health issue not a criminal one, will represent a significant shift in thinking - and any changes should be brought in slowly and carefully.

"But in the long term, a more evidence-based drugs policy will help us to prevent crime, and protect our communities from the worst effects of drug abuse."

Caroline Lucas

Monday 13 June 2011

Solar panels to save £23k on council electricity bill as Brighton and Hove's Green-led council pledges to 'lead by example'

Solar panels

The Green administration on Brighton & Hove City Council has given the go-ahead for roof solar panels on prominent buildings in the city.

Lead councillors supported the solar power scheme at a meeting of the new council cabinet last week.

The council says it hopes to finance the scheme by earning money from the national grid.

The council could take between £40K and £160k depending on sunshine, meaning the initiative could save £23k in the council's electricity bill.

Council officers said they had explored sites across the city to find the best places for solar-powered generators.

It has listed 23 sites as potentially profitable - with 17 locations for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

The council wants the panels to be in place by April 2012 when rules mean solar energy may become less profitable.

Currently surplus electricity fed in to the national grid is worth 41p a kilowatt hour.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, the council's cabinet member for finance, said: "I'm delighted that one of the new administration's first decisions will be our city's largest ever roll out of solar panels.

"With this project the council will generate new funds to help offset government cuts to our budget while also reducing our carbon footprint.

"We would encourage everyone in the city to consider whether they too could use renewables to save money and reduce emissions.

"Brighton and Hove can be a hub for green industries and we plan to lead by example."

For more information please contact the Brighton & Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.


12 June 2011

Friday 10 June 2011

Green Council leader Bill Randall pledges to make Brighton and Hove into UK's "greenest city"

10 June 2011. Brighton & Hove will become the UK’s greenest city, council leader Bill Randall said at a cabinet meeting last night.

Councillor Randall said: “We believe we have captured that spirit to offer the city a fresh start through policies fuelled by fairness and driven by a desire to produce the UK's greenest city and narrow the gap between rich and poor. We look forward to working with residents, public and private sector partners to achieve our aims."

In his first major speech since taking control of the council, Cllr Randall set out three key aims for the next four years.
• Making the city into the UK's most sustainable, "greenest" city
• Tackling inequality and wage gap
• Involving residents, community and voluntary organisations in the council’s work.

He set out a plan to reduce the city’s eco footprint and set up a ‘biosphere reserve’ with neighbouring authorities – both plans backed by the business community and other public bodies.

Initiatives include local carbon budgets, which run alongside financial budgets, as well as plans to fit solar panels on schools and other public buildings to take advantage of feed-in tariffs and increase the use of renewable energy.

While admitting that tackling equality will not be easy because of the public spending cuts, he said the first priority will be to protect services for children, vulnerable adults and those on low incomes

Other initiatives include introducing a ‘living wage’ and ensuring that the highest paid council officer earns no more than 10 times the lowest paid officer.

Involving communities is a high priority with plans being piloted to introduce neighbourhood councils with their own budgets and working closely with the city’s vibrant third sector and trade unions.
Mr Randall said the administration takes over in hard times but that there is a new spirit in the city.

Patcham Place: Long Lease Sale is best option for preserving the C16 building, says Green cabinet member for finance Councillor Jason Kitcat

Patcham Place Old London Road (Wikipedia)
10 June. Patcham Place, a 16th century, Grade II* listed mansion owned by Brighton and Hove City Council, is to be offered for sale on a long lease, following approval by the Council cabinet last night (Thursday, 9 June).

Councillor Jason Kitcat, cabinet member for finance and central services, said: "We think this is the best option for Patcham Place as the council does not have the significant investment needed to bring the historic building back into use.

“Patcham Place is part of Brighton’s history and we’ve been working closely with the planning team on a brief that will ensure the building will be renovated sensitively. The green spaces around Patcham Place will remain in council control for public use.”

Patcham Place was once owned by Anthony Stapley, one of the signatories of King Charles I’s death warrant. Also included on the 1.7 acre site is a Grade II stable block, currently used as a parks depot.

A council spokesperson said: "The council-owned Patcham Place is being marketed as part of the council’s asset management process as it has been declared surplus to requirements. The capital raised from the disposal will be re-invested in the council’s capital and value for money programmes, for the benefit of residents."

"Once marketed the council will evaluate the bids and bring back a further report for the cabinet to make a decision," the spokesperson added.

Patcham Place was occupied by the Youth Hostel Association for nearly 70 years until October 2007. Since then the council has investigated a number of options for the building.

Patcham Place was one of two buildings shortlisted by the South Downs National Park for its headquarters but the new authority chose a location more central to the national park.

The council also looked at the possibility of relocating some of its services there. However, the building was not suitable and the council did not have sufficient funds to refurbish the building.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Bright Start nursery saved from funding-cuts-closure by Green-led City Council

Carline Lucas at Bright Start last year
9 June 2011. Brighton's Bright Start nursery's battle to escape funding-cuts-closure has been won - thanks to backing from the newly formed, Green-led, Brighton & Hove City Council.

Green Councillor Sue Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People met the nursery advisory group this week to tell them the nursery will stay open, and to hear their views about the future of the nursery.

Cllr Shanks said: “We want the city’s children to be happy, healthy and able make the best of their abilities through good nurseries. While there was a question over the numbers of children attending and the level of subsidy provided, we think we can improve on both these aspects. The uncertainty around Bright Start has not helped it become sustainable."

Bright Start is a city council-funded nursery for six months to five years old children based in North Laine in the city centre.  In October last year, the council, then under Conservative Party leadership, proposed the closure of Bright Start in response to cuts in Central Government funding. At the request of Green councillors, and Green MP Caroline Lucas, the Council's Chief Executive agreed to 'call-in' this decision so a scrutiny committee of councillors could review it.

Greens took control of the council after the local elections on 5 May 2011.

A campaign to promote the nursery had an impact with a number of new children starting including children with free places funded by the two-year-old scheme.

Cllr Shanks said: “Good nursery provision is vital as the early years of a child’s life are so important to their future development. Ofsted inspectors said that the nursery provides excellent support for children's learning.

“I also want to ensure that our most disadvantaged children can benefit from the nursery including increasing the number of two year olds with free childcare places.”

Bright Start nursery cares for more than 80 children. The number of 3 and 4 year olds has increased to 39 compared to 31 a year ago. The group are planning a nursery open day and table top sale to help publicise the nursery.

Ofsted inspectors recently praised the work of the nursery. Bright Start was inspected in February 2011 and achieved an overall good judgement, an improvement on its previous inspection.

Inspectors said: “The nursery is well organised with a confident and trained staff team providing good quality childcare to meet children's needs overall. Children enjoy an attractive and highly stimulating play environment, with many well presented resources and play areas. “

Bright Start will be holding an open day for parents interested in the nursery on Friday 1 July. Please contact the nursery on 01273 291570 for more details.

The Green Campaign to save Bright Start was taken up by MP Caroline Lucas last year. Click "More" for copy of Caroline Lucas letter to the Conservative Cabinet Member Councillor Vanessa Brown

Gender Equality survey says best Council in UK is Brighton and Hove City - with 44% women

Green spokesperson Alex Phillips calls for more women in local democracy

Brighton and Hove City Council was ranked the country's best for gender equality - with 44% of Brighton and Hove councillors being women - according to survey results published this week by the Centre for Woman and Democracy (CFWD).

Cllr Alex Phillips, Brighton and Hove Green Group of Councillor's spokesperson on women's rights, said: "It's great that Brighton & Hove City Council is top of the survey rankings for gender equality, as well as being the UK's first Green-led council.

She added: "Women bring a wealth of skills and experience to the table. More women need to be involved in local democracy. How can councils come to the right decisions that affect the lives for half of the population if women are only 20-30% of the councillors in town halls?"

The CFWD report praised the Green Party nationally, saying 40% of the Green Party's successful candidates in the last local election were women.

The report said that, nationally, Labour, Tories and Liberal Democrats aren’t doing enough to make local town halls as representative as they could be. In the May local elections, there were 318 wards across the country where not one single female candidate was standing for the "big three parties".

Cllr Phillips said there is more to be done both at Brighton & Hove Council and in the local Green Party. “We recognise that locally the Green Party could still do better and the 39.1% share of women in the Green Group of Councillors could be improved upon. Obviously there’s an element of unpredictability in who voters elect, but it’s important to ensure women candidates are selected in winnable seats. If you look at our candidates, rather than councillors, we fielded women in winnable seats, though there were usually more men in three-member-wards. With three-member-wards, it’s one gender or the other that takes ‘the majority’.

"We urgently need to look at addressing social factors such as improving childcare provision available to councillors, because that certainly isn't good enough at the moment. I’ll be working with colleagues in the Green administration and the wider Green Party to push this forward.”

Of 54 Green candidates fielded in the May 2011 Brighton & Hove City Council elections 46% were women.

Notes
1) http://www.cfwd.org.uk/news/50/61/Women-s-progress-in-local-elections-stagnant ---

---Local Elections 2011. Brighton and Hove Green Party elected 23 Green councillors, making Greens the largest group on the council, a first for the UK: www.brightonhovegreens.org
---
On 6 May 2010, the people of Brighton Pavilion elected the UK's first Green MP - the leader of the Green Party - Caroline Lucas. Visit www.carolinelucas.com to find out more.
---

Thursday 2 June 2011

Sustainablity and Wealth Gap are main challenges says Green council leader Bill Randall, as he outlines strategy for Brighton and Hove

1 June 2011. Council leader Bill Randall today said his Green administration will focus on "producing a sustainable city while narrowing the gap between rich and poor" in Brighton and Hove.

His comments were made as a new report identified "high levels of poverty" and "unaffordable housing" as serious problems. He went on to identify key strategies for tackling the problems, including "open book" working with all parties, and creation of new green jobs.

Meanwhile, Council released an action plan "tackling issues identified in the State of the City report".

Cllr Randall said: "Brighton & Hove is a great city with much to be celebrated such as its vibrant cultural scene, strong knowledge–based economy, injection of creativity brought by university students and a wealth of city visitors including foreign language students.

"But there are real challenges including inequality, poverty and a chronic housing shortage. Our focus will be on fairness and producing a sustainable city while narrowing the gap between rich and poor.

"We will meet the challenges ahead through an open book approach and working with other political parties, the trade unions, third sector, voluntary organisations, businesses and residents.

"We will roll out the city's biggest-ever installation of solar panels on public buildings and council houses, increase recycling, expand 20mph speed limits, reduce the number of empty buildings and take steps to reduce car dependency while increasing walking, cycling and public transport. Developing environmental industries will increase jobs and cut our carbon footprint.

"Despite the unprecedented public spending cuts imposed by central government, we will strive to deliver our vision of a sustainable and fairer city."

Report identifies problems
Cllr Randall's comments were made as Brighton & Hove's State of the City report was published. It provides a strategic overview to "create a shared sense of priorities and evidence for future decisions about commissioning services". The report names poverty, housing health and environment as the biggest issues facing the city.

Challenges
Longstanding problems remain.

"Deprivation is an issue across several areas in the city and there are high levels of poverty while housing is unaffordable for most residents and many are in need of housing.

"There are higher than average levels of unemployment with many areas deprived of 'employment options' with wages lower than the regional average and many jobs restricted to 'high value' sectors.

"The city has an unhealthy drinking culture and many residents drink more than recommended guidelines or binge drink, while the rate of drug–related deaths is a serious problem.

"A growing population of older people is likely to increase the pressure on adult social care services in the city with the numbers of residents aged 90 or over set to rise by more than 40 per cent over the next decade."

Reasons to be cheerful
State of the City report also paints a positive picture of the fundamentals in Brighton and Hove.

"The city boasts a young and well-educated population that enjoys a rich cultural experience such as theatres and festivals and benefits from living close to the South Downs as well as 11 kilometres of coastline.

"A high proportion of residents make use of the city's sports and leisure facilities while parks and open spaces are enjoyed regularly and use of public transport is rising.

"The city's economy is strong and boasts a healthy entrepreneurial spirit together with a high number of businesses per person with significant numbers of private sector jobs being created. There is also a thriving local and organic food sector and the economy is boosted by eight million visitors each year.

"Nursery and primary education is at national averages or above and a historic problem with high rates of teenage pregnancy is being successfully addressed while more city mothers are breastfeeding."

Action plan
The Brighton and Hove press office said: "Services run by Brighton & Hove City Council and its partners are already tackling issues identified in the State of the City report. These include:

* Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton & Hove Seaside Community Homes' initiative to raise £30 million to bring thousands of council homes up to the decent homes standards, return the council's long term empty homes back into use and improve and convert some of the bigger council properties

* A programme for 1,000 new homes during the next four years through new developments on council-owned land and by bringing forward major regeneration projects, like Preston Barracks and Circus Street market

* Joint agreement with the universities for a 'social lettings agency' to improve housing standards and value for money that will look to 'place' families and students to ensure a more balanced community and address concerns over anti-social behaviour in areas popular with students

* The Ru-ok substance misuse service run by Brighton & Hove City Council and NHS Brighton and Hove that is helping young people reduce the harm associated with alcohol and substance misuse

* A groundbreaking agreement to provide follow-up treatment to young people who end up in A&E because of alcohol and a Sussex Police-led scheme to target young people drinking in public places

* Revamped contraception and sexual health services for teenagers that have already shown signs of reduced unplanned pregnancy among young people as well as improved sexual health. Services targeting young people will be launched following a Mystery Shopper exercise and these include opening hours that suit young people, increased confidentiality, straight-talking literature and swift online referrals to specialist services

* New intelligent commissioning pilots tackling drug-related deaths, domestic violence and alcohol problems

* Partnerships to boost an already thriving third sector to improve services. There were over 1,500 third sector organisations in the city employing around 8,000 people which is seven per cent of the total employees in the city, in 2008

* Two major developments in the city including American Express' European Headquarters and the Brighton & Hove Community Stadium – both of which will provide huge boosts to the city's economy

* Personalisation of services, meaning older residents live independently for longer

* Tackle fuel poverty with the most vulnerable residents in Brighton & Hove getting free or cheap electricity under a council initiative that would also see new funding to make homes more fuel efficient and cut CO2 emissions

* Install photo-voltaic solar panels on more than 1,600 council homes and buildings to subsidise energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions

* The council has launched a Local Employment Scheme to increase employment and training opportunities for local people who want to work in the construction industry, provide support to local building firms in order to secure contracts on large developments, and to assist developers and contractors with their workforce needs."

Green Cabinet member Sue Shanks opens new playgroup building at Dorothy Stringer

20 May 2011. Green councillor Sue Shanks opened the new, modular building at Dorothy Stringer Playgroup in Brighton and Hove on Friday 20 June.

Councillor Sue Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Good early years provision is so important for the children’s development and this new light and airy building is a big step forward in improving early learning here at Dorothy Stringer.

"It great to see a playgroup originally set up nearly 40 years ago to provide work experience for the students at the High School is still doing this and helping to provide us with the early years workers of the future.

“Congratulations to everyone connected with this playgroup for achieving such a fantastic Ofsted report that just shows children at this nursery really are getting the very best in their early years.”

The new building, which is on land owned by Brighton & Hove City Council, is designed for children and is light and airy, with more space for children with registered numbers rising from 18 to 24.

The new building was designed to meet the needs of the site and the playgroup and includes low windows, a canopy, a new office and a bigger kitchen.

The Playgroup, which has been open since 1973 and originally set up to provide work experience for students from Dorothy Stringer High School, is highly rated by regulator Ofsted. The group offers places for children from two including free early learning places for 3 and 4 year olds.

The total cost of the project was £150,000 and was funded by Brighton and Hove City Council from the Sure Start Early Years capital grant. The funding was aimed at improving buildings for early years groups in the private and voluntary sector. The building was developed by the Council in partnership with Westridge, the Council’s building partner.

The playgroup was inspected by Ofsted in March 2011 and was judged to be outstanding in every category. Inspectors said: “The setting is highly organised and a confident and experienced staff team provides excellent support for individual children's development. A highly attractive and consistently well planned and prepared play environment is provided, with continuous opportunities for free-flow and outdoor play. Children engage in a high level of child led activities and staff also provide high quality one-to-one teaching. The planning of the learning activities and use of observation and assessment is exemplary, with key persons closely involved in ensuring all children make significant progress with their learning. The setting maintains strong links and partnerships with parents and improvement is consistently well maintained through the detailed application of self-evaluation.”

Cycles on the bus trial announced by Green councillor Ian Davey

26 May 2011. Bicycles will be carried on a bus service as a trial in Brighton and Hove.

There will be space for up to two bikes on the 79 bus to Ditchling Beacon, from 28 May, for a trial that will last throughout the summer. Cyclists can taken their bikes on the bus for no extra charge. Bikes will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The bus driver will advise people how to secure their bike safely on the bus, which has specially-installed equipment.

Councillor Ian Davey, cabinet member for transport and the public realm, said: “The trial is in response to requests from residents who told the council they would like to cycle on the South Downs Way from the Beacon, but find getting there difficult. Ditchling Beacon Road, which links Old Boat Corner with the Beacon three miles away, is a very busy country road which can be particularly stressful to cycle along, so it’s great that there is now a practical alternative.”

A Council Press Officer said: "If the trial is successful, it is hoped to make the bike spaces a permanent feature of the 79 bus route. Bikes are not carried on other city bus routes because all available space is needed for the high number of buggy and wheelchair users. Fewer people bring buggies or use wheelchairs on the 79 route because of the challenging terrain at Ditchling Beacon."

The 79 bus runs every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday, leaving Old Steine (stop U in the southwest corner) at 10.15 am and then hourly until 5.15 pm. The bus also stops in front of Brighton Station. Buses return from Ditchling Beacon at 45 minutes past the hour, until 5.45 pm. For more information please go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses or call (01273) 292480.

The 79 bus to Ditchling Beacon is funded by Brighton & Hove City Council and the National Trust. Together with the South Downs National Park Authority they form the ‘Breeze up to the Downs’ Partnership, whose mission is to improve access by bus to popular Downland destinations. The other two ‘Breeze’ routes are the 77 from Brighton Pier to Devil’s Dyke and the 78 from Brighton Old Steine to Stanmer Park. The 79 route is operated under contract by Brighton & Hove Buses and the trial has been possible thanks to European Interreg ‘Collabor8’ funding granted to the Breeze Partnership.