One of the most positive aspects I noticed about lockdown the first time around was how active and engaged people were getting with how their city is run and how decisions are made.
I’m a big believer in participatory democracy. I want people to be as involved as possible in the decision-making process here on the council.
Fortunately, there are a range of consultations on the council website where you can make your voices heard and influence council policy.
Lots of these only take 10 minutes out of your day to influence issues like school places and local planning. For some you’ll even be entered into a prize draw.
In lockdown, I think we could all welcome a 10-minute distraction and a prize!
One of the live consultations is on urban design. The council has developed a planning framework to guide the design of future developments, improve existing areas, shape new places, design climate-friendly buildings and open spaces – and you can have your say on it.
This is your city and how it looks as it develops impacts you, so make your voice heard.
The council has come up with a range of proposals to improve the way our Health and Wellbeing Board works. Before making any decisions though, you have the chance to feedback on these proposals and share your own ideas.
There are more consultations open right now, including on the council’s long-term sports facilities investment plan.
My ambition is for Brighton and Hove to become a health and wellbeing hub where access to healthy lifestyles is second to none.
This plan will form a key step towards that and almost all of us use our sports and leisure facilities at some point. Your views are key.
There are plenty of other consultations you can have your say on right now. From sharing your views on the current proposals to increase council tax support for those in need, to resolving the various issues caused by commercial bins on our city’s roads and pavements – we want to hear from you.
Are you having your say on the way decisions in your city are made? If not, take 10 minutes today and get involved at https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/council-and-democracy/consultations.
Good to see residents can contribute to plans that will have a long and lasting impact on the city.
If only we’d been asked 60 years ago whether we wanted our seafront and streets to become dominated by traffic polluting the air we breath, shortening the lives of hundreds every year, and injuring or killing scores of people.
With foresight and well-run consultations, Brighton & Hove will be a better place for residents 60 years hence.
Residents might be able to contribute,however whether their opinions are used is another thing.Possibly just another paper shuffling exercise or pressing some buttons on a keyboard to justify somebodys job.
As for pollution shortening peoples lives well it might be for some but the majority are actually living another 10years since the 60s.
However one tries to slice the data, life expectancy for all the city’s residents would be even higher than it has become if the air was not polluted by vehicle emissions. Let’s hope that improvement happens so current and future generations can breathe easily.
“Agh!” The computer screen almost wilted as I exclaimed while seeing that cllr Platts had used that frightful local-government term of “hub” in her piece.
It brought to mind those terrible winter months of her Party trying to shrink Hove’s Carnegie Library into the Museum as a “hub”.
I had hoped that we had seen the last of this noun which brings to mind Orwell’s essay on the need to look closely at language as used by local and national authorities.
What’s more, cllr Platts says that she is a “big believer”. this is preposterous. Belief is an absolute. One either believes in something or one does not. This is simply a matter of turning around her phrase. Who on earth would say “I half-believe in” something or other?
Tony Blair often made himself sound absurd with his “I strongly believe…”.
Graham Greene often said that adjectives should be used sparingly. They are rare in his novels’ titles. Though, that said, The Honorary Consul, The Confidential Agent and A Burnt-Out Case are three of his best. Selection is the key.
http://www.christopherhawtree.com
Whilst on the subject of Libraries, can you please enlighten us, Christopher, on whether they’ll be re-opening on 2nd December and if so, will that be FULLY, as that was NOT the case after the first Lockdown—half the computer stations in Brighton Library were removed and, despite the fact that OPEN cafes abounded OUTSIDE that building, the one INSIDE it was closed.
Should this still be the case next week, do I have your categoric assurance that you’ll be mounting more of your public protests against the Council outside these libraries because, if so, you can count upon my vocal support—I’ll be only too happy to put aside our differences, on this ONE occasion, and come along to join you, especially as I’m looking for a good reference book on OBSESSIVE DISORDERS!
Wait a minute—IS NANCY PLATTS STILL OUR COUNCIL LEADER?
One thing is certain – the council can’t take account of people’s opinions if people don’t take part in the consultations. The results of consultations do get taken into account. The results of the 2016 consultation about Brighton and Hove’s parks and gardens, for example, were included in a council report. The only problem is that it’s not easy to find out about consultations. The council needs to publicise them better.
Brighton Council actually listening to consultations is a poor track record at best. Remember Valley Gardens Phase 3 where 62% wanted the Pier roundabout kept – simply ignored because it did not fit officers plans. How about the recent one on the OSR cycle lane where 68% did not want it – just ignored. Consultations are a sham unless you actually inact what they are telling you to do.
Spot on Nathan!
And of course you WOULD say that, wouldn’t you, GILL MITCHELL!
A consultation is not a referendum. It’s an invitation to raise concerns so they can be looked into and, if possible, alternative solutions found. ‘If possible’ because what people want is only one of the factors that have to be taken into account, along with safety, budget, and so on. But I agree, there is no point asking the public if you know you’re not going to make any changes. If the public has been consulted, councillors should explain why they haven’t carried out people’s wishes.
Well, if you’re the same Gill that I’m thinking of,you’ve certainly undergone somewhat of a DAMASCIAN conversion, haven’t you?
I don’t believe I’ve ever met you Mr Furness. Your comment indicates that you definitely do not know me.