The Madeira Terraces became a budget battleground as Conservatives called for more cash to be set aside to restore the seafront arches.
But councillors were told that there was enough in the pot to fund the project for the time being – and there were more important calls on the council’s resources.
The Tories pushed to provide an extra £16 million in Brighton and Hove City Council’s 2022-23 budget last night to ensure the revamp of the grade II* listed structure was properly funded.
Their suggestions included saving money on pavement weeding by going back to using herbicides, reducing “union facility time” and scrapping councillors’ free bus passes.
Before the “budget council” meeting yesterday (Thursday 25 February), the council’s chief finance officer Nigel Manvell said that no extra funding would be needed until at least 2023-24 or later.
The council hopes to submit a planning application for the Madeira Terraces this spring and to have planning approval by the autumn.
Conservative councillor Alistair McNair said that now was the time to complete the budget required to restore all the arches. They were closed in 2012 for safety reasons.
He said: “Through previous work of the community by crowdfunding and the efforts of the Conservative team in the past two budgets, the council currently has funding available to complete phases one and two of the project and restore up to 80 of the 151 arches, depending on procurement costs.
“These amendments announced would provide a further £16.19 million to complete the project, with all 151 arches renovated, fully restoring the Madeira Terraces to their former glory.
“It is time for the excuses from this council to end. Residents and community groups such as Save Madeira Terraces Campaign want to see this project treated as the priority that it should be for the city.
“The money is there and, as we have shown, it can be found with sensible savings targeted at bureaucracy, red tape and areas of spending which don’t benefit residents.”
Green councillor Alex Phillips criticised the Conservatives for “politicking” the Madeira Terraces, saying that her party was “fully committed” to restoring all 151 arches as part of the Eastern Seafront Masterplan.
She said that the council had worked with specialist contractors to establish what needed to be done to ensure the restoration was cost-effective.
Councillor Phillips said: “Let’s be clear, in contrast to what is being suggested, there is funding for the terraces (now) and for future years.
“The £200,000 a year to be spent on the arches secured in 2020 is still in place as is all previously agreed funding. This includes around £7 million for phase one and £3.5 million for future phases.
“We’ve engaged with contractors to understand who has the specialist skills to deliver the project. And importantly, who can protect the complex heritage of the area.”
She said that the restoration project would bring a “new lease of life” to the seafront to benefit residents and attract visitors.
Labour councillor Amanda Evans criticised the Conservatives for “denying the climate emergency” and proposing to take money from the Carbon Neutral 2030 fund to spray “poisonous herbicides”, add unnecessary funds to Madeira Terraces and pay for a platinum jubilee statue.
She said: “Local Conservatives have an endless disconnect between the cost of keeping even essential services going and the slash-and-burn policies of their government.
“We’ll strive for more liveable sustainable communities by encouraging fairer employment and better pay, by spending locally, by supporting those struggling, by providing more council housing and cleaner air, by improving community safety and reducing hate crime.
“And yes, by restoring heritage treasures like Madeira Terraces to their former glory – just not by empty posturing when we already know we don’t need more money for them this year.”
The Greens don’t care about Brighton’s history and don’t give a hoot about civic pride.They are only interested in imposing their mindless dogma on the city. Roll on May 2023 , when we can rid ourselves of these mindless zealots. What they have done to Brighton is a disgrace.
What successive councils seem unable to understand is that the best way of avoiding expensive repairs is to look after what you’ve got, something most people assume to be one of the primary function of a council.
Regular maintenance would have minimised the need for major repairs all at once, but no, they’d rather waste time and money on silly, loss-making projects like the doughnut-on-a-stick that will never pay it’s way, and on whatever’s going on in Valley Gardens.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good, but only the people care, and our opinions don’t seem to matter.
Join Save Madeira Terraces Group on Facebook . Donate Jumble and Bric a brac bricabracdonations@hotmail.com Drop off in Kemptown
The uglification of the City continues. Lots of excuses for years as to why the Labour and Greens can do nothing. The only thing they are interested in is inviting more and more drug addicts to the town centre but they do nothing about smartening up the city or making it a nice place to live with excuse after excuse about why they have done nothing.
I’m not a political animal, but i find it strange that people are always carping on about Labour and the Greens, but don’t support the Tories when they try and get things done that will really benfit this city, like the Madeira terraces. Are they frightened? i’ve got my suspects whether this is a free country anymore, but things aren’t that bad are they?
Pandemic, cost of living crisis and climate crisis on top of austerity cuts to councils over many years – and you seriously think the priority should be this restoration?
It’s on the to do list and I’m sure its being done in a cost-effective way. That requires proper planning, obtaining multiple quotes etc. Anyone who has tried to be cost effective knows this. But you really think that we should throw more money, time and effort making it a priority? I glad the council isn’t that morally and financially irresponsible.