Work is under way to repair parks and green spaces damaged by events in the late spring and summer, a senior councillor said.
She spoke after North Laine resident Maxine Horn and Green councillor Sue Shanks asked about the state of Valley Gardens in central Brighton and previous promises of “rapid reinstatement” of public spaces which seemed to come to nothing.
Councillor Shanks, who represents West Hill and North Laine, which includes Valley Gardens, and Ms Horn submitted similar questions asking about repairs and how reinstatement fees and bonds are managed for each event.
Ms Horn was frustrated by the lack of restoration for the green space between North Road and Richmond Place, used for the Spiegelgarden and bar during the Brighton Festival and Fringe in May.
After living in the area for 20 years, Ms Horn was taken aback when the space was used for the Speigelgarden because the area is not usually used for festival, fringe or other events – unlike Victoria Gardens, The Level and open space around St Peter’s Church.
Last December, the council appointed a third-party company New Timber, to work with the council’s parks department, known as City Parks, to reinstate the green spaces.
Labour councillor Birgit Miller, Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet member for culture, heritage and tourism, said that photographs were taken before and after events to establish the damage and the cost based on a pre-approved price per square metre.
She said: “This year there has been delay in works being carried out, particularly in the central areas, due to the exceptionally dry summer we have experienced.
“Reinstatement works are now being started and will continue over the coming weeks. The level of reinstatement needed is advised by the contractor and agreed with City Parks operational teams ahead of the organiser being charged.”
At a meeting of the full council at Hove Town Hall on Monday 13 October, she said that New Timber were paid directly by event organisers. No money was collected or held by the council.
But, when answering Ms Horn, Councillor Miller did not say who would take enforcement action if repair work was not carried out.
Residents concerned about the effects of events in public spaces were encouraged to make their views known on the council’s website which has a permanent Outdoor Events Forum.
A public meeting about events in Valley Gardens and The Level is due to take place next Tuesday (28 October) at Ironworks Studios, in Cheapside, Brighton, with details and registration on the council’s website.
