Latest news with #BrightonHoveCityCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton and Hove health survey 'not an easy read', director says
Brighton and Hove's largest ever health survey is "not an easy read" as it shows "inequalities affecting our communities", the council's director of public health Counts – conducted by Brighton & Hove City Council's public health team and the University of Brighton – is carried out once every survey showed that 56% of adults living in the most deprived areas of the city were in good or better health - compared to 76% in the least deprived Vass, the council's director of public health, said: "The findings are not an easy read, [they are] covering sensitive areas and evidencing health inequalities affecting our communities - while recognising their strengths and resilience." The survey found:25% of those living in the most deprived areas smoked, compared to 9% of those living in the least deprived areas37% of those in the most deprived areas drank alcohol at increasing, higher risk or possible dependence level (combined) rates compared to 48% living in the least deprived areas65% of those living in the most deprived areas of the city did less than 30 minutes of sport and fitness activity in the last week, compared to 48% living in the least deprived areas69% of people thought they were in good, very good or excellent health, but 24% recorded a low happiness score20% had taken drugs not prescribed to them and not available at a chemist or pharmacy in the last 12 months19% of those who gambled experienced at least one gambling-related harm37% were a healthy weight, 36% were overweight and 25% were obese The survey, which was carried out between March and April 2024, received responses from more than 16,500 people - representing 7.2% of the city's population aged 18 or answered questions on topics including general health, emotional wellbeing and alcohol and drug the first time, the 2024 survey also included questions on gambling-related harm, suicidal thoughts, harassment and hate results will inform the city's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and strategies to improve health and reduce inequalities.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Brighton council to unveil plans for Withdean swimming pool
Initial designs for a new swimming pool at a Brighton sports centre will be put on public display on plans for the 25m pool at the Withdean Sports Complex will be unveiled online ahead of a public consultation.A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said work on the pool was hoped to start in the "early part of 2026", subject to a full planning Robins, cabinet member for sport, said the council wanted to provide "modern, sustainable and affordable sports facilities for all". An online survey on the five-lane pool will run until 27 June, and three public events are being can see the plans on Tuesday at Westdene Library, and the following Monday and Tuesday in Withdean Sports Complex.A planning application for the swimming pool is due to be submitted in the summer, a council spokesperson Robins said: "It's incredibly exciting that plans for this much-needed new swimming pool at Withdean are about to be unveiled."I'm looking forward to seeing the plans and would encourage residents to get along to the drop-in sessions and complete the survey to help us shape this exciting and much needed new facility."Councillors were previously told the new facility could generate £12,000 profit per year.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Millionaire property developer is being prosecuted over 'wanton vandalism' of Victorian pub after his gang of workers smashed up historic tiles
A millionaire property developer accused of the 'wanton vandalism' of an historic Victorian pub is being prosecuted by council bosses. Charlie Southall, 46, bought the 150-year-old Montreal Arms in Brighton 'on a whim' after it closed during lockdown. He then hired a team of workers who took a pneumatic drill to the historic glazed green tiles of the locally listed pub. Residents were furious and confronted the property developer in the street, demanding he stop vandalising the historic pub. Police were called and the council issued an emergency stop order to prevent him further damaging the heritage tiles. Residents branded Mr Southall a 'vandal' after the incident in 2022 and Green MP Caroline Lucas called on the council to take action. Council bosses ordered the developer to replace the green glazed tiles in 2023 and restore the damage to the pub. But after a series of appeals and planning applications by Mr Southall, no work has been carried out. Now the council has announced it has launched legal proceedings against the developer for failing to restore the pub to its former glory. Cllr Tim Rowkins of Brighton & Hove City Council said: 'I can now confirm that the council has filed a summons with the court to prosecute the owner for the failure to comply with the enforcement notice relating to the reinstatement of the tiles. 'The next step will be for the court to issue the summons and fix a date for the first hearing.' The pub was built during a boom period of Victoria construction in Brighton in the 1870s and was the centre of a bustling community. The tiles date from around 1927 when work was carried out following the merger of the Portsmouth United brewery and Brighton's Rock brewery. Mr Southall, who also runs Dragonfly Digital Video Services, bought the pub for around £425,000 following its closure during the Covid lockdown. Nine days after collecting the keys, he decided to offer it for use as a free co-living space for refugee women and children fleeing the war in Ukraine. But when the property developer asked the local community to crowdfund a £85,000 renovation residents began to question his motives. In a heated exchanged during a public meeting, residents accused him of offering the property as accommodation for refugees in order to push through a change of use with city planners. Days later Mr Southall and a team of builders arrived outside the pub with a drill and proceeded to remove the glazed tiles from the exterior. Horrified residents gathered in the street and tried to stop the builders removing any more tiles In just over six hours, the team drilled off around one third of the listed green tiles before the council ordered issued an emergency stop order. Resident Harry Magee said: 'The tiles are called green faize tiles. They reflect different colours from different angles and are made of lead dyes. Each one will be handmade.' Accusing him of 'wanton vandalism', resident James Elliott said: 'He turned up with some guys armed with an almighty drill and proceeded to ruin a pub that has stood here for 150 years. He's an absolute disgrace and he's behaved like a spoilt child.' In a statement at the time Mr Southall, of Brighton, said: 'The new property owner has exactly the same permitted development rights as any other property owner in the area, and it is entirely lawful for external features to be altered or removed. This is a privately owned property.' The pub has now been put up for sale for £425,000 by Mr Southall and the estate agents are holding an open day next week. Mr Southall bought the pub for £420,000 in 2022 but has recently valued the pub at £150,000 in his own company accounts. Brighton and Hove City Council say responsibility for restoring the tiles would then fall on the new owner, who would be prosecuted if they failed to carry out the work.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton and Hove holiday let crackdown to be discussed
Sarah Booker-Lewis Local Democracy Reporting Service Getty Images Brighton & Hove City Council is considering clamping down on short-term holiday lets A crackdown on holiday lets could be on the cards if Brighton & Hove City Council's cabinet backs tougher measures. Council officials are exploring ways to regulate, licence and register short-term lets after a report raised fears that they were driving up rents in the city and putting a strain on rubbish and recycling services. A report from the council's Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee found as many as 6,000 homes were being used as short-term and holiday lets. Green councillor Ollie Sykes said: "Basically, there is nowhere to rent in Brighton and Hove any more. It's all Airbnb which is absolutely crazy." Mr Sykes said that short-term lets affected housing availability in Brighton and Hove, adding that 2,100 homes in the area were for rent on the website Rightmove. The report also suggested that some short-term letting businesses could be avoiding paying business rates, prompting calls for any tax loopholes to be closed, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The report also said that short-term lets tended to produce more rubbish and recycling than regular homes, with visitors putting their waste out on the wrong days. The scrutiny committee discussed steps taken by other councils, including in Blackpool where a holiday lets zone had been established in the strategic plan for the area. The cabinet could propose creating a zone or zones where Airbnbs are permitted and where they are not usually to be allowed as work gets under way on the new city plan for Brighton and Hove. The issue is expected to be discussed when the cabinet meets at Hove Town Hall on 26 June.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Brighton's RNLI lifeguard service starts this weekend
A new lifeguard service which is run by the RNLI is to be rolled out in Brighton & Hove this charity will have lifeguards at ten different sites from Hove to Saltdean from Saturday to 7 RNLI already manages more than 200 beaches across the & Hove City Council announced the move in January, and said transferring the service to the RNLI will help it to "maintain the current level of service and provide value for money". Sam Johnson, water safety manager for the RNLI, said: "We'd really encourage people if they're coming to the beach to chat to the lifeguards, find out what's going on, speak to them about the safe areas to bathe and use different water craft."We patrol 240 beaches around the UK each year. We're really proud to be working with Brighton & Hove City Council to roll out the service."There will be at least two lifeguards at the each of the sites. We'd encourage people to use a lifeguarded beach, check the weather and tides."The charity is also promoting its Float to Live campaign for people who get into difficulty in the RNLI's advice is for people to tilt their head back with ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally and move their hands and legs to help them stay afloat.
