23/08/2012 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Help keep Brighton beach clean!

Posted on 23/08/201227/11/2012 by Besi

Over 23 tonnes of rubbish was collected from the beach this weekend (August 18 and 19). This is the most Brighton & Hove City Council has collected in one weekend this year.

60 extra litter bins were also placed along the seafront and the Hove lawns area, and 15 additional 3200 litre street bins and 8 additional 1100 litre bins were put around the city centre and sea front area.

The beach front and city centre street cleansing team worked between 6am and 10pm.

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has joined the call for visitors to Brighton & Hove beaches to take their rubbish away with them when they leave for the day. One of Mike’s resident complained to him that the state of the beaches in the early hours of Sunday morning was more akin to small landfill sites than award-winning beaches.

Mike said:

“It’s certainly not too much to ask that people take any rubbish that they create when visiting our wonderful beaches. Unfortunately, I am sure that people who live in Brighton & Hove are just as guilty as those who visit from outside the City, but if everyone just took care of the rubbish that they created then it would really help and save a lot of taxpayers’ money having to be spent on clearing it all up.”

There will be extra provisions made for the bank holiday weekend and Pride.

Councillor Ollie Sykes said:

“Brighton & Hove has really managed to pull in the crowds this summer. We employ 20 extra seasonal staff for the summer months to deal with the increase in visitors. The beach has been particularly busy, and our beach cleaners have been working hard to deal with the massive amount of litter left on the beach.

“We ask that people dispose of their litter responsibly by recycling using the bins provided for this, and otherwise using the litter bins or taking waste home for disposal. We urge everyone not to leave waste on the beach as this is unpleasant and can be dangerous.”

Tory Police and Crime Commissioner candidate meets Hove MP

Posted on 23/08/201230/11/2012 by Besi

Mike & Katy — Mike Weatheley & Katy Bourne

Katy Bourne, the Conservative Party candidate in the forthcoming Police & Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday, November 15 has met with Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade to discuss policing issues facing local residents.

During their meeting, Mike raised a number of local issues with Katy and used the opportunity to hear more about her priorities which include cutting crime, improving detection rates, putting victims back at the heart of the Criminal Justice System, tackling anti-social behaviour and delivering value for money from our police force for Sussex as a whole.

Mike said:

“It was really useful to discuss issues facing residents of Hove and Portslade with Katy. The creation of Police & Crime Commissioners is an excellent idea and I very much believe that Katy’s priorities will make Hove and Portslade a safer place. I hope that everyone will take this special opportunity to have their say on the future of policing in Sussex.”

For more information on Katy’s priorities, view her website: Katy Bourne

Poet and artist to speak at national health summit

Posted on 23/08/201230/11/2012 by Besi

gay mental health poet

Poet, artist and campaigner, Vince Laws, has been invited to speak and display art at the National LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) Health Summit at Canterbury University on September 13 & 14.

Vince, who is openly gay, openly HIV+, and openly mad will consider the theme of ‘isolation’ and perform one or two appropriate poems. He will also collect phrases from the 350+ delegates and use them to create a brand new poem.

Vince said:

“It is important that we learn to love ourselves and our sexuality and our illnesses – if I hate my illness I am hating a part of myself.”

For more information about the National Health Summit, view:

LGBT Health

Proposal to allow motorcycle use in bus lanes proceeds to next stage

Posted on 23/08/201230/11/2012 by Besi

A proposal by the local Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) that would allow motorcycles to use two existing bus lanes is being taken forward by Brighton & Hove City Council.

The group met with councillor Ian Davey, chair of the transport committee, and council transport officers on Thursday, August 16, 2012 to share the findings of a recent study and discuss the way forward.

It is expected that the proposal will be taken to the November meeting of the council’s transport committee, with a recommendation to trial a scheme where motorcyclists could use bus lanes on the A23 and A259.

The trial would be on sections of these approaches to the city, but not within the busier, central area.

After researching similar schemes and the potential implications on road safety, air quality and congestion in Brighton & Hove, the council concluded that opening up bus lanes to motorcycles is a possibility.

Officers will now prepare a report based on the research that has been done for councillors to discuss and make a decision at the transport committee. That report and the further development of proposals will also give residents, other road users and neighbouring authorities the opportunity to express their views.

Councillor Ian Davey said:

“When the Motorcycle Action Group approached us last year we were pleased to take up their request and investigate whether it would work here.

“We had a very positive meeting with the MAG representatives and I would like to thank them for their patience and their contribution which has enabled us to reach this point. I look forward to continuing to work with them on developing the idea further.

“We welcome ideas to make travel easier for people but it’s important that we consider the needs of all road users when exploring them in more detail. This is an example of how we are willing to work with groups to achieve the right combination of safe and sustainable transport measures.”

If the committee report is agreed, the scheme could start by next summer. It will be monitored and the results brought back to the committee before any decision is made on whether to introduce measures on a permanent basis.

Improving conditions for motorcyclists would also complement ongoing work by the council to increase the number of motorcycle parking bays in controlled parking areas, provide secure locking points where bike theft has been a problem, and road safety awareness for motorcyclists.