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Open Letter to Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council

Following the announcement last week of Brighton and Hove City Council’s preferred bidder for the King Alfred redevelopment, Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats sent the following open letter to the Leader of the Council, Warren Morgan this afternoon.

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“We are writing to express the Liberal Democrats’ profound disagreement with the way the Council has handled the decision-making process over this important redevelopment opportunity for the City.

Michael Wilbur
Michael Wilbur

“It is completely unacceptable that councillors from the Labour, Conservative and Green parties have agreed to exclude local residents from looking at and evaluating the two short-listed options. This should not happen with major schemes and shows that our councillors have chosen to deprioritise basic principles of democracy in exchange for an easy life.

“Local residents should have a real say and the chance to examine the impact different proposals have on providing truly affordable housing and much-needed community resources in central Hove.

“As it stands, the £8 million public investment is being made with residents only allowed input on the minor details of the plans of the sole bidder, chosen behind closed doors.

“The Council has decided on a particular way of procuring the redevelopment of the site, where the Council owns the freehold, but that is no reason why Hove residents cannot have the opportunity to look at the competing schemes and air their views.

“It is wrong that the Council is hiding behind the very remote risk of legal action from a losing bidder and using this to defend its deeply undemocratic stance. The Council should instead show leadership and develop trust with potential partners and structure the process accordingly.

We therefore formally ask you:

♦  to approach the two rival bid groups led by Bouygues Development and Crest Nicholson Regeneration and ask them to agree to making the details of the bids public through the media

♦ stage local consultation about the plans (which may well lead to improvements)

♦ undertake that the Council will not pursue this type of approach with future major redevelopments

“We are keen to see redevelopment at King Alfred but it is vital that we make the right long-term decision. We look forward to the Council adopting a more inclusive approach at the earliest opportunity.”

Michael Wilbur, Chair, Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrat Party

For more information, click here:

To read letter in full, click here:

Man injured in unprovoked attack on Brighton Seafront

Police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked attack in Brighton on the seafront close to Brighton Marina.

Sussex Police logo

At around 3.30am on Saturday (January 23), a man reported being struck numerous times over the head with an unknown object.

Passer-by, Karl Walker heard the attack, intervened, and was hit in the face by the suspect, who then ran off towards Brighton Marina.

Karl Walker
Karl Walker ran to help the victim

Karl said: “I heard a guy screaming for help. I instinctively ran towards him, passing several other guys running in the opposite direction to the screaming and shouts for help.

“When I approached, I found a guy huddled and curled up in a ball trying to protect himself, from a white male, aged between 25 to 30 years old, 5′ 8” tall with a blond crew cut, lunging at him with a broken bottle.

“I challenged the attacker to call him off the seriously injured male and was then met with a full assault from the attacker who bottled me. I stood my ground, invited him to have another pop, he ran off.

“I’m knocking on the door of 50 years old, and I can tell you, that was a moment I wished I was 20 years younger.

“This coward deserves to be caught. If you have any information that could help to bring him to justice, please contact the Police.”

Police describe the suspect as a white man in his late 20s, about 5′ 8″, with blonde spiky hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt under a blue jumper, light blue jeans and white trainers.

Police say the first victim was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital with head and facial injuries, and the second victim sustained minor facial injuries.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 212 of 23/01.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 ( www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

Home Office Minister visits west London clinic to find out more about ‘legal highs’

Home Office minister Karen Bradley paid a visit to the Earls Court based Club Drug Clinic on Tuesday, January 26 ahead of today’s Psychoactive Substances Bill gaining Royal Assent and becoming law.

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Pictured (left to right): Dr Dima Abdulrahim, Karen Bradley MP, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones

Under the new legislation, the production, distribution, sale and supply of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) will be banned from April 1.

The Club Drug Clinic, run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) offers support and advice to people who’ve developed problems with recreational drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine and GHB/GBL known as ‘club drugs’. The team includes specialist addiction doctors, psychologists, nurses, counsellors and peer mentors with ‘lived experience’ of these club drugs.

The minister listened to a presentation by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, and Researcher Dr Dima Abdulrahim on novel psychoactive substances – also known as ‘legal highs’.

Substances include GHB/GBL, methamphetamine, ketamine, mephedrone, MDMA and a host of other research chemicals. Dr Bowden-Jones outlined how two new NPS drugs were emerging every week across Europe with these substances easily available over the internet.

The profile of those using the drugs had also changed with young professionals and prisoners amongst them. Dr Bowden-Jones also noted that the use of these drugs was leading to a host of new health problems from bladder problems to psychosis. He explained to the minister how the drugs were being used in a sexual context, known as ‘chemsex’.

Dr Dima Abdulrahim’s presentation featured on Neptune; a project which looks at ways to improve clinical practice in the management of the harms caused by novel psychoactive substances. The team also outlined the services available at the clinic to treat people with club drug problems.

Karen Bradley MP
Karen Bradley MP

Speaking after the presentation, the minister for modern slavery and organised crime, said: “Dr Owen Bowden-Jones and Researcher Dr Dima Abdulrahim gave a really interesting presentation and I’ve gained more knowledge about this issue.”

Commenting on the Minister’s visit, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, said: “Novel psychoactive substances present a challenge for health services and policymakers. There’s limited knowledge of the harm these drugs can do. The CNWL Club Drug Clinic continues to be at the forefront of developing clinical responses and will continue to develop and share that knowledge.”

Tickets for Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend 2016 on sale tomorrow

Will Young and Judge Jules to play Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend 2016 – ‘Heather Peace Presents’ set to return to Bank Holiday Festival.

 

Will Young
Will Young

Manchester Pride Festival organisers have announced the first wave of artists for this  summers festival.

Multi-million selling Brit Award winning singer-songwriter Will Young will be making his only LGBT festival appearance of the year at the event held over the August Bank Holiday Weekend and International DJ, Judge Jules, is the first DJ to be confirmed to play a set in the Gaydio Dance Arena.

The Big Weekend will also see the return of Pride-favourite, singer/songwriter, Heather Peace and the popular ‘Heather Peace Presents’ Boutique Stage line-up in Sackville Gardens.

Manchester Pride Patron, Heather who has been acting for over 20 years, has starred in TV shows such as London’s Burning, Lip Service, Waterloo Road, Prey and most recently appeared in the National Film Awards’ nominated Never Let Go.

Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, said: “The Big Weekend 2015 was a great success and we’re preparing for the challenge of matching it this year. Our first announcement demonstrates our commitment to delivering a first class line up of entertainment for The Big Weekend in 2016 as we embark on our mission to celebrate, campaign and raise money for the LGBT communities of Greater Manchester.

“Will, Heather and Judge Jules are huge icons in their own right, and this first announcement is a nod to the diversity in musical tastes that we’re aiming to cater for at The Big Weekend 2016. There are more big announcements to come – each one providing even more reasons to buy your Pledge Band early this year.”

The award-winning Manchester Pride Festival takes place in August, with the Big Weekend running from Friday August 26 – Monday 29 and the Parade taking place on Saturday, August 27.

Big Weekend tickets are on sale from tomorrow, Friday 29, priced at £18 for weekend tickets. Day, family and children’s tickets will be released at a later date. Tickets are exchanged for Pledge Bands at the festival providing guests with access to the event, including the Main Arena, Sackville Gardens, the Gaydio Dance Arena and the Expo and help Manchester Pride raise essential funds for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester.

For more information on The Big Weekend, click here:

 

Understanding and Responding to LGBT Hate Crime

A free training opportunity led by Ben Dew from Allsorts Youth Project and Rory Smith the LGBT Police Liaison Worker/Hate Crime Co-ordinator with Sussex Police.

AllsortsSussex Police

 

 

 

 

 

Ben and Rory are running a free training session on LGBT Hate Crime for professionals working with people in the Brighton & Hove area.

There are two dates available to attend this training. Both sessions are the same so you only need to book one of the dates.

These are:

♦ Wednesday, February 17, 10:00 – 12:30

Venue to be confirmed (central Brighton)

♦ Wednesday March 16, 14:00 – 16:30

Venue to be confirmed (central Brighton)

These sessions should enable participants to:

♦ Identify what homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes are

♦ Identify the impacts of hate crime on diverse individuals, groups and society as a whole

♦ Recognise potential barriers to reporting and accessing help with hate crime

♦ Employ strategies to help LGBT people access safety services (police, charities, CPS, councils etc.)

♦ Identify services that can help with reporting, advice, advocacy and support

To book a place email: bendew@allsortsyouth.org.uk 

Or telephone:  01273 721 211

Places are limited so please book early.

PREVIEW: Charity Cabaret benefit for RISE

Charity Cabaret are staging a fundraiser to benefit RISE at The Brunswick pub in Hove on February 20.

Charity Cabaret for Rise

A fabulous night of entertainment is promised, with an outstanding array of acts including: Jenny Lynne Sessions (aka Jen-ix), Sophia Blackwell, River Harper, Hannah Brackenbury, Al Start and We R Bob. The evening will be hosted by Annabel Pribelszki.

There will be a raffle with fantastic prizes.

Rise is a national award charity that provides support for victims of Domestic Violence.

For more information about Rise, click here:

The venue is fully accessible with a fully licensed bar and food will be available.

Charity Cabaret is a charity event management and promotion group, who actively provide a platform for female performers.

For more information about Charity Cabaret, click here:


Event: Charity Cabaret Fundraiser for Rise

Where: The Brunswick Pub, 1-3 Holland Road, Hove

When: Saturday, February 20

Time: 8pm

Entry: Tickets £12/10

To buy tickets online, click here:

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