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Council set to freeze library charges

City councillors are set to vote in favour of freezing library charges for next year.

Jubilee Library
Jubilee Library

Despite the council having to make savings of £23 million over the next two years, all fees and charges, including concessions, in the council’s 14 libraries will be held at this year’s prices.

The decision will be taken at the tourism, development and culture committee on Thursday, January 11, when councillors discuss a range of fees and charges.

A report to the committee also recommends charges for room rental at the Brighton Centre or hiring Madeira Drive for events rise in line with the current inflation rate at 2 per cent.

On the seafront, there will be no change in charges for the Volk’s Railway, the rental of beach chalets will rise by 2 per cent, and the hire of beach volleyball courts, lockers and other amenities moving on or just above the rate of inflation when rounding up numbers is taken into account.

 Alan Robins
Alan Robins

Committee chair, councillor Alan Robins, said: “As a council, we are facing very tough financial pressures, but we are also determined to continue giving our residents value for money by keeping our fees and charges for our sporting and cultural activities as low as possible where we can.
 
“We increased library charges last year, so freezing them now hopefully helps balance the rise in prices 12 months ago.”

Freedom Leisure, which operates the council’s seven sports facilities, is allowed under its contracts to raise its prices by the annual rate of inflation’s RPIX, the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments, which will average just over 4 per cent.

Residents with lower-income levels will still be eligible for a leisure card which offers up to 40% discount to the sports facilities.

Mytime Active, which runs the council’s two golf courses and has a similar contract to Freedom Leisure, will increase its membership/season tickets below the contractual amount at around 2 per cent.

Cllr Robins added: “When fees and charges are proposed, a balance needs to be found to ensure services remain financially sustainable whilst still providing value for money.
 
“We must also ensure the fees and charges provide a range of flexible pricing to suit everyone and are not a barrier to participating in sports.”

PREVIEW: Out and proud: a call to arms – African activist releases debut dance track

LGBTQ + activist and newcomer to the dance scene, Hunter releases debut single.

Hunter
Hunter

The Tanzanian born artist released his Gay anthem So Gay, at the end of November, via YouTube.

Born to Muslim Indian parents in a country where it is illegal to be Gay, Hunter is breaking through the restrictions of the society he knew through his direct track.

The headline single of his upcoming E.P (of the same name) is a celebration of sexuality, and aims to encourage others to be out and proud, and find freedom within themselves.

Produced by Niraj Chag in London, the track is a culmination of genres and influence from around the world. In doing so Hunter hopes to link audiences from across the globe to listen to the issues discussed in his music.

With a B A (hons) in Fashion and Textiles, the artist and activist insures his work transcends music, looping art and dance into his creations. Through its use of military themed footage and lyrics, the video for So Gay encapsulates the fear and often violent response to homosexuality felt in countries where it is outlawed.

Currently the anthem is available through YouTube, and is yet to be released on streaming services.

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