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Cats Protection’s Paws Protect project receives PCC funding boost

Cats Protection’s Paws Protect project, which provides an essential service for victims of domestic abuse, receives a grant of over £15,000 from the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner’s Safe Space Sussex Funding Network.

Beverley Russell (Cats Protection’s Paws Protect Manager) and Katy Bourne. Photo: Darren Cool
Beverley Russell (Cats Protection’s Paws Protect Manager) and Katy Bourne. Photo: Darren Cool

THE volunteer-led project, which expanded into Sussex last year, offers a free cat-fostering service for people escaping abusive relationships and ensures cats are well cared-for until their owners are able to resettle into a new home.

Beverley Russell, Cats Protection’s Paws Protect Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Safe Space Funding Network, which will fund our Paws Protect work in Sussex for the next 18 months.

“Paws Protect provides a vital service for people who are fleeing incredibly difficult and distressing situations. For many victims, leaving abusive relationships is made impossible as they cannot bear to lose their pets or put them at risk.

“We work closely with refuges and women’s charities so that victims know we are here and able to help. Our volunteers look after cats in their own homes for as long as is needed – normally a few months – giving their owners the peace of mind that they’re being well cared-for and the knowledge that they’ll be reunited.”

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Cats Protection’s Paws Protect service is a great example of an innovative local project that aims to help victims and protect those experiencing domestic violence.

“Disturbingly, it has become apparent that, within domestic abuse situations, offenders often threaten or even kill the victim’s pet/s as an emotional control mechanism. I am pleased to support a charity that recognises this issue and gives victims the piece of mind they need in order to distance themselves from their abuser and seek help in the knowledge that their pet has been safeguarded.”

For more information about the work of Cats Protection, click here: 

Real estate service identifies US cities with most LGBT+Friendly Universities

GayRealEstate.com, a service connecting buyers and sellers with compatible agents, has released their list of US cities with the most – or the best host cities for – LGBT+ friendly universities in America, for those seeking a safe area to learn and thrive without fear of potential anxiety, discrimination and inequitable treatment.

THE agency combined their knowledge with analytics from the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index, results from a survey conducted by the Princeton Review, which polled 137,000 students on their feelings toward equitable treatment based on sexual orientation, and non-discrimination policies, both within universities and regionally.

Though many areas in the country provide safe and protected communities, the agency has identified Boston-Cambridge, Princeton, New York City, Los Angeles, Oberlin (Ohio), Portland, St. Petersburg and Providence as the best host cities for LGBT+-friendly universities.

For more information, click here: 

#WeStandTogether

Communities across Brighton & Hove stand together with One Voice following Christchurch massacre.

FOLLOWING the incidents at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in New Zealand early this morning, Brighton’s One Voice Partnership have issued a statement strongly condemning this act of violence against innocent people.

The partnership will not tolerate violence against innocent people, wherever it takes place speaking with one voice against extremist perspectives and terrorist actions in the city and elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the partnership said: “The incident at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in New Zealand has deeply shocked and saddened us all.  We send our deepest sympathies to the families of those who have lost their loved ones, those who have been injured, and all affected communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. 

“We praise and reiterate the advice given by our Muslim community leaders ‘please don’t watch the distressing video and importantly please do not share the manifesto and other information as sharing will assist in promoting the attackers message further and promoting hate further.

“The Brighton & Hove ‘One Voice Partnership’ reaffirms that communities, council and police stand together in solidarity with our Muslim communities following the tragic incident in Christchurch, New Zealand. We stand firm that these acts of violence, Islamophobia and hate must not go any further. We stand together to counter the threat from the far right.  

“It’s now even more important for all our communities to demonstrate that we will not let any terrorist action divide us and continue our great tradition of unity and respect for all.  We must look out and care for each other and ensure that individuals, communities and places of worship are not singled out in our city.

“One Voice Partnership urges all our communities to stand together as one to stop these acts of violence and hatred from carrying on further and work together to stop Islamophobia, racist and other hate incidents.”

The leaders of the four political groups (Cllr Dan Yates – Labour and Co-operative Group; Cllr Tony Janio – Conservative, Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty – Greens and Cllr Warren Morgan – Independent Group) on Brighton & Hove City Council have issued a joint statement.

The statement reads: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the acts of terror which have killed and injured so many innocent people whilst they worshiped.

“We send our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, those who have been injured, and all affected. We also send our best wishes for a fast and full recovery to everyone who was injured.”
 
“We repeat our commitment to unity. We stand together; strong in compassion with people from all faiths and backgrounds. Division and hatred drives people into the ranks of those trying to recruit support to their terror campaigns. We will not let this happen.”

As a sign of respect flags have flown at half-mast today and will do over the weekend at both of the city’s town halls.

Reporting Suspicious Activities
Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council ask all residents and communities to remain aware to and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity immediately by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency dial 999.

You can also report online to Sussex Police at sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online.

For further information and support, click here: or view: 

Reporting Hate Incidents and Seeking Support
One Voice members encourage all residents and communities to report any racist, religiously motivated or other hate incidents within our communities.

To report all hate incidents click here:

If you are worried or concerned about how todays incidents have affected you or any of your communities, advise: Nahida.Shaikh@brighton-hove.gov.uk) and she will ensure that together with other statutory partners the city responds to community concerns.

Council updates residents’ parking schemes

The results of recent residents’ parking consultations will be discussed by Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee next week (March 19).

OVER the last few months the council has been talking to residents and businesses in the Elm Grove, Hanover and St Luke’s areas about how their parking schemes are working and whether they would like to change the hours and/or days of operation.

Cllr Gill Mitchell
Cllr Gill Mitchell

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “This consultation and review gave residents the opportunity to tell us about whether they were satisfied with the schemes and any issues, and whether they would like more or reduced enforced hours and/or days.

“As a result we are putting forward some changes which will be decided at the next committee on March 19.”

In the St Luke’s area (Zone U) residents were asked if they wished to change the operating hours of their parking scheme.

The St Luke’s Area residents’ parking scheme currently operates between 10-11am and 2-3pm seven days a week. Because it is only enforceable for a couple of hours a day it is known as a ‘light touch’ scheme.

Just over 70% of those who responded supported joining the neighbouring Queens Park zone (Zone C) which currently operates 9am to 8pm seven days a week.

Councillors will decide whether to change Zone U into Zone C. If agreed, the change would come into effect on June 1, 2019.

At the end of last year the two parking zones in Hanover & Elm Grove (Zone S and V) were reviewed.

In the Zone S ‘light touch’ scheme, which operates Monday to Friday 11am-midday and 6-7pm, a quarter of residents in the area responded to the consultation, with just over 60% in support of keeping the scheme hours as they are.

Some residents in a small number of streets known as the ‘top triangle’ supported further consultation to find out whether they would like to join the Zone V scheme.

The top triangle area includes:
Arnold Street
♦ Baxter Street
♦ Carlyle Street
♦ Cromwell Street
♦ Lynton Street
♦ Part of Queens Park Road

Some residents commented about speeding on one-way streets, and there will be an opportunity to outline these issues in more detail if detailed consultation is given the go ahead.

Another problem raised was about pavement parking on Elm Grove. Along with other councils BHCC are lobbying the Government for pavement parking powers similar to those in London.

If the decision is to join the St Luke’s parking scheme (Zone U) with the Queen’s Park area (Zone C), Freshfield Street and Queens Park Rise, currently in the ‘light touch’ Zone S will be surrounded by roads with parking enforcement 9am to 8pm, so there is a further proposal to ask residents in those two roads whether they wish to join the Queen Park Scheme (Zone C) or remain in Zone S.

The Zone V residents’ parking scheme operates seven days a week from 9am to 8pm and 80% of those who responded supported keeping the hours as they are and 70% said they were satisfied with the scheme.

The Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee is at Hove Town Hall from 4pm on Tuesday, March 19 and is open to the public.

To read the Parking Schemes Update Report online click here:

PCC to grill senior police officers

Police Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne will question senior police officers on the results from the Police Federation’s Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey.

PCC Katy Bourne
PCC Katy Bourne

COMMISSIONER Bourne will question senior officers on the results from the Police Federation’s Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey at a monthly Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on Friday, March 15 at 1pm.

Findings published from the Police Federation’s Demand, Capacity and Welfare survey reveal that almost 90% of Sussex Police officers have said morale within the Force was low and almost four out of five have faced mental wellbeing issues over the last 12 months.

Commissioner Bourne, said: “This survey only highlights even further the increasingly difficult job police officers have in keeping us all safe. We are living in an ever-changing landscape of sophisticated digital criminality, organised crime groups and external security threats and often this is the policing response that goes unseen by the public.

“Nationally, additional resources are needed to combat some of the pressures placed on our forces and in Sussex work has started to address this. Sussex Police has already begun recruitment for 250 more police officers and 50 specialist investigators. In March recruitment also begins for the 100 extra PSCOs promised from this year’s rise in precept, offering welcome support to officers in their investigations and directly tackling anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime in our communities.

“I know that the Force have, in recent years, introduced a significant number of schemes and support mechanisms so officers and staff get the help they need but still more could be done.

“I am seeking assurances that appropriate investment will be made in what they need to support them in their role. After all, these are men and women who put themselves in dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations that many of us would run away from.”

Other topics under discussion on March 15, will include:

  • Reassurance to Sussex communities – London and Manchester knife attacks
  • Serious and organised crime
  • Acquisitive crime
  • HMICFRS – police response to domestic abuse
  • Information management – freedom of information and vetting standards

To watch the PAM meeting online, click here: 

Political candidates to be grilled on community-led housing at hustings event

Local authority hustings event asks what the main political parties doing to support and encourage community-led housing in Brighton & Hove.

Ahead of May’s local authority elections, Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust (BHCLT) is holding a hustings event on community-led housing and Community Land Trusts.

The hustings will allow representatives of the four main political parties in Brighton & Hove to debate policies, air their views and answer questions from the audience.

Cllr David Gibson
Cllr David Gibson

The speakers will be:

  • Councillor David Gibson, Green Party
  • Councillor Tracey Hill, Labour Party
  • Councillor Mary Mears, Conservative Party
  • Duncan Moore, Liberal Democrat

Through BHCLT, there are many groups of people in Brighton & Hove who have started their own community-led housing projects. These include co-operatives, co-housing and self-build (whether you are doing it with your own hands or contracting the work out).

Cllr Mary Mears
Cllr Mary Mears

Community-led housing can include renting, private ownership, co-operatives, mutual home ownership and collective ownership. The key thing is that community engagement and consent is at the centre of any development. Either a group of local people have come together to start their own housing project, leading the way through the whole process, or they have an active involvement in making it happen and managing the resulting homes.

Community-led housing benefits Brighton & Hove because:

  • It provides additional affordable and stable housing.
  • It creates and demonstrates alternative ways of living which have a positive impact on wellbeing.
  • It encourages collaboration and co-operation between local people and involves them in decisions about new housing.
  • People have more say in how their homes are developed and managed, giving the opportunity for democratic control and greater local accountability. It can help local people develop new skills as they make their projects a reality.
  • It creates an opportunity to make use of empty buildings and vacant land, revitalising communities.
Rita Garner
Rita Garner

Rita Garner, BHCLT director, said: “Brighton & Hove has the potential to be a nationwide leader in community-led housing. There are already many inspiring examples across the city, with around 15 new projects set up in the past year through our local hub. However, local people who want to start their own groups still face many challenges and we would love to see BHCC make more steps to address these, building on the work they have already done.”

Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust (BHCLT) is a membership organisation made up of local people who are concerned about the housing crisis and want to make constructive steps to end it. They want to make housing and land in the city genuinely affordable for present and future generations.

It is just £1 to become a member.

For more information, click here:


Event: Community-led housing hustings

Where: University of Brighton, 154-155 Edward Street, Brighton BN2

When: Wednesday, March 27

Time: 6.30pm-8.00pm

Cost: Free entry.

To register and guarantee your place, click here:

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