I'm happy to but have you no response to the press release? At the very moment that knife crime is a hot topic then I'm surprised that BBC SC doesn't see fit to run it. The Police behaviour in this case is appalling and in any other context would constitute gross negligence, compounded by lying to get out of it. I had 2 people in my office on Friday with the Police News Release in their hands stating that it simply wasn't true about witnesses, i.e. themselves, being unavailable. Is this not a matter of public concern or is it a question of the BBC, yet again, being reluctant to criticise them? This at a time when we have nationally the refusal of half the police forces to effectively implement the recommendations of the MacPherson Report of Steven Lawrence in terms of ethnic minority composition. Since I've done all the investigation into this is it too much to expect the BBC to actually lift up a phone themselves? Or is it once again a question that having been born in the womb of the British State the BBC is congenitally incapable of criticising them, not least in the wake of the Hutton Report? regards Tony Greenstein
*Transition Brighton and Hove monthly newsletter ** *July 2008
HiJust sending a reminder to you all about the public meeting about this very important issue which will have an impact on education throughout the city.Best wishesCouncillor Rachel Fryer Public meeting: The future of secondary schooling in Moulsecoomb...The Learning Development Centre, Hodshrove Lane, Moulsecoomb
I've been gong along to the stakeholders workshops etc for a couple of years, they don't take much notice of any of the sensible suggestions made by the likes of us. The aim is to bring to the city new financial type employers (like the TSB), and a lot of the new housing development is aimed at the incoming new employees of these. So nothing new, nothing changes... but with the collapse of the housing market, developers are not so keen, as they can't be sure they'll sell, if their intended buyers can't get mortgages. Also there are more stringenet rules for sustainability, and the developers are not sure they can meet them... So the Core Strategy may well flounder. The community and voluntary sector needs to get more involved in these schemes and strategies - and we are being invited to, under the Council's new Duty to Involve. Under this, CVSF is part of a working group to develop the city's community and engagement strategy - but it is being led by the council, of course. So whilst we are being invited to join in, it is still as 'participants' rather than equals. But equality is not something which can be given, it has to be wrenched from those 'more equal', which requires a huge change in perspective. The Sustainability Act should be taken up and used to kickstart this change of perspective. Joint action under the Act by activists across the spectrum might get something done. See the Local Works website for info. http://www.localworks.org/
What happened to my previous post? Can you provide an explanation for why it hasn't appeared? Kathleen
Brighton & Hove Unemployed Workers Centre 4 Crestway Parade, The Crestway, Brighton BN1 7BL ( 01273-540717 Fax 01273-540797 Last night we issued a press release concerning a man who had threatened one shop keeper with a knife, slashed the cars of another, and assaulted a third shopkeeper in Crestway Parade, Hollingdean, Brighton. He was back on the streets yesterday with people understandably terrified. Brighton Unemployed Workers Centre, which is also situated on Crestway Parade, immediately sent a letter to the Police asking them to take action in regard to the situation and to contact shopkeepers in The Crestway, Hollingdean. Noone having been informed as to what the situation was etc. What has the Police response been? Absolutely nothing. Not one person has been contacted, not one officer has bothered to call and see those affected. But the Police have done one thing: They have managed to issue a press release!! It is entitled: If asked: response to Tony Greenstein comments. (see below) Newsagent David Carden, the tyres of whose car was slashed, commented that the Police News Release contains nothing but lies. The Police admit: To detaining a 35 year old man last Saturday night. It then says following questioning and the immediate unavailability of key witnesses, the man was bailed pending further inquiries. Mr Carden and Emad, the shopkeeper who was threatened both told me that they had been asked if they would be available to give statements and both said they were available from early morning to midnight. Noone has bothered to contact them. Puttingout PR puff is more important than dealing with the issue itself. The Police News Release says that the CCTV outside the newsagent is not a police camera but is council owned. SO WHAT? If they had bothered to contact the community warden they would know that the footage was available. The fact is that they havent bothered to try and obtain it. The News Release also says that as the incident occurred outside the shop, any footage within the premises would not need to be seized. Again this is untrue. The person serving at the off licence was subject to abuse and a minor assault, as I have personally witnessed having seen the CCTV footage. This explanation is simply unacceptable. Is it too much to expect Sussex Police to tell the truth, to contact the victims and update them and to treat issues such as knife crime more seriously than press management? Sussex Police News Service If asked: response to Tony Greenstein comments Issue Date: 27/06/2008 11: 51: 19 At 9. 54pm on Saturday 21st July, police were called to reports of a man covered in blood with a knife in The Crestway, Hollingdean, Brighton. Police immediately responded and promptly arrested the 35 year old suspect nearby. Following questioning and the immediate unavailibity of key witnesses to give statements, the man was bailed pending further enquiries, a decision which is made by the case director.The CCTV camera outside the shop is not a police camera but is council owned. They were immediately tasked to supply the footage to the investigating officers. As the incident occurred outside the shop, any footage from within the premises would not need to be siezed.
Already a glimpse at Main Characteristics and Key Drivers section raises questions: I'm wondering where they get their figures from? Page 12: Unemployment rate is above the south east average -with 22% of adults with no qualifications? How do they know? Presumably that figure isn't fixed. Who are these adults: female/male/white/ etc? And there's a continuing loss of species and habitats? What does that mean? The seagull population is increasing. They are going to be really happy with the 11,000 new homes by 2026 and all the extra titbits. Some species like rats have to be culled. How about a section on managing rats and pests produced by climate change, I really do think that by 2026 problems such as homelessness and overcrowding should belong to the past. The South Downs and the sea need to be viewed as natural features deterring Overdevelopment of the city, not as objects constraining the city. The city's expansion culturally, economically and socially, does not depend upon expanding physically onto the Downs. The particular geo-physical positioning of the city provides its unique locational characteristics and makes it different from so many soul destroying industrial wastelands. Cleaning up Shoreham harbour area should be a priority, in addition to reducing the pollution in Boundary Rd. Page 131,,3.100: 'Helping people to make the step from social housing to home ownership'; this lets us know the council views social housing as unequal to homeownership, and is derived presumably from a belief in the superiority of market solutions, with the housing market collapse might be appropriate to plan trailer parks and expand the travellers sites.
On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 11:22 AM, Tony Cook <<email obscured>> wrote: > All of the above documents are available to view and download at the > council's web site at:www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ldf. I don't know why it's all in pdf but that really pisses me off, specially as it appears to be designed for printing out as half the pages are in landscape layout. I think they claim method this covers them for accessibility under dda but for me it has the opposite effect.
What is the Core Strategy? According to the Council's website it is ...... "The Core Strategy is the planning document that provides the overall strategic vision for the future of Brighton & Hove through to 2026. It will set out how the council will respond to local priorities and meet the challenges of the future and identify the broad locations, scale and type of development and supporting infrastructure that will take place in the city. "It addresses the important city-wide matters such as delivering more sustainable development and neighbourhoods and sets out the council's strategic approach to housing, the economy, shopping and transport." ...... sounds like something we need to get aquainted with?
Below is press release we have distributed concerning Sussex Police's idea of 'community policing'. Tony Greenstein Brighton & Hove Unemployed Workers Centre PRESS RELEASE Lazy Sussex Police allow Knifeman to Wander Streets of Hollingdean, Brighton Last Saturday a man armed with a knife attacked three of the four shops in Crestway Parade, Hollingdean at around 10 p.m.. The Newsagents car tyres were slashed, the owner of a fast food takeaway who witnessed this was personally threatened in his car and an attempt made to stab him, and the owner of an off-license was physically threatened and abused. The Police were called and arrested a man who lives nearby on The Crestway. One would assume that the Police would have immediately taken statements as to what had happened, would have looked at and removed the CCTV tapes which captured what happened and would have pressed charges against the person alleged to have committed the crimes whilst bringing him before the courts and objecting to bail. Above they should have informed the victims of what was happening In fact none of this has happened. No statements have been taken. The CCTV on which this was captured has not been examined and tonight the same man was back wandering around, buying alcohol and spreading fear amongst those whom he had threatened. The person whose life was threatened immediately phoned 999 but the Police didnt bother to respond. The ability of the Police to swamp local demonstrations and protests contrasts with their inability to respond in timely fashion to a 999 call. Tony Greenstein, Secretary of Brighton & Hove Unemployed Workers Centre, the fourth shop on Crestway Parade said: I was approached by the owner of Ninos Pizzeria who had been told by the knifeman that he was going to kill him. The man was clearly in a state of fear. Nearby his small children were playing. I checked with all 3 shopkeepers and they had not been contacted by the Police since Saturday, no statements taken or indeed any sign that the Police had done anything. One can only assume that the man in question was released with a warning or caution. The Police Officer(s) responsible should be disciplined. We have submitted a formal complaint to the Police about their inexcusable behaviour." We call on the Police to explain their inaction, to collect the necessary evidence and to charge the man in question with carrying an offensive weapon, criminal damage etc. For Immediate Release For further information contact: Tony Greenstein 01273-540717
Holland Road Baptist Church own it. They wanted to pull it down and put in new offices and community hall -- planning said "no". it is in their interest to watch it fall down.
I see Guardian Security have been making themselves popular again. Mark Lynch the director of the company is the delightful character who 'policed' the demos at EDO before he was prevented from doing so after assaulting a protester outside the Sea-Life Centre (something he habitually did at EDO). Those on the list who've seen the 'On the Verge' film will know him well. http://www.theargus.co.uk/display.var.2343703.0.lewes_fury_at_car_boot_clamping.php
Why was planning permission given for a concentration of so-called affordable housing units in the poorer areas Carlton Hill area, ( see p113) while the Palmeira Ave development are all non-affordable? These 2 bed flats for dinkies priced at between £250-000 - and over 300-000 were quickly constructed with cheap materials, the 2nd bedroom is 6x6 height 7.6, not a room at all, more a box suitable for a pet. I'd like to know why planning permission is given to maintain this division? The Barrett site next to the Wardley Hotel opposite St Ann's park is an eyesore, a case of overbuild, the complex together with the hotel looks horrible, and some council planner thought it would be OK tho there's a council's children home opposite, and one wonders if any thought was given to their welfare, peace and quiet, etc, instead of months of building works, and now an increase in traffic flows to and from the flats. Have any luxury flats been designed for the Carlton hill area? Why not convert those tower blocks into luxury flats? And can someone explain exactly what a decent housing standard is, with so many quick build, cheaply constructed properties sold as luxury homes, priced way out of the reach of most people, unless located in Whitehawk, or up hilly Portslade? Meanwhile no 65 Holland Rd is in a state of collapse, and the the vacant restaurant building next to it, is becoming hazardous with bits of wood flying off in windy weather.
The Argus have reported that a key policy (car-free housing: policy H07 in Local Plan) has been abandoned. does anyone know anything about this? http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/local_plan_2005/adopted_local_plan-chapter4.pdf page 120 see my comment in the planning committee Wed 28 May minute 10.57 http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1107343&view=agenda&date=28%2DMAY%2D2008%2014%3A00&committee=Planning%20Committee
Hi Apologies for the short notice, but if anyone's free tomorrow there is an important event which has been organised over the last few days by Jackie from the Save Omar campaign and she's asked me to pass this on. Binyam Mohamed is a British detainee at Guantanamo Bay who is on death row having made a confession which his lawyers believe was extracted through torture. They also believe British Intelligence was there during the torture, and have tried to get the British Government to release the evidence so that the 'confession' can be shown to be unreliable. However, not surprisingly the Government are refusing to do this. Further information on this case can be found at http://www.reprieve.org.uk/Press_Binyam_Mohamed_British_Court_Orders_Expediated_Hearing.htm Jackie has organised a minibus to take musicians and campaigners and anyone else who wants to make a stand and make some noise to go to London to play 'Barny the Purple Dinosaur' to George Bush and Gordon Brown. If anyone has or can play a trumpet, saxophone or trombone and can spare an afternoon, please contact Jackie. Details: Depart St Peters Church east side 12 noon Arrive back in Brighton approx 8pm Cost: Donation towards minibus Contact Jackie: 07799 564620 Thanks very much Tom Druitt The Big Lemon www.thebiglemon.com __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html
As people will know, EDO locally manufactures bomb release mechanisms and other parts for the Israeli airforce. Film has just become available of one of many such attacks by settlers on unarmed and peaceful Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank. In the attack, 2 elderly peasants are set about by 4 masked settlers from the nearby settlement and beaten to the ground with sticks, suffering broken and factured bones. An Israeli peace group, B'tselem, have resorted to handing out video cameras to people in order to capture such events because normally the practice of the Israeli army and police is to automatically side with the settlers. We will see whether they do so this time. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7451668.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7451691.stm Tony Greenstein
Hi As you may be aware, they're trying to turn Falmer High School into a City Academy. There are many issues around this so we're holding an alternative public meeting together with the Anti-Academies Alliance at the end of this month before the consultation closes on July 4th. See Flyer attached and below for details Please contact me if you want more information Best wishes Councillor Rachel Fryer Green Party, Queen's Park ward Public meeting: The future of secondary schooling in Moulsecoomb... FALMER ACADEMY - THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY The Government and Brighton and Hove City Council want to close Falmer High School, pull it down and replace it with a new 'Academy', specialising in sport and entrepreneurship. Many concerns are being voiced about this and the teachers' biggest union, the NUT, is resolutely opposed to the 'City Academy' concept. The good news is that no final decisions have been made yet, and the council is consulting on the proposals until July 4th. Please come along to a public meeting to hear the truth behind the spin before you make your mind up - it's free, fully accessible, and refreshments will be provided. The meeting takes place at: The Learning Development Centre, Hodshrove Lane, Moulsecoomb MONDAY, JUNE 30th, 7.30-9pm The meeting will be chaired by Cllr Ben Duncan (Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemptown). Speakers include: Linda Newman, outgoing President of UCU and former pupil of Falmer High School Alasdair Smith, the National Secretary of the Anti Academies Alliance For more information call Ben on 07973 823358
I am forwarding this from Brighton Voices in Exile. This is a particularly outrageous case and urgent since Tara is due to be deported on Friday. It is well known that an apostate - someone who converts to another religion - can and will suffer the death penalty and flogging in Iran, however this does not deter New Labour. Please spare some time to fax/e-mail the numbers below. If you are using the fax-e-mail option don't use hotmail/yahoo addresses as they are automatically barred. cheers Tony Greenstein From: "Brighton Voices In Exile" <<email obscured>>Add sender to Contacts To: <email obscured> Please help Tara* If you would like further information please contact Mary-Jane Burkett at Brighton Voices in Exile 01273 328598 Home office Reference No: A1313620 Twenty-eight year old Tara from Iran first arrived in the UK on 06/02/2006 and claimed asylum on 6/6/2006. Her asylum claim was refused on 26/6/2006. Tara made a fresh claim for asylum on 21 December 2006. When Tara went to report on Thursday 5th June she was told her that her claim had been dismissed and she was subsequently detained and moved to Yarlswood, Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire. Neither Tara nor her solicitor had been previously informed. Removal directions to Tehran have been set for Friday 13 June at 6.45 pm, leaving from Heathrow Airport Terminal 1, flight number BD 931 (BMI). Tara was living in Tehran (Iran) before coming to the UK in 2006. She had developed an interest in Christianity at the age of 17 and approached a couple of churches in Tehran to find out further information. She was turned away by the churches for fear of reprisals from the Islamic state. 2 priests had recently been murdered who converted Muslims to Christianity. She managed to obtain a bible on the black market and started self-study. She subsequently denounced her Muslim faith. On arrival to the UK she was introduced to the father of a local church. She was baptised in February 2007 and attends church regularly. The Government does not respect the right of Muslim citizens to change or renounce their religious faith (see International Religious Freedom Report 2007, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90210.htm). A recent draft law in Iran, article 225, states that anyone born to a Muslim father, who decides to renounce Islam and convert to another faith, faces the death penalty. There have been numerous reports of persecution of Christians in Iran (see, for example, Amnesty International report found at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/middle-east-and-north-africa/east-gulf/iran). A report released on the 9th June stated that Iran [has] continued a wave of arrests against Christians in recent weeks, leaving them vulnerable to subjection of psychological and physical torture (see http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newsdetail.php?newscode=7911). Tara has integrated in to the local community, developed friendships and a loving relationship, for which marriage has been planned for the 2nd July 2008. If she returned to Iran she will be separated from her loved ones and face definite persecution / possible imprisonment and death. The Home Office has not followed its own procedures. Before a decision to remove can be made, the requirements of the immigration rules require that all known factors, including representations, to be taken into account: 395C. Before a decision to remove under section 10 is given, regard will be had to all the relevant factors known to the Secretary of State, including: (i) age; (ii) length of residence in the United Kingdom; (iii) strength of connections in the United Kingdom; (iv) personal history, including character, conduct and employment record; (v) domestic circumstances; (vi) previous criminal record and the nature of any offence of which the person has been convicted; (vii) compassionate circumstances; (viii) any representations received on the persons behalf. Tara and her solicitor have submitted numerous pieces of evidence in relation to Taras genuine conversion to Christianity, and relationships with her Fiance and friends/church community. The Home Office has not provided evidence that the above factors have been taken into account. Tara deserves the chance for her personal circumstances to be taken into account when the Home Office assess her claim for asylum. *Taras name has been changed to protect identity in case of removal What can you do to help URGENT ACTION 1. Please fax Home Secretary Jacqui Smith by faxing: The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office 020-7035-4745 or from outside the UK +44 207 035 4745 . Ask her to urgently reconsider the decision to remove Tara When faxing Jacqui Smith please remember to include Tara's Home Office reference number A1313620. 2. Please phone/fax/email BMI Phone/fax/email BMI asking them not to take Tara as the Home Office has not followed correct asylum procedures in determining Taras case. If you do so, please remember to include the removal flight details: Friday 13 June at 18.45, leaving from Heathrow Airport Terminal 1, flight number BD 931 (BMI). BMI head office, Tel: 0133... BMI reservations/general enquiries, Tel: 0870 6070 555 / +44 (0)1332 648181 Fax: 01709 314993 *No fax machine? No matter!* If you have a computer and access to the internet you do not need a fax machine to fax. There are two methods of faxing: 1. From your browser go to: http://www.tpc.int/sendfax.html (the number must be entered with the country code so 020 7035 4745 (Home Office) would be 44 20 7035 4745 OR: 2. Send a fax via email - Use this email address format : remote-printer.recipient_name@fax_number.iddd.tpc.int So, to send the fax to Jacqui Smith put: <email obscured> Just copy your fax message into the body of the email.) Wednesday, 11 June 2008 Dear Sir or Madam:, Re: H.O. Ref. No: A1313620 Flight BD 931, departure 18.45 13 June 2008, Heathrow Airport I am writing to request that you urgently reconsider the decision to remove a young Iranian lady on the above flight. She is being removed from the country contrary to the Home Offices own procedure on determining asylum claims. She made a fresh claim for asylum on 21 December 2006. When she went to report on Thursday 5th June she was told her that her claim had been dismissed and she was subsequently detained and moved to Yarls Wood, Immigration Removal Centre. Neither herself nor her solicitor had been previously informed of any decision on her claim. She has converted to Christianity, and built up a life with friends and within the church community in the UK. She is engaged to be married on the 2nd July 2008. Her solicitor has submitted numerous pieces of evidence to prove that her conversion to Christianity and relationship are genuine. There has been no evidence to suggest that the Home Office have adequately considered these factors or made a proper determination on her claim, contrary to the Immigration Rules. Before a decision to remove can be made, the requirements of the Immigration Rules require that all known factors, including representations, to be taken into account: 395C. Before a decision to remove under section 10 is given, regard will be had to all the relevant factors known to the Secretary of State, including: age; length of residence in the United Kingdom; strength of connections in the United Kingdom; personal history, including character, conduct and employment record; domestic circumstances; previous criminal record and the nature of any offence of which the person has been convicted; compassionate circumstances; any representations received on the persons behalf. The Home Office have not followed their own procedures. As such, please deny this removal and give this lady a chance for her asylum claim to be properly assessed in accordance with Immigration Rules. Yours sincerely,
SUE http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/airquality/2007_DA_Report_(Detailed_Summary).pdf in your original post, you state that "the quality is BAD in many areas".... the report above does not use the word BAD. the only one i can see it TERMINUS ROAD 85?gm-3 the one in WESTERN ROAD/MONPELIER ROAD 70?gm-3 has a typo which gives me no confidence either way (like a plot development in a Carl Hiaasen novel. http://www.carlhiaasen.com/
I have been hit twice by scooters close to churchill sq, so far cyclist seem to have missed me, but have given me a few scares. Everyone should be alert to other road/pavement users Sue Paskins