Hollingdean and Stanmer candidates explain why they want to be a councillor. They also answer questions sent in by the public via social media.
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Twelve candidates are standing for the three Brighton and Hove City Council seats in the Brighton ward of Hollingdean and Stanmer.
Alice Bennett is a student standing for the Greens:
I have grown up in Brighton and want to see this beautiful city flourish under a Green council. Currently I am studying for a masters degree in social development and want to use the skills I have gained from this as a councillor.
I have learnt that local politicians must listen to those in their wards. I believe that every person in Hollingdean and Stanmer should have a voice and a platform to stand on to express this voice. As a councillor, I would work hard to make sure residents’ concerns were heard.
Phil Clarke is a teacher standing for Labour:
I am a school teacher and trade unionist. I am resolutely opposed to Tory cuts to our council and will stand up for our residents in protecting our services.
Theresa Fowler owns her own business and is standing for Labour:
As a mother of four children, I care about the community and protecting the environment that we live in. I would like to see an increase in recycling and reduce our use of plastics and promote Brighton as a plastic-free city.
Jack Hazelgrove is a retired teacher/lecturer standing for the Greens:
Born and bred in Brighton, I am dedicated to the city and its sustainable future linked to Green ideals. I have a masters degree in politics and government and bring that knowledge to bear on complex local issues. I am a founder member of the Older People’s Council and have a special interest in health and social care policy.
Tracey Hill is a seeking re-election as a Labour candidate:
I have served as a councillor since 2015. I live in Hollingdean and take part in many community activities. As the council’s lead member for private rented housing I have worked on improving conditions for people living in rented homes and addressing issues with houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Keith Jago is a telecommunications engineer and university lecturer standing for the Liberal Democrats:
I have enjoyed living in Hollingdean since 1985 and was secretary of Hollingdean Community Association and parent governor at St Joseph’s School.
Desmond Jones is retired and standing for the UK Independence Party:
I would like to serve my community and put in place meaningful policies rather than pass-the-buck solutions that seem prevalent today.
Martin Osborne is a student standing for the Greens:
I am passionate about the local area and improving the life of everyone that lives there. I am an excellent listener and, by engaging with the community like never before, I believe we can empower those people who have been let down in the past and unleash the power of the community to solve problems themselves.
Ashley Ridley is an administrative assistant standing for the Liberal Democrats:
I want to be a councillor because I have been interested in politics since the age of six. Since 2010 my interest in national and local politics has grown because of everything that has happened since then like Brexit and cuts to youth services and education.
I also feel at the moment politics is out of touch with the people, who are becoming more and more disinterested and feel let down. I want to restore people’s faith and interest in politics by getting the basics right, from housing to the graffiti on the streets of Brighton and Hove.
What are you views on the design and impact on traffic of the Valley Gardens phase 3 project in Old Steine which includes making Madeira Drive one-way by the Palace Pier?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: The problem at the moment is things have been rushed through as Labour have delayed decisions on this over the past four years. In particular, we would like to see the implications on public transport reviewed and make necessary amendments to ensure that services aren’t affected and bus users are not inconvenienced.
Despite the concerns with traffic, the important thing to remember about the Valley Gardens scheme is that it will be a vital green lung for the city, improving the experience of cyclists in the area and encouraging more people to walk. Therefore, looking at these improvements holistically, we think the potential benefits are worth fighting for.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: The designs are currently being drawn up to a detailed design stage. All comments and issues raised are being addressed and we hope to see a detailed scheme which meets the needs of all residents and businesses/visitors expected.
Those detailed designs will have to ensure that the city keeps moving while addressing the impacts of the climate change emergency and supporting a modern city where sustainable transport routes are protected and enhanced.
Keith Jago and Ashley Ridley: We oppose the Valley Gardens project. Phase 3 will have detrimental effects on the city’s shops and the tourist industry that we so desperately rely on as a city. The traffic lights instead of the roundabout at the pier will cause a massive amount of congestion and pollution right in the centre of the city.
It is a horrendously thought-out plan that needs to be stopped completely. It has not taken into consideration effects on the environment, economy and local businesses, let alone the safety of the city centre.
Desmond Jones: First I would like to see a “feasibility study” to see what impact this would have on the local environment.
There is a huge problem with dog owners leaving waste behind, either in bags or just out in the open in parks and street. What will you do to tackle dog owners not picking up poo?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: We want to continue engaging with dog owners but acknowledge most are sensible and get rid of the waste appropriately. However, we need to ensure that there are enough places to get rid of dog poo and certainly more bins are needed in residential areas. These bins need to be more visible and more signposting may encourage dog owners to dispose of their waste properly.
In addition, the bins that are already there need to be promptly cleared whenever they are getting full. For people that have forgotten dog poo bags there should be places to pick up free compostable/biodegradable bags and we would push for this facility to be added to locations throughout the ward, possibly on the bins so that dog owners can replace the one that they used with another.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: Our new enforcement officers who have been brought in-house are out and about in neighbourhoods and targeting those whose anti-social behaviours are affecting all our lives. We need to both educate and enforce our way out of this problem and we want that message to get through to all who choose to leave dog mess across our city.
Desmond Jones: This is an enforcement policy. Nothing can be done without the facilities to dispose of the mess.
Ashley Ridley: This is a huge problem as a resident and dog owner I am ashamed that this city has not taken more action. If I am elected, I will look at ways we can uses our resources as a city to more consistently fine the dog users who do not pick up the waste they leave in the streets and parks. It is not fair on others who want to enjoy our brilliant parks and open spaces and streets to walk around. It is time we step up and set an example. We should not accept this behaviour in Brighton and Hove.
The council is planning more electric vehicle charging points. To what extent do you support this and will you commit to electric vehicle only parking spaces?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: We fully support the installation of more electric charging points and believe this is a necessary step to take before the public fully get behind EVs (electric vehicles). However, these charging points must not take up extensive space and we would favour an integrated approach which connects the new electric charging point structure with the cable networks which already exist. Furthermore, we support electric vehicle only parking spaces as another way of supporting the transition as well as lower permits for residents who live in a controlled parking zone.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: We fully support the installation of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) and in fact it is the Labour council that successfully bid for £300,000 funding from the government to allow the installation of 200 EVCPs. Test sites are already in operation.
It was noted at committee last June that the scheme might need to allow for mandatory parking bays for electric vehicle charging in the event, for example, it becomes clear that electric vehicle owners are having problems accessing advisory bays or to adapting over time to increased demand.
Keith Jago and Ashley Ridley: We support any scheme which will improve the city’s carbon footprint. The council declared a climate emergency last year and it’s about time we acted on this. Climate change is happening and we need to look at ways of reversing the damage we have done to our city and beyond.
We are, however, realistic and know that until the whole country takes action some people will continue to drive non-electric cars so we need a mix of electric and non-electric parking in the transition to electric cars only being allowed in the UK.
Desmond Jones: My feelings, at this moment in time, is that there is not enough demand for this project. Perhaps, in the future, we can reassess whether the demand has changed.
If you design with children in mind, you also make it good for older people and create a healthier and more inclusive place that everyone can enjoy. How are you going to make the city safe and attractive for children to move around independently?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: We think the key to ensuring that children are free to move around independently is a cheap and reliable bus service and we pledge to fight to protect bus routes that connect the residential areas, where most children live, with parks and other destinations that children most frequently use.
We also want to expand the bike share scheme to more residential areas and ensure young people have a good deal to use them. More designated bike lanes mean that children who want to cycle can do so safely but also we will work with schools and youth groups to ensure everyone knows how to cycle and keep safe while doing so and how to maintain bikes.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: We need a range of measures to be delivered across the whole city. Better protected cycling and walking routes are key to this as well as a safe reliable public transport system. We are also committed to setting up a fund to support improved community safety and neighbourhood policing measures to give people confidence in the safety and responsiveness of their local communities.
Keith Jago and Ashley Ridley: We are very lucky that we have people who are willing to get involved in the city regardless of their age. This is so important and to nurture this we need to have more places that everyone can enjoy and make use of. The city has many brilliant green spaces, for example, The Level, which are neglected.
We would look at ways we can get our parks back to their former standard, discouraging crime so people of all ages can feel safe and proud of our parks, use them more and take part in activities no matter their age.
Desmond Jones: Perhaps a consultation should be done within the community as to what “they” want to be done regarding this issue
Children in Brighton and Hove should have playgrounds that are working and safe. Too many have old or damaged equipment. What do you plan to do to support young children to be able to enjoy play equipment in our parks?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: We would ensure the budget for children and parks is protected and look to be creative in raising funds from external sources to renovate parks for children. Basic improvements such as painting and repairs would be the first priority to ensure the current play areas are fit for use but we would also look to modernise the play equipment if funds permitted. Finally, we would explore underused vacant areas and look at how we can repurpose them as play areas.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: Under a Labour government the value of play was recognised and Labour gave significant funding to local councils for playground equipment. Locally Brighton and Hove got £2 million. This was great news, but since then government commitment has not been the same.
So the council had a report in 2016 looking at how we could keep our playgrounds as great places to play despite funding pressures and many playgrounds across the city have been benefiting from improvement works, from Victoria Recreation Ground in Portslade to Saltdean Park.
Keith Jago and Ashley Ridley: Regardless of where they live, every child should be able to play safely in our city’s parks. Currently too many of our parks don’t meet this simple standard. If elected, we would look to use the money we salvage from the disastrous Valley Gardens scheme to improve this. Where there is broken equipment we would look to spend the money on replacing it and to invest in the city’s parks that have not been renovated in recent years.
Desmond Jones: Ensure a maintenance programme is in place. Safety is most important. I would like to see a dedicated team in place who constantly liaise with the community to ensure all needs are met
What is your commitment to youth work, especially on the estates and city fringes where there are few other services and higher levels of need?
Alice Bennett, Jack Hazelgrove and Martin Osborne: We firmly support initiatives already doing amazing work on the estates and city fringes such as CASE, the Sure Start centre and the Hollingdean Community Centre. We will help these places continue with their work by looking for opportunities to generate additional income from grants but we will also donate time to help with the organisation and running of events. Also, we want to help the community set up new groups which reach out to young people and empower the young people themselves to start projects.
Phil Clarke, Theresa Fowler and Tracey Hill: We have committed to review, support and to enhance our youth services across the whole city. Money spent on youth service provision is paid back in the long term through improved communities and more engaged young people, many of whom are a credit to the people who currently deliver youth services.
Keith Jago and Ashley Ridley: Our city needs good quality youth work. If elected, we will look at single-use or underused buildings on the city fringes and seek to turn them into multi-purpose buildings to incorporate youth work. One of our election pledges in this ward is to turn the Sure Start Centre in Hollingdean into a multi-purpose building for both infants and teenagers who need support. We propose youth workers have two nights a week to work with local teenagers, supporting them with issues they may have and giving them somewhere to socialise, get involved in activities and make friends.
Desmond Jones: I am the chair of the tenants and residents association and I am always available to listen to any suggestions for improvement of existing facilities and new innovative ideas.
Other candidates in Hollingdean and Stanmer ward are Gary Cohen, Tammi Cohen and Malcolm Murray who are all standing for the Conservatives.
