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Welcome to the Friday Inquisition.
Each week, from 12.30 to 1.30, a different person will be in the hotseat ready to answer
your questions on all the burning local issues affecting the region.
To submit your question simply fill in the form below and click send. Our guest's
responses can be read in the relevant article below.
And just remember...nobody expects the Friday Inquisition!
David Watkins, Brunswick and Adelaide councillor
12:10pm Friday 19th September 2008
A councillor who is calling for more power to be devolved to Hove will answer your questions today.
David Watkins, who represents Brunswick and Adelaide, has joined the debate on whether Brighton and Hove should separate – by calling for more power for neighbourhoods. The Liberal Democrat has also attacked the “Brightonisation” of Hove.
Send in your questions to David using the form above. He will be answering them from 12.30.
Your Say YourArgus
feline1, Brighton says...
12:35pm Fri 19 Sep 08
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:47pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- feline1
Dear feline1,
To set the record straight, I have never proposed that we split the city into two. What has concerned me is that the public no longer feel connected to the political system and I would urge that our council be proactive in supporting local communities to take a far more active part in the political process. One of these ways would be to set up a 'Parish Council'-type forum so that residents could voice their opposition or support for any proposals that the administration makes.
As far as I am aware, there is no discussion regarding the separation taking place anywhere other than in the letters page of The Argus. What it has done though, is to draw to the attention of elected members what would appear to be a high level of dissatisfaction with the political process.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:51pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Max
It sounds like a very inviting proposal, although I feel you would proabably baulk at the cost.
What I would like is an active forum for the areas suggested, and in fact, right across the city, which would then enable us to connect with the electorate/residents in a more down-to-earth manner. If we're not careful, the present political structure that has been imposed on us by central government is moving the decision-makers further away from the public, rather than closer.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:52pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Thomas Fletcher
I agree. We should be looking to the future, rather than trying to survey the past through rose-tinted glasses.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:54pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Ruth
I agree. What I would wish for is a more genuine democratic society, where people's views are taken into account rather than ignored or dismissed. I will continue to fight for this.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:58pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Ruth
I certainly don't think they should be separated. Hove and Portslade have their own unique identities, and these should be defended by those who you elect to represent you. To me it's very important that the original communities that make up the whole city should be allowed to keep their identities and to become part of the whole, rather than melted down into some amorphous mass.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:01pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Johnny Trat
Of course they have separate identities. The Brightonisation is when decisions are being made without any apparent input from the local community, and this is what I am fighting against.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:04pm Fri 19 Sep 08
Is it not madness to suggest Hove would be better off without Brighton?
- Colbert
Yes.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:08pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- BTP
The question 'what is so special about Hove?' is the same as the questions 'what is so special about Brighton?' and 'what is so special about Portslade?'. Each community had its own identity, and that identity needs to be reflected in the whole. We are proud of our diverse city, and that means not only individuals and groups, but also entire communities. Our strength is in our differences.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:11pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Poppy
As I've said, I am not looking for the city to be divided, but I would like the existing powers that the council has to motivate our residents into taking a more positive interest in the decisions that are being made on their behalf.
We mustn't assume we know what people want, we must be prepared to go out and put the questions to them directly.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:18pm Fri 19 Sep 08
You spoke very well at yesterday's Council Cabinet Meeting over the loss of the twice weekly bin collection in your ward (As exposed by the Argus today). If the Council was more accountaable (say through a Resident's Forum) do you think that the Council won't be able to get away with secretive decisions such as this?
We strongly support a divorce from Brighton. This Council walks all over us with no regard for a views.
- John, Brunswick Terrace
The first part of your question is correct. As you are aware, we did have a Brunswick and Adelaide Forum, which ran for approximately two years, and if it had been in operation now, this issue would certainly have been raised, and we could have made the administration and officers aware of local feeling. I'm sure this would have influenced them when they came to making the decision.
However, I can't agree with your second statement, regarding separation, but I would encourage you to push for far more local accountability than we appear to be getting at the moment. Thank you again for your support.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:25pm Fri 19 Sep 08
-Johnny Trat
This is a 'how long is a piece of string' type question. The interpretation of identity is an individual matter, and I'm sure that there would be as many people agreeing with me as disagreeing.
Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
1:29pm Fri 19 Sep 08
David
Your sayYourArgus
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David Watkins
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Friday Inquisition, Brighton says...
12:30pm Fri 19 Sep 08
- Louise Stack
Thank you Louise. Re the windows, I with Councillor Elgood, fought very hard to keep the windows as they were, and we managed to convince Tesco that they had to replace as near as possible to the originals - which in fact they did, much against their will.
With regard to the King Alfred, as a member of the planning committee I had to assess the value of the development, and in doing so, I felt that the new sports and social housing part of the development outweighed the arguments that you and many others put against it. I realise that this upset many people, but I also think that many felt that it was the only option that was open to us.