Improving our local environment

Remembering
For those of us born after the Second World War it’s particularly powerful to recognise and remember those who fought in that conflict to provide us with a safe, secure and democratic society.  Last Friday’s remembrance ceremony in Brighton with the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff and Mayor, as well as many other councillors and members of the public was a fitting commemoration of D-Day. Held under a blazing sun, it was a day in stark contrast to the cold November remembrance days that we are all used to.

Remembrance ceremony

At the Chattri

This was followed on Sunday afternoon by another sunny ceremony, this time at the Chattri up at the Downs.  It was to remember and honour the many Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for this country in the First World War, again in pursuit of a safe and peaceful world. Many of these were wounded and cared for in Brighton & Hove, including in the Pavilion which acted as a hospital in the first years of the war. A substantial crowd at the ceremony was addressed movingly by the Indian High Commissioner who looked over the Downs and reflected on the Memorial as being set in a little piece of India. This was a moving annual event.

Celebrations
Talking of the wonderful Downs, I am delighted that the partnership bid led by Brighton & Hove City Council to become a UNESCO World Biosphere site has paid off. So now we become part of an international family of areas that are leading the way in bringing the needs of people and nature closer together. It’s great that our efforts to look after and improve our local environment will move now to take its place on the world’s stage. A highly motivated team of colleagues have driven the achievement of this award and biosphere designation and I am really grateful to them. 

Biosphere Celebrations

While I am celebrating awards, I am also delighted that this week we received an award from the Centre for Public Scrutiny for the trans equality work that has been led by our Trans and Equalities teams. The award was for achievement, insight and impact, and I can certainly testify that members of the trans community that I have met with have told me how much this work has meant to them. Already I see our awareness increasing and the respect, care and learning for and from this community being demonstrated. Only yesterday I spoke at a school where I was able to raise some trans awareness in answer to a question I had posed to young people about if there are any jobs that women cannot fulfil.  

Our universities
I’ll be surprised if the Waste House now opened at Brighton University’s arts campus doesn’t win awards. It was wonderful to be shown around by Duncan Baker-Brown, its architect, and lecturer at the University of Brighton. As the picture shows our own Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp enjoyed the tour too. Hanging in the Waste House was a lovely wooden sustrans bike made by Rowan Tindale from reclaimed wood from one of the old groins salvaged by the wood store. This was exhibited as part of the university’s fantastic annual degree show and was part of a showcase of wonderful art produced by the final year art students.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp with Duncan Baker-Brown

Our universities make such a fine contribution to our city and its economy and this exhibition gave just a glimpse of that creativity and energy. When we visited, there were many residents, proud parents and councillors all enjoying the show.

Wooden sustrans bike made by Rowan Tindale 

A brilliant job
I’ve said before that I’m often struck by the enthusiasm and commitment of our staff. This was certainly the case when I met Mark Bonner last Saturday when he was lifeguarding for our seafront services.

Mark Bonner, lifeguard

He referred to his as a brilliant job where he sees himself as a tourist guide and city ambassador as well as a life saver. He told me a couple of scary stories from the last week, and demonstrated that his skilled presence was certainly saving lives. He ended on a note of appreciating the values that we are driving in the council.

He told me that the camaraderie that he is experiencing in the seafront services outshines that which he has experienced before, even in that height of camaraderie organisations, the armed services. So on that happy note and with his smiling picture and a waving flag I wish you a sunny weekend. 

Best Wishes
Penny