The Housing Management Panel: East Area was scheduled to meet to discuss housing performance, resident questions, and other business. The meeting was scheduled to be held in a hybrid format, both virtually via Zoom and in person at the Whitehawk Hub. Residents were invited to attend a housing surgery for individual enquiries prior to the main panel meeting.

Large Panel System Blocks

The panel was scheduled to discuss concerns around the safety of residents in large panel system (LPS) high-rise blocks, and how residents in those blocks would be re-housed.

The eight LPS blocks in Brighton and Hove are:

• Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Court in Hollingdean
• Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court, Kingfisher Court and Swallow Court in north Whitehawk
• St James's House in Kemptown

A report prepared for the council's cabinet on 17 July recommended developing plans to regenerate the sites. According to the report pack, strengthening and refurbishing the buildings was considered, but this option would only guarantee the building's safety for a further 20 years and would be seriously disruptive for residents.

The report pack stated that rehousing would begin in the new year and would be carried out in phases, with St James House prioritised first, followed by Nettleton Court and Dudeney Lodge, and then North Whitehawk. A Local Lettings Plan and Rehousing Policy were being developed through Resident Advisory Groups, outlining how the council intended to help residents move and the support available to them. Consultation on these plans was scheduled to begin in the autumn.

Resident Questions

The panel was scheduled to discuss collated questions raised by residents, including 2-star and 3-star questions. 2-star questions relate to local area issues, while 3-star questions relate to city-wide issues.

Some of the questions that were scheduled to be discussed were:

• Recycling and Refuse Collections: Residents reported that the recycling and refuse collection service was poor, with inconsistent or non-existent collections, broken communal bins not being repaired or replaced, and insufficient collections or bins that were not big enough. Residents requested that a representative from City Clean be invited to attend the next East Area Panel to discuss these issues.
• Robert Lodge Deliveries Being Stolen: Residents reported that parcels were being left in communal hallways, leading to theft. They requested notices be put up in the block to alert delivery drivers to deliver directly to residents in their specific flats.
• Anti-Social Behaviour: Residents reported suffering from the impacts of long-term and ongoing anti-social behaviour in their areas. They requested that an appropriate officer be invited to attend the next Area Panel meeting to raise these issues directly and ask questions.
• Estate Development Budget Task & Finish Group: Residents requested more information around the Estate Development Budget (EDB) task and finish group, including a timeline as to when and what things were going to happen, such as meetings.
• Protection of Vulnerable Residents: Residents raised concerns that vulnerable residents were not being protected by the council, citing an example of a convicted drug dealer being housed in the same block as vulnerable people in Ardingly Court.
• Firmer Action on Who Gets a Secure Tenancy: Residents asked why people were given secure tenancies even when they had broken the terms of their tenancy or were involved in crimes such as drug dealing, and requested firmer action to be taken.
• Restructuring of Resident Engagement: Central residents expressed concern that a restructuring of Residents' Engagement was taking place without proper discussion and involvement of residents.
• Lack of Council Action to Prevent Violent Attack: Residents questioned the lack of council action around individuals who posed a serious threat to residents, citing an attack in the car park of Hampshire Court.
• Council Contractors Not Using ID or Giving Prior Notification: Residents reported that council contractors were turning up at people's homes without any ID or prior notification.
• How Do Residents Get Action?: Residents expressed frustration at the difficulty of getting anything done and feeling demoralised and unsupported.

Housing Performance Report

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on council housing performance for Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

The report included data on:

• Customer feedback
• Private sector housing
• Housing options and homelessness
• Housing supply
• Council housing management
• Council housing maintenance
• Leaseholder disputes

Some of the key performance indicators included:

• Rent collection rate
• Customer services calls answered
• Complaint responses within 10 working days
• Repairs helpdesk calls answered
• Empty home re-let time
• Emergency repairs within 24 hours
• Average time to complete routine repairs

The report also included information on the number of additional council homes and other affordable homes completed or projected for completion.

Election of Trustees to Brighton & Hove Seaside & Community Homes

The panel was scheduled to discuss the election of trustees to Brighton & Hove Seaside & Community Homes (Seaside Homes). Seaside Homes is an independent charitable housing organisation working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council. It has leased 499 empty properties from the council, refurbished them, tenanted them, and now provides homes and support for residents in housing need.

There was a current vacancy following the recent resignation of the East Area Panel's appointed trustee. The role of a trustee is to act in the best interests of Seaside Homes as a charity, helping set the organisation's strategic direction, ensuring good governance, and overseeing its performance.

Environmental Improvement Budget

The panel was scheduled to discuss a report on the Environmental Improvement Budget (EIB). The EIB allows residents to suggest environmental improvements to their local area.

The report included a summary of bids and projects, as well as a budget summary by area for the new financial year 2025/26. It also included a list of environmental improvement approved proposals carried forward, proposals awaiting consultation, and proposals rejected.

Other Business

The panel was scheduled to discuss any other business.

Disrepairs Website & Awareness

The report pack included an item for discussion on a disrepairs website and awareness. No further details were provided.

Proposed Pocket-Park at Bristol Estate Discussion

The report pack included an item for discussion on a proposed pocket-park at Bristol Estate. No further details were provided.

EIB Discussion on Old Bin Stores & People's Laundrette

The report pack included an item for discussion on old bin stores and the People's Laundrette. No further details were provided.

Actions From Previous Meeting

The panel was scheduled to review the actions from the previous meeting held on 11 June 2025, including:

• Chloe McLoughlin to look into recycling not being collected at Robert Lodge.
• Chloe McLoughlin to report back to next meeting on findings of alternative/additional methods of bulk-waste collection/removal.
• Mikila Beck to look into broken (automatic?) doors at Swallow Court.
• Steph Mooney to meet with Janet Gearing regarding query on whether quick-bids can be used for a newsletter.