News: Tim Ridgway

This week’s headlines from across the city

BUDGET DEADLOCK
It took two attempts but Brighton and Hove councillors finally broke a budget stalemate.
With all three main parties advocating different ways of spending, a deadlock ensued.
The Greens championed a 5.9% council tax rise, the Conservatives a freeze and Labour a 1.99% increase. This is all in the backdrop of the government cutting annual funding by more than £20 million.
After seven hours of debating, a comprimise was finally reached between Labour and some Green members. All in all, everyone should go away happy, ready to fight the election in a few months time.
However with a number of rebel Greens joining the Tories in voting the spending plans, an already tense election got a little spicier …

WHEEL VS I
Two major seafront attractions have clashed. That’s after the Brighton Wheel was accused by the i360 of rowing back on a promise to close before the tower opens.
The operators of the large Ferris Wheel now say they want to remain for five more years. Yet those who run the i360 rightly claim that would go against a long-standing agreement. But who is in the right? And is our city big enough for the both of them? Over to you, councillors.

SEAFRONT SPLASH
Staying on the seafront, and plans for a £3 million open-air swiming pool have been unveiled.

The proposal would see the long-derelict Peter Pan Playground site in Madeira Drive transformed into a 50m heated open air pool. With changing facilities, a café, indoor endless pools, exercise studios, facilities for cycling and running and on-site bike storage thrown in, it seems like this is something everyone can support.
We’ll find out when politicians discuss it at the end of this month.

ART ATTACK
Celebrities from the world of sport and television have come together for a special art auction.
The Big Heart Auction sees dozens of pieces of art listed on eBay – and all in the aid of Chestnut Tree House. Among those contributing were cricketer Phil Tufnell, Britain’s Got Talent’s David Walliams and Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman.
Latest TV’s Ceirney Eddie popped along to a private viewing at Brighton Dome’s Founders Room to find out more.

DRUG-DRIVING CRACKDOWN
A Brighton man has become the first man to be arrested under new drug-driving laws.
The 35 year old was stopped when police carried out spotchecks in London Road. And as Latest TV found out, the message from police is simply: do not take the chance of getting round the rules.

NOT BARRED
A popular Brighton bar has won its battle to keep its late night licence.
The Northern Lights in Brighton’s Lanes was accused of breeching its conditions for operating more like a pub. Councillors allowed the venue to remain open. However, they said that four fifths of the capacity must be seated.
They also ruled the Little East Street venue will have to stop serving alcohol at 1am.

PRIDE NEWS
Great news for Pride-goers in that Brighton’s very own superstar DJ Fatboy Slim has announced he will headline this year’s party in Preston Park. Expect this one to be a performance that very few will want to miss out on.

CHARITY PUSH
When a loved one is diagnosed with a rare disease, the easy option would be to break down. But one Worthing family has decided to fight on, setting up a charity for their daughter.
Tracy Lynch set up Wolfram Syndrome UK when her 13-year-old daughter Jennifer developed the rare condition.
And thanks to the support of the community, the group benefited from a new fundraising push known as Fortnightly Friday.
To hear from Tracy and catch lots more, check out www.thelatest.tv.

AND FINALLY …
Congratulations to Brighton’s second football team Whitehawk who will play at The Amex in May.
That’s after they edged out Burgess Hill Town in the semi-final of the Parafix Sussex Senior Cup.
The Hawks will play Lewes in the final – and Latest Sport will be down there with all of the action.