Why Is A Policy Required For Something That Shouldn’t Exist?

Councillors are set to discuss adopting a revised version of the Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit.

Wait, the what?! 

The toolkit, designed to help staff and governors in Brighton and Hove's schools and colleges create inclusive policies for trans children, will be considered at the Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet meeting on January 23.

'Trans children' don't exist any more than vegan cats do.... 

This will be the fifth version of the toolkit, which has been regularly updated since its first release in 2013 to reflect changing legislation.

Changing legislation desperately trying to snuff out this nonsense, I hope. 

The consultation on the review of the toolkit included an online consultation, engagement sessions involving local schools to gain the views of young people, and a number of focus groups.The feedback received covered a range of opinions, with the majority either in support of the toolkit or feeling it should go further to promote and safeguard the rights of trans and non-binary children.

Well, it IS Brighton and Hove... 

Respondents from outside the city were more negative about the toolkit.

Sanity! 

Only In Brighton

 

How drunk do you have to be? And the Civil Service thinks it's got problems! 

Hopefully, The Owner...

...and not an innocent member of the public, if such a thing even exists in this notorious area of Brighton:

Two XL bullies have been seized by police after a man was bitten by a dog. Police were called to the scene where the dog had bitten the man at an address in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, at 3.30pm on Saturday, April 6.

The 36-year-old suffered minor injuries.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Officers went the address and two dogs, which are believed to be XL bullies, were seized and taken to a secure kennelling facility while enquiries continue."

When you see a comment section with 50 comments in it, you know what you're going to find. It's like the Midnight Bark for the pit nutters: 

 

Utterly delusional. 

Now They Are Financially Bankrupt...

Brighton Council has warned it is in 'financial peril' and will have to cut millions of pounds in spending next year to balance its books - after Nottingham City Council declared itself 'bankrupt'.

...instead of just morally bankrupt.

Ms Sankey said: 'The council's finances are in an extremely perilous position. 'There was absolutely nothing in the autumn statement to provide relief for this council or local authorities who have faced a decade of heartless central government austerity, or any real-world financial help for struggling families.

'Demand for our services is increasing, especially in key areas like adult social care, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and homelessness, which is putting pressure on other services.'

Well, maybe you should spend what you have on those, and not on idiotic things no-one wants..? 

The Labour council leader added: 'We're being forced to look at every one of the 400 services we provide and start the extremely difficult process of deciding what are priority services and what aren't.'

You've already decided on that, though, and we can see what the ratepayers think of your choices.  

'To put it bluntly, the less money we have the less services we can provide.'

It's 'fewer services', love. 

Rodents Of Unusual Size

A beachgoer was shocked to spot a "giant" rodent washed up on the beach by strong winds during Storm Ciarán. Warning: Graphic images.

It's pretty big, so not sure why the 'Argus' sought to put the word in scare quotes... 

The creature was found dead on Hove beach near Rockwater after heavy rain and strong winds this morning. It is about three foot long and reminiscent of a large rat, but with large yellow teeth like a beaver.

It's not the most invasive species to rock up on beaches this year, though. And I knew what it was likely to be before it was confirmed... 

Professor Fiona Matthews, from the University of Sussex's school of life sciences, confirmed that the creature looks like a coypu, based on its tail and teeth. Brighton and Hove City Council has been approached for comment regarding its disposal.

They are probably still wondering if they have to give it a hotel room. 

The New Hierarchy Of Complaints...

Council lashes out £32k on a pointless 'art installation' on the beach, and taxpayers aren't happy:

Taxpayers had previously criticised the public-funded art installation as being a waste of money that could be better spent of things like fixing potholes.

Abalina Lane said: 'Who paid for this and where was the public consultation? Even if this is from another pot of money surely it could be put to better use.People are homeless and hungry for god's sake.'

Carole Wakeman said: 'What a waste of money when everyone else is cutting back Bournemouth splashes out on non essentials.'

Chris Martin added: 'Another waste of our Council tax for this over priced rubbish. Is not even gonna last for very long. 'Meanwhile many shops having to close due to council over pried rents!'

But nothing happens, until...

The move to dismantle the 15 metre-high mirrored archway follows a complaint by Vanessa Abbess, Joe's mother, who described it as 'disrespectful'. She said in a statement: 'As a family, we were shocked and astounded to see news reports of the disrespectful 'Arts by the Sea' installation at the Bournemouth beach yesterday.'The 'Portal of Hope' was badly located and thoughtless, as it frames the area of sea where our son Joe and Sunnah Khan got into difficulties.

'In addition, it is sited on the area of beach where emergency services cared for all casualties on May 31 and the tragic circumstances unfolded. This is not a suitable area to celebrate the sea or to place a tourist attraction.

'We emailed BCP Council, as owners of the beach, to express our distress and upset yesterday evening. 'We fully appreciate that this project may have been planned for many months, but due to the tragic circumstances and ongoing inquest, we feel this (is) entirely unsuitable and plans could have been easily adjusted in the last 17 weeks.

'Last night, Graham Farrant (council chief executive) confirmed the installation would be immediately shut down/relocated.

'We are grateful that BCP Council have acted so quickly...'

I wonder if everyone else is grateful that their legitimate concerns are discounted in favour of council virtuesignalling? 

It's Just A Lunatic Asylum By The Sea, Isn't It?

...a vigil will be held outside Brighton Police Station in John Street at the start of next month.

Oh, what's this for? What have Brighton Police done..?  

There will be a vigil in the city to commemorate two dogs which were killed by the Met Police. The two animals were shot dead by specialist firearms officers in Poplar, east London earlier this month.

*blinks* 

Amanda Ridgway, who organised the vigil, told The Argus: "This incident is really shocking and has upset people across the nation."

The only 'shocking' thing about it is the police finally taking no chances and acting as they should have acted in so many other cases... 

"The vigil will be peaceful and in remembrance of the dogs. It will give the people of Brighton an opportunity to grieve."

The incoming Mayor of Brighton and Hove will be in attendance.

There will be candle lighting, a minute's silence and speeches.

Ms Ridgway said she thought at least 200 people would be there.

Do we have 200 places in mental health facilities for them? Oh, wait, make that 201 - the incoming Mayor needs a place too. 

And It's Not Just The Vegans!

*blinks*

Thousands of people in Brighton and Hove do not have access to food that is healthy or culturally appropriate.

What, they are barred from shops? There aren't shops in Brighton and Hove selling bushmeat? What's this all about? 

Andrew Forsey, national director of Feeding Britain, said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak must publish a strategy to ensure people can afford and access healthy food.

Aha! Of course. It's another demand to feed people out of my pocket again... 

He said that food clubs in Feeding Britain's network "have never seen so many people", including working families, seeking help with food. The Trussell Trust revealed more people in UK used food banks in the six months to September than ever before, with some 1.3 million food parcels handed out, an increase of one third on the same period the previous year.

Hand out free stuff and people demand more of it! Who knew? 

'Sorry' Seems To Be The Hardest Word...

No, wait, the hardest words are clearly 'We were wrong':

Brighton and Hove has been infested with weeds since the council banned the use of glyphosate - an active ingredient in most weedkillers and herbicides - in 2019. Pavements, streets, walls and drains have been overrun by unwanted plants, causing anger among residents.

Last year the authority blamed Brexit for the infestation saying they were having difficulty recruiting staff and ordering equipment.

And when that didn't fly (and who really thought it would?)... 

But now the eco-conscious council has been slammed after asking taxpayers to become volunteer 'weed warriors' - instead of employing people to do the job.

Residents, who have experienced one of the highest council tax rises in the UK, have lashed out at 'council madness'. They are furious they are being asked to carry out basic tasks supposed to be covered by their council tax.

Well, quite! Have you considered not paying it, en masse, instead? 

...resident, Dean Redmond, said: 'Wheelchair users, the partially-sighted and those who are elderly are rightly up in arms about the council's failure to maintain the pavements and roads.

'It is discriminatory and wrong and the Greens need to start paying attention to what people actually want.'

They don't care what people want, because they've realised that waving a Green flag allows them to put in place any mad counter-productive scheme they want...

Student Priorities...

XOXO was recently rated the best spot in Brighton for bottomless brunch by The Bottomless Brunch Student Report. The report scored venues in the city out of 110, based on factors including value for money, the food menu size, vegan options and the proximity to a university campus.

XOXO scored a total of 62.96 out of 110, with high scores for their availability, proximity to a university campus, food menu size and vegan options.

It's amazing what students consider a priority, isn't it? How does this place score on the things those of us who have grown up and have some worldly knowledge think is a pr...

Oh. 

A brunch and cocktail bar has been ordered to carry out major improvements after scoring zero in a food hygiene inspection.

XOXO in Prince Albert Street, Brighton, was given the rating - meaning urgent improvements are necessary - following a Brighton and Hove City Council inspection on February 16.

A report published online stated that improvements were necessary in the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building, including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control. It said urgent improvements were needed to the management of food safety, relating to the system or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat and evidence that staff know about food safety.

Well, I guess food poisoning is pretty indistinguishable from overdoing it on cider and black the night before... 

If He Waits Up And Shoots The Vandal, Will The Council Be Charged As An Accessory?

Wesley Richardson, from First For Flooring in Lewes Road, Brighton, was told by an environmental enforcement officer from Brighton and Hove city council that the tagging must be cleared.

He now faces a £100 fine if the graffiti is not removed, or if it reappears within the 14-day period from when a community protection warning was issued.

Is this the first time he's been hit with this visual vandalism, then? No, Reader, far from it: 

Wesley has removed graffiti from his store many times, only for it to return shortly after.

So why is the council punishing the victim here? 

“They’re doing everything they can to help small businesses, the Government, but then it feels like the council are just screwing you over,” said Wesley. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Because they are! 

Wesley said he was informed by an environmental enforcement officer that the city council will work in tandem with Sussex Police to tackle tagging.

But not, I note, by helping the businesses hit by this catch and punish the vandals... 

Oooh, Have We Found A Conservative At Last?

The Education Secretary has sent officials to investigate the council over reports race theories are being taught in schools.

Nadhim Zahawi says he is “concerned” about the lessons being taught in schools run by Brighton and Hove City Council.

It's about time! I knew there had to be one, at least...

Around 300 school staff in the city have completed the Racial Literacy 101 course. According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Racial Literacy 101 course materials informed teachers that “between the ages of three and five, children learn to attach value to skin colour: white at the top of the hierarchy and black at the bottom”.

And now the council has finally released the materials (they earlier refused a request by a parent to do so citing 'commecial issues') and we can see he's right to be convcerned.

More 4,700 people have signed a petition in Brighton and Hove entitled, “Stop the council teaching our kids that they are racists or victims of their classmates”.

Which is exactly what this material does. 

A council spokesman said: “We are proud of our pledge and work to be an anti-racist city and to support school staff to make education settings fairer in line with both government guidance and the law.

“The anti-racist training we offer is for staff – not pupils. It is up to individual schools what weight they choose to give different theories and how they translate them into their teaching and policies.”

The jig's up. It doesn't matter what you claim. We can all see now just what you've been up to.  

And Yet, You Keep Using It...

...and the courts keep accepting it:

Mitigating, Simon Lacey, said: "There have been long-term issues with the neighbour.

"Unfortunately, she has issues with drinking.

"The alcohol had taken over.

"If she was sober she would not have said those things. She knows it's no excuse at all."

But you clearly do. Because it works, doesn't it? 

Chairman of the bench, Stephen Corben, said: "We have listened carefully to Mr Oakley and have heard the stress and harm you have caused to [the victim]." He sentenced Stewart to a 12-month community order.

Stewart must complete an alcohol treatment programme for a period of six months, including 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. She must also pay a £120 fine, as well as £45 in prosecution costs and a £95 victim surcharge. 

That'll work about as well as the last time she was up before you, I expect...

"Gosh, How Surprising!" Said No-One, Ever...

A woman has avoided jail...

*yawns* How unusual. 

...after assaulting three police officers and two paramedics.

What..?! 

Terri Gunn has been given a suspended prison sentence by Brighton magistrates after she assaulted five emergency workers in Brighton on June 5, 2021.

Gunn, of Grove Hill, Brighton, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She must also pay £350 compensation and abstain from drinking alcohol for 90 days.

*sighs* Brighton... 

*Yawns*

A protest has taken place against a holiday company that has been accused of...

Overcharging? Overpromising and underdelivering? 

...mass deportations this year.

Eh..? 

The march, which has been organised by The Stop TUI campaign, started at The Level in Union Road, Brighton at 1 pm.

Oh, I might have known...

Speeches were made by high-profile members from the city, such as Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the Mp for Kemptown.

Who..? Is there another meaning of the tem 'high profile' of which I'm unaware?

Steve Jackson, the lead coordinator of Stop TUI Brighton, said: "TUI have conducted at least 20 mass deportation flights from the UK so far this year."

You're right, that is an utter disgrace. It's far too few.

"TUI must immediately drop deportations and make a public statement pledging they will not conduct any more deportation flights. All deportations are violent, racist and unjust."

And all Open Borders activists are moronic, self-absorbed and utterly inconsequential. 

Go Meet With Them, Paul....

Activists from the Brighton chapter of Animal Rebellion held the sit-in protest in the chain's Western Road outlet at noon last Saturday.

The protest included "occupying" areas of the restaurant and eating vegan food that activists had taken along to the restaurant.

Animal Rebellion demand that McDonald's transition to plant-based food by 2025.

It says it will "continue to disrupt business as usual for them" until it gets to speak to the UK CEO Paul Pomroy and its "demands are met".

...listen to their raving politely, then stand up, tell them to fuck off, and walk out. 

Film it and stick it on YouTube. I guarantee sales will go through the roof!

A Headline I Can't Quite Believe...

...then I realise it's Brighton!

And After That, They'll Invent A Perpetual Motion Machine And Institute World Peace...

Alice King, who was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, said she was shocked to see the monogram bodysuit on sale in the Urban Outfitters store in Churchill Square, Brighton.

The 22-year-old shared a photo of the outfit that she says looked more like “children’s clothing.”

Why? I mean, who else cares? 

Alice said: “It was labelled as a medium and straight away it put my back up. I thought ‘how can that possibly be a medium?’ It was so tiny.

“With my history of eating disorders, things like this just trigger me. I posted pictures on my Instagram story because I thought I cannot be the only one who thinks like this.”

Ah. I see now. You wanted reassurance that you weren't a crazy person looking for confirmation of your neuroses. And you're clearly going to find that on....Instagram? 

Oh dear. 

“I got so many replies from, mostly females, but some males too and they were just in shock, the same as me, that they could sell something like this.

“Urban Outfitters, along with other clothing brands, need to consider their younger audiences and the age at which people are more likely to struggle with these kinds of issues.”

I think UO probably believe all they need to do is sell clothes to people who want to buy them. I doubt they've considered attracting the tiny niche market of hysterical whackjobs who share outrage imagery on social media. 

She is now calling for standard clothing sizes to be introduced across the fashion industry to prevent the promotion of “unrealistic expectations for women’s bodies.”

Well, good luck with that, because every store and in-supermarket brand is different, and a size 14 in one is likely to be a size 12 in another! 

Urban Outfitters have been contacted for a statement.

The managing director is probably on his tenth brandy by now... 

"Let Them Fight..."

It's Green pressue group vs....Brighton Council? 

Get the popcorn!

A campaign group say they have reported the council to the police for an alleged wildlife crime. It comes after work on the living wall in Madeira Drive, which was planted by the Victorians and is a wildlife reserve. Brighton and Hove City Council said on Monday that the Local Wildlife Site was cut on purpose in order to build a “possible” cycle lane in the road.

Better order in some more, now cycling has entered the fray! 

Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth said: "The Conservative Group is most concerned at this latest round of environmental vandalism on Madeira Drive and strongly feel that reporting to the relevant authorities is the correct course of action.

"It sadly follows the Council having to answer to the Information Commissioner’s Office for similar shoddy behaviour. It is yet another demonstration that voting Green damages the environment."

Heh! 

Brighton's Answer To Judge Samantha Leigh...

Step forward, Judge Shani Barnes! Her latest case?

Rowan Hudson attempted to rob the Costa Coffee in London Road, Brighton, and robbed Burger King on the seafront.

Both incidents happened in front of “terrified” families and young children. Staff at both venues were left shaken and in tears.

The “unstable” 32-year-old was arrested by police and said: “I don’t care, f*** Costa Coffee, f*** Burger King”.

But the former soldier who served in Afghanistan was given a suspended prison sentence because of his struggles with post traumatic stress and the time he has spent in prison waiting for his case to be heard.

At Brighton Crown Court Her Honour Judge Shani Barnes told Hudson: “There will not be another chance.”

Unless he's up before you...