Thanet Press Releases

This blog is made up from press releases sent to me by Thanet organisations or individuals and information gathered from the Thanet District Council website. If you send me a press release for publication here please make it clear what the title is, which bit you want in the comment part and what you want it tagged at the bottom e.g. Steve Ladyman press release. Press releases should be sent to me by email at this email address michaelchild@aol.com just text and images not pdf.

Friday, 28 May 2010

Council legal bill hits £80k fighting the Montefiore Village Green Application!

As the local Councillors for Sir Moses Montefiore Ward on Thanet District Council (TDC) we have been involved with the HOOT campaign since its formation in February 2007.

HOOT was formed to fight the decision by TDC to sell the Montefiore tennis courts and putting green for housing against the wishes of the local residents.
This has been a long and hard fight against the Council’s decision, which has caused a lot of grief to local residents who did not want to lose their valuable green open space. This land is part of our local heritage and belongs to the people of Ramsgate.
And now to add salt to injury TDC want the tax payers to pick up its legal costs to fight its own residents.

We believe that the £20k bill for the TDC barrister is just the ‘tip of the financial iceberg’.
Additional to the £20k for the TDC barrister are the costs of Council Officer ‘time’ preparing and presenting the case. There were at least two highly paid Council Officers present, and sometimes as many as five, for the five days of the Inquiry, including the Director of Regeneration Services, Legal Officers and the Monitoring Officer.

We would estimate that the total cost of the Montefiore Village Green Public Inquiry to Thanet District Council is at least £40k.

Additional to TDC’s costs are the costs incurred by Kent County Council, the Village Green Registration Authority. Two Kent County Council Officers were present for the five days and KCC also paid for the Inquiry Inspector (also a barrister).
We estimate that the total cost to Council Tax Payers is approaching £80k for a piece of land valued at £45k!

Cllr Michelle Fenner said ‘This is a disgraceful waste of Council Tax Payers’ money. Maybe the District Auditor needs to have a long and hard look at the Council’s books?’

Cllr Alan Poole said ‘Having spent a huge sum fighting the application there is no guarantee that TDC will actually succeed in preventing the land becoming a Village Green.’

Cllr Michelle Fenner and Cllr Alan Poole would like to say a public thank-you to Mike Matthews who did most of the work; expending a huge amount of time and effort preparing and presenting the Village Green Application.................a job very well done!

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

A LITTLE SHIP THE NAZI'S COULDN'T STOP!

SUNDOWNER
RAMSGATE’S FAMOUS LITTLE SHIP
SHIPSHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION
SEAWORTHY AND READY FOR ACTION
BUT PREVENTED FROM TAKING HER
RIGHTFUL PLACE ON THE
2010 COMMEMORATION RETURN TO DUNKIRK
DUE TO BUREAUCRATIC
WRANGLING BETWEEN
EAST KENT MARITIME TRUSTEES
THE STEAM MUSEUM TRUST
& THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL

From 1993 until April 2008 the East Kent Maritime Trust was funded by the Thanet District Council with an annual grant (by 2007/8 the sum was £80,000) This annual charge to Thanet rate payers was supplemented by donations and grants from other bodies, and in 2006, the Robert Butler bequest totalling £260,000.

Between 2005 and 2008 Project Sundowner cost the trust £60,671.94. (see enclosed list of accounts paid).This sum was for the major refit necessary to keep the vessel seaworthy and operational “To work as an ambassador for the Ramsgate Maritime Museum and spread the history and fame of the Little Ships Of Dunkirk far and wide” (see notice by Mr. Charles Payton, of Tide Chaser, Maritime Heritage consultants, engaged by EKMT, during 2004/6, for projects Sundowner and Cervia at an additional cost of £38,737 - list encl.)

Following a legal dispute with Mr. Michael List Brain, the owner of the Steam Tug Cervia, regarding the non maintenance of his vessel that was on loan to the museum, the EKMT was required to pay Mr. List Brain the sum of £100,000 (to include his legal costs), and also cede to him all of the artifacts held in the Ramsgate Maritime Museum plus the Little Ship Sundowner, (EKMT’s own costs amounted to around £30,000). Mr. List Brain received the £100K following the Mediation in November 2007. However, he has to this date declined to accept either the artifacts or the vessel.

The TDC stopped funding the EKMT in April 2008 and during the year trustees started to abandon the sinking ship, including the (then) Conservative Chairman of TDC, Cllr. John Kirby and the (now) Conservative Chairman of KCC, Cllr. Bill Hayton. The EKMT museums in Ramsgate and Margate were both closed in November 2008, with the seven members of staff all being made redundant.

The ownership of Sundowner therefore still rests with the remaining EKMT trustees, Mr. Dennis Payne (Chairman) and Mr. Norman Temple (Secretary). The vessel is still fully insured (it has to be, to receive a mooring in the Royal Harbour). However Mr. Norman Temple has now refused to allow the fully sea worthy vessel to leave harbour and is therefore preventing her from taking part in the Operation Dynamo 2010 return passage to Dunkirk. Unbelievably, Ramsgate’s Famous Little Ship looks set to miss the most important commemoration event held in recent years, the 70th anniversary of the miracle of Dunkirk, and which would achieve the purpose for which she had £100,000 of district council, county council and Interreg grant money plus private donations spent on her.

Cllr. John Watkins.

Volunteer boats officer,

Ramsgate Maritime museum.

Tuesday, 25 May 2010

Last weeks planning applications,

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

24/05/2010 - Issue Published: Loan to East Kent Opportunities

24/05/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 27 2010 4:00PM, Asset Management Working Group

24/05/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of May 18 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board

24/05/2010 - Decision Published: Loan to East Kent Opportunities; Leader of the Council

20/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 20 2010 2:00PM, Cabinet

20/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 20 2010 12:00AM, Cabinet

19/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 19 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee

19/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 19 2010 10:00AM, East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee
18/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 18 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board

17/05/2010 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 June 2010 to 1 December 2010; Cabinet

CLEAN SWEEP FOR RAMSGATE AND WESTWOOD

The latest Operation Clean Sweep in Ramsgate and Westwood has seen more than 450 properties visited, a noise abatement notice issued and 17 sites cleared of rubbish.

The operation, which is led by Thanet District Council, saw officers from the community safety, waste and recycling, environmental health and health and safety teams taking part. They were joined by officers from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police, Orbit South and the UK Border Agency and volunteers from Pipeline.

The teams spent three days last week from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 May, visiting the Westwood Industrial Estate, the Whitehall estate and the Newlands area in Ramsgate.

On the first day, when they visited the Westwood Industrial Estate, one noise abatement notice was served, while three referrals were made to the Health and Safety Executive. A total of 15 businesses will now receive letters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, offering fire safety advice, while a further seven need to be re-visited, as they were not meeting fire safety regulations.

Next, the Whitehall Estate was targeted, with over 300 properties visited. The general feedback from all of these people was positive, with Operation Clean Sweep being very well received. 19 properties were referred to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, as they either had no smoke alarm or faulty ones. Fire safety advice was given to 26 people. 14 concerns or repairs were noted from the council's housing tenants, while four crime reports were also filed. A total of 17 sites in the area were also cleared of rubbish, while four alleyways were cleared by Pipeline.

The final day saw the teams targeting the Newlands area, where 150 properties were visited, with 12 referred to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service for a free home safety check. Three crime reports were filed, while details were also taken of repairs needed and problems with dogs were referred to the dog wardens.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "The latest Operation Clean Sweep has once again tackled a huge range of issues that impact on people's daily lives. The teams had a great response from everyone they talked to and were able to get lots of information that they can take away and act on. That's the great thing about Clean Sweep. It's about hearing what concerns local people have and then tackling them."

Monday, 24 May 2010

Own label oyster stout at Eddie Gilbert's

Eddie Gilbert’s serves own Black Pearl Oyster StoutFree glass offered with oysters through the World Cup

Eddie Gilbert’s is now serving its own ‘Black Pearl Oyster Stout’. The multi award winning fish monger-cum-chippie-cum-gourmet fish restaurant has commissioned Gadds’ Ramsgate Brewery to produce a unique brew to accompany its oysters.The smooth, rich, dark stout is a heady 6.2% abv by volume.

A plate of half a dozen rock oysters, cold with shallot and Jerez vinegar or grilled with chorizo cost £6.00 and the 300ml bottle of the Black Pearl and additional £3.00.Gadds’ have also produced a cask of the stout especially for sale on draft at Eddie Gilbert’s during the World Cup. Priced at £1.50 per half pint, the restaurant will give away a free glass whilst England remain in the tournament with every order of oysters, or while stocks last.

“It’s very rich with an almost chocolate feel of a mocha coffee bean,” said Eddie Gilbert’s owner Jonny Dunhill. ”Offering our own stout, brewed by Gadds’, fits in with our philosophy of offering the finest produce sourced as locally as possible.”He adds a word of warning, “The Black Pearl Oyster Stout, along with the other Gadd’s beers on the menu have a strength of between 5 and 9 percent – these are not Friday night session beers – they’re to be enjoyed in small volumes with or after food,” he said.Made from malted and roast barley, malted oats, Kentish hops and brewers’ yeast, Gadds' bottle conditioned ales are unfiltered and unfined, ensuring their characteristic depth of character.

The light yeast sediment remains in the bottle, maturing the bottle and gradually enhances the flavour.Eddie Gilbert’s also make a Gadds Black Pearl ice cream, priced at £4.50.

SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE FOR RAMSGATE FRAUDSTER

A Ramsgate woman has been given a six month suspended prison sentence, after pleading guilty to falsely claiming more than £65,000 in benefits.

Julie Coombs (35), previously of Telham Avenue, was claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit on the basis that she was a lone parent. The council's benefit fraud team received an allegation that she had been living with her husband, David Coombs, throughout the period of her claim and that he was in employment.

The team began investigating these claims and gathered enough evidence to recommend that the case should be looked at for a possible police arrest, due to the period of the overpayment and the amount of money involved. This was carried out in January 2008 and both Mr. and Mrs. Coombs were found at the property. They were interviewed and both denied the allegation.

They attended Margate Magistrates Court and Mrs. Coombs did not enter a plea to the charges. The case was passed to Canterbury Crown Court. On her first appearance at the Crown Court, Mrs. Coombs pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly obtaining benefits that she was not entitled to, as she was living at the property with Mr. Coombs.

In total, she was overpaid Housing Benefit of £21,061.58, Council Tax Benefit of £2,947.38 and Income Support of £41,731.68.

She was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with the condition that she is not to commit any offence in the UK during this period. She was also ordered to serve 200 hours of a Community Punishment Order, which is to be completed within 12 months. She was put under curfew for six months between the hours of 10am and 6pm, although she was not electronically tagged. A Compensation Order was also issued.

In his summing up, the Judge stated that he had given her credit for her previous good character, her early guilty plea, her family circumstances and responsibilities, and also for voluntary work she has undertaken since this matter has come to light. He also stated that the suspended sentence was reached "on the very edge of my discretion", as the offences were serious enough to warrant imprisonment.

Cllr. Simon Moores, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Business Transformation, said: "This case is perhaps at the top end of some of the benefit fraud we've seen in recent years, in terms of the amount that was swindled from the public purse. The council will do whatever it can to ensure that, in cases like this, people do feel the full weight of the law. Over the years, more than £65,000 has been fraudulently claimed in this case. I'm sure that's not something that any of us is prepared to tolerate."

Saturday, 22 May 2010

FIRM ACTION REQUIRED AT RAMSGATE ROYAL HARBOUR.

A 'Shadow Cabinet role' at Thanet District Council is always a challenge but at the recent TDC AGM Cllr Linda Aldred had another 'watching brief' for Ramsgate Royal Marina added to her busy Customer Service & Business Transformation Shadow Portfolio.

Last weekend Cllr John Watkins, a former Naval Officer, Lifeboatman and the Boats Officer for the Ramsgate Maritime Museum, helped his fellow Labour councillor to understand just how problematic the issues are with her newly extended role by taking her on an inspection of the marina.

Cllr. Watkins said "the decline of facilities at Ramsgate Royal Harbour during the last seven years of Conservative control at TDC has been marked. A TDC Scrutiny Working Party was set up by Cllr Bob Bayford last July to look into the problems at the port but to date it has never met and the loss of the Golden Anchor and the downgrading of our Harbour to the bottom 6 out of 91 UK harbours, by the Yacht Harbour Association was not unexpected. Thanet's 'jewel in the crown' is in a sorry state, due to seven years of the Conservative administration's inactivity and neglect.

Under Labour's TDC stewardship from 1995 the Ramsgate Harbour saw the addition of the brand new 100 berth Western Marina and by 2003 the harbour was was equipped with a new port control room, the new 40 tonne boat hoist and a new fuel barge facility, plus new security gates and a CCTV system, together with two new amenity blocks for visiting boat’s crews.
Since the harbour's own dredger 'Ramsgate' was sold off by the Tory administration at TDC the build up of silt has been a constant problem.

Today, due to reports in the national boating press in recent years regarding departure delays and vessels grounding on the sand banks at the entrance, some yachtsmen are now avoiding our harbour. Less leisure vessel visits were recorded during 2009 and less permanent berths were occupied. There have been reports of accidents caused by unstable and poorly maintained pontoons and due to the build up of silt, the inner marina gate has had to remain closed for longer periods in order to prevent boats grounding in their berths.

I spent last weekend explaining these issues to my close colleague Cllr Linda Aldred and showing her the outer basin where the long eastern marina breakwater and pontoon has been out of use since last October awaiting major repairs, with still no firm date for when it will be available for mooring visiting vessels, and the rows of smashed light fittings on the east pier. I also pointed to the grade two listed Maritime Museum building with boarded up broken windows, standing closed and forlorn."

Following her tour, Cllr Linda Aldred said "On such a beautiful day it was a sad and sorry sight to see the neglect of this precious asset at close hand. We know money is tight but the harbour is an essential part of Thanet’s regeneration so surely it is a false economy not to invest in it. We must all work together to find some solutions urgently."

PICTURE ATTACHED - Cllr Linda Aldred & Cllr John Watkins inspecting the Marina.
PUBLISHED BY THANET LABOUR GROUP PRESS OFFICE - 44 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2RW.

SHADOW UPDATE 20-05-2010

Labour Shadow Team comments & questions for Thursday afternoons TDC Cabinet meeting.

INTRODUCTION - Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.

Today's meeting was unusual in that it was scheduled for the afternoon by the new TDC Cabinet and to start 'on the rising of the Extra Ordinary Cabinet Meeting' (discussing asset disposals) and although that first meeting started at 2pm it quite obviously had an 'open-ended' finishing time. This may have been convenient for Conservative Cabinet members and Leading Officers who were already present in the building, but not so for the public who may have wished to attend and could not be given a specific time. I made an official complaint about this matter during the recent Council AGM and I sincerely hope this sloppy practice does not become a trend for the new Conservative Cabinet.

There were just two significant matters for discussion at today's Cabinet meeting (other than apologies, minutes & declarations of interest) and our Labour members comments follow below:

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

AGENDA ITEM 4 - NOTICE OF MOTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR C. HART IN RELATION TO MINIMUM SIZE OF FLATS IN NEW DEVELOPMENT
Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.
When I proposed this motion at full council I outlined the detrimental effect that small and cramped flats can have on mental health and crime in overdeveloped areas of Thanet so I won’t repeat those concerns today. Instead I’d like to concentrate on the report before us and the long term effect on our next generation.
According to Shelter one in ten children are being failed because of cramped living conditions. There is overwhelming and devastating evidence that overcrowding undermines family wellbeing and quality of life, from health to education. Children who live in these conditions have a severe lack of space to play or do homework, and most disturbingly, are ten times more likely to contract meningitis than other children.
There must be a concerted effort to build better-designed affordable homes in Thanet and to drag our local private rented sector into the 21st century. The latter can only be done if minimum room sizes for new flats, particularly in the private sector, are increased, and quickly.
At paragraph 2.3 of the brief report before us, written by the Director of Regeneration Services, we are informed that a review of flat conversion guidelines – leading to a Supplementary Planning Document - is timetabled to begin as late as April 2011, but that there has already been slippage in that particular timetable.
At paragraph 2.5 the lengthy eight point process needed to adopt such an SPD is also outlined.
Simply put, to just confirm the existing programme for the Conversion Guidelines SPD that will hopefully increase minimum room sizes here in Thanet would mean that this administration would be jeopardising many local children’s life chances and ignoring their health needs.
Last night (Wednesday 19th May) I sat in the very chair that you are sitting in now chairman and listened to council officers telling the planning committee that an application for a very cramped block of flats in Ramsgate was OK because it met TDC's minimum flat size rules. So there's the evidence chairman, each and every day we delay dealing with this issue more and more cramped flats are being built.
I therefore call on Cabinet to allocate extra resources to enable the SPD to be brought forward earlier – option 3.1 (ii) in the report.
Please give our local kids a fighting chance!
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
Ignoring Cllr Hart's plea, Conservative Cabinet Member Cllr Chris Wells moved that members confirm the existing programme only. Therefore, no additional resources will be made available to bring forward the programme and the lengthy, drawn out, eight stage process to start discussions including minimum flat sizes will not begin until April 2011 (+ some time for 'slippage' of course).

AGENDA ITEM 5 - RECEIPT OF PETITION - ALBION HOUSE
Cllr. David Green.
Cllr David Green reminded the new Cabinet of the historical importance of Albion House to Ramsgate and the considerable affection that the building commanded amongst Ramsgate residents. If evidence of this was needed, the large petition in favour of retaining Albion House for public use, that was presented to Thanet Council by Peter Landi, had been collected over a very few days.

Cllr Green continued to say that there were also very practical reasons for retaining at least part of Albion House as a public facility. With the loss of the old Ramsgate Library, there was no public gallery space or museum space in Ramsgate and no public meeting space in or near the town centre.

Cllr Green reminded cabinet the the offer of Ramsgate Town Council to work with Thanet Council either to buy Albion House and develop for public use, or to lease the ground floor on a joint basis still was on offer despite being rejected out of hand by Council officers.

Residents of Ramsgate and their councillors hoped that the New TDC leadership would reconsider.

Cllr. David Green - Phone 01843 591495

A council officer explained that the situation had now changed and that the asset disposal process in relation to Albion House would now go right back to the beginning and start again at stage one.

THANET COAST PROJECT EVENTS THIS SPRING

Sunset cycles, surfing taster lessons, storytelling walks and a chance to explore the shore line are just of the fun events taking place along the Thanet coastline this spring.

The events, all organised by the Thanet Coast Project, kick off with a Rock Doc walk at 11am on Sunday 23 May, exploring the rocks and chalk cliffs around Stone Bay.

During the spring half term week, there's a range of events for all ages to get involved with. Those aged seven and above can enjoy a gentle cycle from Viking Bay down to the Hugin Viking Ship in Cliffsend and back at 2pm on Monday 31 May.

Youngsters aged eight to 18 years old can try their hand at surfing, with a taster lesson at Joss Bay at 2pm on Tuesday 1 June, organised by the Joss Bay Surf School.

There's plenty for families as well, with a storytelling walk around Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs with Scandalmongers at 10.30am on Tuesday 1 June. On Thursday 3 June, at 11am, you can get stuck into a hands-on exploration of the rocks and fossils of Joss Bay with the Rock Doc. Finally, on Saturday 5 June, at 11.30am, you can explore the coastline, looking for crabs and shore life, at Walpole Bay, Cliftonville, with Ian Humpheryes. All these events are aimed at families with children aged four to 14 years old.

Later on in June, you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about seaweed in a guided walk with expert Ian Tittley from the National History Museum. That takes place on Sunday 6 June at midday around Botany Bay at Kingsgate. To celebrate World Ocean Day on Tuesday 8 June, a walk and talk will take you through the Kingsgate beaches to explore Cliffs, Sea Caves and Castles.

Finally, on Friday 18 June, you can enjoy a gentle coastal cycle into the setting sun from Margate to Minnis Bay and back, setting off at 6.30pm.

To book any of these activities and for more details, visit www.thanetcoast.org.uk All events are free and are funded by the Big Lottery.

Thursday, 20 May 2010

HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR AREA?

How safe do you feel in your area? New results show almost 90% of local people do feel safe in their part of Thanet during the day.

The question was asked by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership as part of their Local People, Local Places survey. The results helped to shape the Partnership's annual plan, which sets out its priorities for the next year.

After dark, the number of people who felt safe dropped dramatically to just 38%, with 34% saying that they felt unsafe once night sets in.

The reasons for that centre around stories in the media, with two thirds of people questioned saying that news locally and nationally made them feel unsafe. 62% of people also said they were intimidated by large groups of youths, while one in three people felt unsafe, as a result of stories they had heard from friends, family or neighbours.

More than half of those who responded thought that more places for people to go would help to reduce crime in their area. People also believed more enforcement and more activities for young people would help.

People were asked what the biggest problem was where they lived, with 62% rating rubbish or litter as either a very big or fairly big problem in their neighbourhood. Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage and teenagers hanging around the streets were the other major causes of concern for residents.

Community Safety Manager, Mark Richardson, said: "These results will help to guide what we do over the next year, as we work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Thanet. Now we know what issues matter most to our residents, we can ensure that our resources are targeted to dealing with those problems."

GRAFFITI TAGGERS MADE TO PAY FOR THEIR CRIME

Three graffiti taggers have had to clear up the mess they made in Ramsgate, after being caught in the act on the council's CCTV camera system.

The trio, two males and one female, were spotted by a camera operator in the early hours of Tuesday morning (18 May), spraying graffiti on the ground at the junction of Queen Street and Harbour Street in the centre of Ramsgate.

The operator was then able to use the system to follow the trio as they walked through the town and picked them up returning to their homes in Ramsgate.

The police were called and they visited the group, offering them the chance to clear up their graffiti, otherwise they would be charged. The trio then spent the next hour and a half clearing everything off the pavement.

District Commander, Chief Inspector Mitchell Fox, said: "This demonstrates another incident where the council and the police are working together to tackle anti-social behaviour and the kind of crime that blights our communities. A common sense approach by the police officer in this case ensured that the offenders put right their wrongs almost immediately."

Community Safety Manager Mark Richardson said: "Our cameras have proven once again that they are a very useful tool in the prevention and detection of crime. This illustrates excellent partnership working between the operator and police officers in question that ultimately has given the offenders a stark lesson."

Monday, 17 May 2010

Last weeks planning applications,

Ed. The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet

13 May 2010
A/TH/10/0377
CONCORDE YOUTH CENTRE, HIGH STREET, ST LAWRENCE, RAMSGATE
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0341
15 THE PADDOCKS BROADSTAIRS CT103AJ
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0344
11 EDITH ROAD RAMSGATE CT110EN
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0347
100 NORTHDOWN PARK ROAD MARGATE CT93PU
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0355
57 SELBORNE ROAD MARGATE CT93SR
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0360
225 CANTERBURY ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88LX
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0365
53 LALEHAM ROAD MARGATE CT93QB
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0375
THE MINNIS, THE PARADE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9LT
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0378
16 WOODLAND AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT70DN
current
13 May 2010
F/TH/10/0385
LAND REAR OF 235-237 MARGATE ROAD, RAMSGATE, KENT
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0289
HOSERS CORNER, 29, ETHELBERT CRESCENT, MARGATE
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0345
ST BENEDICTS CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHITEHALL ROAD, & 45 NEWINGTON ROAD, RAMSGATE CT126DF
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0349
17-19 STATION ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8RB
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0353
34 HIGH STREET MANSTON RAMSGATE CT125BG
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0354
56, 56A, 58 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9RA
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0357
39 EPPLE BAY ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79EN
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0359
QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHERS HOSPITAL RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT94BG
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0366
GORE COURT GORE STREET MONKTON RAMSGATE CT124LL
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0373
56 - 58 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9RA
current
11 May 2010
F/TH/10/0376
7 WESTBROOK ROAD MARGATE CT95BH
current
11 May 2010
TL/TH/10/0364
PAVEMENT ADJACENT TO 21A BELLEVUE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 8JT
current
10 May 2010
F/TH/10/0115
MARGATE FOOTBALL CLUB LTD HARTSDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT95QZ
current
10 May 2010
F/TH/10/0224
MARGATE FOOTBALL CLUB LTD HARTSDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT95QZ
current
10 May 2010
F/TH/10/0343
33 BEECH DRIVE BROADSTAIRS CT102LL
current
10 May 2010
F/TH/10/0346
86 PIERREMONT AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT101NT
current
10 May 2010
F/TH/10/0356
KIDDIES CORNER, MARINA ESPLANADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8U<
current
10 May 2010
L/TH/10/0361
62 PLAINS OF WATERLOO RAMSGATE CT118JE
current
10 May 2010
L/TH/10/0367
46 CHATHAM STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 7PR
current
10 May 2010
L/TH/10/0370
1 CHATHAM PLACE RAMSGATE CT117PT
current
10 May 2010
L/TH/10/0371
4 SPENCER SQUARE RAMSGATE CT119LA
current

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

18/05/2010 - Meeting scheduled: May 18 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board

14/05/2010 - Agenda supplement published - EKJAC Supplementary Report : EKJAC Supplementary Report: Meeting of May 19 2010 10:00AM, East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee

13/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 13 2010 8:00PM, Council

13/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 13 2010 7:00PM, Council
12/05/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 19 2010 10:00AM, East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee

11/05/2010 - Meeting held: May 11 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel

11/05/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 20 2010 12:00AM, Cabinet

GATEWAY WELCOMES ITS MILLIONTH CUSTOMER

Thanet's Gateway Plus has welcomed its one millionth customer, just over two years since it first opened for business.

Kathryn Walton (44) from Margate came into the Gateway to return some books to the library and hand in a letter to Thanet District Council. She was surprised to find that she was the millionth customer through the door.

She won a prize hamper, packed with items, including:
A £15 HMV voucher and £20 book voucher from the library
Two tickets for the Dippers and Dunkers festival this summer, four free tickets for Margate's Big Event and a compost bin from Thanet District Council
Family tickets to a summer show for Winter Gardens and one month's free gym membership for Hartsdown or Ramsgate Leisure Centres from Thanet Leisureforce
A hamper from Morrisons
Two sessions of bingo from Mecca
A meal for two from G Casino

Thanet's Gateway Plus is a partnership initiative between Thanet District Council and Kent County Council. It offers a wide range of services such as the library, free internet access, baby bounce and rhyme, Connexions, ward councillor surgeries, Shelter, East Kent Mental Health, Deaf Services and Thanet College.

More than 60% of visitors to Thanet's Gateway Plus are accessing the exciting range of partner services on offer. Recent additions include the Independent Living Scheme, Porchlight and Citizens Advice Bureau, all of which will enhance and grow the Gateway offering to customers even further.

Kathryn is a regular user of Thanet's Gateway Plus. "I come in mostly to use the library, but also for some of the council services on offer here and, in the past, I've also used the Internet here."

Gateway Manager Stephen Meades said: "We wanted to celebrate this milestone, by ensuring that we made it a day to remember for our millionth customer. The Gateway has proved to be a huge success since we opened for business here at the start of 2008. I think most people take it for granted that they can come in and do so many different things in one place. A few years before we opened, customers had to visit different venues and queue up multiple times, so this is much easier and more convenient."

Thanet's Gateway Plus is open from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, with late night opening until 8pm on Thursdays. It is also open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. Full details of all the services on offer at the Gateway can be found at www.thanet.gov.uk/gateway

BROADSTAIRS SOPRANO SARAH HOLDS FIRST CONCERT IN HER HOME TOWN

Broadstairs soprano Sarah Hale will perform in her first concert in her home town on June 5th.

Soprano Sarah Hale, who recently won her master’s degree in music performance from Canterbury Christchurch University, returns to her home town after a highly successful series of engagements in Holland, Folkestone and the Deal Festival.

Sarah said that singing in Broadstairs will be a “highly emotional” occasion for her. “I have spent most of my life in Broadstairs and I love the town. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Her concert, at the Sarah Thorne Memorial Theatre, will concentrate on the theme of summer love, and include music by Debussy, Roger Quilter, Scottish folk songs such as Down by the Salley Gardens and Ye banks and braes, as well as classic ballads by George Gershwin including Summertime and The Man I Love.

Sarah will also perform some powerful, rarely heard songs from Japan, where she was born. “I love to offer audiences songs from a variety of cultures and in different moods. But throughout the accent will be on an entertaining evening and giving everyone a good time.”

“We've called the concert Summertime Songs,” Sarah added, “and that's the idea, to celebrate this absolutely joyous time of year when beautiful seaside towns, especially towns like Broadstairs, are at their very best.”

“Summertime Songs” is at 7.30 p.m. at the Sarah Thorne Theatre Club, Hilderstone, Broadstairs. Tickets costs £8. To book ring 0845 2626263.

Sunday, 16 May 2010

SUNDOWNER GETS READY

Ramsgate’s famous Little Ship Sundowner is hoisted out of the Royal Harbour at Ramsgate to undergo routine hull maintenance (picture attached) prior to joining around fifty vessels of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships on their cruise to commemorate the WW2 Operation Dynamo. The flotilla will be accompanied by HMS Monmouth a Royal Navy, type 23 Duke Class Frigate and HMS Raider an RNR fast patrol vessel, together with an escorting RNLI lifeboat.

Sundowner, has been present on the regular five yearly voyage, on each occasion since the 50th anniversary event in 1990, having arrived at the Royal Harbour in 1987, when she came under the care of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum.

The ADLS hold a 1940 Operation Dynamo commemoration cruise and service every year at the end of May, choosing a different south east harbour each time. Last year the vessels attending the event assembled in the West India dock in London Docklands.

Sundowner, was built for the Royal Navy in 1912, and will be the oldest vessel taking part in the event this year. However, she has recently undergone a thorough refit, conducted by a team of skilled shipwrights and engineers at Ramsgate. Her six naval trained, local volunteer crew members are now looking forward to sailing to Dunkirk with the ADLS on Thursday May 27th.

John Watkins (01843 228165),
Volunteer boat’s officer,
Ramsgate Maritime Museum.

Friday, 14 May 2010

COUNCIL MONEY APPROVED FOR DREAMLAND

Plans to put up to £4 million into creating the world's first amusement park of thrilling historic rides at Dreamland in Margate have been agreed by Thanet District Council.

The proposals were discussed at an Extraordinary Meeting last night (Thursday 13 May) with members agreeing to put £2.2 million of the council's money into the project. This is already set out in the council's existing budget. Members also gave approval for the council to borrow up to £1.8 million, if alternative funding cannot be found.

The £12.5 million project, which is jointly being taken forward by the council, the Dreamland Trust and land owners the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, will create a major new visitor attraction at Dreamland. It would bring several hundred new jobs to the town, along with half a million visitors. They would be able to enjoy historic amusement park rides, many of which are the last surviving examples of their type. These would be built around the listed Scenic Railway, the UK's oldest surviving wooden roller coaster, and the fourth oldest in the world, which would be the centerpiece of the park. The scheme would also see restoration work carried out on the grade II* listed Dreamland cinema building.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "Bringing Dreamland back to life is a key regeneration project for Margate and something that has huge support amongst local people. Members across the council have also given it their backing, which is really encouraging. We all agree that it's vital for this scheme to go ahead and that's why we've committed enough money to ensure that happens. There's a huge amount of external funding already on the table and there's no guarantee we'll have this much money again for many years. That's why we need to move forward now to ensure that Dreamland can become a world centre for historic thrill rides, helping to bring jobs and thousands of visitors back into Margate."

The Dreamland Trust's Project Director, Jonathan Bryant, welcomed the council's decision as an important step forward in the project partnership. He said: "It's been a long haul, since the Dreamland Trust's original members began the Save Dreamland Campaign. We have a solid partnership with the council and the funders, the Heritage Lottery, the Sea Change fund, and with the current landowners, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company. We look forward to making a start on the site as soon as the design plans are finalised."

Funding for the project is coming from the Sea Change Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, with applications submitted for additional money to English Heritage, Arts Council England, SEEDA and Thanet Works. Work should commence towards the end of 2010, with the park expected to open in summer 2012.

NEW THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL LEADER ELECTED

Cllr. Bob Bayford, a previous Deputy Leader of Thanet District Council, has been elected as the council's new Leader for 2010/11.

Cllr. Bayford has been the member for Kingsgate on the council since 1991 and was Deputy Leader of the council from 2003 - 2006. During this time, he also took on the Cabinet portfolios of Economic Development and Regeneration, Maritime Services and Improvement and Performance.

Since 2007, he has been the Chairman of the council's Overview and Scrutiny Panel, working closely with opposition members on a number of different issues. These have included looking at the council's Budget, the progress it has made against its Corporate Plan and plans for sharing services with other councils in East Kent.

Cllr. Bayford said: "I'm exceptionally proud to be taking on the role of council leader. Thanet is a truly great place and I want to ensure that everything the council does contributes to keeping it that way. I'm under no illusions though. The next year is going to be exceptionally challenging and we will need to steer Thanet through what's going to a very difficult time. Resources at the council are already scarce and they're likely to get even more scarce over the coming months. My aim is to maintain, and if at all possible, improve the services that we provide to local people. We have an excellent team here at the council, committed to doing just that. Our staff are enthusiastic and full of ideas, but most importantly, they're determined to do the best possible job that they can for Thanet's residents. Although I'm taking on the job of council leader, moving Thanet forward is very much a team effort. I'm looking forward to working with officers and members of all political parties to do just that."

Cllr. Bayford has also been a member of Broadstairs and St. Peter's Town Council since 1995 and joined Kent County Council as the member for the Broadstairs and Sir Moses Montefiore ward in 2009. He is married with two grown-up children and has lived in Thanet since 1985. An accountant by profession, Cllr. Bayford's business experience includes working for both large multi-national companies and running his own small business in Broadstairs.

NEW COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

Thanet Council's new Cabinet, Shadow Cabinet and Committee Chairmen for the forthcoming year have been formally announced.

Last night's (Thursday 13 May) Annual Council meeting saw Cllr. Bob Bayford elected as the Leader of the Council. Cllr. Martin Wise was elected as the Deputy Leader. The Leader of the Opposition is Cllr. Clive Hart and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is Cllr. Alan Poole.

Click on the link as it is a table that blogger doesn’t like http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/510/id12.htm

CAUTIOUS WELCOME FOR DREAMLAND PROPOSALS

Thanet Labour Group gave a cautious welcome to TDC plans for Dreamland in Margate at Thursday evening's extra-ordinary meeting of the council.

It is promised that the first phase of the project will transform Margate seafront and Labour members welcome the promise of 200+ jobs in the local economy.

However, there were serious concerns regarding financial issues and deadlines.

Labour Group Leader Clive Hart said "I wish there were other, more robust options, but the project outlined on Thursday is the only deal on the table and local residents most certainly want action on this prominent eyesore site. We do have very serious concerns regarding finance matters and project timelines but as this issue was quite rightly being discussed in open session, such details were ruled confidential".

Margate Central ward councillor John Watkins said "if this ambitious project finally comes to fruition in 2012 as promised, the TDC contribution of £2.2 million that was proposed and accepted on Thursday will prove to have been worthwhile".

At Thursday's meeting Labour members also called for regular and detailed monitoring of financial issues concerning the project and for the Leader of the council to be appointed to the Project Board.

STRONG LEADING TEAM

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE / PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

At Thursday night's Thanet District Council AGM Cllr Clive Hart and Cllr Alan Poole were appointed as Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader following their recent unanimous election as leader and deputy leader of the Thanet Labour Group of councillors.

Cllrs Hart and Poole have a strong history of working together at both District and County level over the past decade and both look forward to what will be an interesting pre-election year at TDC.

Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said "Alan and I have a close working relationship and are also good friends. We've been through similar life and work experiences individually and we've shared many political experiences together, both up and down. We have our homes and have raised our families here in Thanet and between us we share an enormous amount of local knowledge.

The Conservative administration at TDC appears incredibly unpopular with local people and we will be working hard as usual and looking forward to the forthcoming local elections in 2011".

Notes:

Cllr Clive Hart was a former apprentice served Electrician / Electrical Fitter in the Electricity Industry.
Cllr Alan Poole was a former apprentice served Engineer in the Merchant Navy.

Cllr Hart is the Chair of Governors at a local Special School in Thanet.
Cllr Poole is the Chair of Governors at a local Primary School in Thanet.

Both councillors have a strong history of lifelong personal development and training up to degree level.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

A WINNING FORMULA!

With the wider political landscape across the UK experiencing turmoil, Thanet Labour Group have now provided local residents with continuity of purpose through their announcement of a strong and experienced TDC Shadow Cabinet for 2010/2011.

Labour Group Leader Clive Hart said "we've gone for knowledge and experience with our Labour Shadow Team line up. All members have a broad and extensive experience of local government.

I'm extremely happy with our groups performance over the past year and in the most difficult of times we won the by-election in Dane Valley ward, pushing the ruling Conservative's way back in to third place.

Running alongside last week's general election the local council elections in other parts of the country produced some of Labour's best results since 1996. Our goal is to remove Thanet's tired and struggling Tory administration and replace it with a steadfast Labour administration full of knowledge and experience at the local elections in 2011".

TDC SHADOW CABINET

Cllr Clive Hart - Labour Group Leader / Leader of the Opposition.

Cllr Alan Poole - Deputy Labour Group Leader / Regeneration & Economic Development.

Cllr Linda Aldred - Customer Services, Business Transformation, Regulatory Services & Ramsgate Marina.

Cllr Richard Nicholson - Finance & Corporate Services.

Cllr Iris Johnston - Community Services.

Cllr John Watkins - Environmental Services.

Tuesday, 11 May 2010

CAR WASH CLOSED DOWN OVER CONTAMINATION FEARS

A temporary stop notice has been issued on a car wash in Margate, meaning they have to cease their business for the next 28 days.

The notice was handed out by Thanet District Council's planning enforcement team yesterday (Monday 10 May), after the operators of Chapel Hill Car Wash in Ramsgate Road failed to meet some of the conditions in their planning permission.

The site first came to officers' attention when it was visited as part of a previous Clean Sweep operation. At that time, it only had planning permission for car sales.

An application was then approved in August 2009 to change it into a car wash, but one of the conditions about removing the waste water from the site has yet to be complied with. This requires that a full site investigation has to be submitted to the council to check for any potential historic contamination at the site. Another condition requires that proper drainage should be put in place.

Principal Enforcement Officer Steve Albon said: "At present, there are various issues with the way the car wash is being operated. Firstly, there are concerns about the lack of drainage on the site, with chemicals used in the car wash being washed straight into the road. The council is also concerned about contamination on the site, which is why we want a full investigation done, so that this can be fully checked. That's why we've taken this drastic action to stop the car wash trading. It's not a decision we've taken lightly, but we have been asking for something to be done about these issues, since the planning approval was granted last summer. To date, there's been no sign of any measures to tackle these problems and now we've had to take action in a bid to get this sorted."

PLANS FOR WIND TURBINE WITHDRAWN

A planning application to build a new wind turbine at the Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate has been withdrawn.

The plans had been put in for a 25 metre high turbine, which would be located alongside the school's 400 metre running track. It would produce power for the school, with estimates suggesting that it would contribute 17% of the school's annual energy consumption.

Officers in Thanet District Council's planning team, who had been considering the application, raised concerns that they had not received enough information for them to properly assess the likely noise impacts on nearby homes.

As a result, the application has now been withdrawn and is likely to be re-submitted at a later date with the information that officers had requested.

Planning Applications and Enforcement Manager, Simon Thomas, said: "The Government is aiming to tackle the effects of climate change and reduce CO2 emissions through the use of renewable energy sources. The council is encouraged to support such schemes, but we also have to consider any environmental issues, such as the noise impact it could have on nearby homes."

Monday, 10 May 2010

Last weeks planning applications,

Ed. The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet

06 May 2010
CU/TH/10/0199
THE MINNIS, THE PARADE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9LT
withdrawn
06 May 2010
F/TH/10/0308
16 ORCHARD CLOSE MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124AL
current
06 May 2010
F/TH/10/0324
10 ALBERT TERRACE MARGATE CT91UJ
current
06 May 2010
F/TH/10/0351
17 ANNS ROAD RAMSGATE CT117NL
current
06 May 2010
L/TH/10/0325
10 ALBERT TERRACE MARGATE CT91UJ
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0236
OFFICE 3, TOWN HAll BUilDINGS, 31 ST MILDREDS ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8RE
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0266
22 CLARENCE AVENUE CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT93DP
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0305
62A ADDISCOMBE ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2SU
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0330
47 DUMPTON PARK DRIVE BROADSTAIRS CT101RH
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0334
63 LONDON ROAD RAMSGATE CT110DH
current
04 May 2010
L/TH/10/0350
OFFICE 3, TOWN HAll BUilDINGS, 31 ST MILDREDS ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8RE
current
04 May 2010
A/TH/10/0314
17-19 STATION ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8RB
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0281
2 WALMSLEY ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102BH
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0298
M LAMBERT COMMERCIALS MOT CENTRE, DANE VALLEY ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3JJ
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0313
21 WINTERSTOKE CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT118AH
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0317
THE SPREAD EAGLE, 25 VICTORIA ROAD, MAR GATE, CT91LW
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0327
30 ST. AUGUSTINES PARK RAMSGATE CT110DE
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0335
29A LINDEN AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1HR
current
04 May 2010
F/TH/10/0336
32 ADDINGTON STREET, MARGATE, CT9 1QU
current
04 May 2010
L/TH/10/0340
THE SPREAD EAGLE, 25 VICTORIA ROAD, MAR GATE, CT91LW
current
04 May 2010
R/TH/10/0337
59 SOUTHWOOD ROAD RAMSGATE CT110AL
current

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

11/05/2010 - Meeting scheduled: May 11 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel

10/05/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 22 2010 7:00PM, Council

07/05/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 21 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee

04/05/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 13 2010 7:00PM, Council
04/05/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 13 2010 8:00PM, Council

30/04/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 11 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel

30/04/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 29 2010 5:00PM, Cabinet

DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS RETURN TO RAMSGATE

The boats that played a key role in one of World War II 's most important operations will be making a rare return to Ramsgate later this month (May), as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Dunkirk evacuations.

Around 50 Little Ships, all of which helped to evacuate a total of 338,000 British and Allied troops from the beaches around Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo in 1940, will be back at Ramsgate's Royal Harbour Marina. The small armada will be sailing back to Dunkirk on Thursday 27 May, a journey they only undertake once every five years. They will be accompanied by a Royal Navy frigate, HMS Monmouth, the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat and the Maritime Volunteer Service ship, MV Appleby. The ships will sail out at 7.00 am on Thursday 27 May, bound for Dunkirk, and will return back to Kent between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm on Bank Holiday Monday (31 May). All times are weather dependent.

The harbour was the marshalling point for the Little Ships during the operation, which started after the Admiralty appealed for owners of small pleasure craft to contact them. This led to around 700 - 800 ships being offered for the evacuation, which took place between 28 May and 4 June, 1840. Ramsgate was also one of the main reception centres for the returning Allied troops.

The ships will begin arriving at the harbour from the previous Saturday (22 May), with 27 expected to arrive in Ramsgate that day. Their numbers will gradually increase each day after that, until they set sail for Dunkirk. A day of commemorations will be held on Wednesday 26 May, as part of a new event, Ramsgate's Dynamo Day. The events on that day include an Inspection of the Little Ships and a Blessing by the Secretary General and Senior Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers, along with a reception, hosted by the Mayor of Ramsgate.

Robert Brown, Interim Assistant Harbour Master, said: "The Dunkirk Little Ships only return to Ramsgate once every five years and they are a wonderful sight to see. It's a rare opportunity to see first hand some of the boats that played such a vital role during one of the most important operations of World War II. They always attract huge interest, both nationally and internationally, and we're delighted to be welcoming them back in 2010."

If bad weather prevents the Little Ships from leaving Ramsgate on Thursday 27 May, they will instead sail out the following day on Friday 28 May. To find out more about the event, visit www.portoframsgate.co.uk or call 01843 572100. For more information about the Dunkirk Little Ships, visit www.adls.org.uk

General Election Result in South Thanet

Election Statement from Laura Sandys
serving Cliftonville, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Ash, Wingham, Preston, Worth, Staple and Goodnestone.

I was extremely honoured and privileged to be elected to be the Member of Parliament for South Thanet on Thursday.

This is a great responsibility, one which will demand all my energy and commitment.
I want to thank everyone who supported me but be assured that I am here to serve all constituents whichever way you voted.

In my acceptance speech I thanked the amazing team that worked so hard during the campaign - many of you who subscribe to this newsletter. We could not have achieved this victory without your help and I thank you all so much.

I also thanked Steve Ladyman for his contribution to South Thanet over the last 13 years, serving the people of South Thanet with great commitment.

The country now needs decisive action to take a grip of the many issues affecting our future. It is too early to say exactly how this will look, but through this newsletter I will keep you informed of both national and local developments.

Again I want to thank you so much for your support – and I will do all in my power to serve the people of South Thanet with compassion, dedication and determination.

We will shortly be providing details of surgery times and full contact details, however in the meantime please do contact me by email at office@sandys.org.uk , by telephone on 01843 589434 or by post at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

A very big thank you from Laura and Randolph

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Vote Sandys Today

* Vote
* LAURA SANDYS
* ELECTION DAY TODAY!
*
POLLING STATIONS ARE OPEN 7AM - 10PM

Vote Conservative to:
1.Ensure Recovery not more Recession
2.Control Immigration and Secure our Borders
3.Get more Money to the Front line in the NHS & Schools
4.Improve Discipline in our Schools
5.Get Better Care for the Elderly

Please Ring 01843 589266 if you do not know where your polling station is or need a lift

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Tomorrow Please Cast Your Vote

There is only a day before the election starts and you are able to cast your vote.
This is such an important election for this country and I urge you to vote. This is not a plea for a vote for me, but a vote for any party will ensure that the British people are keeping the faith in our democracy even if trust in those who have served it has been badly damaged.
For my part I would of course like to ask you to vote for me.

I have been working full time as your Conservative Candidate, living in the constituency, listening to the concerns of residents, and meeting thousands of people on their doorsteps.
Having been a governor of two local schools, I am dedicated to ensuring all our children get the best education. I have actively supported patient charities and am committed to our local NHS.
Saving essential local services is vital. I have worked with local residents to prevent the closure of two post offices, and I spearheaded the campaign to save our bus services, serving our senior citizens.

I have launched new projects to boost local jobs. Destination History aims to increase off season tourism and deliver year long jobs. I also ran the Marine Energy Summit launching our bid to attract more jobs locally in a growing green energy sector.

You need a champion with new ideas and the energy, conviction and determination, so that together we can achieve a better future. Please give me your personal support to be that strong voice in Parliament fighting on your behalf.
Laura Sandys

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

FREE SPORTS RELATED QUALIFICATIONS ON OFFER

Young people in Thanet, who are not in education, employment or training, can get free sports related qualifications, starting later this month (May).

The Worx Project is led by Thanet District Council's Sport 4NRG team and Pipeline and has funding from Thanet Works, which aims to help people get off benefits and into training and/or work.

The latest course offers young people the chance to get the Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership and runs from 10.00am to 4.30pm from Monday 10 to Friday 14 May at Ramsgate Sports Centre. To take part, you must be between 16 and 24 years old. The course has 36 hours of active learning, with practical sports sessions, sessions at local sports clubs and in the classroom.

Those on the course are also expected to complete 10 hours of volunteering at places such as Sport 4NRG, after school clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools. These will all be arranged by the Worx Project. After the course finishes, Sport 4NRG will also find further training or will help with getting a college place or sports related employment.

This will be Sport 4 NRG's fourth course, after running one in October and two more in February. To date, 29 young people have completed the courses and the majority have moved into either work placements (volunteering), further education (college courses and further sports training qualifications) and employment.

James Gregory from Sport 4NRG said: "We are really pleased with our first year of The Worx Project. With over 25 young people now more qualified and work ready than before, we have definitely made a positive impact in the community. The majority of our candidates are now enrolled in further training, be it a full time college course or sports specific short course. They have taken the opportunity that The Worx Project has given them and with our guidance and support, are continuing their journey into employment."

For an application form for the course, either e-mail James at james.gregory@thanet.gov.uk or text your details to 07770 828 582.

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

30/04/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 11 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel

30/04/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 29 2010 5:00PM, Cabinet

29/04/2010 - Meeting held: Apr 29 2010 5:00PM, Cabinet

27/04/2010 - Decision Published: Exemption from mooring charges at Ramsgate Royal Harbour for the Sea Cadets training vessels.; Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina

27/04/2010 - Issue Published: Exemption from mooring charges at Ramsgate Royal Harbour for the Sea Cadets training vessels.

27/04/2010 - Meeting held: Apr 27 2010 4:00PM, Asset Management Working Group

27/04/2010 - Issue Published: Closure of Pier Yard Car Park / Firework Display

26/04/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Item 10 Exclusion of the Press and Public / Item 11 Dreamland - Margate : Item 10 Exclusion of the Press and Public / Item 11 Dreamland - Margate: Meeting of Apr 29 2010 5:00PM, Cabinet

22/04/2010 - Meeting held: Apr 22 2010 7:00PM, Council

22/04/2010 - Agenda supplement published - HOUSING REVENUE BUSINESS ACCOUNT : HOUSING REVENUE BUSINESS ACCOUNT: Meeting of Apr 22 2010 7:00PM, Council

Last weeks planning applications,

LABOUR: Bannatyne leads review of seaside towns

Bannatyne leads review of seaside townsLabour leader Gordon Brown has launched Labour's Seaside Manifesto todayto help seaside towns achieve their potential.He was joined by leisure entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, who will lead areview into the economic and tourism potential of seaside towns up anddown the country.

Mr Brown outlined the important role they have to play in ourcountry's future, benefiting from new opportunities such as low carbonbusinesses and economic regeneration.He said, " What better day than the Mayday bank holiday to launch ourSeaside Manifesto - it is Britain's great seaside towns where so manyfamilies want to spend their bank holiday weekends. We are seeingnothing less than a renaissance in our coastal towns."

But there is still more to do to ensure Britain's seaside townscelebrate their unique assets and maximise their potential as holidaydestinations. I

am delighted that Duncan Bannatyne has agreed to lead areview on this, working with seaside towns up and down the country tofulfil their own aspirations." With the right support of an active government, places like Ipswichand Great Yarmouth, which I am visitingtoday, can be a new riviera on the North Sea and all our coastal townscan go from strength to strength.

"Mr Bannatyne said, " I'm delighted to be here with Gordon Brown and totake on the job of helping Britain's seaside towns. Our coastal townshave huge potential and I look forward to helping them achieve it with aLabour Government committed to regeneration and helping communities."

The Conservative Contract with You

A contract between the Conservative Partyand the people of South Thanet in Cliftonville, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich and our villages - from David Cameron
We go into the general election on 6 May with trust in politics and politicians at an all-time low. And I can understand why: the years of broken promises, the expenses scandal, the feeling that politicians have become too remote from the people - they've all taken their toll. That's why I'm making this contract with you.

For too long, you've been lied to by politicians saying they can sort out all your problems. But it doesn't work like that. Real change is not just about what the government does. Real change only comes when we understand that we are all in this together; that we all have a responsibility to help make our country better.
This contract sets out my side of the bargain: the things I want to do to change Britain. But it also makes clear that I cannot do it on my own. We will only get our economy moving, mend our broken society and reform our rotten political system if we all get involved, take responsibility, and work together.

So this is our contract with you. I want you to read it and - if we win the election - use it to hold us to account. If we don't deliver our side of the bargain, vote us out in five years' time.
We will change politics
Our political system needs to change. Politicians must be made more accountable, and we must take power away from Westminster and put it in the hands of people - individuals, families and neighbourhoods.

If you elect a Conservative government on 6 May, we will:

1. Give you the right to sack your MP, so you don't have to wait for an election to get rid of politicians who are guilty of misconduct.

2. Cut the number of MPs by ten per cent, and cut the subsidies and perks for politicians.

3. Cut ministers' pay by five per cent and freeze it for five years.

4. Give local communities the power to take charge of the local planning system and vote on excessive council tax rises.

5. Make government transparent, publishing every item of government spending over £25,000, all government contracts, and all local council spending over £500.

We will change the economy
Gordon Brown's economic incompetence has doubled the national debt, given us record youth unemployment, and widened the gap between rich and poor. Unemployment is still rising, and this year we will spend more on debt interest than on schools. We need to get our economy moving.

If you elect a Conservative government on 6 May, we will:

1. Cut wasteful government spending so we can stop Labour's jobs tax, which would kill the recovery.

2. Act now on the national debt, so we can keep mortgage rates lower for longer.

3. Reduce emissions and build a greener economy, with thousands of new jobs in green industries and advanced manufacturing.

4. Get Britain working by giving unemployed people support to get work, creating 400,000 new
apprenticeships and training places over two years, and cutting benefits for those who refuse work.

5. Control immigration, reducing it to the levels of the 1990s - meaning tens of thousands a year, instead of the hundreds of thousands a year under Labour.

We will change society

We face big social problems in this country: family breakdown, educational failure, crime and deep poverty. Labour's big government has failed; we will help build a Big Society where everyone plays their part in mending our broken society.

If you elect a Conservative government on 6 May, we will:

1. Increase spending on health every year, while cutting waste in the NHS, so that more goes to nurses and doctors on the frontline, and make sure you get access to the cancer drugs you need.

2. Support families, by giving married couples a tax break, and helping young families with extra Sure Start health visitors.

3. Raise standards in schools, by giving teachers the power to restore discipline and by giving parents, charities and voluntary groups the power to start new smaller schools.

4. Increase the basic state pension, by relinking it to earnings, and protect the winter fuel allowance, free TV licences, free bus travel and other key benefits for older people.

5. Fight back against crime, cut paperwork to get police officers on the street, and make sure criminals serve the sentence given to them in court.

6. Create National Citizen Service for every 16 year old, to help bring the country together.