The decision to build a £1.4 million community centre in Broadstairs Pierremont Park raises serious questions about the role of the town's council, according to a local resident.At a packed public meeting held last Friday (March 18th) many voices were raised against the new development."Many residents were horrified to learn that the building of the new centre, will be funded largely by Broadstairs Town Council, and that the council has raised a loan of £500,000 to start the project. Including interest payments this means our tiny town council is going to be paying out over £800,000.
"What will happen if the town council is unable to meet the repayments on the loan? Why on earth is the council pushing ahead with a controversial project at a time of major cuts in public spending?"Mr Thomas added. "If we have a town council which is making such barmy decisions, the question has to be asked, do we need the town council?"Many residents are angry with the building of the new centre in the park which will mean the cutting down of 18-20 trees - but the soundness of the town council's spending decision was also questioned."Many people came to me after the meeting," said Mr Thomas, "and asked what we can do about the town council.
Local government is supposed to increase democracy, this council seems to be trying to subvert democracy, to build a trophy project for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many."One of the major original justifications for the building of the new decision was the housing of Broadstairs Age UK (formerly Age Concern) - but the council has revealed they will now NOT be a tenant of the building.
"This is an appalling situation," said Mr Thomas. "Ramsgate Age UK has already been wound up because Thanet Council has put their rent up, and Broadstairs Age UK now has nowhere go. It looks like elderly people in need of vital services will have to travel to Margate - which is totally unacceptable."
"These decisions call into question the whole motivation behind the building of the centre. It's not about serving the community. -- it's about self-glorification of the council," Mr Thomas said.Protestors against the park are now planning further moves, including legal action and a possible occupation of the park. Pics attached. For more info or pictures contact Norman Thomas, 01843 604253
This anti campaign has been based on a changing tissue of lies from the outset. First it was thirty mature trees to be cut down. Wrong, it is in fact mainly self seeded sycamore saplings that are to be replaced with a variety of semi-mature tree varieties.
ReplyDeleteThere were claims of loss of parkland. Again wrong, for the new building will take up a smaller footprint than the old giving rise to more parkland.
Next they claimed that a memorial tree was to be cut down. Wrong for that tree and its adjacent bench and plaque are nowhere near the new build site.
The supprt for the protecst group is also exaggerated. At their meeting in the park, Mr. Thomas claimed 200, BBC News said 80 and eye witness estimates along with the photos published in the paper would suggest 50 including children. Far, far more people support the centre and look forward to being able to make use of it. Some of those include organisations currently having to use unsuitable alternatives with no disabled access.
Now Mr.Thomas has moved on to the financing. This has been provisioned over a long time and, in fact, would have cost even less if the activities of his minority protest group had not delayed it. Furthermore, one needs to consider the alternative of trying to refurbish and maintain the existing centre which, being little more than a glorified hut, is realistically beyond economical repair. It will in fact be more cost effective to build a modern centre, easier to maintain and less costly to heat.
If Mr. Thomas really thinks he has massive support why does he not put forward candidates for the forthcoming town council elections. It is not too late and that would demonstrate to all and sundry the true depth of his mandate. Perhaps, on the other hand, he does not do democracy.
I'm with you, Bill. Why should the quiet majority be denied a much needed facility because of the activities of a noisy bunch of tree huggers. Half of them don't even live in Broadstairs.
ReplyDeleteThe comments are of course wrong on facts and insultingly personal. Many people in Thanet are worried about the loss of trees - the latest estimate of trees to be felled from the TDC planning officer involved, Simon Thomas, is between 18 and 20. They are also worried about the principle of allowing building in a park.
ReplyDeleteThese are both Thanet wide issues - as is the funding of the centre. £1.4million is a large amount of money to spend on just one project. A church hall nearby is being built for £600,000 and that will be an eco-project that will have a low carbon footprint.
Why do people imagine that because someone says they have dounbts about a council project that they must only be doing it because they have political ambitions themselves? Isn't it important, in a democracy, to be able to voice opinion openly without being personally attacked?
Christine
Christine, if the Thanet Action Group really believe they have majority support for their stance on this issue then the suggestion by Bill Richards is valid. They should put forward candidates for the forth coming Broadstairs Town Council election. That way, if their claims are true, they can have representation on the council and influence such matters rather than simply following spoiler tactics like chaining themselves to trees.
ReplyDeleteSee you have now adjusted your tree claim from the earlier 30 to 18-20 although you do not mention that many of those are self seeded saplings.
It is also a bit disingenuous of you to claim building in a park when you know full well that this building is to replace two others already there giving rise to more park, not less.
Since Mr. Thoimas, your spokesman, seems to have no problem attacking councillors it is a bit unreasonable to claim democracy prevents him in turn being attacked by those that support the project.
You have raised democracy so why not put it to the trest. See if really has the most support.
This isn't a game of football with teams who win or lose and defy each other from the sidelines. It should be a debate about the issues and openness on the part of the council. We're all in this Big Society together!
ReplyDeleteQuite right, Anonymous at 7:33, but isn't debate what is happening on this page with people offering different opinions. As a supporter of the new community centre, I have looked into this matter and have found it easy to access information from the council.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, if more people support the community centre than oppose it, then it should go ahead. The ballot box on the 5th May should be the place for deciding this issue for clearly, from last night's open meeting in the Pavilion, it is evident all the existing councillors support the project.
If you don't want it just gather your massive support and vote them out. Simples!!
Unfortunately, Caroline, and whilst having every sympathy with your view, it is not that simple.
ReplyDeleteProtest groups are seldom interested in democracy, for the simple reason they do not command a majority, but what they do have is noise and activity. By shouting, spreading misinformation and seeking publicity they aim to over rule the wishes of more moderate folk.
TAG, for example, even got the local paper to come out on their side in its last week editorial on the letters page. How, by shouting and claiming far more support than they really have.
Time and again minorities achieve far more recognition than they should be entitled to simply by always turning up and agitating at every opportunity. You must surely be aware how many unions over the years have been hijacked by the extreme left when most of the members are moderate Labour.
Rest assured, TAG, will not stand for election for they know they would lose. Instead, regardless of the outcome of the poll on May 5th, they will continue their vociferous campaign in their own interests and with total disregard to the wishes of those that support this centre.
Interesting arguments. I'm apparently part of the silent majority. The silent majority that usually just doesnt get involved. Its not that TAG are the Loud minority, its that they care what happens to Broadstairs, councillors seem to take it that because more people dont bother either way that they then have a mandate to do as they please and then announce that anyone raising an objection is obviously utterly wrong. You know, just for a minute, see the other side of the coin, You might be wrong. And im sorry to point it out but here goes:-
ReplyDeleteBuild the community centre elsewhere, How about on the retort house site (Surely the council aren't hoping to build something else there at a later date, or perhaps even sell it off, as that would be utterly stupid), Or Vere Road. (that was our land) How about using the existing halls and centres. Hildestone, St Peters, Churches, Church Halls, Schools (which we've just spent millions on building). Theres venues coming out of our ears. Do up Pierremont hall, but for gods sake get a realistic quote.
Dont take out a loan where the total cost will reach to about £800,000, especially not in these times of hardship. And don't forget that the money being spent is the entire communities money and not solely the Silent majority or loud minority. (Im glad we have a loud minority, they're good for democracy)
Not just a noisy minority but an extremely biased local newspaper as well.
ReplyDeleteReal test will be the 5th May elections. Thanks to the noisy group and the Gazette everyone will now know about the centre and the costs so, if they still elect much the same council, let us hope that will be the end of it.
Somehow I doubt it. Thanet is the home of whingers. They even opposed the Turner Contemporary and the Albion Hotels new lanscaped garden. Don't even go there with Manston airport or new train stations.
What makes it worse is most of them are DFLs!
The problem with democracy has always been how minorities are to be fairly treated. Even if the majority of people want one thing, how do you deal with the minority who might think that the majority are wrong? And hey might turn out to be right ultimately. Don't they have a right to their opinions? I opposed the building of Westwood Cross because I thought it would damage the town centres and destroy local businesses. Many people now think that the high streets are suffering because of Westwood Cross. Was I wrong to express my fears 8 years ago? Why am I wrong to express my worries now? And do you have to be born here to have a right to an opinion? I love this place but I'm afraid I was born in the West Midlands!
ReplyDeleteChristine
Come to a public meeting to discuss the future of the park on Sunday April 17th at 12 noon in the Park Hut, Pierremont Park. All welcome.
ReplyDeleteChristine
Can we have the names of the councillors who support the destruction of the park, before the election next week - so we can excercise our votes wisely.
ReplyDeleteJulian