STATEMENT FROM OCCUPY THANET

Occupy Thanet was started in response to the many Occupy protests emerging across the world. It is people coming together to ensure that our voices are heard.
We are lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the world and the vast majority of our members support everything that the Turner Contemporary is doing for the regeneration of Margate. However we are also ashamed that the High Street and seafront have been allowed to deteriorate to their current states. We believe the local Council and developers are responsible due to either moral corruption or incompetence.

We are aware and fully understand that during a recession, cutbacks do have to be made. However, this is not a recession, this is a robbery where capitalism has operated without constraint or conscience.

Occupy is about a new way of doing things, which we believe is a good outlook to have when the current system is letting us down so badly.

We brought forward our planned Occupation in direct response to the illegal eviction of the Bank of Ideas in London. You can evict the building but NOT the idea.

We should also like to thank everyone in our local community who has come down to show their support.

THANET MILE RETURNS FOR SPORT RELIEF

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is returning to Thanet and local people can sign up now to take part and raise money for a worthy cause.

The first Thanet Mile was held in 2010, with more than 100 runners taking part, and now the council’s Sport Matters team, who are hosting the event for the second time, are hoping even more people will dust off their trainers and enter for this year’s event.

You can enter by visiting www.sportrelief.com and putting in your town or postcode, which will bring up details of the Thanet Mile. The event starts at 9.30 am on Sunday 25 March at the Marlowe Academy and you can choose to run either one mile, three or six miles, with each race starting at 10.30 am. Each race will start on the community athletics track at the Marlowe, but the race will include both track and field elements. Entry fees, which help cover the cost of staging the event, are £6 for an adult, £3 for a child and £15 for a family.

Cllr. Iris Johnston, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Sport Relief has got a superb record of raising millions for those facing tough lives both here in the UK and in some of the world’s poorest countries. You don’t have to be sporty to take part, with distances starting at just one mile and it’s not a race against the clock either. Maybe it was your New Year’s resolution to get fit for 2012, in which case this gives you a target to aim for. In this year of amazing sports action right on our doorstep, we want to see as many local people as possible taking part in the Thanet Mile.”

The Sport Relief Weekend kicks off on Friday 23 March when everyone gets active, has fun and raises cash at home, at work or at school; before settling down to watch a night of top Sport Relief TV on BBC One. There will be even more BBC radio, online and TV coverage throughout the weekend. At the end of the weekend, the whole nation will come together to take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25 March.

To enter the Thanet Mile 2012 visit www.sportrelief.com and for more information, contact Colin Rouse on 01843 577032. 

VANDALS SET FIRE TO MARGATE PUBLIC TOILETS

Vandals have set fire to public toilets in Margate, taking them out of action for at least a week.

A fire was started on Wednesday evening (25 January) in the men’s toilets at Cecil Square, with one cubicle badly damaged by fire and the toilets badly affected by smoke fumes. It’s thought that the vandals started the fire by setting light to the toilet roll dispenser.

Until the damage can be repaired, the ladies’ toilets are currently acting as a unisex toilet. It’s expected that the men’s toilets will not re-open until, at the earliest, later this week (early February).

Cllr. Alan Poole, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services, said: “It’s very disappointing to see another one of the council’s toilets damaged by vandalism. This year has been an exceptionally bad one for incidents like this, with a number of public toilets across Thanet that have been attacked. Our already thin resources are being stretched even further by mindless vandalism to our public toilets that are there for everyone to use. This has to stop and we would ask people to report anyone causing criminal damage to Kent Police on 01622 690690. Vandalism and repairs should also be reported to the council on 01843 577000.”

SPORTS 4 NRG OFFERS FREE SPORTS QUALIFICATIONS

Sports 4 NRG offers free sports qualifications

Free sports related qualifications are on offer for young people in Thanet, who are not in education, employment or training.

The Worx Project is running its latest course, which offers young people the chance to gain a Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership over one week. Led by Thanet District Councils Sport 4 NRG, the course includes 36 hours of active learning, with practical sports sessions, sessions at local sports clubs and in the classroom.

Students will also be 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 and once they complete the course, Sport 4NRG will also find further training or will help with getting a college place or sports related employment.

Starting on Monday 13 until Friday 17 February from 10.00am to 4.30pm at Concorde Youth Centre, Ramsgate for young people aged between 16 and 24 years old.

Funded by Thanet Works, the Worx Project led by Thanet District Council and Pipeline, aims to help people get off benefits and into training and/or work.

This will be Sport 4 NRGs tenth cohort of the Sports Leadership Award. Since starting in 2009, more than 200 young people have completed the courses and over 40% have moved into work placements (volunteering), further education (college courses and further sports training qualifications) and employment.

James Gregory, Sport 4NRG Officer, said: We are really pleased with the impact that Sport 4 NRG has had with The Worx Project. With more than 200 young people now more qualified and work ready than before, we have definitely helped to make a positive impact in the community.

The majority of the candidates are now enrolled in further training either in full-time education or a sports specific short course. They have taken the opportunity that Sport 4 NRG has given them and with our guidance and support, they are able to continue their journey into employment.

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

RESPONSE TO LAURA SANDYS MP From Cllr Clive Hart

THANET LABOUR DECISION IS REASONABLE, PROPORTIONATE & APPROPRIATE

 

From Cllr Clive Hart.

 

Let me be absolutely clear.

 

My decision to change the public consultation on night flights proposals at Manston follows legal advice given to the council which explains that at this stage, the proposals DO NOT require a planning application.  Just as importantly, the advice goes on to state that the council’s role is one of CONSULTEE ONLY and as such the council will not be in a position to make a binding decision on night time flying at this stage.

 

My Conservative predecessor Cllr Bob Bayford had already spent several months and tens of thousands of pounds on this process before Labour took control of the council. His plans would have seen the council spend around a further £50,000 of public money on consultants to run the consultation process his way. Cllr Bayford may have been content to use ratepayers hard earned cash in this way and apparently Laura Sandys would like us do the same, but Labour will do precisely what is reasonable, proportionate and appropriate.

 

As for Laura Sandys' accusation that I am in some way 'watering down' the process, nothing could be further from the truth. The new TDC consultation process approach will now be focused here in Thanet with a strong weighting for the opinions of those directly affected by the proposals. I firmly believe this to be reasonable, proportionate and appropriate.

 

It is clear my Conservative predecessor was struggling with this issue. He had created a monster of a process that had got completely out of control. It would have left the council in the ridiculous position of spending enormous amounts of time and effort and a small fortune of public money on a consultation process that was only ever going to be used to form the council's 'opinion'.

 

Thanet residents, the airport consultative committee and the airports Chief Executive all complained to me about the long drawn out process we had inherited from the previous Conservative administration that was getting us nowhere. I therefore acted swiftly and did exactly what was reasonable, proportionate and appropriate.

 

Last but not least, I am pleased to see that on the serious issue of the environmental impact of the proposals, Laura Sandys shares exactly the same concerns as Thanet Labour and is firmly against night flights! 

 

Cllr Clive Hart - TDC Leader.

Ed I have put what he is responding to below 

Labour Council Backs Down on Independent Consultation on Night Flights

Following Clive Hart’s, Leader of Thanet District Council, announcement to change the whole consultation process surrounding night flights at Manston, Laura Sandys MP said: “The statement from Councillor Hart both waters down the public consultation on the night flight policy and also throws doubt on whether this very important policy will ever come in front of the planning committee. Both of these issues are fundamental to ensuring that the public voice is appropriately heard and that local democracy is upheld.

“The Council is watering down the consultation process that the Conservative administration put in place. The then Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford, was extremely keen to use an independent and reputablemarket research company to assess the public response to increased night flights whilst this council leader is happy to do a cheap internal job. In addition, the previous consultation was planned for 12 weeks while the new council is only giving 4 weeks for residents to have their say. FollowingLabour’s “Floral Budget”, there is either not enough money for the planned professional assessment of public opinion or no political will to listen to what the public want.

 

“There is also confusion at the heart of the Labour administration whether this night flight policy constitutes an intensification of use or not. Those residents who live under the flight path are convinced that this needs proper scrutiny as it will be an intensification of use. The public will be extremely surprised that there is an equivocation by the Council on whether this is a planning issue or merely a proposal.

 

“Labour councillors are breaking their election promise. Many Ramsgate residents supported Labour candidates because of their opposition to night flights. I have been consistently against Night Flights at Manston and recognise the impact they could have on the town.  

 

“It is time for the council to be clear with the residents of Thanet. Does this mean that night flying can proceed without scruntiy from the Planning Committee? If this is the case it represents yet another loop hole in the original 106 agreement that Labour signed when it was last running the Council.”

LAURA SANDYS MP

OCCUPY THANET SETS UP CAMP IN MARGATE

The Occupy movement has come to Thanet with a spectacular occupation outside Kent's most famous new art gallery.

Members of the newly formed protest group set up camp outside the Turner Contemporary Gallery on Friday January 27th with tents and banners.

Their aim, they say, is to draw attention to injustice on a national and local level. One member stated: “Occupy Thanet was set up in response to the many Occupy movements that are taking place across the world.

“We are told that we are in a recession and we have to pay with cutbacks and sacrifices. But this is not a recession – this is a robbery. The banks have stolen billions of pounds which we are expected to repay.

“This Occupation is a chance for people in Thanet to make their voices heard and to make a stand against the cuts and injustices both globally and locally.”

Initially, Turner staff tried to stop the occupation and the police were called, but the police confirmed the protestors were breaking no law by taking up their position outside Margate’s high profile art gallery.

Retired health worker Filiz McNamara said “I’m very concerned about the ongoing cuts to the health service which will make the inequalities in Thanet much worse. I completely support the aims of the Occupy movement who are calling attention to the terrible injustices in our society.”

Visitors to the camp have included the mayor of Margate, Iris Johnson, and local Tory MP Roger Gale.

Jon Snow, the Channel Four news presenter attending the Turner for the opening of a new exhibition, also visited the occupation and talked to the protestors.

Local traders have given Occupy members food and many passersby have expressed their support.

For more information, visit the Occupy Thanet site just outside the Turner Contemporary art gallery on Margate sea front.

New planning applications,

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 

Date Published*	Application No.	Address	Status
30 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0031	3 GARRARD AVENUE MARGATE CT95PY	current
27 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0061	land adjacent the promenade, all saints avenue margate	current
27 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0041	23a ALBION STREET BROADSTAIRS CT101LU	current
27 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0039	land adjacent the promenade, all saints avenue, margate	current
27 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0023	GARAGE BLOCK REAR OF 39-49 LUTON AVENUE BROADSTAIRS	current
26 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/0952	63 ETHELBERT ROAD MARGATE CT91SD	current
26 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0050	RAMSGATE TROPHIES 111 KING STREET RAMSGATE CT118PH	current
26 Jan 2012	A/TH/11/1060	UPTON COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, EDGE END ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2AH	current
26 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/0866	10 KINGS MEWS, MARGATE, CT91AE	current
26 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1014	40 GRANVILLE HOUSE, VICTORIA PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8DF	current
26 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1054	110 TOTHILL STREET, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4AP	current
26 Jan 2012	L/TH/11/1015	40 GRANVILLE HOUSE, VICTORIA PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8DF	current
26 Jan 2012	L/TH/12/0038	MINSTER ABBEY, BEDLAM COURT LANE, MINSTER, RAMS GATE, CT124HF	current
26 Jan 2012	L/TH/12/0055	72 HIGH STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 9RS	current
25 Jan 2012	A/TH/12/0040	ARGOS LTD 58 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119AG	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0034	18 NORTH FORELAND ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103NN	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/0976	72 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119RS	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1079	RAYMOND WIREWORKS HOO FARM UNIT 7 147 MONKTON ROAD MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124JB	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1080	4 AMHERST CLOSE MARGATE CT93QZ	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1085	19 THE VALE BROADSTAIRS CT101RB	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0002	19 RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT95RT	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0009	79 PARK LANE BIRCHINGTON CT70AU	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0026	INVICTA HOUSE FLAT 1 MILLMEAD ROAD MARGATE CT93RN	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0027	6 PARK AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT102EY	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0035	EGERTON MANOR THE STREET ACOL BIRCHINGTON CT70JA	current
23 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0037	145 MONKTON ROAD MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124JB	current
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/0214	COSMOS DREAMLAND LEISURE COMPLEX MARINE TERRACE MARGATE CT91XJ	current
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/0929	SOMALI FARM PARK ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT70HA	decided
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1077	10 CARLTON ROAD EAST WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88PF	current
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0001	CORNER OF CANTERBURY ROAD, MINSTER ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8BP	current
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0018	37 ST. PETERS COURT BROADSTAIRS CT102UU	current
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/12/0028	312 RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT94DU	current
19 Jan 2012	NM/TH/11/1058	12 SOUTHWOOD GARDENS RAMSGATE CT110BQ	decided
19 Jan 2012	F/TH/11/1086	62-64 KING STREET, RAMSGATE, KENT, CT11 8NY	current

* This date is when Thanet District Council first published this case file.

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

• 31/01/2012 - Meeting scheduled: Jan 31 2012 5:00PM, SMT - Urgent Items
• 27/01/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Jan 31 2012 5:00PM, SMT - Urgent Items
• 27/01/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 19 2012 7:00PM, Council
• 26/01/2012 - Meeting held: Jan 26 2012 2:00PM, Ramsgate Port and Marina Cabinet Advisory Group
• 25/01/2012 - Issue Published: Public Consultation - Night Time Flying Policy Proposal for Manston Airport
• 25/01/2012 - Agenda supplement published - Supplementary Agenda : Supplementary Agenda: Meeting of Feb 2 2012 7:00PM, Cabinet
• 25/01/2012 - Meeting held: Jan 25 2012 9:30AM, East Kent Joint Scrutiny Committee
• 25/01/2012 - Decision Published: Public Consultation - Night Time Flying Policy Proposal for Manston Airport; Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Regulatory and Strategic Economic Development Services
• 24/01/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 19 2012 10:00AM, Licensing Sub Committee
• 24/01/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 19 2012 9:00AM, Licensing Sub Committee
• 23/01/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 2 2012 7:00PM, Cabinet
• 19/01/2012 - Meeting held: Jan 19 2012 7:00PM, Council
• 19/01/2012 - Meeting held: Jan 19 2012 10:00AM, Licensing Sub Committee
• 19/01/2012 - Meeting held: Jan 19 2012 9:00AM, Licensing Sub Committee
• 19/01/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Jan 26 2012 2:00PM, Ramsgate Port and Marina Cabinet Advisory Group

TV Clips on Pfizer and Food!

Just click to Watch

Watch new developments regarding the Pfizer site – good news

http://www.itv.com/meridian-east/pfixer-site-sale71581/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01b4h6b/South_East_Today_27_01_2012/

 

Also Laura on Ugly Foods in Parliament

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01bdb00/The_Record_23_01_2012/   go to 17.30 mins for the clip

CLEANSWEEP RESULTS IN CLIFTONVILLE AND MARGATE

Homes with damp, blocked fire escapes, and even a motorbike in the kitchen of a food premise are some of the issues uncovered in the latest Operation Cleansweep in Cliftonville and Margate.

The council run operation visited over 150 properties in the two areas, staffed by officers from the council’s Enforcement Services and Planning teams, as well as Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Pipeline Youth volunteers, Community Payback, and wardens from Kent County Council.

Six properties were identified by the team that had poor housing conditions. One property had had lead stolen from the roof, meaning that rainwater was then pouring into people’s rooms. Buckets were found to try and gather up the water when it rains. Other issues discovered included damp, inadequate heating and broken front doors, meaning that anyone could get into the property. Further investigations are now underway by the council's private sector housing team to ensure that these conditions are improved.

Three suspected unauthorised houses in multiple occupation were discovered in Cliftonville. Enforcement action against both properties will now be started by the council as a result of the visit. Three properties were also found that had inadequate fire access. In the worst case, the residents couldn’t get out of their front door in the event of a fire, as there was no interior handle on it. Instead, they had to go back upstairs and press a button to get out.

One food premise was also found to have problems with its fire escape, as there was a delivery motorbike housed in a walk-in cupboard in the premises’ kitchen. This was blocking part of the fire escape. A follow-up inspection will now be carried out to ensure that this has been removed. A potentially unsafe structure was also found, with a dangerous chimney stack. The details have been passed on to the council’s building control team to investigate further.

Notices were handed out to the freeholders of seven properties, who had black bags and household rubbish, such as sofas and mattresses, in their garden. If they fail to act and remove the rubbish, they face the prospect of legal action. Two side alleyways were cleared of rubbish, with investigations continuing to try and find out who dumped them there. Three people were served with warning notices about dumping rubbish and, if they do it again, they will face an immediate fine. 

Volunteers from Pipeline cleared five alleyways of rubbish, while Community Payback teams litter picked the whole of the seafront along Cliftonville.

Cllr. Clive Hart, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Regulatory Services, said: “It’s always encouraging to hear the excellent results that each Cleansweep gets. I know Margate and Cliftonville and the issues they face only too well and these operations help to tackle some of the bigger problems that exist there. The key one has to be trying to improve the living conditions in some of the homes in this area. Stories of damp, water coming through the ceilings of properties and broken front doors are something that shouldn’t exist in today’s society, but sadly they do. Anything our officers can do to help tackle these problems that blight people’s lives through Operation Cleansweep and their everyday work is extremely welcome.”

For more information or to report any concerns, please call 01843 577065.