Cabinet agrees recommendations around Manston

Following the conclusions of an independent expert report regarding Manston Airport at tonight's Cabinet meeting (Thursday 31 July) Cabinet have agreed the following:

·         The commissioned viability report will be shared with the airports owners.

·         Cabinet will instruct officers to proceed to Stage 2 of the viability assessment to develop a high level Business Plan – which would be necessary to support the Local Plan process and any potential future procurement for an appropriate investor/partner.

·         Cabinet will also instruct officers to undertake a market testing exercise to establish the level of interest, in line with the conclusions in the independent report – before starting a full procurement process.

The preliminary findings of an independent report (Stage 1) which consider the viability of Manston Airport were discussed by Cabinet members at this meeting.

The report, commissioned by Thanet District Council and undertaken by aviation industry experts Falcon Consultancy Limited, looks at the past operation of the airport and explores the potential activity needed for it to successfully operate in the future.

A decision regarding compulsory purchase of the airport will not be made until an Indemnity Partner is identified following the procurement process.

This week’s meeting follows receipt of a petition presented to Full Council on Thursday 10 July calling for the council to CPO the airport.

Restrictions on Thanet's beaches lifted today

Blue Flags will be raised once again on Thanet’s award winning beaches as a precautionary ban on bathing is lifted with immediate effect (Wednesday 30 July).

Advice for the public not to enter the water on the beaches between Walpole Bay in Cliftonville and Dumpton Gap in Broadstairs is no longer in place.

Signs on the affected beaches are now being updated to inform the public that the bathing water has now re-opened for public use. This means that swimming can now take place across all of Thanet’s beautiful beaches.

This follows a sea outfall discharge from the Southern Water Sewerage Pumping Stations at Foreness Point and Broadstairs late Monday 28 July into the early hours of Tuesday 29 July.

Cllr Mike Harrison, Cabinet Member for Operational Services said: “The lifting of this ban is excellent news. As an area that thrives on tourism, preventing people from swimming in the sea off our coast is clearly something we want to avoid. However when site observations indicate an immediate impact on the beach, we have an absolute duty of care to protect the public. This is a message we will be repeating once again to senior representatives from Southern Water.”

The council will be looking to meet with senior representatives from Southern Water shortly to seek strong assurances and discuss possible longer term solutions.

Southern Water discharge at Foreness Point – Council statement

Thanet District Council is advising members of the public not to enter the water on the beaches between Walpole Bay and Dumpton Gap. This follows a sea outfall discharge from the Southern Water Sewerage Pumping Stations at Foreness Point  and Broadstairs last night (Monday 28 July/Tuesday 29 July).

At present this includes:

• Walpole Bay
• Palm Bay
• Botany Bay
• Kingsgate Bay
• Joss Bay
• Stone Bay
• Viking Bay
• Louisa Bay
• Dumpton Gap

This is a precautionary measure whilst further investigation takes place.

Signs are now displayed at each of the beaches affected advising members of the public not to enter the area of beach below the high water mark (the sand reached during a high-tide). Access to the remainder of the beach is still permitted and remains open to the public.

Council officers are out on site around the Thanet coastline to monitor the impact and will update members of the public as soon as the situation changes.

The council is working with the Environment Agency to reduce the impact of the spillages as much as possible and water sample tests will be carried out in the areas affected today to assess the quality of the water. Southern Water have contractors out clearing the waterline.

The council is keen to reassure members of the public that other beaches across the district are fully open and will advise if the area affected extends to any other beaches.

Further information will be provided in due course.

Manston Airport – Report “A recipe for delay and inaction”

North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, has this (Tuesday) morning described as “a recipe for delay and inaction” the report commissioned by Thanet Council`s officers and relating to the future viability of Manston Airport. 

“It is not clear to me who the consultants spoke to or on what basis they have reached, in a matter of days, conclusions that seem to have been plucked out of the air.” says Sir Roger. 

“Had they spoken to those of us who have studied Manston over a period of time and in some detail they might have reached rather different conclusions.  As it is observations have been made that are in some cases factually flawed and appear designed to give comfort to those who want to kick Manston Airport into the long grass and deliver the housing and industrial estates that the present owner and some local politicians appear to want to achieve. 

Manston already has very considerable and powerful political support on a cross-party basis at national and local levels, has a commitment to improved rail links funded by the taxpayer, already has motorway links that appear to have been ignored, has massive local backing and has an operator ready, willing and able to buy and operate Manston as a freight hub and subsequent passenger airport. 

References to the need for “hundreds of millions of pounds of investment” and “a fifty-year business plan” smack of the views of those at County and local level who wish to deter a Compulsory Purchase Order and suggestions of discussion and negotiation with the present owner are, in the light of experience, I think  both naïve and risible. 

The Planning Minister indicated to me in terms that “back-to-back” Compulsory Purchase agreements are both commonplace and legal and I hope and expect that elected Thanet District Councillors, on both sides of the chamber, will continue to show the robust courage that they have demonstrated to date and, on Thursday, approve the pursuit of a Compulsory Purchase Order so that we can take Manston forward into a future as the viable airport that it ought and needs to be.”

Council receives independent report into viability of Manston Airport

The preliminary findings of an independent report (Stage 1) which consider the viability of Manston Airport will be discussed by Cabinet members this week (Thursday 31 July).

The report, commissioned by Thanet District Council and undertaken by aviation industry experts Falcon Consultancy Limited, looks at the past operation of the airport and explores the potential activity needed for it to successfully operate in the future.

At the meeting, Cabinet members will be asked to decide whether they accept the recommendations contained within the report and to share this with the airport’s current owners.

If agreed, Cabinet will then instruct officers to proceed to Stage 2 of the viability assessment to develop a high level Business Plan – which would be necessary to support the Local Plan process and any potential future procurement for an appropriate investor/partner.

The Council would then carry out a market testing exercise to establish the level of interest, in line with the conclusions in the independent report – before starting a full procurement process.

A decision regarding compulsory purchase of the airport will not be made until an Indemnity Partner is identified following the procurement process.

This week’s meeting follows receipt of a petition presented to Full Council on Thursday 10 July calling for the council to CPO the airport.

View Cabinet report

Sea more on the sea shore

As summer approaches, local people are invited to get out and about to explore their coastline through a number of exciting Seashore Safaris around the Thanet Coast.

These Seashore Safaris provide the chance to explore what lurks beneath the high tide in a number of bays around our chalk coastline. They are particularly suitable for young children (4-11s) accompanied by parents or grandparents – although provides an ideal activity for the whole family to see our coastal wildlife in close up!   Participants are urged to book their places online, and will be equipped to explore our chalk rocky shore and rockpools to discover our elusive seashore and marine life. 

The Seashore Safaris start at Minnis Bay, Birchington at 9am on Wednesday 30 July, and St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate at 9am on Thursday 31 July. They continue at the Nayland Rock, Margate Main Sands at 9:30am on Friday 1 August, and then start at Botany Bay, Kingsgate at 10:00am on Saturday 2 August; then Louisa Bay, Broadstairs at 10:30am on Sunday 3 August and end at Dumpton Gap at 11am on Monday 4 August. All events last for 2 hours.

Thanet District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services Cllr Mike Harrison said: “Thanet has a huge resource of 250 hectares of coastal chalk reef, indented by our beautiful sandy bays, and is both nationally and internationally important for its marine and bird life. These Seashore Safaris provide an ideal opportunity for families to enjoy our superb coastline and explore amongst the rockpools, looking out for marine wildlife that we share our coastline with, right on our very doorstep.’

The Thanet Coast events are part of the ‘North East Kent Marine Protected Area’ (NEKMPA) interpretation events and are run with help of volunteer Coastal Wardens, with support from Natural England and Thanet District Council.  All these events are free to attend. Further information is available online and people are advised to book early on these events at www.thanetcoast.org.uk or call the Thanet Visitor Information Centre on (01843) 577577 if you do not have access to the internet.

Jeremy Deller: English Magic at Turner Contemporary

This autumn Turner Contemporary presents the full spectrum and final UK showcase of contemporary British artist Jeremy Deller’s (B.1966) English Magic exhibition, commissioned by the British Council for the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2013. For the first time in its history, the exhibition is touring the UK, giving people a rare opportunity to see the critically acclaimed exhibition on British shores. The UK tour of the exhibition is supported by the Art Fund – the national fundraising charity for art – with additional generous support from Arts Council England. The exhibition first toured to the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, in January 2014 and then to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in April. To accompany English Magic at Turner Contemporary Deller has selected a number of JMW Turner’s paintings, watercolours and sketchbooks of Venice which will be shown alongside a selection of John Ruskin’s drawings from The Stones of Venice (1851-3). English Magic further explores the artist’s ongoing interest in the diverse nature of British society: its people, myths and folklore as well as its broad cultural, socio-political and economic history. Deller weaves together high and low, popular and rarefied to create unique and thought-provoking work. Collectively the works on display question what Englishness really means today, referencing iconic objects, moments and figures from the historical and recent past and beyond, into an imagined future. Throughout the exhibition Deller plays with the idea of magic, acknowledging that it can be both ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Twenty-first century capitalism is also critiqued in a number of works such as the large-scale mural We Sit Starving Amidst our Gold, in which the Victorian designer and socialist William Morris is imagined capsizing the yacht of a Russian oligarch. In the same room, examples of Morris’ work are displayed alongside material from the era following the break-up of the Soviet Union when financial schemes were introduced to a population naïve to the extremes of a new market economy. Large-scale painted murals and banners are shown alongside objects such as Palaeolithic hand axes and flints, drawings of political figures associated with the invasion of Iraq by former soldiers, and documents relating to both David Bowie’s UK tour in 1972 and the concurrent unrest in Northern Ireland. Jeremy Deller is known for his conceptual artworks that engage with aspects of popular and traditional culture and are characterised by their lightness of touch and open, collaborative approach. Acid Brass(1996), in which Acid House music was arranged for brass bands was famously performed at the opening of Tate Modern while Sacrilege, a full-scale bouncy castle Stonehenge, toured the UK as part of the London 2012 Festival. In 2006 Turner Contemporary commissioned Deller and frequent collaborator Alan Kane to make Steam Powered Internet Machine, which sought to connect the industrial and the digital revolutions. English Magic opens at Turner Contemporary on 11 October 2014 and runs until 11 January 2015.

Image credit:  Jeremy Deller, A Good Day for Cyclists, Painted by Sarah Tynan Courtesy of British Pavilion 2013    Turner Contemporary Rendezvous Margate Kent CT9 1HGTel: +44 (0) 1843 233 000Fax: +44 (0)1843 233029 info@turnercontemporary.org turnercontemporary.org      Open  Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays 10am - 6pm (Closed Mondays)   Cafe opening times: Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays 10am - 4.30pm (Closed Mondays) Join us on:

Bank Holiday Monday Klezmer Concert in the Park

Ramsgate Montefiore Heritage

presents Klezmer in King George VI Park

at the Italianate Greenhouse, King George VI Park, Ramsgate

featuring Shir, the complete Jewish music group

on BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY, 25^th AUGUST, from 3.00pm.

All welcome – free entrance

Ramsgate Montefiore Heritage is delighted to be participating in the Ramsgate Summer Squall for the first time. Further details of the entire Ramsgate Summer Squall programme can be found on the its website: http://ramsgatearts.org/a-summer-squall

The five musicians, comprising the Shir group, come from different musical backgrounds (classical, jazz and gypsy folk) and  perform Klezmer, Yiddish, Sephardi and Ladino music.  Formed by Maurice Chernick in 1997, the group has become a major force on the UK Jewish music scene performing concerts and fulfilling the original function of the Klezmorim – entertaining at Simchas - Jewish parties.  Further details of the Shir musicians can be found in the attachment.  The group will be performing outside Sir Moses’ Italianate Greenhouse which can be best approached from Montefiore Avenue, Ramsgate (CT11 8BD).

Manston Airport – Minister pledges help with licensing issues

The Aviation Minister, Robert Goodwill, has told the House of Commons that the department of Transport is “more than happy to help with any Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licensing issues” relating to the future of Manston Airport. 

Commenting on remarks made by North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, during a debate on Regional Airports the Minister said that “the tale of Manston is, I am afraid, rather an unhappy one so far although I am heartened by the fact that the local authority (TDC) is looking into what it can do and I spoke to the Leader of the Council last week”. 

During the debate Sir Roger had reminded the House of Manston`s history saying that: 

“It (Manston) was acquired by Ann Gloag of Stagecoach on 30^th November last year. Mrs. Gloag told me on that date that she intended to invest heavily and give the airport two years.  On budget Day, less than four months after the acquisition, she announced that it would close.  That was in my view an act of vandalism.  Manston shut in May in spite of the fact that RiverOak had put on the table an offer of the asking price of £7 million. Since that time the airport has been asset-stripped.” 

Sir Roger continued: 

“My Hon. Friend the Member for Thanet South (Laura Sandys) and I met with Sir Howard Davies (who is conducting a review of runway capacity in the South East) recently. He rightly said that while Manston was not under consideration as a hub airport he thought that the south-east would need all the runway capacity on offer and then some. In that context, again, we cannot afford to lose Manston. 

Thanet`s controlling Labour Group proposed to give to the Cabinet powers to seek a compulsory purchase order last week. That proposition was seconded by the leader of the Conservative Opposition and it has the full support of Laura Sandys and me. I hope that it will, if necessary, have the support of Government. We expect that a CPO decision will be taken by Thanet`s cabinet by the end of the month. We think, with Thanet and, I believe, the nation that airfield has the potential to serve the Country as a freight hub and we want it to be re-opened for that purpose” 

And the MP added: 

“ The Select Committee on Transport has, I understand, agreed to undertake an inquiry into the whole business of regional airports and I hope that as part of that process evidence will be taken from Manston and also, perhaps, from Mrs. Gloag in person who would, I am sure, be delighted to appear before the Select Committee and to explain her actions”. 

Sir Roger Gale MP pledges to become a coastal champion

Roger Gale MP for  the North Thanet constituency has pledged to champion our coasts and tackle the economic decline of coastal regions by making sure that local fishing communities are prioritised not penalised, when it comes to the allocation of fishing quota and access to fish for small-scale fishermen in our area of Kent.

 At an event at the House of Commons on Monday organised by Greenpeace and NUTFA, the representative body for small-scale fishermen, X was joined by tem MPs. and fishermen from across the coast. They promised to raise the issues facing small scale fishermen and coastal communities onto the agenda and into election manifestos across the political parties. They signed up to a five-step plan aimed at regenerating the UK’s inshore waters, fisheries and communities. 

 Small scale fishermen , our most sustainable fleet, make up over three quarters of the entire UK fleet, but currently they only have access to four per cent of the UK’s quota. The remaining quota is handed to larger scale industry, including huge foreign owned fishing vessels. This has meant the number of UK coastal fishermen who can afford to make a living from fishing has declined and coastal communities, such as X, have suffered social, environmental and economic knock on effects.

 

 Last year the European legislation, the Common Fisheries Policy was reformed after sustained lobbying from fishermen, MPs, MEPs and green groups. This legislation now says that governments should give more quota to, coastal fishermen who fish sustainably and bring economic and social benefits to local communities. The campaigners say that this needs to be implemented in order to rebuild sustainable fishing businesses and protect our marine environment. This should also put a halt to the current system that allows large chunks of British quota to fall into the hands of a few foreign fishing businesses, at the expense of local fishermen and the fish stocks that they depend on.

Roger said:

“I know that the fishing community in North Thanet and in Kent has really suffered over the years and it’s time to turn the tide so that our local fishermen who bring most benefit to our community and the health of our seas are prioritised not penalised. That’s why I have pledged today to become a coastal champion to do all I can in parliament to ensure that the fishermen and the fish that they depend on are supported.”

 Nina Schrank, Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace said:

“The new European legislation is designed to reward sustainable fishermen; it’s a golden opportunity that the government must not miss. If implemented properly, it will boost fish stocks, bolster home-grown sustainable fishing and breathe new life into our coastal communities up and down the country. It’s time stop destructive, foreign owned vessels hoovering up fish stocks while lining their pockets with subsidies and the sale of fish caught from our shores. The reform of this legislation was not won easily, now it’s up to the government to turn it into a reality here along the UK’s coasts.”

 Jerry Percy, Chief Executive of NUTFA said:

“Once busy and thriving, many coastal fishing communities have crumbled, fishing harbours turned into yacht parks and fishing beaches that are no longer home to fishing boats. This is the reality for much of modern coastal England. But there is hope. Hope in new legislation sensibly implemented, hope in the realisation that smaller scale fishermen are not the problem  but a solution to many of the challenges facing us and hope that politicians will recognise the wealth that has been lost, but is there to be regained in terms of jobs, fish stocks  and reinvigorated communities.” 

Spend your summer in Margate - enjoy great art, creative activities and a Summer of Colour

The summer holidays are here soon and Margate is awash with colour!   As The Cultural Voyager states, we have "two world class exhibitions which explore artists’ use of light, colour and form” - Mondrian and Colour and Spencer Finch: The Skies can't keep their secret.    But that's not all! We have family workshops every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, lots of family activities, Colour Walks, the Red Ladies are in town, theRIBA Sandcastle Challenge is happening on Margate beach, plus much more at the gallery, in Margate and the surrounding area of Thanet as part of our Summer of Colour.   We also have the beach on our doorstep, a cafe, shop and plenty of things to see and do in our hometown.   Family workshops Every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 - 4pm, drop in at Turner Contemporary   Easy Sundays Experiment with colour and make large scale sculptures at our alternating weekend activitiesColour Collage and Build and Play.   Build and Print, Wed 6 & Thu 7 Aug Use print to build colourful compositions and patterns inspired by Margate and Mondrian with artist Emrys Plant.   True Colour of Light and Matter, 13 & 14 Aug Explore colour and light with scientists from theUniversity of Kent and build your own spectrascope.   Colour Catwalk, Sun 24 Aug Make your own ready-to-wear pieces with jewellery designer Tatty Divine, milliner Jordan Gene Bowen, wool artist Dan Chilcott and fashion designers Luca Marchetto and Julian J Smith.    Animate Boogie Woogie, Wed 27 & Thu 28 Aug The artist Mondrian loved Disney films, and at this workshop you can try your hand at making your own animation with artist Reza Ben Gajra.   £3.50 per child, free for adults, under 3s and CT9 postcode residents     Family activities National Play Day, Wed 6 Aug 10am - 2pm Ellington Park Ramsgate A day of free activities in Thanet. Go to Ellington Park in Ramsgate and our Build and Print workshop. RIBA Sandcastle Challenge, Sat 9 Aug 10am - 3pm Free - register now > Show off your sandcastle making skills to be in with the chance to win prizes. Light Steps, Sun 10 Aug, 11am & 3pm Light-Steps is a new 45 minute performance piece for young audiences (3+) and their families, choreographed by Adesola Akinleye, inspired by the work of Spencer Finch. Craft Club, Sat 26 Jul & Sat 30 Aug Free, 1 - 4pm  Learn to knit, sew, crochet and more at our monthly club with craft enthusiasts. Read more >             The Red Ladies are in Margate! Tue 22, Wed 23, Fri 25 & Sat 26 July The Red Ladies are on their way!  An undisclosed number of identically dressed women plan to infiltrate Margate with a series of mysterious missions before rendezvousing at the Theatre Royal Margate to perform their theatrical demonstration in five movements. Red Ladies Missions 23, 25 & 26 July Across Margate, be vigilant!   Red Ladies performances 25 & 26 Jul, 7.30pm, Theatre Royal Margate, £15 Book tickets >    A Clod Ensemble performance. Produced in association with Fuel. Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England, through New Theatre in Your Neighbourhood. Supported by Turner Contemporary.            Discover your Summer of Colour Feel the joy of being by the sea in a colourful explosion of dance, performance, theatre, art and activity in Margate and the surrounding area of Thanet, inspired by the artist Piet Mondrian.   Every week, experience something colourful, new and exciting.   Take a look at our dedicated website for all the events and share your Summer of Colour at summerofcolour.org. Share on:  Twitter @SummerofColour #SummerofColour Facebook.com/summer-of-colour Pinterest.com/summerofcolour       Margate has everything for the perfect day trip or weekend stay - seaside walks, fun on the beach, boutique shops, independent cafes and restaurants, the famous Shell Grotto, Dreamland Visitor and Learning Centre, Margate theatres and museum and more.    So why not make a day of it!   Go to visitthanet.co.uk to plan your trip.     That we're a charity. Your generous donation can help us continue our work. Give online today >     With thanks to our Summer of Colour supporters:                   Images: Summer of Colour. Photo Manu Palomeque Red Ladies. Photo Jessica Walsh. RIBA Sandcastle Challenge. Courtesy of RIBA. Margate. Photo Christos Ioannou.

Turner Contemporary Rendezvous Margate Kent CT9 1HGTel: +44 (0) 1843 233 000Fax: +44 (0)1843 233029 info@turnercontemporary.org turnercontemporary.org      Open  Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays 10am - 6pm (Closed Mondays)   Cafe opening times: Tuesday to Thursday 10am - 5.30pm Friday and Saturday 10am -10pm Sunday including bank holidays 10am - 5.30pm (Closed Mondays) Join us on:

A CALL TO ARTISTS

As part of A Summer Squall multi-arts festival, which takes place in Ramsgate on the Kent 

coast from Saturday 23 – Monday 25 August, we would like to invite an artist to be in 

residence in Ramsgate beginning Friday 8 August and continuing until Monday 25 

August. The commitment may extend beyond 25 August to complete the project. 

 

A Summer Squall is a lynchpin project produced by Ramsgate Arts which was established 

in 2009 as a collaboration of artistic endeavours, aiming to introduce new artists, 

showcase national professional artists and encourage the exploration of creative art with 

the community. 

 

Funding has been awarded by Arts Council England for the 4th successive year and for 

this project specifically. This support, and that of other trusts, foundations and local 

businesses is testament to the continued growth and creative development inspired by the 

festival, which last year attracted over 20,000 people and hopes to encourage even more 

in 2014. 

 

As part of the festival, we are introducing a new opportunity to transform a public space, 

namely, a public lavatory block, constructed of concrete, which sits by the royal harbour, 

juxtaposed alongside the marvellous Victorian Royal Pavilion (currently closed) and the 

newly re-opened Ramsgate Maritime Museum, in the Grade II – listed Georgian clock 

house. A few feet from the block is the obelisk which commemorates the visit of King 

George IV in 1821, when he gave the harbour his royal seal of approval. 

 

The Criteria 

We are looking for an artist who is able to transform the chosen structure into something 

worthy of admiration. The artist will be chosen for their ability to interact and engage with 

the public as well as their artistic ideas. The residency will be based in the beautiful and 

historical town of Ramsgate. Applications are invited from artists who either live or work in 

East Kent. 

 

The Brief 

To use the building as a canvas and design an image or series of images to transform it 

from a dull block into something of beauty. We are interested in the concept of trompe 

d’oeil, using the heritage of the area for inspiration, but we are inviting the chosen artist to  

© Ramsgate Arts, December 2009 2 

 

suggest and carry out a design that the town will feel proud to have featuring in this very 

prime busy location. 

 

Please send a minimum of three and no more than six images of your work and a brief 

proposal, approximately 500 words, explaining how you would intend to produce the 

artwork and how you will engage the community in the project. 

 

The Timeframe 

Proposals need to be submitted by 5pm Monday 21 July 

Interviews will be held on Friday 25 July 

Submissions should be emailed to ginabstocken@googlemail.com 

 

The commission for this residency is £1700. Material costs and any supporting artists for delivery 

are considered in the budget of the project and will be discussed at the interviews. 

 

For further information please visit www.ramsgatearts.org or contact me if you would like to 

discuss it further.