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
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0042
SIR STANLEY GRAY, 81 PEGWELL ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 ONJ
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0116
39 PALM BAY AVENUE MARGATE CT93DF
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0142
BROADSTAIRS HARBOUR, HARBOUR STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1EU
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0164
CUSTOM HOUSE, HARBOUR PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8LJ
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0166
8 BUSH AVENUE RAMSGATE CT126EY
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0176
58 GORDON ROAD WESTWOOD MARGATE CT94DZ
current
04 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0177
34 SANDWOOD ROAD RAMSGATE CT117DH
current
04 Mar 2010
L/TH/10/0043
SIR STANLEY GRAY, 81 PEGWELL ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 ONJ
current
04 Mar 2010
L/TH/10/0165
CUSTOM HOUSE, HARBOUR PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8LJ
current
02 Mar 2010
A/TH/10/0157
TESCO EXTRA, 475 MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2PR
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0102
158 MINNIS ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9QF
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0130
13 HARBOUR STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 8HA
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0133
VILLAGE HALL, THE STREET, ST NICHOLAS AT WADE, BIRCHINGTON
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0137
THE GABLES CLIFF ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79LS
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0140
7 KENT TERRACE RAMSGATE CT118LU
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0147
LAND REAR OF, 153 HIGH STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 9TY
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0151
5 RAMSGATE ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101QQ
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0152
41 EASTERN ESPLANADE, MARGATE, CT9 2HL
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0153
COMPASS NORTH CLIFF ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79LS
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0156
TESCO EXTRA, 475 MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2PR
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0159
LAND ADJ 2 LINDEN AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1HR
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0161
BANNATYNE HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB WESTWOOD ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102N
current
02 Mar 2010
F/TH/10/0162
32 MUIR ROAD RAMSGATE CT118AU
current
02 Mar 2010
L/TH/10/0146
LAND REAR OF, 153 HIGH STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 9TY
current
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Friday, 5 March 2010
MPs Salaries - Gale will donate rise to Charity
North Thanet's MP, Roger Gale, has this (Friday 5th March) morning indicated that he will donate the salary increase awarded to Members of Parliament by the Senior Salaries Review Body to charity.
Speaking in Thanet this morning the MP said:
"I have written to the House of Commons Department of Finance & Administration and asked them to pay any increase by which I would benefit to charity through the Give As You Earn Scheme.
In 1985, when MPs were awarded an inflation plus increase I indicated that I would do this and that money has been paid to into GAYE ever since. As a result, local and national charities have benefited, over the years, to the tune of several thousands of pounds. I propose to do likewise with this increase.
I regard the manner in which MPs handle this as a matter for the individual and I do not wish to impose my views on any parliamentary colleague of any party: people's circumstances differ and many MPs, particularly those with young families and including those who will be elected at the forthcoming general election, are going to face very straitened circumstances.
As a result of the more eccentric of the Kelly proposals, which in my view have demonstrated a lamentable lack of understanding of the demands placed upon today's Members of Parliament, a lot of new MPs are going to find it hard to find the resources to do the job in the way that the public have come to expect. They will need the entirety of their salaries to subsidise their office, travel and other costs incurred in the course of their work. Those of us who are older and whose families are now adult are in a more fortunate position. We have no right, therefore, to seek to impose our own decisions upon others."
Speaking in Thanet this morning the MP said:
"I have written to the House of Commons Department of Finance & Administration and asked them to pay any increase by which I would benefit to charity through the Give As You Earn Scheme.
In 1985, when MPs were awarded an inflation plus increase I indicated that I would do this and that money has been paid to into GAYE ever since. As a result, local and national charities have benefited, over the years, to the tune of several thousands of pounds. I propose to do likewise with this increase.
I regard the manner in which MPs handle this as a matter for the individual and I do not wish to impose my views on any parliamentary colleague of any party: people's circumstances differ and many MPs, particularly those with young families and including those who will be elected at the forthcoming general election, are going to face very straitened circumstances.
As a result of the more eccentric of the Kelly proposals, which in my view have demonstrated a lamentable lack of understanding of the demands placed upon today's Members of Parliament, a lot of new MPs are going to find it hard to find the resources to do the job in the way that the public have come to expect. They will need the entirety of their salaries to subsidise their office, travel and other costs incurred in the course of their work. Those of us who are older and whose families are now adult are in a more fortunate position. We have no right, therefore, to seek to impose our own decisions upon others."
ON COURSE TO BECOME SPORTS LEADERS
A group of young people from across Thanet are on course to become the first to pass Sport 4 NRG's Community Sports Leadership Awards.
Eight young men are taking part in the Level 2 community sports leadership, while eight young women are completing the Level 1 in dance leadership.
All have already passed their emergency first aid training and have completed 40 hours of practical learning, provided by James Gregory and Colin Rouse, who are part of the council's Sport Matters team. The dance leadership course has also seen teaching from local qualified dance teachers, Claire Gilbert and Stacie Chadwick.
They now need to complete 10 hours of volunteering in the community to receive their qualification, which will help them get back on track for further education or future employment. Sport 4 NRG will help them find training or education placements through their local contacts.
James Gregory from Sport 4 NRG said: "It's been great to see these young people grow in confidence during the course of this qualification. A lot of young people these days have barriers to succeeding academically. If a young person struggles to cope in a classroom environment, they are written off too easily. Learning in the classroom is not for everyone. Instead, we give them the opportunity to learn in an environment they are comfortable with, such as a sports hall, and in return, we get the rewards of seeing them thrive, and turning into great sports leaders. The improvement in both their leadership skills and confidence over the last few weeks has been obvious to everyone who's been involved with this programme."
If you can offer these motivated individuals either further sports related training or employment, please contact James on 01843 577728 or e-mail james.gregory@thanet.gov.uk
Eight young men are taking part in the Level 2 community sports leadership, while eight young women are completing the Level 1 in dance leadership.
All have already passed their emergency first aid training and have completed 40 hours of practical learning, provided by James Gregory and Colin Rouse, who are part of the council's Sport Matters team. The dance leadership course has also seen teaching from local qualified dance teachers, Claire Gilbert and Stacie Chadwick.
They now need to complete 10 hours of volunteering in the community to receive their qualification, which will help them get back on track for further education or future employment. Sport 4 NRG will help them find training or education placements through their local contacts.
James Gregory from Sport 4 NRG said: "It's been great to see these young people grow in confidence during the course of this qualification. A lot of young people these days have barriers to succeeding academically. If a young person struggles to cope in a classroom environment, they are written off too easily. Learning in the classroom is not for everyone. Instead, we give them the opportunity to learn in an environment they are comfortable with, such as a sports hall, and in return, we get the rewards of seeing them thrive, and turning into great sports leaders. The improvement in both their leadership skills and confidence over the last few weeks has been obvious to everyone who's been involved with this programme."
If you can offer these motivated individuals either further sports related training or employment, please contact James on 01843 577728 or e-mail james.gregory@thanet.gov.uk
Thursday, 4 March 2010
SHOP LOCAL GOES TO SWALE
Thanet's Shop Local First scheme, which aims to get residents and visitors shopping locally, is to be used in another shopping area in Kent.
Thanet District Council, who developed the scheme, were contacted by Swale Borough Council, who wanted to find out more about the success of Shop Local First.
The scheme was launched in Thanet in November 2009 for businesses based in the five pilot shopping areas of Birchington, Broadstairs, Margate, Northdown Road in Cliftonville and Ramsgate. Over 100 businesses have joined the scheme and nearly 30,000 incentive cards, with offers from businesses on the scheme, have been given out across Thanet.
Now Swale are planning to introduce their own scheme, called Shop Local First, Shop in Sheppey, with businesses being invited to join up. Thanet District Council has also been approached by a number of other councils, who are looking at setting up similar schemes in their areas, including Medway and Rochdale.
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Shop Local First has already generated lots of positive feedback in Thanet and has helped to promote the huge variety of shops we have in our local high streets to residents and visitors. We're delighted to be able to help other areas introduce similar schemes. It's great recognition for Thanet and the work that we're doing to help try and support local traders during this difficult time."
Thanet's Shop Local First scheme is set to be expanded over the next few weeks, as restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars join the second phase of the campaign. You can pick up your Shop Local First incentive card from any of the businesses taking part and Thanet's Gateway Plus in Margate. Businesses taking part in the scheme display a Shop Local First sticker in their window and there is a full list of which shops are signed up at www.thanet.gov.uk/shoplocal Businesses who want to join the scheme should call 01843 577050.
The scheme is running initially for a year in Thanet, but if successful, it could be extended for longer and into other parts of the district.
Thanet District Council, who developed the scheme, were contacted by Swale Borough Council, who wanted to find out more about the success of Shop Local First.
The scheme was launched in Thanet in November 2009 for businesses based in the five pilot shopping areas of Birchington, Broadstairs, Margate, Northdown Road in Cliftonville and Ramsgate. Over 100 businesses have joined the scheme and nearly 30,000 incentive cards, with offers from businesses on the scheme, have been given out across Thanet.
Now Swale are planning to introduce their own scheme, called Shop Local First, Shop in Sheppey, with businesses being invited to join up. Thanet District Council has also been approached by a number of other councils, who are looking at setting up similar schemes in their areas, including Medway and Rochdale.
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Shop Local First has already generated lots of positive feedback in Thanet and has helped to promote the huge variety of shops we have in our local high streets to residents and visitors. We're delighted to be able to help other areas introduce similar schemes. It's great recognition for Thanet and the work that we're doing to help try and support local traders during this difficult time."
Thanet's Shop Local First scheme is set to be expanded over the next few weeks, as restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars join the second phase of the campaign. You can pick up your Shop Local First incentive card from any of the businesses taking part and Thanet's Gateway Plus in Margate. Businesses taking part in the scheme display a Shop Local First sticker in their window and there is a full list of which shops are signed up at www.thanet.gov.uk/shoplocal Businesses who want to join the scheme should call 01843 577050.
The scheme is running initially for a year in Thanet, but if successful, it could be extended for longer and into other parts of the district.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
NEW DREDGER HOOVERS HARBOUR
Dredging is now underway at the Port of Ramsgate, which will enable larger and deeper draft vessels to enter Ramsgate’s commercial port.The dredging, which will be carried out by Westminster Dredging, is due to last for approximately three weeks and will see the silt being ‘hoovered up’ and deposited at a licensed dumpsite at Pegwell Bay and Dover.
Once the first stage is complete, a larger dredger will be able to come into the port to remove the silt that is needed to enable the TransEuropa/LD lines ship, ‘Ostend Spirit’ to operate the new joint service to Ostend for both freight and passengers.
Cllr. Roger Latchford OBE, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “
The dredging of the Port is essential for the new, larger vessel due in on the 20 March and the increased usage of the Port for the offshore windfarms. The council is undertaking a major investment programme in the Port and the Marina, the future regeneration initiatives will create jobs and facilitate future investment. This is good news for Ramsgate which, we are convinced, has a very exciting future ahead!”
ENDS
Notes to editor:
Ramsgate’s thriving waterfront is widely regarded as one of the most stunning in the country and is already a chosen for many to moor their boats. Its 700-berth Marina, winner of the prestigious Three Anchor award and one of the best in the south east, is a distinctive landmark, servicing local and international yachtsmen, a local fishing industry and a range of marine-related businesses operating in picturesque arches under the Royal Parade.The Marina boasts a string of superior facilities, including 24 hour access and security, Spectrum wifi broadband access, 40 tonne boat hoist and wash off service, full repairs facilities ashore, readily available water, electricity and refueling and a modern amenity block with free showers, toilets and launderette facilities. Dedicated permanent and visitors berths are served by dedicated parking and selected moorings have access for people with disabilities, with a wheelchair accessible amenity block.
See http://www.ldlines.co.uk/ and http://www.ferryto.co.uk/transeuropa.html for more information on ferry trips.
Exhibition Opening 12/3/2010 | Lucy Harrison - The Absent Collector
Lucy HarrisonThe Absent Collector
The Old Printworks, Bilton Square, Margate, CT9 1DX
http://cratespace.co.uk/ programme@cratespace.co.uk
With contributions from Rebecca Agnes, Kristine Alksne, Salvatore Arancio, Gloria Lombardi, Lina Maugham, Marco Palmieri, Claudio Rivetti, Stefania Sales and others
Exhibition Preview: Friday 12 March 2010 6-9pm
Exhibition opening dates and times: 13-14 March 2010 12-5pm and 19-21 March 2010 12-5pm
In a new exhibition for Crate, Lucy Harrison explores interpretation and coincidence through the stories of two people – one from 20th Century Italy, the other from 19th Century Margate.
In the first part of the show, which takes place in Crate’s Project Space 1, she attempts to piece together the biography of the owner of a collection of letters and postcards found on a roadside in Sicily.
The London-based artist was visiting Palermo last year when she discovered a carrier bag full of correspondence spanning 20 years. She returned home with the letters, intrigued by what they might reveal of their owner – and what they might withhold. With the help of an Italian speaking friend, she found parallels between the found collection and other ephemera belonging to absent family members which she herself owns.
Following this, she asked various Italian speakers in Italy and the UK, including in Margate, to translate more of the letters into English, and also to interpret and speculate on what the letters might have meant and what they reveal about the correspondents’ lives and relationships.
Her search for Italian connections in the area led her to a local story that casts a different light on what happens to somebody’s possessions when they die. In Project Space 2, Harrison investigates a pamphlet found in the Margate Local History Archive. ‘A Plain Statement of a Late Base Conspiracy’ is the confusing story of a man in Margate in 1837 who felt persecuted by gossip in the town about why his uncle cut him out of his will. The gossip was literally spread around the streets by graffiti and ‘printed placards’.
The Absent Collector is Harrison’s investigation into the process by which the belongings of one who is no longer there have new value judgments placed on them and are often disseminated to various locations and read without the previous owner’s knowledge of why they were kept, or of the specific relationships between the objects that determined their meaning.
By focusing on the idea of an unknown collector, the project considers how others may find or interpret items that were given away, and the way in which those that were kept now signify a void; the writer or receiver of letters no longer being present to clarify points or retell stories.
Harrison’s dissemination of the Sicilian collection is in part an attempt to explore how personal connections and family histories make objects meaningful: that when her collaborators’ input is gathered to form a new collection, it might create a portrait of the vacuum that is created when someone dies.
The exhibition also examines the act of ‘reading’ a collection of objects – whether they be letters, objects, photographs - highlighting the role of guesswork in the absence of the original collector, and the extent to which one’s understanding of collections is guided by one’s own desires rather than curatorial or objective agendas. Furthermore, it considers the impact that this act of reinterpretation can have in the real world.
The Absent Collector is part of Bad Translation, Crate’s programme for 2009/10. It is generously supported by Arts Council England and Kent County Council.
Lucy Harrison is based in London and graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1999. Her recent work investigates the subjective nature of the experience of place and connections between memory, location and architecture. It takes the form of photographs, book works, video and various forms of printed and published material. Her projects often engage with the public realm through collaboration, encounter and exchange, and involve residents of a place in the work, such as Canvey Guides, a project on Canvey Island in 2007, for which she formed the Rendezvous Walking Club and worked with people on the island to produce an alternative guidebook and audio guide.
Recent projects include Fourteen Interventions (2010) at Swedenborg House, Poetry Machines (2009) at the Saison Poetry Library, London, The Stratford Grapevine (2008) for Art on the Underground at Stratford station and a residency at Lokaal 01, Antwerp in 2008. She was artist in residence at the Institute for Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts at the University of Bath last year, and is developing a new project for SPACE working with residents of an estate in Hackney Wick, London.
Lucy Harrison is Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury.
http://www.lucy-harrison.co.uk/
Also in East Kent:
05/03/10 Margate UCA Staff respond to handkerchiefs in One White Square at the Pie Factory
05/03/10 Margate Marine Studios opens for the evening with an exhibition of tattoos and talk by Cyril Siorat
06/03/10 Margate Gary Taylor solo exhibition opens at Ingoldsby Gallery
Saturdays and Sundays in March Margate Limbo continue Dead-Season Live-Art with Daniel Lehan, Harold Offeh, Anat Ben David, Film Screenings and Sichtlaut Trio.
03/03/10 Margate Turner Contemporary run the second of artist Hamish Fulton’s group walks.
In the first part of the show, which takes place in Crate’s Project Space 1, she attempts to piece together the biography of the owner of a collection of letters and postcards found on a roadside in Sicily.
The London-based artist was visiting Palermo last year when she discovered a carrier bag full of correspondence spanning 20 years. She returned home with the letters, intrigued by what they might reveal of their owner – and what they might withhold. With the help of an Italian speaking friend, she found parallels between the found collection and other ephemera belonging to absent family members which she herself owns.
Following this, she asked various Italian speakers in Italy and the UK, including in Margate, to translate more of the letters into English, and also to interpret and speculate on what the letters might have meant and what they reveal about the correspondents’ lives and relationships.
Her search for Italian connections in the area led her to a local story that casts a different light on what happens to somebody’s possessions when they die. In Project Space 2, Harrison investigates a pamphlet found in the Margate Local History Archive. ‘A Plain Statement of a Late Base Conspiracy’ is the confusing story of a man in Margate in 1837 who felt persecuted by gossip in the town about why his uncle cut him out of his will. The gossip was literally spread around the streets by graffiti and ‘printed placards’.
The Absent Collector is Harrison’s investigation into the process by which the belongings of one who is no longer there have new value judgments placed on them and are often disseminated to various locations and read without the previous owner’s knowledge of why they were kept, or of the specific relationships between the objects that determined their meaning.
By focusing on the idea of an unknown collector, the project considers how others may find or interpret items that were given away, and the way in which those that were kept now signify a void; the writer or receiver of letters no longer being present to clarify points or retell stories.
Harrison’s dissemination of the Sicilian collection is in part an attempt to explore how personal connections and family histories make objects meaningful: that when her collaborators’ input is gathered to form a new collection, it might create a portrait of the vacuum that is created when someone dies.
The exhibition also examines the act of ‘reading’ a collection of objects – whether they be letters, objects, photographs - highlighting the role of guesswork in the absence of the original collector, and the extent to which one’s understanding of collections is guided by one’s own desires rather than curatorial or objective agendas. Furthermore, it considers the impact that this act of reinterpretation can have in the real world.
The Absent Collector is part of Bad Translation, Crate’s programme for 2009/10. It is generously supported by Arts Council England and Kent County Council.
Lucy Harrison is based in London and graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1999. Her recent work investigates the subjective nature of the experience of place and connections between memory, location and architecture. It takes the form of photographs, book works, video and various forms of printed and published material. Her projects often engage with the public realm through collaboration, encounter and exchange, and involve residents of a place in the work, such as Canvey Guides, a project on Canvey Island in 2007, for which she formed the Rendezvous Walking Club and worked with people on the island to produce an alternative guidebook and audio guide.
Recent projects include Fourteen Interventions (2010) at Swedenborg House, Poetry Machines (2009) at the Saison Poetry Library, London, The Stratford Grapevine (2008) for Art on the Underground at Stratford station and a residency at Lokaal 01, Antwerp in 2008. She was artist in residence at the Institute for Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts at the University of Bath last year, and is developing a new project for SPACE working with residents of an estate in Hackney Wick, London.
Lucy Harrison is Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury.
http://www.lucy-harrison.co.uk/
Also in East Kent:
05/03/10 Margate UCA Staff respond to handkerchiefs in One White Square at the Pie Factory
05/03/10 Margate Marine Studios opens for the evening with an exhibition of tattoos and talk by Cyril Siorat
06/03/10 Margate Gary Taylor solo exhibition opens at Ingoldsby Gallery
Saturdays and Sundays in March Margate Limbo continue Dead-Season Live-Art with Daniel Lehan, Harold Offeh, Anat Ben David, Film Screenings and Sichtlaut Trio.
03/03/10 Margate Turner Contemporary run the second of artist Hamish Fulton’s group walks.
Monday, 1 March 2010
END IN SIGHT TO LORRY PARKING PROBLEMS IN RAMSGATE
Ramsgate residents are being reassured that problems with lorry parking should only be short-term, with work due to be start shortly to solve the problem.
The council has received numerous complaints about increased numbers of lorries parking overnight on the Western Undercliff. It comes after the recent bad weather damaged the lorry parking area at the Port of Ramsgate.
The surface has broken up considerably and now has deep pot holes in it, presenting a health and safety hazard and a very real risk of damage to vehicles.
As a result, the council has closed the lorry park whilst urgent repairs are carried out. Orders have now been placed and it is expected that the work will be carried out around Easter.
In the meantime, lorries are instead using the Western Undercliff for parking.
Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: "I appreciate that the current position is annoying for local residents around the Western Undercliff, but I'd like to take this opportunity to reassure them that this is only a short-term issue. We will be carrying out urgent repairs to the lorry park at the Port of Ramsgate as quickly as we can, and once this work is done, those lorries will be moved off the Western Undercliff."
The council has received numerous complaints about increased numbers of lorries parking overnight on the Western Undercliff. It comes after the recent bad weather damaged the lorry parking area at the Port of Ramsgate.
The surface has broken up considerably and now has deep pot holes in it, presenting a health and safety hazard and a very real risk of damage to vehicles.
As a result, the council has closed the lorry park whilst urgent repairs are carried out. Orders have now been placed and it is expected that the work will be carried out around Easter.
In the meantime, lorries are instead using the Western Undercliff for parking.
Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: "I appreciate that the current position is annoying for local residents around the Western Undercliff, but I'd like to take this opportunity to reassure them that this is only a short-term issue. We will be carrying out urgent repairs to the lorry park at the Port of Ramsgate as quickly as we can, and once this work is done, those lorries will be moved off the Western Undercliff."
CUTTING DOWN ON CLUTTER IN CONSERVATION AREAS
A new initiative has been launched to cut down on clutter in Thanet's Conservation Areas.
Conservation officers in Thanet District Council have been working with Kent Highway Services, looking at the number and style of road signs being used in these areas to see if it is possible to reduce them or make them less obtrusive.
The scheme has been piloted first in the Ramsgate Harbour area, where signage was checked and either removed in some cases or re-sited to existing barriers in other cases.
Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: "Some of the problems we run into in our conservation areas are to do with unnecessary signage. Of course, it's important to ensure safety on our roads and that drivers have adequate directions, but there are measures that can be taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment. It may sound like a small thing, but often it's the small things in Thanet's conservation areas that add up to make the biggest difference. We need to ensure that we enhance the appearance of those areas and reduce clutter wherever we can. It's already made a difference around Ramsgate Harbour, without affecting road safety and still ensuring that the remaining signs get the essential information across to both drivers and pedestrians."
It is hoped to move the initiative to other conservation areas in Thanet in the near future.
Conservation officers in Thanet District Council have been working with Kent Highway Services, looking at the number and style of road signs being used in these areas to see if it is possible to reduce them or make them less obtrusive.
The scheme has been piloted first in the Ramsgate Harbour area, where signage was checked and either removed in some cases or re-sited to existing barriers in other cases.
Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: "Some of the problems we run into in our conservation areas are to do with unnecessary signage. Of course, it's important to ensure safety on our roads and that drivers have adequate directions, but there are measures that can be taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment. It may sound like a small thing, but often it's the small things in Thanet's conservation areas that add up to make the biggest difference. We need to ensure that we enhance the appearance of those areas and reduce clutter wherever we can. It's already made a difference around Ramsgate Harbour, without affecting road safety and still ensuring that the remaining signs get the essential information across to both drivers and pedestrians."
It is hoped to move the initiative to other conservation areas in Thanet in the near future.
HUNDREDS OF FINES FOR LITTERING AND DOG FOULING
New figures show more than 350 fines have been handed out across Thanet in the last year to people littering or allowing their dogs to foul.
In total, the council's team of community wardens has issued a massive 357 Fixed Penalty Notices, an average of around 30 each month. Anyone issued with one of these is handed a £60 fine for prompt payment, although this goes up to £80 if not paid within 10 days.
Comparison with other authorities in East Kent shows that 50 tickets were issued in Canterbury, while only six were handed out in Dover during the same period.
If people fail to pay within two weeks of receiving the Fixed Penalty Notice, a reminder letter is sent to them, before the case is then passed to the legal department. Around 20 people each month are being summonsed to court and, of all the cases taken to court in the last six months, only two have found against the council.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "Local people told us that they wanted the council to take a tough zero tolerance approach to the problem of littering and dog fouling and that's exactly what we've done. Not only are we fining people and taking them to court if they refuse to pay those fines, but we will also be starting a campaign to name and shame those people within the next few weeks. So, not only will you face a costly fine for littering or dog fouling, but you could find yourself being named and shamed for it as well."
Fixed Penalty Notices can only be issued when people are seen dropping litter or letting their dog foul and not when information is submitted to the council about incidents. If you are aware of hot spot areas, times or dates when there are often problems, you can call the council, with as much information as possible on 01843 577888.
In total, the council's team of community wardens has issued a massive 357 Fixed Penalty Notices, an average of around 30 each month. Anyone issued with one of these is handed a £60 fine for prompt payment, although this goes up to £80 if not paid within 10 days.
Comparison with other authorities in East Kent shows that 50 tickets were issued in Canterbury, while only six were handed out in Dover during the same period.
If people fail to pay within two weeks of receiving the Fixed Penalty Notice, a reminder letter is sent to them, before the case is then passed to the legal department. Around 20 people each month are being summonsed to court and, of all the cases taken to court in the last six months, only two have found against the council.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "Local people told us that they wanted the council to take a tough zero tolerance approach to the problem of littering and dog fouling and that's exactly what we've done. Not only are we fining people and taking them to court if they refuse to pay those fines, but we will also be starting a campaign to name and shame those people within the next few weeks. So, not only will you face a costly fine for littering or dog fouling, but you could find yourself being named and shamed for it as well."
Fixed Penalty Notices can only be issued when people are seen dropping litter or letting their dog foul and not when information is submitted to the council about incidents. If you are aware of hot spot areas, times or dates when there are often problems, you can call the council, with as much information as possible on 01843 577888.
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
25 Feb 2010
A/TH/10/0119
78-80 STATION ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79RA
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/09/1034
22 CARLTON ROAD WEST WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88PL
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0021
BENJAMIN BEALE, 10 FORT HILL, MARGATE, CT9 1HD
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0090
17 VICARAGE PLACE MARGATE CT91LQ
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0110
148 DUMPTON PARK DRIVE BROADSTAIRS CT101RP
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0113
13 YORK TERRACE RAMSGATE CT119HL
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0124
11 ELMS AVENUE RAMSGATE CT119BW
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0125
MECCA BINGO, 46 WESTWOOD CROSS, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3BF
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0135
29 GRENVILLE WAY BROADSTAIRS CT102JR
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0138
56 MANSTON ROAD RAMSGATE CT110RJ
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0141
ALLAND GRANGE FARM ALLAND GRANGE LANE MANSTON RAMSGATE CT125BX
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0150
DANE VALLEY ALLOTMENTS, ST PETERS FOOTPATH, MARGATE
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0158
68 SWEYN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2DD
current
25 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0089
17 VICARAGE PLACE MARGATE CT91LQ
current
25 Feb 2010
R/TH/10/0126
GARAGES ST CHRISTOPHERS CLOSE MARGATE
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/09/0972
58A LINDEN AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1HR
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0075
79 HIGH STREET MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124AB
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0084
30 LONDON ROAD RAMSGATE CT110DG
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0099
12-14 FORT CRESCENT MARGATE CT91HX
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0107
31 GROVE GARDENS MARGATE CT95RQ
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0117
17 CARLTON AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT101AG
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0131
24 RICHBOROUGH ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88DF
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0132
FLATS 3 & 4,14 DOMNEVA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8PE
current
23 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0098
12-14 FORT CRESCENT MARGATE CT91HX
current
23 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0134
47 VALE SQUARE RAMSGATE CT119DA
current
25 Feb 2010
A/TH/10/0119
78-80 STATION ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79RA
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/09/1034
22 CARLTON ROAD WEST WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88PL
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0021
BENJAMIN BEALE, 10 FORT HILL, MARGATE, CT9 1HD
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0090
17 VICARAGE PLACE MARGATE CT91LQ
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0110
148 DUMPTON PARK DRIVE BROADSTAIRS CT101RP
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0113
13 YORK TERRACE RAMSGATE CT119HL
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0124
11 ELMS AVENUE RAMSGATE CT119BW
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0125
MECCA BINGO, 46 WESTWOOD CROSS, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3BF
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0135
29 GRENVILLE WAY BROADSTAIRS CT102JR
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0138
56 MANSTON ROAD RAMSGATE CT110RJ
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0141
ALLAND GRANGE FARM ALLAND GRANGE LANE MANSTON RAMSGATE CT125BX
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0150
DANE VALLEY ALLOTMENTS, ST PETERS FOOTPATH, MARGATE
current
25 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0158
68 SWEYN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2DD
current
25 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0089
17 VICARAGE PLACE MARGATE CT91LQ
current
25 Feb 2010
R/TH/10/0126
GARAGES ST CHRISTOPHERS CLOSE MARGATE
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/09/0972
58A LINDEN AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1HR
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0075
79 HIGH STREET MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124AB
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0084
30 LONDON ROAD RAMSGATE CT110DG
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0099
12-14 FORT CRESCENT MARGATE CT91HX
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0107
31 GROVE GARDENS MARGATE CT95RQ
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0117
17 CARLTON AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT101AG
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0131
24 RICHBOROUGH ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88DF
current
23 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0132
FLATS 3 & 4,14 DOMNEVA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8PE
current
23 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0098
12-14 FORT CRESCENT MARGATE CT91HX
current
23 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0134
47 VALE SQUARE RAMSGATE CT119DA
current
New documents published by Thanet District Council,
26/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
25/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
25/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Annex 1 - Total Place Report Extract : Annex 1 - Total Place Report Extract: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
24/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting Held on 18 February 2010 : Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting Held on 18 February 2010: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
24/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
23/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 23 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
19/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - COUNCIL TAX, GENERAL FUND AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETS 2010/11 : COUNCIL TAX, GENERAL FUND AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETS 2010/11: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - SEERA Ltd : SEERA Ltd: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
25/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
25/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Annex 1 - Total Place Report Extract : Annex 1 - Total Place Report Extract: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
24/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting Held on 18 February 2010 : Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting Held on 18 February 2010: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
24/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
23/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 23 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
19/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - COUNCIL TAX, GENERAL FUND AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETS 2010/11 : COUNCIL TAX, GENERAL FUND AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGETS 2010/11: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - SEERA Ltd : SEERA Ltd: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
Putting residents at the heart of our planning process
Reversing Labour’s top down planning laws
Having been deputy chairman of the Civic Trust, and currently President of the Kent Federation of Amenity Socieites (see note), I am passionate about conservation, our urban environment and very concerned about unsustainable development. As a result I am extremely pleased that residents, community groups and neighbourhoods will be put at the heart of our planning process if there was a Conservative Government.
A new system of ‘Open Source’ democracy and neighbourhood involvement will help deliver sustainable development across Thanet, Sandwich and our villages. Whitehall targets and unelected quangos will be scrapped, to be replaced with collaborative working and new incentives to promote and reward local homes and jobs.
This will give those who I have worked with to oppose excessive developments across Thanet and Sandwich, relief that their neighbourhoods would be protected from the imposition of central targets and that neighbourhood plans would take precendence.
This comes as the democratic deifict is further revealed through official Government surveys showing that only 1 in 3 people think they can influence decisions in their local area, and just 1 in 5 people think they can influence national decisions.
Under a new policy initiative, entitled Open Source Planning, Conservatives will:
• Abolish the undemocratic and ineffective tier of regional planning overseen by unelected quangos. This would include scrapping the South East Plan.
• Use collaborative democracy to allow local communities to create ‘bottom-up’ local plans, helping the residents from South Thanet, Sandiwch and our villages shape and protect the character of their neighbourhoods.
• Tackle the scourge of ‘garden grabbing’ and over-development in residential roads, giving new powers to protect the character of neighbourhoods.
• Maintain national Green Belt protection and other special protections for wildlife and the countryside, whilst allowing sustainable development elsewhere in accordance with the local plan.
• Change Whitehall’s restrictive parking rules to ensure more parking spaces are provided in family homes and near local shops, taking the pressure off crowded residential streets.
“The Government’s planning system is a source of immense frustration and concern for many residents across East Kent. Under Labour, planning rules are too complex and too many decisions are taken by unelected officials, ignoring the views of local residents.
“This bold new Conservative vision will put our residents in the driving seat to help shape our community, transferring power from Whitehall bureaucrats and Labour’s unelected regional quangos. This will help deliver new homes in appropriate places with the consent of the residetns, whilst championing local democracy and protecting our local amenity and environment.”
NOTE: I am not issuing this in the capacity as President of KFAS or on their behalf
Having been deputy chairman of the Civic Trust, and currently President of the Kent Federation of Amenity Socieites (see note), I am passionate about conservation, our urban environment and very concerned about unsustainable development. As a result I am extremely pleased that residents, community groups and neighbourhoods will be put at the heart of our planning process if there was a Conservative Government.
A new system of ‘Open Source’ democracy and neighbourhood involvement will help deliver sustainable development across Thanet, Sandwich and our villages. Whitehall targets and unelected quangos will be scrapped, to be replaced with collaborative working and new incentives to promote and reward local homes and jobs.
This will give those who I have worked with to oppose excessive developments across Thanet and Sandwich, relief that their neighbourhoods would be protected from the imposition of central targets and that neighbourhood plans would take precendence.
This comes as the democratic deifict is further revealed through official Government surveys showing that only 1 in 3 people think they can influence decisions in their local area, and just 1 in 5 people think they can influence national decisions.
Under a new policy initiative, entitled Open Source Planning, Conservatives will:
• Abolish the undemocratic and ineffective tier of regional planning overseen by unelected quangos. This would include scrapping the South East Plan.
• Use collaborative democracy to allow local communities to create ‘bottom-up’ local plans, helping the residents from South Thanet, Sandiwch and our villages shape and protect the character of their neighbourhoods.
• Tackle the scourge of ‘garden grabbing’ and over-development in residential roads, giving new powers to protect the character of neighbourhoods.
• Maintain national Green Belt protection and other special protections for wildlife and the countryside, whilst allowing sustainable development elsewhere in accordance with the local plan.
• Change Whitehall’s restrictive parking rules to ensure more parking spaces are provided in family homes and near local shops, taking the pressure off crowded residential streets.
“The Government’s planning system is a source of immense frustration and concern for many residents across East Kent. Under Labour, planning rules are too complex and too many decisions are taken by unelected officials, ignoring the views of local residents.
“This bold new Conservative vision will put our residents in the driving seat to help shape our community, transferring power from Whitehall bureaucrats and Labour’s unelected regional quangos. This will help deliver new homes in appropriate places with the consent of the residetns, whilst championing local democracy and protecting our local amenity and environment.”
NOTE: I am not issuing this in the capacity as President of KFAS or on their behalf
Sunday, 28 February 2010
FUN POKER GAMBLING EVENING
THE MAYOR OF RAMSGATE
COUNCILLOR DAVID GREEN
AND HIS CHARITY COMMITTEE
ARE PLEASED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR A
FUN POKER GAMBLING EVENING
HELD AT G CASINO, WESTWOOD CROSS, RAMSGATE.
ON SATURDAY 27TH MARCH 2010
7.00 PM FOR 7.30 PM – CARRIAGES 11.00PM.
£20 PER PERSON INCLUDING A HOT BUFFET.
(£5 for Mayor’s drivers only)
(VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE)
DRESS; SMART CASUAL.
THE EVENING WILL START WITH A TRAINING SESSION TO SHOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.
PLAY FOR PRIZES ONLY
Non-member guests are required to show photo ID to be registered. All guests must be over 18.
Please reply to the above address by 19th March using the reply slip below.
_____________________________________________________________________
Reply slip for the Fun Poker Gabling Evening.
I enclose a cheque for £_______________ payable to the Mayor of Ramsgate Charity
Committee for (number) _____ guests. (number of Mayor’s drivers if applicable, ___)
Print name _______________________. Tel no- _________________
____________________________________________________________________
TOWN OF RAMSGATE.
The Mayor’s Parlour Telephone/facsimile
Albion House 01843 591142
Albion Place e-mail address – mayor.ramsgate@btopenworld.com
Ramsgate
Kent
CT11 8HQ
COUNCILLOR DAVID GREEN
AND HIS CHARITY COMMITTEE
ARE PLEASED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR A
FUN POKER GAMBLING EVENING
HELD AT G CASINO, WESTWOOD CROSS, RAMSGATE.
ON SATURDAY 27TH MARCH 2010
7.00 PM FOR 7.30 PM – CARRIAGES 11.00PM.
£20 PER PERSON INCLUDING A HOT BUFFET.
(£5 for Mayor’s drivers only)
(VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE)
DRESS; SMART CASUAL.
THE EVENING WILL START WITH A TRAINING SESSION TO SHOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.
PLAY FOR PRIZES ONLY
Non-member guests are required to show photo ID to be registered. All guests must be over 18.
Please reply to the above address by 19th March using the reply slip below.
_____________________________________________________________________
Reply slip for the Fun Poker Gabling Evening.
I enclose a cheque for £_______________ payable to the Mayor of Ramsgate Charity
Committee for (number) _____ guests. (number of Mayor’s drivers if applicable, ___)
Print name _______________________. Tel no- _________________
____________________________________________________________________
TOWN OF RAMSGATE.
The Mayor’s Parlour Telephone/facsimile
Albion House 01843 591142
Albion Place e-mail address – mayor.ramsgate@btopenworld.com
Ramsgate
Kent
CT11 8HQ
Friday, 26 February 2010
Seagull bag scheme gets underway
Homes in Eastcliff in Ramsgate are starting a major new trial of seagull proof bags, in a bid to improve the cleanliness of their streets.
The idea came from the local PACT (Partners and Communities Together), residents’ groups and ward councillors, who wanted to put a stop to seagull attacks on rubbish put out in the area. As a result, the seagull proof bags, made out of polypropylene, which will protect the black sacks, have been delivered to homes, with the scheme due to start from Wednesday 3 March.
A total of around 250 homes in Augusta Road, Augusta Place, Artillery Road, Arklow Square, Shaftsbury Street, Waterloo Place, Irchester Street and Balmoral Place will be taking part in the trial, which will run until 30 September and will cover the seagull breeding season during the spring and summer months.
Homes have received one seagull proof bag free of charge, which can hold around two or three black rubbish sacks. These should be tied securely at the top and then put into the seagull proof sack. The lid of this sack needs to be closed correctly or the seagulls may still be able to attack the rubbish inside. Any waste put loose into the seagull proof bag or left outside of it will not be collected. People will need to put out their seagull proof bag on their day of collection at the front of their property by 6am.
As well as aiming to cut the amount of rubbish caused by seagulls splitting black rubbish sacks, the trial also aims to see how easy residents find using the bag and whether any improvements can be made.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Residents in Eastcliff came to us with the idea of the seagull proof bag and now they’re about to start trying it out to see how well it works. Seagulls are a menace in this area, particularly during the breeding season and they were one of the main reasons that we first introduced wheeled bins to Thanet, to try and stop them attacking waste. However, there are a number of areas across our district that aren’t suitable for wheeled bins, so we need to look at other possible solutions. It will be interesting to see how well this scheme works over the next few months and what we can learn from it. Most of all, we will wait to see if these bags do stop the seagulls!”
At the end of the trial, it will be reviewed to see how well it has worked, whether it has helped to keep the streets cleaner and whether it represents good value for money for the council. A decision will then be taken on whether to continue with it and whether to expand it into other areas, if it is successful.
The idea came from the local PACT (Partners and Communities Together), residents’ groups and ward councillors, who wanted to put a stop to seagull attacks on rubbish put out in the area. As a result, the seagull proof bags, made out of polypropylene, which will protect the black sacks, have been delivered to homes, with the scheme due to start from Wednesday 3 March.
A total of around 250 homes in Augusta Road, Augusta Place, Artillery Road, Arklow Square, Shaftsbury Street, Waterloo Place, Irchester Street and Balmoral Place will be taking part in the trial, which will run until 30 September and will cover the seagull breeding season during the spring and summer months.
Homes have received one seagull proof bag free of charge, which can hold around two or three black rubbish sacks. These should be tied securely at the top and then put into the seagull proof sack. The lid of this sack needs to be closed correctly or the seagulls may still be able to attack the rubbish inside. Any waste put loose into the seagull proof bag or left outside of it will not be collected. People will need to put out their seagull proof bag on their day of collection at the front of their property by 6am.
As well as aiming to cut the amount of rubbish caused by seagulls splitting black rubbish sacks, the trial also aims to see how easy residents find using the bag and whether any improvements can be made.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Residents in Eastcliff came to us with the idea of the seagull proof bag and now they’re about to start trying it out to see how well it works. Seagulls are a menace in this area, particularly during the breeding season and they were one of the main reasons that we first introduced wheeled bins to Thanet, to try and stop them attacking waste. However, there are a number of areas across our district that aren’t suitable for wheeled bins, so we need to look at other possible solutions. It will be interesting to see how well this scheme works over the next few months and what we can learn from it. Most of all, we will wait to see if these bags do stop the seagulls!”
At the end of the trial, it will be reviewed to see how well it has worked, whether it has helped to keep the streets cleaner and whether it represents good value for money for the council. A decision will then be taken on whether to continue with it and whether to expand it into other areas, if it is successful.
“You Catch It – We Cook It!” offer from Ramsgate’s Eddie Gilbert’s Restaurant
Eddie Gilbert's, the award-winning Ramsgate fishmonger, wholesaler, chippy and gourmet fish restaurant, is offering a “You Catch It – We Cook It!” deal to the hundreds of anglers who descend on the seaside resort each summer.Michelin-trained head chef Craig Mather will prepare and cook whatever visitors catch. At the moment this is largely cod and skate, as flat fish such as Dover sole are less abundant in the colder months. But mid June to September is peak season, when serious sea anglers and tourists visit the area to fish for Sea Bass.
Within six months of opening in 2007, Eddie Gilbert’s wet fish shop scooped a prestigious Taste of Kent Award for ‘Best Fish Retailer’. In January this year the first floor restaurant that opened in October, was awarded ‘Best Newcomer’. In February the downstairs take away fish and chip shop was nominated for the Potato Council’s ‘Perfect Portion’ awards during the National Chip Week and was recognised as serving the best chips in Thanet by the local press.
Soon after opening the fishmongers, owner Jonny Dunhill had local anglers coming in to sell their excess catch, which he was pleased to buy. Now, with the new 50-seater gourmet restaurant, the “You Catch It – We Cook It!” offer seems a natural progression.
Anglers receive a 20 per cent discount from the menu price when they supply the fish.
“It fits perfectly with our philosophy of selling the finest quality food sourced as locally as possible,” said Jonny, who buys fish direct from the local fishing boats every day. He will promote the scheme through boat owners who charter for fishing trips.For Dunhill, who ran a wholesale shellfish business in London for 12 years, opening the restaurant was the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. Whilst supplying top London establishments such as Le Gavroche, Harrods, The Ivy and Conran Restaurants, Jonny became inspired by the motivation of the talented chefs he met, many of who are now household names.
Click on the link for more pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/43030751@N08
THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL BUDGET 2010/11
Council services have been preserved and the lowest Council Tax rise in at least a decade delivered in Thanet District Council's 2010/11 budget, despite a massive slump in income.
The budget was approved last night (Thursday 25 February) at a full Council meeting, with Thanet's share of the Council Tax rising by just 2.46%, less than 10p per week for most homes in the area. Council Tax increases of just 2.5% are also planned for the next four years.
In the past year, the council has seen income fall by more than three quarters of a million pounds, with reductions in the money it receives from planning fees, parking, bulky waste collections and land charges. Despite this, a balanced budget has been produced, not only for 2010/11, but also for the following four years.
From 2011/12, the council is forecasting that its budget from central government will be cut each year by 3%, meaning savings are needed of more than £6 million over the next five years. To achieve this, a number of proposals were agreed, including reviewing staff contracts, merging functions internally and sharing services with other councils in East Kent. Plans to share housing, waste and a range of other services such as IT, building control, revenues and benefits and customer services were agreed at a meeting of full Council last week (Thursday 18 February).
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "This year has not been an easy year for anyone, as many people will know themselves. The situation is no different in local government, with all councils seeing their income falling. Fortunately, in Thanet, we took quick action to address that and made savings to ensure that we could balance the books for this year. In 2010/11, we at least know exactly how much money we're getting from central government, which makes up the majority of our funding, as that figure's already been set.
"From next year, there's no guarantee on that. I'm sure that most people will agree, whoever wins the next election, they're going to need to make cuts and that's going to impact on everyone in the public sector. We're already budgeting for a cut of 3% and we're determined that the shortfall should not come from the taxpayers' purse.
"We've already taken steps to maximise efficiencies in all our services in recent years and that's why we're now looking at how we can make even more savings by sharing our services with other councils in East Kent. We need to make radical changes to ensure that we save the £6 million plus that we need to find over the next five years. I'm sure residents would agree that they would rather we did that than make cuts to the services they receive from us."
The budget was approved last night (Thursday 25 February) at a full Council meeting, with Thanet's share of the Council Tax rising by just 2.46%, less than 10p per week for most homes in the area. Council Tax increases of just 2.5% are also planned for the next four years.
In the past year, the council has seen income fall by more than three quarters of a million pounds, with reductions in the money it receives from planning fees, parking, bulky waste collections and land charges. Despite this, a balanced budget has been produced, not only for 2010/11, but also for the following four years.
From 2011/12, the council is forecasting that its budget from central government will be cut each year by 3%, meaning savings are needed of more than £6 million over the next five years. To achieve this, a number of proposals were agreed, including reviewing staff contracts, merging functions internally and sharing services with other councils in East Kent. Plans to share housing, waste and a range of other services such as IT, building control, revenues and benefits and customer services were agreed at a meeting of full Council last week (Thursday 18 February).
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "This year has not been an easy year for anyone, as many people will know themselves. The situation is no different in local government, with all councils seeing their income falling. Fortunately, in Thanet, we took quick action to address that and made savings to ensure that we could balance the books for this year. In 2010/11, we at least know exactly how much money we're getting from central government, which makes up the majority of our funding, as that figure's already been set.
"From next year, there's no guarantee on that. I'm sure that most people will agree, whoever wins the next election, they're going to need to make cuts and that's going to impact on everyone in the public sector. We're already budgeting for a cut of 3% and we're determined that the shortfall should not come from the taxpayers' purse.
"We've already taken steps to maximise efficiencies in all our services in recent years and that's why we're now looking at how we can make even more savings by sharing our services with other councils in East Kent. We need to make radical changes to ensure that we save the £6 million plus that we need to find over the next five years. I'm sure residents would agree that they would rather we did that than make cuts to the services they receive from us."
PASSIONATE PLEA FOR THANET'S DISABLED
At Thursday's council meeting to discuss the proposed TDC budget for 2010/2011, Cllr Iris Johnston made a passionate plea to safeguard £400,000 for the Thanet's disabled residents.
At the meeting Cllr Johnston said "It is good to see that despite the pressures on the capital budget the Council's contributions to the Disabled Facility Grants is planned to be held at the same level as was originally set last year, which was £400,000. But I would hope that after having cut this budget back by £200,000 in 2009/10, that this faces no further cuts in the forthcoming year. Although I appreciate that the level of capital receipts planned for may not be achieved, on looking at the planned capital programme I can see that there are other areas which could be cut back, before cutting back on the DFGbudget, on which so many people rely.
I would ask to table an amendment for Cabinet to consider, which seeks to ring-fence the agreed budget of £400,000 to preserve the Council's contribution at this level for the forthcoming financial year."
The ruling Conservative administration at TDC were either unable or unwilling to make such a commitment and at voted down the amendment.
Councillor Johnston said after the meeting "I am very disappointed the Conservative Group refused to outright support this amendment. Resident’s who are waiting over 18 months for adaptations urgently need to get their facilities in place to make life bearable. I will be watching very closely to ensure the 400k is kept intact to part match nearly £900k from Central Government.’
Cllr. Iris Johnston - 01843 299207
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
At the meeting Cllr Johnston said "It is good to see that despite the pressures on the capital budget the Council's contributions to the Disabled Facility Grants is planned to be held at the same level as was originally set last year, which was £400,000. But I would hope that after having cut this budget back by £200,000 in 2009/10, that this faces no further cuts in the forthcoming year. Although I appreciate that the level of capital receipts planned for may not be achieved, on looking at the planned capital programme I can see that there are other areas which could be cut back, before cutting back on the DFGbudget, on which so many people rely.
I would ask to table an amendment for Cabinet to consider, which seeks to ring-fence the agreed budget of £400,000 to preserve the Council's contribution at this level for the forthcoming financial year."
The ruling Conservative administration at TDC were either unable or unwilling to make such a commitment and at voted down the amendment.
Councillor Johnston said after the meeting "I am very disappointed the Conservative Group refused to outright support this amendment. Resident’s who are waiting over 18 months for adaptations urgently need to get their facilities in place to make life bearable. I will be watching very closely to ensure the 400k is kept intact to part match nearly £900k from Central Government.’
Cllr. Iris Johnston - 01843 299207
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
SHARED GAMBLE CONFIRMED
They say a week in politics is a long time!
Last week, during an extra-ordinary meeting of Thanet District Council called to discuss 'shared services' in East Kent, proposals for changes to council housing, waste collection and support services were over-confidently pushed through by the ruling Conservative administration, despite very serious concerns outlined by Labour group members.
Last night, at a council meeting held to discuss the 2010/2011 TDC budget (at item 12 - Annex 3 - the Financial Risk Assessment - pages 121 & 122) council officers reported 'shared services' as probably the largest risk facing the council to date and that the likelihood of shared services not being progressed is also deemed to be high risk.
As Labour Group Leader I repeat "decisions were made at last weeks rushed extra-ordinary meeting that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
______________________________
Last week's meeting - 18/02/2010
SHARED GAMBLE
Having lost effective control of several key services at TDC, the Conservative administration has now launched the authority into the unknown following Thursday's full council meeting held to discuss shared services across East Kent. Decisions were made that could see TDC tied in to long, expensive and binding agreements with it's neighbouring authorities with no clear financial savings yet established, but substantial financial penalties should the ventures prove to be failures.
For the past week or so council members have been bombarded with a relentless series of hefty documents, one arriving at their homes by last minute post on the day of the meeting and yet another on their respective benches as they walked into the chamber for the debate, and no time allowed for members to read it properly.
Throughout the debates on council housing, waste collection and support services, Labour members warned of concerns that matters were being rushed and decisions being made without fully considering the long term effects and costs the changes will make for ratepayers in the future.
Labour members also voiced serious concerns regarding the loss of local democratic control of services, especially as major decisions could now often be made by just a small number of council Chief. Executives with the district's council leaders. That would mean no political balance on key matters and leave all the other elected councillors in several districts with little or no say over services which residents had elected them to control.
Jobs could also be lost to Thanet, as due to our geographical position any centralising of management would be unlikely to be based here.
Several common-sense amendments were put forward by the Labour group that met with strong resistance from the Conservatives, but in the end the Labour's crucial claim to review the results of the consultation process with tenants and leaseholders on housing changes with a final chance to ballot residents was finally accepted.
Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said "decisions were made on Thursday evening that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
Last week, during an extra-ordinary meeting of Thanet District Council called to discuss 'shared services' in East Kent, proposals for changes to council housing, waste collection and support services were over-confidently pushed through by the ruling Conservative administration, despite very serious concerns outlined by Labour group members.
Last night, at a council meeting held to discuss the 2010/2011 TDC budget (at item 12 - Annex 3 - the Financial Risk Assessment - pages 121 & 122) council officers reported 'shared services' as probably the largest risk facing the council to date and that the likelihood of shared services not being progressed is also deemed to be high risk.
As Labour Group Leader I repeat "decisions were made at last weeks rushed extra-ordinary meeting that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
______________________________
Last week's meeting - 18/02/2010
SHARED GAMBLE
Having lost effective control of several key services at TDC, the Conservative administration has now launched the authority into the unknown following Thursday's full council meeting held to discuss shared services across East Kent. Decisions were made that could see TDC tied in to long, expensive and binding agreements with it's neighbouring authorities with no clear financial savings yet established, but substantial financial penalties should the ventures prove to be failures.
For the past week or so council members have been bombarded with a relentless series of hefty documents, one arriving at their homes by last minute post on the day of the meeting and yet another on their respective benches as they walked into the chamber for the debate, and no time allowed for members to read it properly.
Throughout the debates on council housing, waste collection and support services, Labour members warned of concerns that matters were being rushed and decisions being made without fully considering the long term effects and costs the changes will make for ratepayers in the future.
Labour members also voiced serious concerns regarding the loss of local democratic control of services, especially as major decisions could now often be made by just a small number of council Chief. Executives with the district's council leaders. That would mean no political balance on key matters and leave all the other elected councillors in several districts with little or no say over services which residents had elected them to control.
Jobs could also be lost to Thanet, as due to our geographical position any centralising of management would be unlikely to be based here.
Several common-sense amendments were put forward by the Labour group that met with strong resistance from the Conservatives, but in the end the Labour's crucial claim to review the results of the consultation process with tenants and leaseholders on housing changes with a final chance to ballot residents was finally accepted.
Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said "decisions were made on Thursday evening that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
"I call upon the leader and deputy leader to go"
"I call upon the leader and deputy leader to go"
Copy of speech made by Cllr. Alan Poole - Shadow Member for Environmental Services - at last night's council meeting to discuss the Thanet District Council Budget for 2010/2011.
"This Labour Government has provided more than generous Formula Grant funding since 1997; it has provided millions in additional grants and still this Conservative Administration has managed to get itself into a financial mess whereby it continually has to dip into its reserves to balance the books; a cynical attempt to keep the Council Tax increase to 2.5% in an election year?
There appears to be very little to show for all this extra government money, which has been used to little or no effect in Margate to the detriment of neighbouring Ramsgate; additionally this Conservative Administration has done its best to dump extra burdens on the fledgling Ramsgate Town Council. This is disgraceful.
I am very disappointed by the closure of the award winning Visitor Information Centre in Ramsgate and also the closure of the Visitor Centre in Broadstairs but for some reason the Margate Visitor Centre is remaining open…………is this Council penalising Ramsgate and Broadstairs for having Town Councils? Or is it just trying to force Ramsgate and Broadstairs to fund the Visitor Centres from their precept? This is disgraceful.
This Conservative Administration has attempted to flog-off as many assets as possible, even some they don’t own………yes, it is this Government’s policy to dispose of underused and unwanted assets….note underused and unwanted……you really shouldn’t need to consult a dictionary to understand those two words!
This Conservative Administration has tried unsuccessfully to sell Albion House……….a listed historical building that is very important to the people of Ramsgate; they have continually failed to maintain this building in a decent condition……….its present condition would surely warrant ‘enforcement action’ if it were in private ownership………they then tried unsuccessfully to get Ramsgate Town Council to pay for its maintenance. This is disgraceful.
Another disposal attempt, which seems to have spectacularly back-fired, is the proposed sale of the much used Montefiore Tennis courts. This asset was purchased by the people of Ramsgate in 1948……..an asset purchased for the use of the residents. Local residents recently signed a petition demanding that it be kept in public use……not only has this Conservative Administration ignored the wishes of the local residents but it has gone out of its way to pick a fight with them using public funds.
The use of public funds to fight our own residents note ‘fight our own residents’ and the even more questionable use of a highly paid barrister to interrogate old ladies in the witness box is an appalling misuse of power and public monies. The amount of money and time wasted must surely be running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Whatever the outcome of the Village Green Enquiry it is the negligent lack of maintenance of the fence that has allowed the situation to progress this far……a few hundred pounds spent on fence repairs could have saved all this time and expense. This is disgraceful.
This Conservative Administration simply doesn’t have a clue…..I call upon the leader and deputy leader to go"
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
Copy of speech made by Cllr. Alan Poole - Shadow Member for Environmental Services - at last night's council meeting to discuss the Thanet District Council Budget for 2010/2011.
"This Labour Government has provided more than generous Formula Grant funding since 1997; it has provided millions in additional grants and still this Conservative Administration has managed to get itself into a financial mess whereby it continually has to dip into its reserves to balance the books; a cynical attempt to keep the Council Tax increase to 2.5% in an election year?
There appears to be very little to show for all this extra government money, which has been used to little or no effect in Margate to the detriment of neighbouring Ramsgate; additionally this Conservative Administration has done its best to dump extra burdens on the fledgling Ramsgate Town Council. This is disgraceful.
I am very disappointed by the closure of the award winning Visitor Information Centre in Ramsgate and also the closure of the Visitor Centre in Broadstairs but for some reason the Margate Visitor Centre is remaining open…………is this Council penalising Ramsgate and Broadstairs for having Town Councils? Or is it just trying to force Ramsgate and Broadstairs to fund the Visitor Centres from their precept? This is disgraceful.
This Conservative Administration has attempted to flog-off as many assets as possible, even some they don’t own………yes, it is this Government’s policy to dispose of underused and unwanted assets….note underused and unwanted……you really shouldn’t need to consult a dictionary to understand those two words!
This Conservative Administration has tried unsuccessfully to sell Albion House……….a listed historical building that is very important to the people of Ramsgate; they have continually failed to maintain this building in a decent condition……….its present condition would surely warrant ‘enforcement action’ if it were in private ownership………they then tried unsuccessfully to get Ramsgate Town Council to pay for its maintenance. This is disgraceful.
Another disposal attempt, which seems to have spectacularly back-fired, is the proposed sale of the much used Montefiore Tennis courts. This asset was purchased by the people of Ramsgate in 1948……..an asset purchased for the use of the residents. Local residents recently signed a petition demanding that it be kept in public use……not only has this Conservative Administration ignored the wishes of the local residents but it has gone out of its way to pick a fight with them using public funds.
The use of public funds to fight our own residents note ‘fight our own residents’ and the even more questionable use of a highly paid barrister to interrogate old ladies in the witness box is an appalling misuse of power and public monies. The amount of money and time wasted must surely be running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Whatever the outcome of the Village Green Enquiry it is the negligent lack of maintenance of the fence that has allowed the situation to progress this far……a few hundred pounds spent on fence repairs could have saved all this time and expense. This is disgraceful.
This Conservative Administration simply doesn’t have a clue…..I call upon the leader and deputy leader to go"
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
CALL FOR TDC LEADER & DEPUTY LEADER TO GO!
(after appalling misuse of power and public monies).
Cllr. Alan Poole, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at Thanet District Council, called on the leader and deputy leader at TDC to go at the end of an impassioned speech during discussions over TDC's budget proposals for 2010 to 2011.
Cllr. Poole was angry about large sums of money given to Thanet by the Government with all the best intentions that TDC had used with little or no effect and to the detriment of Ramsgate. He said he was also concerned about the closure of Visitor Information Centres in Broadstairs and Ramsgate and asked if these were attempts to make the town council's pay for a district service.
Cllr. Poole then attacked the ruling Conservative's asset disposal programme and explained that Government advice was that it should only be applied to 'underused or unwanted' assets. He was scathing of Conservative unsuccessful attempts to sell Albion House to Ramsgate Town Council in such an appalling state that it would probably merit enforcement action by TDC if it were in the private sector.
Finally, on the Montefiore Tennis Courts, Cllr. Poole attacked the Conservative administration's needless confrontational tactics in using public funds to interrogate old ladies in the witness box during the enquiry as "an appalling misuse of power and public monies".
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
Cllr. Alan Poole, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environmental Services at Thanet District Council, called on the leader and deputy leader at TDC to go at the end of an impassioned speech during discussions over TDC's budget proposals for 2010 to 2011.
Cllr. Poole was angry about large sums of money given to Thanet by the Government with all the best intentions that TDC had used with little or no effect and to the detriment of Ramsgate. He said he was also concerned about the closure of Visitor Information Centres in Broadstairs and Ramsgate and asked if these were attempts to make the town council's pay for a district service.
Cllr. Poole then attacked the ruling Conservative's asset disposal programme and explained that Government advice was that it should only be applied to 'underused or unwanted' assets. He was scathing of Conservative unsuccessful attempts to sell Albion House to Ramsgate Town Council in such an appalling state that it would probably merit enforcement action by TDC if it were in the private sector.
Finally, on the Montefiore Tennis Courts, Cllr. Poole attacked the Conservative administration's needless confrontational tactics in using public funds to interrogate old ladies in the witness box during the enquiry as "an appalling misuse of power and public monies".
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
CLIFTONVILLE PLAN FORMALLY ADOPTED
CLIFTONVILLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENT ADOPTED
(Agenda item 17 - Thanet District Couincil meeting - 25/02/2010).
The Cliftonville Development Plan Document was formally adopted by Thanet District Council at its meeting this evening (Thursday 25th February). It now becomes council policy within the Local Development Framework.
Cliftonville West Ward councillor Doug Clark said "the Cliftonville Development Plan Document, covering parts of Margate Central and Cliftonville West that have been better known as the Neighbourhood Renewal Area, is yet another step forward and all five ward councillors welcome its formal adoption by the council.
We were disappointed that the ruling administration chose not to back our proposal, supported by several residents groups in the area, to enlarge minimum sizes for new homes, but following the lack of support on this issue, we now intend to fight that battle across, and for, the whole District.
The problems facing Cliftonville West and Margate Central are all very well known and within his report the independent inspector accepted that Cliftonville was 'showing clear signs of social, economic and physical stress' but we have had some success in the past with our unique 'no one bedroom' policy and if implemented properly this plan should help further".
Published by all 5 Cliftonville West & Margate Central ward councillors:
Cllrs. Aldred, Clark, Hart, Johnston & Watkins
44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW.
(Agenda item 17 - Thanet District Couincil meeting - 25/02/2010).
The Cliftonville Development Plan Document was formally adopted by Thanet District Council at its meeting this evening (Thursday 25th February). It now becomes council policy within the Local Development Framework.
Cliftonville West Ward councillor Doug Clark said "the Cliftonville Development Plan Document, covering parts of Margate Central and Cliftonville West that have been better known as the Neighbourhood Renewal Area, is yet another step forward and all five ward councillors welcome its formal adoption by the council.
We were disappointed that the ruling administration chose not to back our proposal, supported by several residents groups in the area, to enlarge minimum sizes for new homes, but following the lack of support on this issue, we now intend to fight that battle across, and for, the whole District.
The problems facing Cliftonville West and Margate Central are all very well known and within his report the independent inspector accepted that Cliftonville was 'showing clear signs of social, economic and physical stress' but we have had some success in the past with our unique 'no one bedroom' policy and if implemented properly this plan should help further".
Published by all 5 Cliftonville West & Margate Central ward councillors:
Cllrs. Aldred, Clark, Hart, Johnston & Watkins
44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW.
MARGATE CENTRAL & CLIFTONVILLE WEST - LATEST
(Agenda item 11 - Thanet District Couincil meeting - 25/02/2010).
In a report presented to Thanet District Council on Thursday evening the Leader & Chief Executive accepted that in Margate & Cliftonville (to quote the report at paragraph 6.1) 'things are getting worse' and that 'if nothing changes the cycle of deprivation will continue'.
The eleven page extract from a KCC report released only this week, outlines a sad and sorry catalogue of problems that affect two of the poorest wards in the country and the Governments Total Place scheme that will make all local agencies work much more closely together from now on, in order to tackle what is a very daunting task.
Margate Central ward councillor John Watkins said "all five ward councillors meet regularly with council officers and other agencies and we consistently call for more joined up working. Only when all agencies work closely together can these problems be tackled. We welcome the governments Total Place scheme. To date TDC, KCC and the other agencies involved have too often been working individually and that approach just will not work here locally".
Cliftonville West ward councillor Linda Aldred said "our two wards have very serious issues to contend with, particularly concerning poor housing, health and education. These issues also fuel other problems such as crime and anti-social behaviour. Lasting solutions can only be found when all the agencies concerned come together and work with a common purpose. Although agencies have been moving in the right direction a real step-change is needed and we sincerely hope the Total Place project will provide just that".
Published by all 5 Margate Central & Cliftonville West ward councillors:
Cllrs. Aldred, Clark, Hart, Johnston & Watkins
44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW.
In a report presented to Thanet District Council on Thursday evening the Leader & Chief Executive accepted that in Margate & Cliftonville (to quote the report at paragraph 6.1) 'things are getting worse' and that 'if nothing changes the cycle of deprivation will continue'.
The eleven page extract from a KCC report released only this week, outlines a sad and sorry catalogue of problems that affect two of the poorest wards in the country and the Governments Total Place scheme that will make all local agencies work much more closely together from now on, in order to tackle what is a very daunting task.
Margate Central ward councillor John Watkins said "all five ward councillors meet regularly with council officers and other agencies and we consistently call for more joined up working. Only when all agencies work closely together can these problems be tackled. We welcome the governments Total Place scheme. To date TDC, KCC and the other agencies involved have too often been working individually and that approach just will not work here locally".
Cliftonville West ward councillor Linda Aldred said "our two wards have very serious issues to contend with, particularly concerning poor housing, health and education. These issues also fuel other problems such as crime and anti-social behaviour. Lasting solutions can only be found when all the agencies concerned come together and work with a common purpose. Although agencies have been moving in the right direction a real step-change is needed and we sincerely hope the Total Place project will provide just that".
Published by all 5 Margate Central & Cliftonville West ward councillors:
Cllrs. Aldred, Clark, Hart, Johnston & Watkins
44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW.
COUNCIL WARNED OF LOW RESERVES
Speech by Cllr. David Green - Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services in response to the Conservative administrations proposed budget.
"My impression is that (Conservative Cabinet Member) Cllr Wise is betting very heavily on Labour winning the forthcoming general election.
I say this, because the assumptions in the Medium Term Financial Plan are that Thanet’s Formula Grant will be cut by 3% in each year from 2011/12 to 2014/15 and Council Tax rises of 2.5% each year over this period.
Also implied is that all the other generous Labour Government Grants this Council receives, such as Community Cohesion and Working Neighbourhood funding and the £8m of ring fenced grants will all continue.
Unlikely though a Conservative government is, I would have thought that this current administration would have at least conceded the possibility, however remote.
It is clear that the prudent approach to cutting public debt, that underlines the assumptions in our financial plan are not what any potential Conservative Government have in mind.
They have indicated drastic cuts to local government funding, and that these cuts would take effect immediately on them taking office. They also propose a freeze on Council Tax increases for at least three years.
The reason these assumptions in the Financial Plan are so important, and why they, at these difficult times could almost be considered reckless is because, as I warned last year, the Council’s reserves are dangerously low.
The Director of Finance and Corporate Services in her report (page 63) says that it is considered appropriate that the optimum level of general reserves should be 10% of the net revenue budget.
I quote from the report:
“This balance is expected to drop to £1.883M by March 2011. This is JUST 8.16%.”
Last year we were promised action to restore the level of reserves. This has not occurred, and the situation is compounded by the intention to take £1.8m from various earmarked reserves, reducing them from £4.8m to £3.1m.
This is an enormously risky position for the Council to take, especially when entering what are considered to be very difficult economic times.
Chair, Could I give notice of my intention to propose an amendment on this subject after my speech?
Reserves also provide the essential buffer to aid cash flow. We are already seeing signs of cash flow problems, with officers being told not to spend agreed budgets and various grant schemes remaining unspent from year to year.
Each year this administration promises a number of savings in order to balance the budget. Each year, we on this side (Labour) express skepticism, and each year we are proved correct.
This year, only £261k of £741k promised are still considered achievable, and we are offered savings through a new contract with staff, cutting overtime, agency and consultants and cutting staff perks, all measures that we have advocated over many years and have been ignored. As the editor of the Gazette said last week, “why weren’t these things dealt with years ago?”
In conclusion the Council’s budget is still dangerously over-committed.
The failure to deal with the depletion of reserves is irresponsible, considering the predicted economic situation. There is still no sign of this administration gaining control over employee costs. We have a situation where two thirds of the District is starved of funding and where the remaining third shows little benefit for all the money thrown at it.
As the Sun newspaper said recently:
“MARGATE was once Britain’s holiday resort of choice, with crowds packing the beaches for more than two centuries. But today, it is strewn with dilapidated attractions and boarded up shops - presenting a sorry picture postcard view of this ravaged east Kent town. A survey has named Margate the ghost town of Britain with more than a quarter - 27.2 per cent - of its shops shut.
Now, the once majestic seafront is a patchwork of vacant shops and arcades set among the remaining pubs and slot-machine joints.
This after 7 years of this (Conservative) administration!
Proposed amendment: That Council instructs officers to commission and publish an urgent independent review of the exact extent of its financial reserves, the adequacy of the reserves to deal with events in the light of any anticipated economic developments, and to provide the necessary buffer to achieve an efficient cash flow.
The Conservative group voted down the amendment.
Cllr. David Green - Phone: 01843 591495
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
"My impression is that (Conservative Cabinet Member) Cllr Wise is betting very heavily on Labour winning the forthcoming general election.
I say this, because the assumptions in the Medium Term Financial Plan are that Thanet’s Formula Grant will be cut by 3% in each year from 2011/12 to 2014/15 and Council Tax rises of 2.5% each year over this period.
Also implied is that all the other generous Labour Government Grants this Council receives, such as Community Cohesion and Working Neighbourhood funding and the £8m of ring fenced grants will all continue.
Unlikely though a Conservative government is, I would have thought that this current administration would have at least conceded the possibility, however remote.
It is clear that the prudent approach to cutting public debt, that underlines the assumptions in our financial plan are not what any potential Conservative Government have in mind.
They have indicated drastic cuts to local government funding, and that these cuts would take effect immediately on them taking office. They also propose a freeze on Council Tax increases for at least three years.
The reason these assumptions in the Financial Plan are so important, and why they, at these difficult times could almost be considered reckless is because, as I warned last year, the Council’s reserves are dangerously low.
The Director of Finance and Corporate Services in her report (page 63) says that it is considered appropriate that the optimum level of general reserves should be 10% of the net revenue budget.
I quote from the report:
“This balance is expected to drop to £1.883M by March 2011. This is JUST 8.16%.”
Last year we were promised action to restore the level of reserves. This has not occurred, and the situation is compounded by the intention to take £1.8m from various earmarked reserves, reducing them from £4.8m to £3.1m.
This is an enormously risky position for the Council to take, especially when entering what are considered to be very difficult economic times.
Chair, Could I give notice of my intention to propose an amendment on this subject after my speech?
Reserves also provide the essential buffer to aid cash flow. We are already seeing signs of cash flow problems, with officers being told not to spend agreed budgets and various grant schemes remaining unspent from year to year.
Each year this administration promises a number of savings in order to balance the budget. Each year, we on this side (Labour) express skepticism, and each year we are proved correct.
This year, only £261k of £741k promised are still considered achievable, and we are offered savings through a new contract with staff, cutting overtime, agency and consultants and cutting staff perks, all measures that we have advocated over many years and have been ignored. As the editor of the Gazette said last week, “why weren’t these things dealt with years ago?”
In conclusion the Council’s budget is still dangerously over-committed.
The failure to deal with the depletion of reserves is irresponsible, considering the predicted economic situation. There is still no sign of this administration gaining control over employee costs. We have a situation where two thirds of the District is starved of funding and where the remaining third shows little benefit for all the money thrown at it.
As the Sun newspaper said recently:
“MARGATE was once Britain’s holiday resort of choice, with crowds packing the beaches for more than two centuries. But today, it is strewn with dilapidated attractions and boarded up shops - presenting a sorry picture postcard view of this ravaged east Kent town. A survey has named Margate the ghost town of Britain with more than a quarter - 27.2 per cent - of its shops shut.
Now, the once majestic seafront is a patchwork of vacant shops and arcades set among the remaining pubs and slot-machine joints.
This after 7 years of this (Conservative) administration!
Proposed amendment: That Council instructs officers to commission and publish an urgent independent review of the exact extent of its financial reserves, the adequacy of the reserves to deal with events in the light of any anticipated economic developments, and to provide the necessary buffer to achieve an efficient cash flow.
The Conservative group voted down the amendment.
Cllr. David Green - Phone: 01843 591495
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
GET INTO COACHING
If you're over 16 and want to get into sports coaching, then a new free course, taking place in Westgate could be for you.
Get Into Coaching has been organised by the Thanet Sports Network, which includes the council's Sport Matters team, Sport England, Kent County Council Sport, Youth Sport Trust and Ursuline College Specialist Sport College.
The course offers free training, support and placement opportunities to people who are interested in coaching, but do not have a relevant qualification. On completion of this training and volunteering, those taking part will be put on to a National Governing Body Level 1 award .
Currently, the sports available on the course are football, cricket, gymnastics, health and fitness, rugby, tennis, athletics, netball and basketball.
The next induction day is on Saturday 6 March, between 9.30am and 4.30pm, at Ursuline College, Westgate.
To book your place, call 07881 917473 or e-mail coach.manager@ursuline.kent.sch.uk
Get Into Coaching has been organised by the Thanet Sports Network, which includes the council's Sport Matters team, Sport England, Kent County Council Sport, Youth Sport Trust and Ursuline College Specialist Sport College.
The course offers free training, support and placement opportunities to people who are interested in coaching, but do not have a relevant qualification. On completion of this training and volunteering, those taking part will be put on to a National Governing Body Level 1 award .
Currently, the sports available on the course are football, cricket, gymnastics, health and fitness, rugby, tennis, athletics, netball and basketball.
The next induction day is on Saturday 6 March, between 9.30am and 4.30pm, at Ursuline College, Westgate.
To book your place, call 07881 917473 or e-mail coach.manager@ursuline.kent.sch.uk
Monday, 22 February 2010
LIMO COMPANY LICENCE SUSPENDED
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A Broadstairs limousine company has had its licence suspended after 15 women were crammed into a limousine only licenced for eight passengers.Chapel Hill Limousines was licenced by the council in July 2009 for 12 months. David Crow (41) from Stone Road, Broadstairs, was granted the operator licence and was also granted a private hire vehicle driver's licence in June 2009, which was valid for 12 months. The licence covered a white Ford Excursion stretch limo to take up to eight passengers.
In January 2010, the council's Licensing Department received a complaint from a member of the public that 15 women had booked two limousines with Chapel Hill to take them on a shopping trip to Harrods in London in December 2009. Only one limousine arrived at the pick-up point.
The driver, Mr. Crow, told them that only one vehicle would be taking them and all 15 were taken to London and back in one vehicle.
There were not sufficient seats or seatbelts in the vehicle, with some of the women having to sit on the floor. In particular, one woman described how four of them sat on the floor in the rear of the vehicle. It was so uncomfortable that they had to stop at Farthing Corner Services on the M2. She moved to the front of the vehicle beside the driver, but again had to sit on the floor because there was no seat.
Booking records were obtained from Chapel Hill Limos and photographs taken of the vehicle. Mr. Crow was interviewed under caution and confirmed that he was the driver and that the booking records were not up-to-date. If the vehicle had been involved in an accident, any insurance covering the vehicle would have been invalid.
As a result, both the operator and driver licences were suspended by the council on 28 January 2010. This was subject to a right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days, which has now expired.
Cllr. John Kirby, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina, said: "This is a case where the council had no choice but to take action. It's no overstatement to say that people's lives were potentially being put at risk here. There can be no excuse for taking passengers in a car where they don't have enough seats or seatbelts. Imagine what could have happened had there been an accident. The consequences are too terrible to consider."
DON’T LOSE YOUR VOTE WHEN YOU MOVE HOUSE
Thanet District Council is warning residents who have moved house that their chance to vote in this year's General Election may have been lost in the move, unless they take action.
"That's because when you change address, you need to re-register with your new details," explains Richard Samuel, Electoral Registration Officer. "Just because you are paying Council Tax at your new address doesn't automatically mean that you will be on the electoral register there, you need to contact us separately. This applies whether you have bought your home or whether are renting."
It only takes a few minutes to re-register. All you need to do is print off a registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and return the completed form to Electoral Services, Thanet District Council, Council Offices, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XZ. The website, by the independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, also has details of different ways of voting in elections. You can also phone Electoral Services on (01843) 577500 for information.
"With a General Election due to take place by June at the latest, I'd encourage everyone entitled to vote to take a few minutes now to make sure they are registered to do so," says Electoral Commission Regional Manager Phillippa Saray.
"A General Election can be called at short notice, so don't wait until the election date has been announced to secure your vote. I'd encourage anyone who has moved house, or who is going to do so soon, to make sure registering to vote is on their list of things to do, along with telling utility suppliers and others of their new address. If you are not registered, you can't vote, it's as simple as that."
You can register to vote as a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. You can also register if you are an EU citizen resident in the UK, as you are eligible to vote in local elections, but not the General Election. British citizens living abroad can also register to vote, as long as they have been on the electoral register at a UK address no more than 15 years ago. There are also special provisions for those serving abroad to vote - for more information, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk Although you cannot vote until you are 18, you can join the electoral register from the age of 16.
"That's because when you change address, you need to re-register with your new details," explains Richard Samuel, Electoral Registration Officer. "Just because you are paying Council Tax at your new address doesn't automatically mean that you will be on the electoral register there, you need to contact us separately. This applies whether you have bought your home or whether are renting."
It only takes a few minutes to re-register. All you need to do is print off a registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and return the completed form to Electoral Services, Thanet District Council, Council Offices, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XZ. The website, by the independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, also has details of different ways of voting in elections. You can also phone Electoral Services on (01843) 577500 for information.
"With a General Election due to take place by June at the latest, I'd encourage everyone entitled to vote to take a few minutes now to make sure they are registered to do so," says Electoral Commission Regional Manager Phillippa Saray.
"A General Election can be called at short notice, so don't wait until the election date has been announced to secure your vote. I'd encourage anyone who has moved house, or who is going to do so soon, to make sure registering to vote is on their list of things to do, along with telling utility suppliers and others of their new address. If you are not registered, you can't vote, it's as simple as that."
You can register to vote as a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. You can also register if you are an EU citizen resident in the UK, as you are eligible to vote in local elections, but not the General Election. British citizens living abroad can also register to vote, as long as they have been on the electoral register at a UK address no more than 15 years ago. There are also special provisions for those serving abroad to vote - for more information, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk Although you cannot vote until you are 18, you can join the electoral register from the age of 16.
Saturday, 20 February 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
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0054
PILGRIMS HOSPICE RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT94AD
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0086
19-21 MARINE TERRACE MARGATE CT91XJ
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0096
LARKSFIELD WAY HILL MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124HU
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0100
125A NORTH DOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2QY
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0121
6 NORTH FORELAND ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103NJ
current
16 Feb 2010
A/TH/10/0078
UNIT 5, 33 OZENGELL PLACE, EUROKENT BUSINESS PARK, RAMSGATE, CT12 6PB
current
16 Feb 2010
C/TH/10/0122
VEG (UK) LTD THE STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70NP
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0019
88/90 RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE KENT CT9 5RY
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0053
38 QUEENS GATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT117RG
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0071
7-9 PARK LANE BIRCHINGTON CT70AN
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0079
1 BOUNDARY ROAD RAMSGATE CT117NA
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0093
CLIFF COTTAGE HERSCHELL ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79JU
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0103
VEG (UK) LTD THE STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70NP
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0108
THE PACK HOUSE WANTSUM WAY ST NICHOLAS AT WADE CT70NE
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0111
36 GROVE ROAD RAMSGATE CT119SH
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0114
47 PRINCES GARDENS MARGATE CT93AS
current
16 Feb 2010
L/TH/09/0120
CECIL SQUARE 13 MARGATE CT91BL
decided
16 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0123
MINSTER ABBEY, CHURCH STREET, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4BX
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0066
38-40 HIGH STREET, MARGATE
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0070
22 BARRINGTON CRESCENT BIRCHINGTON CT79DF
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0073
30 MILLFIELD ROAD RAMSGATE CT126QW
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0104
1 KING EDWARD AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT101PH
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0112
89 HIGH STREET GARLINGE MARGATE CT95LX
current
15 Feb 2010
OL/TH/09/0776
30 CONVENT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103BE
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0054
PILGRIMS HOSPICE RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT94AD
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0086
19-21 MARINE TERRACE MARGATE CT91XJ
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0096
LARKSFIELD WAY HILL MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124HU
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0100
125A NORTH DOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2QY
current
18 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0121
6 NORTH FORELAND ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103NJ
current
16 Feb 2010
A/TH/10/0078
UNIT 5, 33 OZENGELL PLACE, EUROKENT BUSINESS PARK, RAMSGATE, CT12 6PB
current
16 Feb 2010
C/TH/10/0122
VEG (UK) LTD THE STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70NP
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0019
88/90 RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE KENT CT9 5RY
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0053
38 QUEENS GATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT117RG
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0071
7-9 PARK LANE BIRCHINGTON CT70AN
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0079
1 BOUNDARY ROAD RAMSGATE CT117NA
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0093
CLIFF COTTAGE HERSCHELL ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79JU
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0103
VEG (UK) LTD THE STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70NP
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0108
THE PACK HOUSE WANTSUM WAY ST NICHOLAS AT WADE CT70NE
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0111
36 GROVE ROAD RAMSGATE CT119SH
current
16 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0114
47 PRINCES GARDENS MARGATE CT93AS
current
16 Feb 2010
L/TH/09/0120
CECIL SQUARE 13 MARGATE CT91BL
decided
16 Feb 2010
L/TH/10/0123
MINSTER ABBEY, CHURCH STREET, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4BX
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0066
38-40 HIGH STREET, MARGATE
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0070
22 BARRINGTON CRESCENT BIRCHINGTON CT79DF
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0073
30 MILLFIELD ROAD RAMSGATE CT126QW
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0104
1 KING EDWARD AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT101PH
current
15 Feb 2010
F/TH/10/0112
89 HIGH STREET GARLINGE MARGATE CT95LX
current
15 Feb 2010
OL/TH/09/0776
30 CONVENT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103BE
current
"A Future Fare for All" - and we shall all be paying it for years to come!
North Thanet's veteran Tory MP Roger Gale has this (Saturday) morning derided the Labour Party's new campaign slogan launch as mis-spelt!
Speaking at a meeting in Margate the MP said:
"It ought to read ` A future Fare for All` because that would be more honest. The "fare" for Labour`s failure is going to be paid by my constituents and their children and their grandchildren for years to come and I regard this gimmick as a spectacular own-goal.
It is not remotely surprising that the Prime Minister is now trying to air-brush his record out of the picture and to try to campaign upon some blue-sky dewy-eyed future instead of his record: I cannot imagine any politician of any party wanting to campaign to seek re-election on Gordon Brown`s performance as either Chancellor or as Prime Minister.
Unfortunately for him, however, public memories are neither as short or as pliable as his advisers appear to think. He is in a hole and today he is taking another massive shovelful downwards.
Like South Eastern Railways and the Secretary of State for Transport, under Labour, fares keep going up - and Brown's "fair" is no fun for those paying the bill"
Speaking at a meeting in Margate the MP said:
"It ought to read ` A future Fare for All` because that would be more honest. The "fare" for Labour`s failure is going to be paid by my constituents and their children and their grandchildren for years to come and I regard this gimmick as a spectacular own-goal.
It is not remotely surprising that the Prime Minister is now trying to air-brush his record out of the picture and to try to campaign upon some blue-sky dewy-eyed future instead of his record: I cannot imagine any politician of any party wanting to campaign to seek re-election on Gordon Brown`s performance as either Chancellor or as Prime Minister.
Unfortunately for him, however, public memories are neither as short or as pliable as his advisers appear to think. He is in a hole and today he is taking another massive shovelful downwards.
Like South Eastern Railways and the Secretary of State for Transport, under Labour, fares keep going up - and Brown's "fair" is no fun for those paying the bill"
SHARED GAMBLE
Having lost effective control of several key services at TDC, the Conservative administration has now launched the authority into the unknown following Thursday's full council meeting held to discuss shared services across East Kent. Decisions were made that could see TDC tied in to long, expensive and binding agreements with it's neighbouring authorities with no clear financial savings yet established, but substantial financial penalties should the ventures prove to be failures.
For the past week or so council members have been bombarded with a relentless series of hefty documents, one arriving at their homes by last minute post on the day of the meeting and yet another on their respective benches as they walked into the chamber for the debate, and no time allowed for members to read it properly.
Throughout the debates on council housing, waste collection and support services, Labour members warned of concerns that matters were being rushed and decisions being made without fully considering the long term effects and costs the changes will make for ratepayers in the future.
Labour members also voiced serious concerns regarding the loss of local democratic control of services, especially as major decisions could now often be made by just a small number of council Chief. Executives with the district's council leaders. That would mean no political balance on key matters and leave all the other elected councillors in several districts with little or no say over services which residents had elected them to control.
Jobs could also be lost to Thanet, as due to our geographical position any centralising of management would be unlikely to be based here.
Several common-sense amendments were put forward by the Labour group that met with strong resistance from the Conservatives, but in the end the Labour's crucial claim to review the results of the consultation process with tenants and leaseholders on housing changes with a final chance to ballot residents was finally accepted.
Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said "decisions were made on Thursday evening that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
For the past week or so council members have been bombarded with a relentless series of hefty documents, one arriving at their homes by last minute post on the day of the meeting and yet another on their respective benches as they walked into the chamber for the debate, and no time allowed for members to read it properly.
Throughout the debates on council housing, waste collection and support services, Labour members warned of concerns that matters were being rushed and decisions being made without fully considering the long term effects and costs the changes will make for ratepayers in the future.
Labour members also voiced serious concerns regarding the loss of local democratic control of services, especially as major decisions could now often be made by just a small number of council Chief. Executives with the district's council leaders. That would mean no political balance on key matters and leave all the other elected councillors in several districts with little or no say over services which residents had elected them to control.
Jobs could also be lost to Thanet, as due to our geographical position any centralising of management would be unlikely to be based here.
Several common-sense amendments were put forward by the Labour group that met with strong resistance from the Conservatives, but in the end the Labour's crucial claim to review the results of the consultation process with tenants and leaseholders on housing changes with a final chance to ballot residents was finally accepted.
Labour Group Leader Cllr Clive Hart said "decisions were made on Thursday evening that will significantly change the shape of local government here in Thanet. They were made hurriedly and without proper consideration of the long-term consequences. The current Conservative administration obviously wants rid of these services which it is finding increasingly difficult to manage. To cover this Conservative leadership's abject failures, the residents of Thanet could be left with the worst of all worlds - distantly managed and expensive services over which they have little or no control".
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.
Friday, 19 February 2010
CLEAN SWEEP TARGETS BIRCHINGTON AND WESTGATE
Fire safety concerns and problems with cleanliness in restaurants are just some of the issues that have been uncovered in the latest Operation Clean Sweep in Birchington and Westgate.
The operation is led by Thanet District Council, with help from Kent Police, the UK Border Agency and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The teams have spent the last two days (Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February) inspecting properties in the two areas and checking to see if people have any problems that the teams can help with.
A property in Station Road, that had been operating as an unregulated House in Multiple Occupation, was closed down by the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, because it had inadequate means of escape. The council's Environmental Health team also spoke to the owners about a blocked drain at the property. If it re-opens at any point, then further action may also be taken by the council's housing team.
A restaurant in Westgate has now been told to clean up its act and undergo a thorough cleaning, after dirty washing was found in the food preparation area. Officers from the council will be returning to the premises to ensure that this is done. Two food premises, one in Birchington and one in Westgate, were not regulated by the council's food safety team. A store in Westgate voluntarily threw away nine items of food, as they had been stacked above the freezer line. Checks were also carried out to ensure that businesses had trade waste licences. Of 15 properties checked in Canterbury Road, Westbrook, only three had a licence.
After shopkeepers in Canterbury Road highlighted a problem with dumped rubbish behind their shops, Pipeline moved in the following day to clear up the rubbish. They also tackled dumped rubbish in Linksfield Road in Westgate. Council officers are also investigating a large amount of rubbish found at the Square in Birchington, which may lead to further action.
From talking to people, a number of concerns were raised about anti-social behaviour, with details given out of local PCSOs and wardens that people can discuss these problems with.
Planning concerns were raised about a room in the loft of a property in the Square, while the UK Border Agency arrested one person on suspicion of them being an illegal immigrant and collected intelligence for further investigations.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "The latest Clean Sweep has had a great response from everyone that our officers have spoken to in both Birchington and Westgate. There have been so many positive comments from people and everyone's been really pleased to see them. It's clear that Clean Sweep is really well thought of by both local residents and shop keepers. The message that we've been getting out to people is that if you do have any issues, please talk to us about them, so that we can take action for you."
The operation is led by Thanet District Council, with help from Kent Police, the UK Border Agency and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The teams have spent the last two days (Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February) inspecting properties in the two areas and checking to see if people have any problems that the teams can help with.
A property in Station Road, that had been operating as an unregulated House in Multiple Occupation, was closed down by the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, because it had inadequate means of escape. The council's Environmental Health team also spoke to the owners about a blocked drain at the property. If it re-opens at any point, then further action may also be taken by the council's housing team.
A restaurant in Westgate has now been told to clean up its act and undergo a thorough cleaning, after dirty washing was found in the food preparation area. Officers from the council will be returning to the premises to ensure that this is done. Two food premises, one in Birchington and one in Westgate, were not regulated by the council's food safety team. A store in Westgate voluntarily threw away nine items of food, as they had been stacked above the freezer line. Checks were also carried out to ensure that businesses had trade waste licences. Of 15 properties checked in Canterbury Road, Westbrook, only three had a licence.
After shopkeepers in Canterbury Road highlighted a problem with dumped rubbish behind their shops, Pipeline moved in the following day to clear up the rubbish. They also tackled dumped rubbish in Linksfield Road in Westgate. Council officers are also investigating a large amount of rubbish found at the Square in Birchington, which may lead to further action.
From talking to people, a number of concerns were raised about anti-social behaviour, with details given out of local PCSOs and wardens that people can discuss these problems with.
Planning concerns were raised about a room in the loft of a property in the Square, while the UK Border Agency arrested one person on suspicion of them being an illegal immigrant and collected intelligence for further investigations.
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "The latest Clean Sweep has had a great response from everyone that our officers have spoken to in both Birchington and Westgate. There have been so many positive comments from people and everyone's been really pleased to see them. It's clear that Clean Sweep is really well thought of by both local residents and shop keepers. The message that we've been getting out to people is that if you do have any issues, please talk to us about them, so that we can take action for you."
EAST KENT JOINT WORKING REACHES NEW MILESTONE
Proposals to share services with other councils in East Kent have been approved at an extraordinary meeting of full Council.
The proposals aim to provide more cost effective services across East Kent and make the best possible use of the individual councils' resources and staff expertise. Members at last night's (Thursday 18 February) full Council meeting looked at three different plans in total.
The first proposal to be debated was to share a number of different services with Canterbury and Dover councils, including IT, building control, revenues and benefits and customer services, both face to face and telephone services. Initial proposals suggested that a business case would have to be agreed showing at least a 10% saving across the three councils in the first two years, before any service goes into the project. Members agreed instead that a level should be achieved of at least 10% savings within Thanet, with no reduction in service, if possible. Each council will still have the final decision on which services go forward into this scheme.
The second project discussed was an East Kent Shared Housing Service. This scheme proposes that Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet councils jointly manage council housing in East Kent. It aims to bring improvements for tenants and leaseholders, with savings then being re-invested into the service across the area.
This saw lengthy discussion of how tenants should be consulted over this issue, following a recommendation from the council's Overview and Scrutiny Panel that a ballot should be held of tenants and leaseholders in Thanet. It was finally agreed that the question of whether to hold a ballot or not would not now be looked at again by full Council until the outcome of the consultation with tenants is known.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "It's vital that we properly consult with tenants and leaseholders about these proposals and they have the opportunity to voice any views that they have about the plans. I think it's encouraging that we were all able to agree on the importance of a detailed consultation with the tenants, before any further consideration is given to a ballot. I think we can all agree that we need to ensure tenants' and leaseholders' voices are clearly heard and their views are taken into account before any decisions are made."
The final subject discussed was the East Kent Joint Waste Project, which will see Thanet joining with Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Kent County Council to introduce common collection arrangements for waste and recycling in all four districts over the next four years.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Like everyone else, we're in a tough financial position right now, due to the impact of the recession and the pressure on public spending, with the likelihood of serious cuts in our funding over the next few years. That means massive pressure to make savings. At the moment, we're estimating we need to save more than £6 million in the next five years. Doing that, while preserving the level of services that we currently provide is not going to be easy. We need to look at options that maintain our services to local residents at an acceptable level and the best way we can see of doing that is by sharing our services with neighbouring councils."
The proposals aim to provide more cost effective services across East Kent and make the best possible use of the individual councils' resources and staff expertise. Members at last night's (Thursday 18 February) full Council meeting looked at three different plans in total.
The first proposal to be debated was to share a number of different services with Canterbury and Dover councils, including IT, building control, revenues and benefits and customer services, both face to face and telephone services. Initial proposals suggested that a business case would have to be agreed showing at least a 10% saving across the three councils in the first two years, before any service goes into the project. Members agreed instead that a level should be achieved of at least 10% savings within Thanet, with no reduction in service, if possible. Each council will still have the final decision on which services go forward into this scheme.
The second project discussed was an East Kent Shared Housing Service. This scheme proposes that Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet councils jointly manage council housing in East Kent. It aims to bring improvements for tenants and leaseholders, with savings then being re-invested into the service across the area.
This saw lengthy discussion of how tenants should be consulted over this issue, following a recommendation from the council's Overview and Scrutiny Panel that a ballot should be held of tenants and leaseholders in Thanet. It was finally agreed that the question of whether to hold a ballot or not would not now be looked at again by full Council until the outcome of the consultation with tenants is known.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "It's vital that we properly consult with tenants and leaseholders about these proposals and they have the opportunity to voice any views that they have about the plans. I think it's encouraging that we were all able to agree on the importance of a detailed consultation with the tenants, before any further consideration is given to a ballot. I think we can all agree that we need to ensure tenants' and leaseholders' voices are clearly heard and their views are taken into account before any decisions are made."
The final subject discussed was the East Kent Joint Waste Project, which will see Thanet joining with Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Kent County Council to introduce common collection arrangements for waste and recycling in all four districts over the next four years.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "Like everyone else, we're in a tough financial position right now, due to the impact of the recession and the pressure on public spending, with the likelihood of serious cuts in our funding over the next few years. That means massive pressure to make savings. At the moment, we're estimating we need to save more than £6 million in the next five years. Doing that, while preserving the level of services that we currently provide is not going to be easy. We need to look at options that maintain our services to local residents at an acceptable level and the best way we can see of doing that is by sharing our services with neighbouring councils."
Thursday, 18 February 2010
New documents published by Thanet District Council,
18/02/2010 - Meeting scheduled: Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - SEERA Ltd : SEERA Ltd: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 17 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
17/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Draft Budget Paper and Consultation Process : Draft Budget Paper and Consultation Process: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Cabinet response to Overview and Scrutiny Panel recommendations : Cabinet response to Overview and Scrutiny Panel recommendations: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
16/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
15/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 23 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
15/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 5:00PM, Asset Management Working Group
12/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - 2010-11 Budget and Medium Term financial Plan 2010-15 : 2010-11 Budget and Medium Term financial Plan 2010-15: Meeting of Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 March 2010 to 1 September 2010; Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Feb 9 2010 3:00PM, Local Development Cabinet Advisory Group
11/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
11/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - LANDLORD SERVICES JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS – CONSULTING TENANTS : LANDLORD SERVICES JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS – CONSULTING TENANTS: Meeting of Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
09/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 9 2010 3:00PM, Local Development Cabinet Advisory Group
09/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RECOMMENDATIONS TO CABINET – SHARED SERVICES VEHICLE, HOUSING LANDLORD SERVICES AND WASTE AND RECYCLING : OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RECOMMENDATIONS TO CABINET – SHARED SERVICES VEHICLE, HOUSING LANDLORD SERVICES AND WASTE AND RECYCLING: Meeting of Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
09/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 3:00PM, Corporate Improvement & Budget Working Party
08/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Supplement Agenda : Supplement Agenda: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
08/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 17 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
08/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
18/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - SEERA Ltd : SEERA Ltd: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 17 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
17/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Draft Budget Paper and Consultation Process : Draft Budget Paper and Consultation Process: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 25 2010 7:00PM, Council
17/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Cabinet response to Overview and Scrutiny Panel recommendations : Cabinet response to Overview and Scrutiny Panel recommendations: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
16/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
15/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 23 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
15/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 5:00PM, Asset Management Working Group
12/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - 2010-11 Budget and Medium Term financial Plan 2010-15 : 2010-11 Budget and Medium Term financial Plan 2010-15: Meeting of Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 March 2010 to 1 September 2010; Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 16 2010 5:30PM, Cabinet
12/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Feb 9 2010 3:00PM, Local Development Cabinet Advisory Group
11/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
11/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - LANDLORD SERVICES JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS – CONSULTING TENANTS : LANDLORD SERVICES JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS – CONSULTING TENANTS: Meeting of Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
09/02/2010 - Meeting held: Feb 9 2010 3:00PM, Local Development Cabinet Advisory Group
09/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RECOMMENDATIONS TO CABINET – SHARED SERVICES VEHICLE, HOUSING LANDLORD SERVICES AND WASTE AND RECYCLING : OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RECOMMENDATIONS TO CABINET – SHARED SERVICES VEHICLE, HOUSING LANDLORD SERVICES AND WASTE AND RECYCLING: Meeting of Feb 11 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
09/02/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 3:00PM, Corporate Improvement & Budget Working Party
08/02/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Supplement Agenda : Supplement Agenda: Meeting of Jan 26 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
08/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 17 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
08/02/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Feb 18 2010 7:00PM, Council
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUAD BIKE RACING FOR MARGATE
National championship quad bike racing comes to Margate Main Sands for the first time next month (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March).
Although the QRA Margate Beach Cross event is now into its fifth year, it's the first time that it has hosted rounds one and two of the new QRA UK Beach Cross Championship. This new six round championship, being held over three weekends at different beaches across the UK will expand into Europe in 2011, with the Margate event being the starting point each year.
Drawing in thousands of spectators, this free event will see two full days of racing by solo motorcross bikes, adult and youth quad bikes competing in a minimum of ten races, with action getting underway on both days at 9.30am.
More than 50 quad bike racers will be taking part in the event, including the reigning King of Margate and ten times ACU British Quad Champion Paul Winrow, who will be looking to retain his title. He will be making his debut riding for Austrian KTM Factory team. He is likely to be pushed all the way by French sand specialist Jérome Bricheux, who is crossing the channel once again, along with a number of fellow European competitors.
More than 40 solo motorcross riders are expected to take part in the action, with Paul Winrow amongst them. In addition to the adult classes, the 200/250cc Youth Quads join the event once again, after the success of their first steps on Margate Main Sands last year. Harry Miller and team mate Jak Griffiths of Jaks Quads will be out in the sand, looking to lift the youth title, being chased all the way by many other budding future stars of the sport.
There will be three races per class each day, along with practice and Quad Qualifier races on Saturday morning. In addition to the three races in each class on the Sunday, there will also be the Dash for Cash finals in the Adult Quads and Solo, bringing an exciting conclusion to the weekend.
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "The quad bikes always make for a thrilling weekend of entertainment, with lots of exciting races over the two days. They always draw the crowds and now there's an additional reason to come along and see them in action, as they compete in the national championship. We're delighted that Margate is the starting point for that and I'm sure people will turn out to support the competitors in their first two races for that UK crown."
The event will be supported by a fairground and local market. To find out more, visit www.margatebeachcross.com
Although the QRA Margate Beach Cross event is now into its fifth year, it's the first time that it has hosted rounds one and two of the new QRA UK Beach Cross Championship. This new six round championship, being held over three weekends at different beaches across the UK will expand into Europe in 2011, with the Margate event being the starting point each year.
Drawing in thousands of spectators, this free event will see two full days of racing by solo motorcross bikes, adult and youth quad bikes competing in a minimum of ten races, with action getting underway on both days at 9.30am.
More than 50 quad bike racers will be taking part in the event, including the reigning King of Margate and ten times ACU British Quad Champion Paul Winrow, who will be looking to retain his title. He will be making his debut riding for Austrian KTM Factory team. He is likely to be pushed all the way by French sand specialist Jérome Bricheux, who is crossing the channel once again, along with a number of fellow European competitors.
More than 40 solo motorcross riders are expected to take part in the action, with Paul Winrow amongst them. In addition to the adult classes, the 200/250cc Youth Quads join the event once again, after the success of their first steps on Margate Main Sands last year. Harry Miller and team mate Jak Griffiths of Jaks Quads will be out in the sand, looking to lift the youth title, being chased all the way by many other budding future stars of the sport.
There will be three races per class each day, along with practice and Quad Qualifier races on Saturday morning. In addition to the three races in each class on the Sunday, there will also be the Dash for Cash finals in the Adult Quads and Solo, bringing an exciting conclusion to the weekend.
Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "The quad bikes always make for a thrilling weekend of entertainment, with lots of exciting races over the two days. They always draw the crowds and now there's an additional reason to come along and see them in action, as they compete in the national championship. We're delighted that Margate is the starting point for that and I'm sure people will turn out to support the competitors in their first two races for that UK crown."
The event will be supported by a fairground and local market. To find out more, visit www.margatebeachcross.com
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