14/10/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 17 2009 5:00PM, Airport Working Party
14/10/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Oct 19 2009 2:00PM, East Kent Joint Scrutiny Committee
12/10/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 15 2009 10:00AM, Licensing Board
12/10/2009 - Agenda supplement published - Supplementary Agenda : Supplementary Agenda: Meeting of Oct 15 2009 7:00PM, Council
12/10/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Oct 20 2009 10:00AM, Licensing Board
12/10/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Oct 21 2009 7:00PM, Planning Committee
08/10/2009 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 9 2009 3:00PM, Corporate Improvement & Budget Working Party
21/10/2009 - Meeting scheduled: Oct 21 2009 7:00PM, Planning Committee
19/10/2009 - Library item published: Constitution - May 2009 - HTML
19/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 19 2009 2:00PM, East Kent Joint Scrutiny Committee
16/10/2009 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 November 2009 to 1 May 2010
15/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 15 2009 7:00PM, Council
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
It’s time for local MP to wear it pink and help beat breast cancer
South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman is joining forces with Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of its award winning fundraising event, wear it pink, on Friday 30 October 2009.Steve and the Breast Cancer Campaign are urging residents young and old to get their pink outfits on in support of the event – ‘It’s time to wear it pink; it’s time to beat breast cancer’. Schools, colleges and businesses throughout the country are encouraged to wear it pink in support of Campaign and donate £2 each to fund innovative world-class breast cancer research.
Last year over one and a half million people took part in wear it pink to help improve survival rates for the one in nine women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime. This recession busting fundraiser is affordable and easy to take part in, giving everyone the chance to help make a difference.
Steve said, ‘Every year over 45,500 women and 300 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer and, like many others, I know people who have lost friends and family members the disease. I would like to encourage everyone in South Thanet and throughout the country to support wear it pink on October 30, to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research.’
To take part in the UK’s original and best pink day. Call freephone 0800 107 3104 or visit http://www.blogger.com/Jclift/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/cburke/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/pol/New/Local%20Settings/shaindl.BCCNET/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet and register to receive your free fundraising pack now.
Ends
Notes to editors
· Breast Cancer Campaign urges women to be breast aware this Breast Cancer Awareness Month and continue throughout the year as early detection can save lives
· Follow the five-point code: know what is normal for you, look and feel, know what changes to look for, report any changes without delay and attend a breast screening if aged 50 or over. Women over 70 should contact their GP for a referral
· Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure
· The charity currently funds 106 projects worth almost £15 million in 42 locations across the UK and Ireland
Dr Stephen Ladyman MP celebrates 3291 homes made warmer in South Thanet
Dr Stephen Ladyman MP is celebrating the work of the Warm Front Scheme in tackling fuel poverty in South Thanet and is urging more local residents to come forward and get help with measures that could cut their energy bills by anything up to £600 a year.
Dr Stephen Ladyman MP said: “Solutions which tackle climate change are vital, but they must also address social issues such as fuel poverty at the same time.
“The Warm Front scheme aims to help people with energy efficiency and is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden.”
Warm Front works by providing contributions of up to £2,700 towards insulation and gas heating measures and £4,000 for oil for the elderly, disabled and low income families.
Green support services company eaga reported that during the period 1 June 2000 to 30 November 2008, there have been record take up figures with 3291 households in South Thanet having benefited from the scheme.
These households benefited from a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.
To date £2,904,424.89 has been invested by Warm Front in the South Thanet. Many of those who have benefited from the Scheme are reporting average households savings of anything between £300 and £600 a year.
Rising fuel prices and the need to protect the environment from dangerous CO2 levels are making the work of Warm Front Scheme increasingly important.
As well as benefiting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date 119 homes in the South Thanet constituency have increased their average weekly income by £ 24.78.
To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. To find out more about the Scheme and see if they qualify Dr Stephen Ladyman MP is urging households to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.
Ends
Note to editors
1. eaga plc is a green support services and outsourcing company. It is also the UK’s largest residential energy efficiency provider.
1. eaga was established in Newcastle in 1990 and operates across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, India and Canada. It employs over 4,500 people.
2. eaga works in partnership with central and local Government, all six major energy suppliers, local authorities, social housing providers and is increasing its share of the able-to-pay private market.
3. Since its inception, eaga has made a positive difference to over 5 million disadvantaged households across the UK, by installing energy efficiency insulation and central heating.
4. eaga holds the contract to deliver the £1.5 billion Warm Front programme in England, the cornerstone of the government's target to eliminate fuel poverty.
5. eaga is committed to co-ownership and is one of only a handful of UK organisations where every employee with over a year’s service is entitled to a share in the success of the business.
6. Since 2000, eaga has invested over £3 million in the independent eaga Partnership Charitable Trust which funds research into solutions to fuel poverty.
: ELECTION FINALLY CALLED
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DANE VALLEY BY-ELECTION - THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL
Following Labour Group Leader Cllr. Clive Hart's call for an official investigation into Conservative 'Panama Man' Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst (letter handed to Chairman at last Thursday's council meeting - see below), Thanet District Council have now finally advertised the vacancy for a council member in Dane Valley Ward (today 19th October). This is just a few days before Cllr. Broadhurst could have been sacked for not attending any TDC meetings for a period of six months.
Please therefore find attached a copy of a letter from Mr John Edwards of 14 Upper Dane Road in Dane Valley ward officially calling the election. Mr Edwards is extremely angry about the poor representation Dane Valley has received for the past 2 years and is happy to be contacted on 01843 291750 (to discuss).
Please also find below a copy of the letter Cllr. Clive Hart (Labour Group Leader) calling for an investigation into Cllr. Broadhurst's behaviour.
Cllr. Clive Hart
28 Clarence Avenue, Cliftonville,
Margate, Kent. CT9 3DP
Leader of the Opposition - TDC
15/10/2009
Dear Cllr. Sheldrick
Since the local elections in 2007 the council has been ridiculed in the press and on the internet because of the behaviour of Conservative councillor Stephen Broadhurst who has apparently spent a great deal of time on the other side of the world in Panama.
On 30th July, at a one-to-one meeting with Cllr. Ezekiel shortly before the TDC Leader left for his summer holidays, I asked him exactly what he was going to do about Cllr. Broadhurst, his apparent lack of availability for the residents of Dane Valley Ward and the excessive time he spends in Panama? Cllr. Ezekiel responded with the words "if and when it should become a problem, I'll ask him for his resignation".
On the morning of the 27th August, in a written communication I then formally called on Conservative Deputy Leader - Roger Latchford - to take the action that Cllr. Ezekiel appeared extremely hesitant to take himself and call for the resignation of his Conservative colleague - Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst.
On the afternoon of 27th August, Cllr. Latchford phoned me to inform me that Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst would now be resigning his post at long last. Cllr. Latchford's actual words were "the resignation letter may take a little time; it's got to come by snail mail from Panama".
On the 4th September, the TDC Chief Executive confirmed in writing to Council Members that he had received a letter of resignation from Cllr. Broadhurst and that it would be effective from the 30th September.
On the morning of the 2nd October I contacted TDC to ask why Cllr. Broadhurst's resignation of 30th September was not on display at the TDC offices.
On the afternoon of the 2nd October Councillor Broadhurst's resignation letter was announced ineffective by TDC.
I was later informed that Cllr. Broadhurst has since supplied his resignation yet again (that is - since the 2nd October) but that it was this time dated for a day, well after tonight’s council meeting.
With the current feeling in the country as a whole regarding MP’s and their expenses, I therefore write to demand a full enquiry into Councillor Stephen Broadhurst, his actual home/residence during his years as a councillor at TDC and up to what point his allowance will or is being paid by TDC.
To restore any kind of confidence in TDC it is essential that these facts are made public ASAP!
Regards
Cllr. Clive Hart
(Leader of the Opposition).
Tel. 01843 298770
Mob. 07980 652 896
DANE VALLEY BY-ELECTION - THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL
Following Labour Group Leader Cllr. Clive Hart's call for an official investigation into Conservative 'Panama Man' Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst (letter handed to Chairman at last Thursday's council meeting - see below), Thanet District Council have now finally advertised the vacancy for a council member in Dane Valley Ward (today 19th October). This is just a few days before Cllr. Broadhurst could have been sacked for not attending any TDC meetings for a period of six months.
Please therefore find attached a copy of a letter from Mr John Edwards of 14 Upper Dane Road in Dane Valley ward officially calling the election. Mr Edwards is extremely angry about the poor representation Dane Valley has received for the past 2 years and is happy to be contacted on 01843 291750 (to discuss).
Please also find below a copy of the letter Cllr. Clive Hart (Labour Group Leader) calling for an investigation into Cllr. Broadhurst's behaviour.
Cllr. Clive Hart
28 Clarence Avenue, Cliftonville,
Margate, Kent. CT9 3DP
Leader of the Opposition - TDC
15/10/2009
Dear Cllr. Sheldrick
Since the local elections in 2007 the council has been ridiculed in the press and on the internet because of the behaviour of Conservative councillor Stephen Broadhurst who has apparently spent a great deal of time on the other side of the world in Panama.
On 30th July, at a one-to-one meeting with Cllr. Ezekiel shortly before the TDC Leader left for his summer holidays, I asked him exactly what he was going to do about Cllr. Broadhurst, his apparent lack of availability for the residents of Dane Valley Ward and the excessive time he spends in Panama? Cllr. Ezekiel responded with the words "if and when it should become a problem, I'll ask him for his resignation".
On the morning of the 27th August, in a written communication I then formally called on Conservative Deputy Leader - Roger Latchford - to take the action that Cllr. Ezekiel appeared extremely hesitant to take himself and call for the resignation of his Conservative colleague - Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst.
On the afternoon of 27th August, Cllr. Latchford phoned me to inform me that Cllr. Stephen Broadhurst would now be resigning his post at long last. Cllr. Latchford's actual words were "the resignation letter may take a little time; it's got to come by snail mail from Panama".
On the 4th September, the TDC Chief Executive confirmed in writing to Council Members that he had received a letter of resignation from Cllr. Broadhurst and that it would be effective from the 30th September.
On the morning of the 2nd October I contacted TDC to ask why Cllr. Broadhurst's resignation of 30th September was not on display at the TDC offices.
On the afternoon of the 2nd October Councillor Broadhurst's resignation letter was announced ineffective by TDC.
I was later informed that Cllr. Broadhurst has since supplied his resignation yet again (that is - since the 2nd October) but that it was this time dated for a day, well after tonight’s council meeting.
With the current feeling in the country as a whole regarding MP’s and their expenses, I therefore write to demand a full enquiry into Councillor Stephen Broadhurst, his actual home/residence during his years as a councillor at TDC and up to what point his allowance will or is being paid by TDC.
To restore any kind of confidence in TDC it is essential that these facts are made public ASAP!
Regards
Cllr. Clive Hart
(Leader of the Opposition).
Tel. 01843 298770
Mob. 07980 652 896
NOT IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEK
Local people can find out more about what’s being done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in their part of Thanet, as part of Not In My Neighbourhood week.
The Home Office led initiative takes place from Monday 2 – Friday 6 November and aims to increase public confidence in the work being done by the police and local organisations, such as the council, to make communities safer.
In Thanet, this work is coordinated by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of a range of organisations, all of whom work to make Thanet a safer place to live, work and visit.
During Not In My Neighbourhood Week, the partnership will be visiting local communities. On Monday 2 November, they will be in Cecil Square, Margate, with a visit to Cliftonville, by Tesco in Northdown Road, on Tuesday 3 November. On Wednesday 4 November, the bus will be in Birchington, in the bays closest to the supermarket, and on Friday 6 November, it will be in Ramsgate High Street. On each of these days, it will be in the locations between 10am and 4pm.
On Thursday 5 November, the bus will be in both Westwood Cross, in the car park, between 10am and 12pm, followed by Broadstairs, in the bays closest to Iceland, between 12.30pm and 4pm.
People can come and speak to local police and community safety officers, Connexions workers and many more agencies, and can even take part in the Safer Thanet survey. They will also be asked to give their top three likes and dislikes on the “Not In My Neighbourhood” and “Like In My Neighbourhood” walls.
Lacy Dixon, Community Safety Coordinator, said: “We’re already doing a huge amount of work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in different neighbourhoods across Thanet and this is your opportunity to come along and find out more about that work. It’s also your chance to tell us what’s good in your local area and what’s a problem for you. The people who can take action to deal with these problems will be taking part in Not In My Neighbourhood Week, so your issues will be listened to and action will be taken.”
The Home Office led initiative takes place from Monday 2 – Friday 6 November and aims to increase public confidence in the work being done by the police and local organisations, such as the council, to make communities safer.
In Thanet, this work is coordinated by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of a range of organisations, all of whom work to make Thanet a safer place to live, work and visit.
During Not In My Neighbourhood Week, the partnership will be visiting local communities. On Monday 2 November, they will be in Cecil Square, Margate, with a visit to Cliftonville, by Tesco in Northdown Road, on Tuesday 3 November. On Wednesday 4 November, the bus will be in Birchington, in the bays closest to the supermarket, and on Friday 6 November, it will be in Ramsgate High Street. On each of these days, it will be in the locations between 10am and 4pm.
On Thursday 5 November, the bus will be in both Westwood Cross, in the car park, between 10am and 12pm, followed by Broadstairs, in the bays closest to Iceland, between 12.30pm and 4pm.
People can come and speak to local police and community safety officers, Connexions workers and many more agencies, and can even take part in the Safer Thanet survey. They will also be asked to give their top three likes and dislikes on the “Not In My Neighbourhood” and “Like In My Neighbourhood” walls.
Lacy Dixon, Community Safety Coordinator, said: “We’re already doing a huge amount of work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in different neighbourhoods across Thanet and this is your opportunity to come along and find out more about that work. It’s also your chance to tell us what’s good in your local area and what’s a problem for you. The people who can take action to deal with these problems will be taking part in Not In My Neighbourhood Week, so your issues will be listened to and action will be taken.”
NEWS RELEASE
Thanet Council has helped save its first family in Broadstairs from having their home repossessed using a new government Mortgage Rescue scheme, which was introduced earlier this year. This is only the fourth time this scheme has been used in Kent.
The scheme has two elements, shared equity, which is designed to help householders who have seen their income dramatically change and need help in paying their mortgage, and government mortgage to rent. This aims to help those on low incomes with little chance of sustaining a mortgage.
In both cases, a Registered Social Landlord (Housing Association) is used, either to provide an equity loan to allow mortgage repayments to be reduced or to purchase the property, with a rent then paid at a rate that is affordable. It is aimed at those who would eligible for homelessness assistance and is subject to a range of eligibility criteria.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Helping people to remain in their own homes is something we can all support. In the current financial climate, additional help is needed and it’s good to see that the scheme has been used for the first time in Thanet to help a family avoid repossession. Help is available, although obviously with this scheme, there are certain criteria that people have to meet. The most important thing for anyone who’s currently experiencing difficulties in keeping up with mortgage payments is to ask for help to see what’s available and what can be done.”
If you are having difficulties paying your mortgage and would like advice on what options are available to you, please contact the Housing Options Team on 01843 577277.
The scheme has two elements, shared equity, which is designed to help householders who have seen their income dramatically change and need help in paying their mortgage, and government mortgage to rent. This aims to help those on low incomes with little chance of sustaining a mortgage.
In both cases, a Registered Social Landlord (Housing Association) is used, either to provide an equity loan to allow mortgage repayments to be reduced or to purchase the property, with a rent then paid at a rate that is affordable. It is aimed at those who would eligible for homelessness assistance and is subject to a range of eligibility criteria.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Helping people to remain in their own homes is something we can all support. In the current financial climate, additional help is needed and it’s good to see that the scheme has been used for the first time in Thanet to help a family avoid repossession. Help is available, although obviously with this scheme, there are certain criteria that people have to meet. The most important thing for anyone who’s currently experiencing difficulties in keeping up with mortgage payments is to ask for help to see what’s available and what can be done.”
If you are having difficulties paying your mortgage and would like advice on what options are available to you, please contact the Housing Options Team on 01843 577277.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK
Anyone with concerns about alcohol abuse will be able to get help and advice next week in Ramsgate.
The Thanet Community Safety Partnership is working with Kent County Council’s Kent Drug Alcohol Action Team during Alcohol Awareness Week, which takes place from Monday 19 – Friday 23 October.
Members of the team, along with community safety representatives, will be on the silver safety bus in Ramsgate High Street on Wednesday 21 October, between 1pm and 5pm.
Lacy Dixon, Community Safety Coordinator, said: “There will be professionals available on the bus who specialise in dealing with alcohol abuse. Anyone who has any concerns will be able to get support and access information and advice, whether it’s for themselves or family members or friends. It’s a good opportunity to come along and talk to specialists, who can help and advice.”
The Thanet Community Safety Partnership is working with Kent County Council’s Kent Drug Alcohol Action Team during Alcohol Awareness Week, which takes place from Monday 19 – Friday 23 October.
Members of the team, along with community safety representatives, will be on the silver safety bus in Ramsgate High Street on Wednesday 21 October, between 1pm and 5pm.
Lacy Dixon, Community Safety Coordinator, said: “There will be professionals available on the bus who specialise in dealing with alcohol abuse. Anyone who has any concerns will be able to get support and access information and advice, whether it’s for themselves or family members or friends. It’s a good opportunity to come along and talk to specialists, who can help and advice.”
Thanet Costal Event
A major event in Ramsgate later this month will give people the chance to learn more about fishing and eating for a healthy sea.
It’s part of the line-up of events, being organised by Thanet Coast Project to celebrate Kent Coastal Week, which runs from Saturday 24 October through to Sunday 1 November.
The event takes place over the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October from 11am to 4pm and will include a variety of wildlife, maritime and fisheries exhibits, wet-fish stalls, local food market, sea shanties and music, and children art workshops and storytelling walks.
The focus will be the area next to Ramsgate Pier Yard car park and the needle beside the harbour. A range of organisations and conservation groups will be taking part, including the Thanet Fisherman’s Association, Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries, Marine Conservation Society, Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Balanced Seas project. There will be local market stalls and entertainment from ‘sea shanties’ on the Saturday to a ‘Cool Seas’ Roadshow and the Chris Taylor’s All Stars on the Sunday A number of harbour side restaurants and cafes will also be cooking in on the action.
Inland, the Thanet Coast Project will have displays and SeaART2009 based within 4c York Street - opposite Wilkinsons. SeaART2009 starts on the 24 October, and involves art and photographic exhibitions and workshops inspired by the fishing theme and coastal environment. Exhibitions can be found at the Belgian Café, Ramsgate Visitor Centre and with Red Herrings, sponsored by the Westcliff Boating Pool Gallery.
It is sponsored by the Ramsgate Fund from the Ramsgate Town Council, Thanet Offshore Wind Ltd (Vattenfall), Kent Community Grants, Orbit South and the Dept of Business, Innovation and Skills. Children workshops are also run with support from the Big Lottery Fund
Thanet Coast Project Manager, Tony Child, said: “Our Ramsgate event will be a great way to kick off Kent Coastal Week, with a variety of things to see and do. Ramsgate is such an important area for fishing that we thought it was really important to put on an event like this, so people could find out more about how to fish and eat for a healthy sea. It also fits in really well with the theme of this year’s Kent Coastal Week, which is all about that very subject and celebrating what Thanet’s beautiful coastline and the sea has to offer.”
It’s part of the line-up of events, being organised by Thanet Coast Project to celebrate Kent Coastal Week, which runs from Saturday 24 October through to Sunday 1 November.
The event takes place over the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October from 11am to 4pm and will include a variety of wildlife, maritime and fisheries exhibits, wet-fish stalls, local food market, sea shanties and music, and children art workshops and storytelling walks.
The focus will be the area next to Ramsgate Pier Yard car park and the needle beside the harbour. A range of organisations and conservation groups will be taking part, including the Thanet Fisherman’s Association, Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries, Marine Conservation Society, Kent Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Balanced Seas project. There will be local market stalls and entertainment from ‘sea shanties’ on the Saturday to a ‘Cool Seas’ Roadshow and the Chris Taylor’s All Stars on the Sunday A number of harbour side restaurants and cafes will also be cooking in on the action.
Inland, the Thanet Coast Project will have displays and SeaART2009 based within 4c York Street - opposite Wilkinsons. SeaART2009 starts on the 24 October, and involves art and photographic exhibitions and workshops inspired by the fishing theme and coastal environment. Exhibitions can be found at the Belgian Café, Ramsgate Visitor Centre and with Red Herrings, sponsored by the Westcliff Boating Pool Gallery.
It is sponsored by the Ramsgate Fund from the Ramsgate Town Council, Thanet Offshore Wind Ltd (Vattenfall), Kent Community Grants, Orbit South and the Dept of Business, Innovation and Skills. Children workshops are also run with support from the Big Lottery Fund
Thanet Coast Project Manager, Tony Child, said: “Our Ramsgate event will be a great way to kick off Kent Coastal Week, with a variety of things to see and do. Ramsgate is such an important area for fishing that we thought it was really important to put on an event like this, so people could find out more about how to fish and eat for a healthy sea. It also fits in really well with the theme of this year’s Kent Coastal Week, which is all about that very subject and celebrating what Thanet’s beautiful coastline and the sea has to offer.”
MP welcomes action against Anti-Social Behaviour in Thanet.
People in Thanet willing to go to court as witnesses and help the fight against anti-social behaviour are to get extra help. For the first time, victims taking a stand in the Magistrates Courts against offenders whose anti-social behaviour is blighting communities will be helped by Victim Support services in 87 priority areas including Thanet.
Almost £2.8 million over the next two years for a network of victims and witness champions to be set up in priority areas across the country. This will include support in court proceedings, offering someone to accompany the witness when they give evidence and providing follow-up assistance when the court case is over.
The Home Secretary has also outlined today that he is also to take steps to ensure ASBO breaches are dealt with robustly through the courts as a matter of course.
South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, said:
“This is good news for local communities troubled by anti-social behaviour and it is particularly good news that the needs of Thanet have been recognized and prioritised.”
“The government wants to see both police and local partners using the powers they have been given in a way that is effective and responds to peoples’ needs at the right time. That is why the authorities in Thanet will also be offered a visit from an ASB Delivery Expert in the next three months to help identify problems and, where needed, deploy the ASB Action Squad to help drive up performance”
“Thanet was chosen because it is an area where more than a quarter of local people are worried that anti-social behaviour is a problem. The figures show that we are winning the battle little by little and this latest announcement is yet more real help where it is needed most.”
Note to editors:
More info at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/more-local-action-on-asb
Or contact
Dr Stephen Ladyman
MP for South Thanet
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Tel: 01843 852696
Fax: 01843 852689
Almost £2.8 million over the next two years for a network of victims and witness champions to be set up in priority areas across the country. This will include support in court proceedings, offering someone to accompany the witness when they give evidence and providing follow-up assistance when the court case is over.
The Home Secretary has also outlined today that he is also to take steps to ensure ASBO breaches are dealt with robustly through the courts as a matter of course.
South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, said:
“This is good news for local communities troubled by anti-social behaviour and it is particularly good news that the needs of Thanet have been recognized and prioritised.”
“The government wants to see both police and local partners using the powers they have been given in a way that is effective and responds to peoples’ needs at the right time. That is why the authorities in Thanet will also be offered a visit from an ASB Delivery Expert in the next three months to help identify problems and, where needed, deploy the ASB Action Squad to help drive up performance”
“Thanet was chosen because it is an area where more than a quarter of local people are worried that anti-social behaviour is a problem. The figures show that we are winning the battle little by little and this latest announcement is yet more real help where it is needed most.”
Note to editors:
More info at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/more-local-action-on-asb
Or contact
Dr Stephen Ladyman
MP for South Thanet
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Tel: 01843 852696
Fax: 01843 852689
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
New website goes live
Thanet District Council’s new website, which will reach new accessibility standards and offer a range of new functions for users, has gone live.
The site, http://www.thanet.gov.uk/ has a new, clean look to it, with increased photos and videos, along with more information about what’s going on in Thanet. Community events are now on the front page of the site and community and voluntary groups can now advertise their events for free, using the council’s community portal website.
The website also now has social bookmarking, making it easy to add Thanet District Council web page links to your blog, Twitter feed or favourite social networking site. There are also dedicated RSS feeds for news and events, making it easy to keep up to date with what is happening in Thanet, either on your mobile phone, blog site, or RSS reader. It is also now easier to access documents online and print them as PDFs if you wish.
The website complies with the latest browsers and, as a result, if you go to the site using an old browser, you may be asked to upgrade your Internet browser.
Cllr. Simon Moores, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “The council’s website is our shop window in the online world. Hundreds of thousands of people visit http://www.thanet.gov.uk/ each year and that’s why we’re constantly striving to make it the best possible experience that we can. The upgrade has added a number of exciting new features, like the RSS feeds and the social bookmarking, which people have been asking for. This new site will give us the basis for adding additional functions and improvements in the future and we see web as the way forward in an increasingly high-tech world. Every time we’re able to put something online for our residents and customers to access, it saves you, as council taxpayers, money and it also helps to reduce the amount of paper we produce.”
Any community or voluntary groups who want to use the council’s community portal should visit http://communityportal.thanet.gov.uk/
The site, http://www.thanet.gov.uk/ has a new, clean look to it, with increased photos and videos, along with more information about what’s going on in Thanet. Community events are now on the front page of the site and community and voluntary groups can now advertise their events for free, using the council’s community portal website.
The website also now has social bookmarking, making it easy to add Thanet District Council web page links to your blog, Twitter feed or favourite social networking site. There are also dedicated RSS feeds for news and events, making it easy to keep up to date with what is happening in Thanet, either on your mobile phone, blog site, or RSS reader. It is also now easier to access documents online and print them as PDFs if you wish.
The website complies with the latest browsers and, as a result, if you go to the site using an old browser, you may be asked to upgrade your Internet browser.
Cllr. Simon Moores, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “The council’s website is our shop window in the online world. Hundreds of thousands of people visit http://www.thanet.gov.uk/ each year and that’s why we’re constantly striving to make it the best possible experience that we can. The upgrade has added a number of exciting new features, like the RSS feeds and the social bookmarking, which people have been asking for. This new site will give us the basis for adding additional functions and improvements in the future and we see web as the way forward in an increasingly high-tech world. Every time we’re able to put something online for our residents and customers to access, it saves you, as council taxpayers, money and it also helps to reduce the amount of paper we produce.”
Any community or voluntary groups who want to use the council’s community portal should visit http://communityportal.thanet.gov.uk/
Friday, 9 October 2009
TRAINING AWARD SUCCESS FOR COUNCIL
A unique leadership course at Thanet District Council has taken the top honours in the south east region of the National Training Awards.
The council's Training Manager and members of senior management worked closely with Europa Consultancy and their partner, Ability Professional Training to develop the Thanet Manager training programme.
The programme was specifically designed for the council, with eight key areas concentrated on in the training, which included leadership and decision-making, delivering services for customers, financial planning and budgeting, managing people, projects and change, and communication skills.
Since the programme began in 2006, 55 people have undertaken the courses and they have achieved a 91% pass rate in either Diplomas or CMI Certificates in Management. Additionally, a group of managers who already held qualifications, took the course to further their development.
Those who took part highlighted a number of benefits to the council, including better communications with colleagues and residents, more efficient handling of workloads and projects, and greater understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of other services and departments.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "This award is excellent news and shows just how successful our Thanet Manager programme has been. It's been specifically developed to ensure that our managers have the skills they need to deliver the best possible services for our residents. We've seen the motivation and capacity of our managers grow as a result of this programme and we can have confidence, going forward, that they are equipped to handle the challenges that this council, along with everyone else in the public sector, will be facing over the next few years."
Bob MacDonald, Managing Director of Europa said: "This award is the icing on the cake for an innovative and successful leadership programme that has produced real results for Thanet. The programme shows how a hard working partnership and collaboration can and should work and is a model for all of our public sector clients to use. The programme paid for itself within the first year work - delivering more learning for less time and at less cost."
The council's Training Manager and members of senior management worked closely with Europa Consultancy and their partner, Ability Professional Training to develop the Thanet Manager training programme.
The programme was specifically designed for the council, with eight key areas concentrated on in the training, which included leadership and decision-making, delivering services for customers, financial planning and budgeting, managing people, projects and change, and communication skills.
Since the programme began in 2006, 55 people have undertaken the courses and they have achieved a 91% pass rate in either Diplomas or CMI Certificates in Management. Additionally, a group of managers who already held qualifications, took the course to further their development.
Those who took part highlighted a number of benefits to the council, including better communications with colleagues and residents, more efficient handling of workloads and projects, and greater understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of other services and departments.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: "This award is excellent news and shows just how successful our Thanet Manager programme has been. It's been specifically developed to ensure that our managers have the skills they need to deliver the best possible services for our residents. We've seen the motivation and capacity of our managers grow as a result of this programme and we can have confidence, going forward, that they are equipped to handle the challenges that this council, along with everyone else in the public sector, will be facing over the next few years."
Bob MacDonald, Managing Director of Europa said: "This award is the icing on the cake for an innovative and successful leadership programme that has produced real results for Thanet. The programme shows how a hard working partnership and collaboration can and should work and is a model for all of our public sector clients to use. The programme paid for itself within the first year work - delivering more learning for less time and at less cost."
OPERATION CUBIT SUCCESS
Another 76 abandoned or untaxed cars have been removed from the streets of Thanet in two recent Operation Cubits.
The first week long operation, led by Thanet District Council, with help from Kent Police, Kent County Council, the DVLA and Kent Fire and Rescue service, took place in July and saw 45 cars taken away. The latest week long operation in late September, added another 31 cars to that total.
In the last 18 months, nearly 350 cars have been removed, thanks to Cubit.
Owners can pay £260, plus storage costs, to reclaim their vehicles and, of this money, £160 is refundable if they tax their vehicles within two weeks.
If they fail to either tax the vehicles or declare that they are off the road, then a follow-up visit is made to see if the vehicle is still being driven illegally and, if it is, it will be removed. If owners do not claim and pay for their vehicles, then they will either be crushed or sold.
Abandoned vehicles can be reported by calling 01843 577888.
The first week long operation, led by Thanet District Council, with help from Kent Police, Kent County Council, the DVLA and Kent Fire and Rescue service, took place in July and saw 45 cars taken away. The latest week long operation in late September, added another 31 cars to that total.
In the last 18 months, nearly 350 cars have been removed, thanks to Cubit.
Owners can pay £260, plus storage costs, to reclaim their vehicles and, of this money, £160 is refundable if they tax their vehicles within two weeks.
If they fail to either tax the vehicles or declare that they are off the road, then a follow-up visit is made to see if the vehicle is still being driven illegally and, if it is, it will be removed. If owners do not claim and pay for their vehicles, then they will either be crushed or sold.
Abandoned vehicles can be reported by calling 01843 577888.
SUCCESS CONTINUES FOR STREET HOOPS
Basketball is continuing to be a big draw for young people in Thanet, with 50 people turning out to the most recent Street Hoops session in Ramsgate.
Held at the town's sports centre, Street Hoops is organised by Thanet District Council's Sport Matters team and supported by Thanet Leisureforce, Thanet Rhinos and Ursuline College.
The event gives young people the opportunity to play competitive basketball in teams of three or five in three different age groups, either 11 to 13 years, 14 to 17 years or 18 years and over.
Street Hoops is held monthly on the last Sunday and the next session takes place on Sunday 25 October.
The Streetwise extreme team will be showcasing their skills and tricks, with registration starting at 4.45pm, and the event taking place at 5pm until 7pm at Ramsgate Sports Centre.
For more information, contact the Sport Matters team on 01843 577032 or collect a flyer from your local leisure centre
Held at the town's sports centre, Street Hoops is organised by Thanet District Council's Sport Matters team and supported by Thanet Leisureforce, Thanet Rhinos and Ursuline College.
The event gives young people the opportunity to play competitive basketball in teams of three or five in three different age groups, either 11 to 13 years, 14 to 17 years or 18 years and over.
Street Hoops is held monthly on the last Sunday and the next session takes place on Sunday 25 October.
The Streetwise extreme team will be showcasing their skills and tricks, with registration starting at 4.45pm, and the event taking place at 5pm until 7pm at Ramsgate Sports Centre.
For more information, contact the Sport Matters team on 01843 577032 or collect a flyer from your local leisure centre
VIEWS NEEDED ON NEW PLANNING DOCUMENT
Local people are being asked for their views on a major new planning document, that sets out how Thanet will change and develop until the year 2026.
The draft version of the Core Strategy for the Local Development Framework has been developed following previous consultation and, when it's finally adopted, it will provide the "big picture" about how Thanet will look in the future.
The document sets out a vision, which is for people to recognise Thanet as a desirable place to live and work, and that the whole community is more settled, healthier, better educated, fulfilled, confident, and able to access a full range and quality of services, homes, jobs and training.
The Core Strategy also has specific targets on a number of different themes:
Housing.
Thanet will need 7,500 new homes between 2006 and 2026, in line with the South East Plan, with 20% of these on land at Nash Road and New Haine Road, Westwood. The rest will be built on already developed land, with no major development planned for Thanet's villages. The emphasis will be on building houses and bungalows, rather than flats.
Economy and employment
The aim is to attract new businesses to Thanet to create jobs and to support the growth of existing business. Kent International Airport and Manston Business Park will be the main locations for large-scale development that creates jobs. Some existing land, already allocated for employment, will also be kept at Eurokent and Thanet Reach. The Port of Ramsgate will be promoted as Kent's second cross-Channel port and a base for servicing offshore wind turbines and marine engineering.
Westwood
This will continue to develop as Thanet's principal retail centre and a residential and business community. The plan supports relocating Thanet College to a site next to the Canterbury Christ Church University campus and supports Jackey Baker's as the area's major sports venue.
Coastal towns
Although there is support for the town centres in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, priority will be given to Margate and redeveloping it with a mix of leisure and cultural facilities. Dreamland will be a new visitor destination, based on a heritage theme park, together with enabling development, including residential, specialist themed retail, food, drink and leisure. Policies will also support the contraction of the High Street to a more viable retail heart in the lower High Street, alongside the Old Town. In the upper High Street, replacement of disused or underused commercial premises with residential accommodation will be permitted.
The Core Strategy also supports work in the Margate Central and Cliftonville West wards to tackle deprivation there, such as restoring mixed and settled communities, improving homes and the street scene, and encouraging new business, including improved holiday accommodation.
In Ramsgate, support will be given to a mix of leisure, tourism, retail and residential around the waterfront area and new retail development within or adjacent to the town centre, such as the Staffordshire Street Car Park.
Little intervention is proposed for Broadstairs, where the emphasis will be on conserving and enhancing its unique charm as a residential and visitor location.
The document also sets out the importance of good design, sustainable development and protecting the green wedges between the towns and the coast and countryside.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "A great deal of work has already gone into developing the draft version of the Core Strategy and it's very much the result of feedback that we've had from local people and organisations. Now we need people's views, before the document is finalised, so that we can see whether our work is going in the right direction. The Core Strategy is arguably the most important document produced by the council, as it sets out how our area will develop and look over the next few years. This is your chance to have your say and I hope that local people will take the opportunity to read through the document and give us their views on what it says."
The consultation runs until Friday 18 December 2009 and you can pick up a full copy of the Core Strategy, or a summary version, from Thanet's Gateway Plus and at libraries across the area. It can also be viewed online at www.thanet.gov.uk Online, you can make comments and answer the consultation's questions by registering to comment at http://consult.thanet.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti
All comments must be made in writing and they will be open to public inspection and cannot be treated as confidential.
The draft version of the Core Strategy for the Local Development Framework has been developed following previous consultation and, when it's finally adopted, it will provide the "big picture" about how Thanet will look in the future.
The document sets out a vision, which is for people to recognise Thanet as a desirable place to live and work, and that the whole community is more settled, healthier, better educated, fulfilled, confident, and able to access a full range and quality of services, homes, jobs and training.
The Core Strategy also has specific targets on a number of different themes:
Housing.
Thanet will need 7,500 new homes between 2006 and 2026, in line with the South East Plan, with 20% of these on land at Nash Road and New Haine Road, Westwood. The rest will be built on already developed land, with no major development planned for Thanet's villages. The emphasis will be on building houses and bungalows, rather than flats.
Economy and employment
The aim is to attract new businesses to Thanet to create jobs and to support the growth of existing business. Kent International Airport and Manston Business Park will be the main locations for large-scale development that creates jobs. Some existing land, already allocated for employment, will also be kept at Eurokent and Thanet Reach. The Port of Ramsgate will be promoted as Kent's second cross-Channel port and a base for servicing offshore wind turbines and marine engineering.
Westwood
This will continue to develop as Thanet's principal retail centre and a residential and business community. The plan supports relocating Thanet College to a site next to the Canterbury Christ Church University campus and supports Jackey Baker's as the area's major sports venue.
Coastal towns
Although there is support for the town centres in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, priority will be given to Margate and redeveloping it with a mix of leisure and cultural facilities. Dreamland will be a new visitor destination, based on a heritage theme park, together with enabling development, including residential, specialist themed retail, food, drink and leisure. Policies will also support the contraction of the High Street to a more viable retail heart in the lower High Street, alongside the Old Town. In the upper High Street, replacement of disused or underused commercial premises with residential accommodation will be permitted.
The Core Strategy also supports work in the Margate Central and Cliftonville West wards to tackle deprivation there, such as restoring mixed and settled communities, improving homes and the street scene, and encouraging new business, including improved holiday accommodation.
In Ramsgate, support will be given to a mix of leisure, tourism, retail and residential around the waterfront area and new retail development within or adjacent to the town centre, such as the Staffordshire Street Car Park.
Little intervention is proposed for Broadstairs, where the emphasis will be on conserving and enhancing its unique charm as a residential and visitor location.
The document also sets out the importance of good design, sustainable development and protecting the green wedges between the towns and the coast and countryside.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: "A great deal of work has already gone into developing the draft version of the Core Strategy and it's very much the result of feedback that we've had from local people and organisations. Now we need people's views, before the document is finalised, so that we can see whether our work is going in the right direction. The Core Strategy is arguably the most important document produced by the council, as it sets out how our area will develop and look over the next few years. This is your chance to have your say and I hope that local people will take the opportunity to read through the document and give us their views on what it says."
The consultation runs until Friday 18 December 2009 and you can pick up a full copy of the Core Strategy, or a summary version, from Thanet's Gateway Plus and at libraries across the area. It can also be viewed online at www.thanet.gov.uk Online, you can make comments and answer the consultation's questions by registering to comment at http://consult.thanet.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti
All comments must be made in writing and they will be open to public inspection and cannot be treated as confidential.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
REMINDER OVER LOSING YOUR VOTE
Reminders have been sent out to residents in Thanet who've failed to return their electoral registration forms that they could lose their right to vote in the upcoming general election.
Parliamentary elections have to take place by June 2010 at the latest and, to ensure that people can vote in the general election, the electoral registration forms that have been delivered to every home in Thanet have to be filled in and returned to the council.
All British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union Citizens over the age of 16 have to give their names and addresses, so that they can be included on the register, which will be published on 1 December 2009.
Forms have now been delivered to all those properties in Thanet, where no response has been received form the initial household registration form.
Forms can be returned either via a freephone service or online, where no change to the information is required.
For more information or enquiries about the Register of Electors form please contact the Electoral Services Helpline on (01843) 577500.
Parliamentary elections have to take place by June 2010 at the latest and, to ensure that people can vote in the general election, the electoral registration forms that have been delivered to every home in Thanet have to be filled in and returned to the council.
All British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union Citizens over the age of 16 have to give their names and addresses, so that they can be included on the register, which will be published on 1 December 2009.
Forms have now been delivered to all those properties in Thanet, where no response has been received form the initial household registration form.
Forms can be returned either via a freephone service or online, where no change to the information is required.
For more information or enquiries about the Register of Electors form please contact the Electoral Services Helpline on (01843) 577500.
WELCOME FOR LOTTERY FUNDING
Thanet District Council has welcomed the news that more than £175,000 worth of Lottery funding will be coming to Thanet to help improve anti-social behaviour and relationships between the generations.
The money, from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities Programme, has been awarded to the Children's Society to run the Thanet Participation Project over the next two years.
The award of £176,221 will pay for a new project to run in Dane Valley, Newington, Whitehall and Birchington.
It will provide opportunities for young people aged between 11 and 18 and people over the age of 55 to interact with each other and better understand the other generation through volunteering and training.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "This is excellent news for Thanet and fits in with the work already being done by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership to promote understanding between different generations. We know that this is an issue in Thanet that needs tackling and this project will help to do exactly that. It's always great to see Lottery funding coming into Thanet and it's something we warmly welcome. We look forward to working with the Children's Society, as their project moves forward over the next couple of years."
The money, from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities Programme, has been awarded to the Children's Society to run the Thanet Participation Project over the next two years.
The award of £176,221 will pay for a new project to run in Dane Valley, Newington, Whitehall and Birchington.
It will provide opportunities for young people aged between 11 and 18 and people over the age of 55 to interact with each other and better understand the other generation through volunteering and training.
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "This is excellent news for Thanet and fits in with the work already being done by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership to promote understanding between different generations. We know that this is an issue in Thanet that needs tackling and this project will help to do exactly that. It's always great to see Lottery funding coming into Thanet and it's something we warmly welcome. We look forward to working with the Children's Society, as their project moves forward over the next couple of years."
New documents published by Thanet District Council,
07/10/2009 - Meeting scheduled: Oct 7 2009 2:00PM, Constitutional Review Working Party
05/10/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Oct 15 2009 7:00PM, Council
02/10/2009 - Agenda supplement published - Supplementary Agenda : Supplementary Agenda: Meeting of Oct 7 2009 2:00PM, Constitutional Review Working Party
01/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 1 2009 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
01/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 1 2009 5:00PM, Asset Management Working Group
05/10/2009 - Agenda published: Meeting of Oct 15 2009 7:00PM, Council
02/10/2009 - Agenda supplement published - Supplementary Agenda : Supplementary Agenda: Meeting of Oct 7 2009 2:00PM, Constitutional Review Working Party
01/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 1 2009 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
01/10/2009 - Meeting held: Oct 1 2009 5:00PM, Asset Management Working Group
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
Sorry I am late with these this week
02 Oct 2009
C/TH/09/0733
45-49 AND 51, SEA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0586
21 STONE BARN AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT70AH
decided
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0659
45-49 AND 51, SEA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0710
38 CHARLOTTE PLACE MARGATE CT91LP
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0726
12 HAWLEY SQUARE MARGATE CT91PF
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0727
52 HOLLY LANE MARGATE CT93NE
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0749
89 QUEX VIEW ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT70DY
current
01 Oct 2009
C/TH/09/0728
ST. CECILIA'S 83 SEA ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88QF
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0546
46 GRANGE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 9LP
decided
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0719
ST. CECILIA'S 83 SEA ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88QF
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0720
CHYNGTON NORTH FORELAND AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103QR
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0741
1 YOAKLEY SQUARE MARGATE CT94BA
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0744
35 VICTORIA PARADE RAMSGATE CT118AJ
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0750
DENTAL SURGERY 1 DALBY SQUARE CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT92ER
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0753
84 RAMSGATE ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102DJ
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0756
LOWER WAYFARING CLIFF PROMENADE BROADSTAIRS CT103QY
current
01 Oct 2009
L/TH/09/0743
3 YORK GATE HOUSE HARBOUR STREET BROADSTAIRS CT101EU
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0666
LAND REAR OF 153 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119TY
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0681
CASA MIA NORTH FORELAND AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103QT
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0697
3 CALLIS COURT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103AE
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0739
1 FAIR STREET BROADSTAIRS CT102JL
current
29 Sep 2009
L/TH/09/0738
153 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119TY
current
29 Sep 2009
OL/TH/09/0740
garages adjacent 143 hugin avenue, broadstairs, ct10 3hn
Sorry I am late with these this week
02 Oct 2009
C/TH/09/0733
45-49 AND 51, SEA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0586
21 STONE BARN AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT70AH
decided
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0659
45-49 AND 51, SEA ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0710
38 CHARLOTTE PLACE MARGATE CT91LP
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0726
12 HAWLEY SQUARE MARGATE CT91PF
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0727
52 HOLLY LANE MARGATE CT93NE
current
02 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0749
89 QUEX VIEW ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT70DY
current
01 Oct 2009
C/TH/09/0728
ST. CECILIA'S 83 SEA ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88QF
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0546
46 GRANGE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 9LP
decided
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0719
ST. CECILIA'S 83 SEA ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88QF
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0720
CHYNGTON NORTH FORELAND AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103QR
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0741
1 YOAKLEY SQUARE MARGATE CT94BA
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0744
35 VICTORIA PARADE RAMSGATE CT118AJ
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0750
DENTAL SURGERY 1 DALBY SQUARE CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT92ER
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0753
84 RAMSGATE ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102DJ
current
01 Oct 2009
F/TH/09/0756
LOWER WAYFARING CLIFF PROMENADE BROADSTAIRS CT103QY
current
01 Oct 2009
L/TH/09/0743
3 YORK GATE HOUSE HARBOUR STREET BROADSTAIRS CT101EU
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0666
LAND REAR OF 153 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119TY
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0681
CASA MIA NORTH FORELAND AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103QT
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0697
3 CALLIS COURT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103AE
current
29 Sep 2009
F/TH/09/0739
1 FAIR STREET BROADSTAIRS CT102JL
current
29 Sep 2009
L/TH/09/0738
153 HIGH STREET RAMSGATE CT119TY
current
29 Sep 2009
OL/TH/09/0740
garages adjacent 143 hugin avenue, broadstairs, ct10 3hn
Monday, 5 October 2009
New planning quango will push our local residents further away from the planning process
As Gordon Brown’s controversial planning quango, the Infrastructure Planning Commission, opens its doors Laura Sandys has warned that it will distance local residents even further from the planning process. “We already have planning applications for smaller developments often referred to Bristol who determine what is built in Thanet and Sandwich, and now we are having the powers to determine very large projects taken our of our hands.”
For Thanet and Sandwich this has particular concern as this new body can determine planning applications relating to
· airport-related development;
· the construction or alteration of harbour facilities;
· the construction or alteration of a railway;
· development relating to the transfer of water resources;
· the construction or alteration of a hazardous waste facility.
· The new unelected body is to take control of determining planning applications on large projects as above and it will base its decisions on National Policy Statements issued by Ministers as diktats with no substantive vote in Parliament.
· Despite Gordon Brown’s recent TUC speech promising to “cut costs”, the new quango will cost £10 million a year, and its Chairman will be paid £184,000 a year for a four day week. The Commissioners will be appointed on a minimum fixed term of five years and cannot be removed short of criminal misconduct – making them the most unaccountable quangocrats in Britain.
· At a stroke, local residents, local authorities like Thanet and Dover & Deal and elected representatives will be stripped of any say on the most controversial planning decisions that will affect the lives of tens of thousands of people. This contradicts Gordon Brown’s promise when he became Prime Minister to stop politics being “a spectator sport.” Conservatives are warning that the new planning regime will also lead to a flood of legal challenges in the High Court and the European Court of Justice.
· Under Conservative plans, the Infrastructure Planning Commission will be abolished. National Policy Statements would remain – but each one would have to be ratified by both Houses of Parliament to ensure democratic legitimacy, and to reduce the scope for legal challenges.
Laura said:
“Trust in politics is at an all time low, and Gordon Brown’s response is to put democracy on the scrapheap. Thanet and Sandwich residents and their elected representatives are being disenfranchised on a massive scale by the most unaccountable quangocrats ever created.”
For Thanet and Sandwich this has particular concern as this new body can determine planning applications relating to
· airport-related development;
· the construction or alteration of harbour facilities;
· the construction or alteration of a railway;
· development relating to the transfer of water resources;
· the construction or alteration of a hazardous waste facility.
· The new unelected body is to take control of determining planning applications on large projects as above and it will base its decisions on National Policy Statements issued by Ministers as diktats with no substantive vote in Parliament.
· Despite Gordon Brown’s recent TUC speech promising to “cut costs”, the new quango will cost £10 million a year, and its Chairman will be paid £184,000 a year for a four day week. The Commissioners will be appointed on a minimum fixed term of five years and cannot be removed short of criminal misconduct – making them the most unaccountable quangocrats in Britain.
· At a stroke, local residents, local authorities like Thanet and Dover & Deal and elected representatives will be stripped of any say on the most controversial planning decisions that will affect the lives of tens of thousands of people. This contradicts Gordon Brown’s promise when he became Prime Minister to stop politics being “a spectator sport.” Conservatives are warning that the new planning regime will also lead to a flood of legal challenges in the High Court and the European Court of Justice.
· Under Conservative plans, the Infrastructure Planning Commission will be abolished. National Policy Statements would remain – but each one would have to be ratified by both Houses of Parliament to ensure democratic legitimacy, and to reduce the scope for legal challenges.
Laura said:
“Trust in politics is at an all time low, and Gordon Brown’s response is to put democracy on the scrapheap. Thanet and Sandwich residents and their elected representatives are being disenfranchised on a massive scale by the most unaccountable quangocrats ever created.”
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