I will support the calling of a referendum but I will not be supporting any change to the existing system of first past the post.
I am not averse to reform in terms of how our constitution works and would in many ways have more difficulty if the referendum was for or against a truly proportional system. But it is not and when comparing AV with first past the post it is important not to jump to a system for novelty sake.
For my part I believe that AV is the worst of all worlds.
It is a system that does not give us all a second vote – to be frank it puts much more power in the hands in minority parties.
For over 200 seats who regularly provide the winner with over 50% it will have no impact whatsoever. For another large number of seats it will ONLY give voters from small marginal parties a second vote – giving very small marginal parties a highly disproportionate say in our elections. In very few constituencies Liberal Democrat votes will be counted again. While Labour or Conservative voters will only have their second vote counted in under 50 seats – if that.
AV provides the majority with an illusion of a second vote while in the main delivering very marginal parties an additional bite at the electoral cherry.
In addition: unlike a proportional system it is very unlikely to result in smaller parties gaining any representation in Parliament. So while marginal parties – some less than acceptable - might get a second shout on Election Day, political opinion or diversity of our chamber will not in practice be broadened.
It is also one of the very few systems that delivers success to the least unpopular candidate – First Past the Post and PR do at least reflect popularity.
Friday, 1 October 2010
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
NIGHT FLIGHT POLICY RECEIVED FROM AIRPORT OWNERS
Formal details of a proposed new night-time flying policy for Manston Airport have been received by Thanet District Council.
The information, produced by Infratil, the owners and operators of Manston, Kent’s International Airport, was submitted to the council late yesterday (Tuesday 28 September).
The documents detail the airport owner’s proposals for a new night-time flying policy. This follows on from the previous application which was submitted to the council in August 2009. The information is now available on the council’s website at http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/night-time_flying_policy.aspx
Infratil have also submitted an aircraft night noise assessment report, which is a technical report, explaining the implications of the proposal. The council will now seek an independent assessment of this report and will provide advice to the public, explaining in simple terms the impact of the night flying proposed.
Although the documents have been made public by the council today (Wednesday 29 September), this does not yet signal the start of the full public consultation. This will run for a minimum of 12 weeks to ensure that that people have the chance to have their say. The starting date of the consultation will be announced shortly.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “We know that this is a hugely important issue for local people, especially those living under the flight path, which is why we are making these documents available to the public at the earliest possible opportunity. We want people to have the chance to see what Infratil have submitted to us.
He added: “It has been made clear at public meetings in the last few days that people want to see the council’s independent assessment of this report available when the consultation starts. That’s why the formal consultation process is not beginning immediately. Of course, should people want to make their views known to us before we begin our formal consultation, we’d be happy to receive those. That will be followed by a thorough and extensive consultation, with everyone able to give their views on the issue.”
The information, produced by Infratil, the owners and operators of Manston, Kent’s International Airport, was submitted to the council late yesterday (Tuesday 28 September).
The documents detail the airport owner’s proposals for a new night-time flying policy. This follows on from the previous application which was submitted to the council in August 2009. The information is now available on the council’s website at http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/night-time_flying_policy.aspx
Infratil have also submitted an aircraft night noise assessment report, which is a technical report, explaining the implications of the proposal. The council will now seek an independent assessment of this report and will provide advice to the public, explaining in simple terms the impact of the night flying proposed.
Although the documents have been made public by the council today (Wednesday 29 September), this does not yet signal the start of the full public consultation. This will run for a minimum of 12 weeks to ensure that that people have the chance to have their say. The starting date of the consultation will be announced shortly.
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “We know that this is a hugely important issue for local people, especially those living under the flight path, which is why we are making these documents available to the public at the earliest possible opportunity. We want people to have the chance to see what Infratil have submitted to us.
He added: “It has been made clear at public meetings in the last few days that people want to see the council’s independent assessment of this report available when the consultation starts. That’s why the formal consultation process is not beginning immediately. Of course, should people want to make their views known to us before we begin our formal consultation, we’d be happy to receive those. That will be followed by a thorough and extensive consultation, with everyone able to give their views on the issue.”
Minnis Bay toilets
Residents have a chance to comment on two possible schemes being proposed for a site at Minnis Bay in Birchington on Monday 4 October.
Local people are invited to call in at any time between 4.00pm and 7.00pm at The Centre in Birchington to view the proposals before the council makes a decision.
The site currently comprises a closed toilet building and concrete beach huts which are in poor condition on the beach front. In order to make improvements here, the council has advertised the site and asked interested parties to provide proposals that would provide improved facilities and also allow additional seaside related facilities. Two proposals have now been received and now the council would like members of the public to comment on the two suggestions.
The first proposal is for a café which would include toilets available for use by the public, the second is for a café with holiday chalets.
To view the two proposed schemes in more detail members of the public are invited to attend the drop in session where they will also have the chance to speak with council planning officers about the site and to put forward any comments or suggestions.
Local people are invited to call in at any time between 4.00pm and 7.00pm at The Centre in Birchington to view the proposals before the council makes a decision.
The site currently comprises a closed toilet building and concrete beach huts which are in poor condition on the beach front. In order to make improvements here, the council has advertised the site and asked interested parties to provide proposals that would provide improved facilities and also allow additional seaside related facilities. Two proposals have now been received and now the council would like members of the public to comment on the two suggestions.
The first proposal is for a café which would include toilets available for use by the public, the second is for a café with holiday chalets.
To view the two proposed schemes in more detail members of the public are invited to attend the drop in session where they will also have the chance to speak with council planning officers about the site and to put forward any comments or suggestions.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
WARNING OVER LOSING YOUR VOTE
A warning is going out to residents in Thanet who have failed to return their electoral registration forms that they could lose their right to vote in the District and Parish Council elections.
District and Parish Council elections will take place on Thursday 5 May 2011 and, to ensure that they can vote in the elections, 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 2010.
Forms are being 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 or visit www.thanet.gov.uk
District and Parish Council elections will take place on Thursday 5 May 2011 and, to ensure that they can vote in the elections, 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 2010.
Forms are being 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 or visit www.thanet.gov.uk
MARGATE’S VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE SHORTLISTED
Margate’s Visitor Information Centre has been shortlisted as a finalist for the second year running in the Beautiful South Awards for Tourism Excellence 2010.
The awards are now into their 20th year and recognise a range of tourism services, from hotels and attractions, to events and tourism experiences.
The council’s team will be competing against other centres in Burford, Oxfordshire, Rye in East Sussex and Winchester in Hampshire for the Tourist Information Service of the Year award.
To be shortlisted, the judges were looking for clear evidence of professionalism and commitment to customer service, comprehensive literature, how accessible the centres were to people and how well the teams work with other organisations.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services, said: “This latest achievement once again proves what an excellent service our Visitor Information team are providing. The service has undergone changes over the last year, because of the need to reduce the amount the council spends. Thanks to the help of local organisations, like the Broadstairs Tourism and Leisure Association and Ramsgate Town Council, there is still high quality provision for visitors available throughout the area, with our new key information points, self-service kiosks in both towns and our popular mobile service, visiting major events throughout the season.”
The team will find out on Thursday 21 October if they have been successful.
The awards are now into their 20th year and recognise a range of tourism services, from hotels and attractions, to events and tourism experiences.
The council’s team will be competing against other centres in Burford, Oxfordshire, Rye in East Sussex and Winchester in Hampshire for the Tourist Information Service of the Year award.
To be shortlisted, the judges were looking for clear evidence of professionalism and commitment to customer service, comprehensive literature, how accessible the centres were to people and how well the teams work with other organisations.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Commercial Services, said: “This latest achievement once again proves what an excellent service our Visitor Information team are providing. The service has undergone changes over the last year, because of the need to reduce the amount the council spends. Thanks to the help of local organisations, like the Broadstairs Tourism and Leisure Association and Ramsgate Town Council, there is still high quality provision for visitors available throughout the area, with our new key information points, self-service kiosks in both towns and our popular mobile service, visiting major events throughout the season.”
The team will find out on Thursday 21 October if they have been successful.
EAST KENT RIGHT TO WORK CAMPAIGN
PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 2010
PROTEST BUS HEADS FOR TORY CONFERENCE
People in Thanet worried about job cuts are being given a "golden opportunity" to make their feelings heard at the Conservative Party Conference on Sunday October 3rd.
A special bus has been arranged to take protestors from Thanet to the conference which is being held in Birmingham
The bus has been organised by the East Kent Right To Work campaign group which is calling on all people opposed to the government spending cuts to demonstrate at the conference.
The campaign group, supported by trade union bodies and student and pensioner organisations, aims to unite those in and out or work to build "Greek style resistance" to the spending cuts.
Campaign group member Keith Woods said: "Thanet will be hit by the cuts much more than any other parts of Britain, because it is so dependent on public sector employment.
"And rises in VAT will hit the poorest most -- and Thanet is a very poor area.
"It's vital that people here go to the Tories to make clear how angry we feel about this. This is a golden opportunity to do this."
The protest bus will pick up from Margate Cecil Square at 7.30am, Whitstable Library at 8am and Canterbury West Station 8.30am. The price of the trip will be £20 for people on a wage and £10 for the unwaged and students.
For more details call 07587 173049 or email: eastkentrtw@gmail.com
The Right to Work website is http://sites.google.com/site/righttoworkconference/
SEPTEMBER 2010
PROTEST BUS HEADS FOR TORY CONFERENCE
People in Thanet worried about job cuts are being given a "golden opportunity" to make their feelings heard at the Conservative Party Conference on Sunday October 3rd.
A special bus has been arranged to take protestors from Thanet to the conference which is being held in Birmingham
The bus has been organised by the East Kent Right To Work campaign group which is calling on all people opposed to the government spending cuts to demonstrate at the conference.
The campaign group, supported by trade union bodies and student and pensioner organisations, aims to unite those in and out or work to build "Greek style resistance" to the spending cuts.
Campaign group member Keith Woods said: "Thanet will be hit by the cuts much more than any other parts of Britain, because it is so dependent on public sector employment.
"And rises in VAT will hit the poorest most -- and Thanet is a very poor area.
"It's vital that people here go to the Tories to make clear how angry we feel about this. This is a golden opportunity to do this."
The protest bus will pick up from Margate Cecil Square at 7.30am, Whitstable Library at 8am and Canterbury West Station 8.30am. The price of the trip will be £20 for people on a wage and £10 for the unwaged and students.
For more details call 07587 173049 or email: eastkentrtw@gmail.com
The Right to Work website is http://sites.google.com/site/righttoworkconference/
Monday, 27 September 2010
‘FRIENDS OF HARTSDOWN PARK’ SIGN UP 500 OPPOSED TO PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
Over 500 users of the park have signed a petition opposing the recent planning approval given to Margate Football Club for a full sized fenced in astro turf football pitch joined onto the rarely used 5 a side pitches.
The total area from which the public would be excluded would be approximately 250 x 90 metres and access could only be achieved between Tivoli and Hartsdown by walking around the development.
All who have been made aware of the proposal have been surprised at the lack of publicity before planning was approved and have questioned why another enclosed pitch is to be built on public land when the 5 a side pitches are rarely used
‘The Friends’ consider every section of the park should be open to all. The marked out football pitches for the local league matches; the other areas for football practice with their own equipment; the whole of the park for children,both independent and from the nursery school and the dog walkers providing they pick up their poo!
If you agree a public park should be retained as an open space and not developed to benefit a few to the disadvantage of many please email info@manorhousenursery.co.uk ‘We object to the Hartsdown Development’ and give name and address.
More information can be found on UKPlanning Hartsdown Road 0115
The total area from which the public would be excluded would be approximately 250 x 90 metres and access could only be achieved between Tivoli and Hartsdown by walking around the development.
All who have been made aware of the proposal have been surprised at the lack of publicity before planning was approved and have questioned why another enclosed pitch is to be built on public land when the 5 a side pitches are rarely used
‘The Friends’ consider every section of the park should be open to all. The marked out football pitches for the local league matches; the other areas for football practice with their own equipment; the whole of the park for children,both independent and from the nursery school and the dog walkers providing they pick up their poo!
If you agree a public park should be retained as an open space and not developed to benefit a few to the disadvantage of many please email info@manorhousenursery.co.uk ‘We object to the Hartsdown Development’ and give name and address.
More information can be found on UKPlanning Hartsdown Road 0115
Last weeks planning applications,
The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0590
22-24 CHURCH STREET BROADSTAIRS CT102TT
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0757
12 MINNIS ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79SE
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0787
32 KINGS AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT79PP
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0800
EAST KENT RETAIL PARK WESTWOOD ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102RQ
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0802
171 CANTERBURY ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88NH
current
24 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0784
10-11 NELSON CRESCENT, RAMSGATE, CT11 9JF
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0727
31 ALBERT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103HY
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0766
9 HADLOW DRIVE CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT93YQ
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0768
12A EPPLE BAY AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT79HR
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0779
CHAMBERS WALL FARM POTTEN STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70QP
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0783
7-9 HARBOUR STREET RAMSGATE CT11 8HA
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0788
14 CARLTON AVENUE RAMSGATE CT119BP
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0791
CART LODGE BARN DILNOT LANE ACOL BIRCHINGTON CT70HW
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0794
72 NORTHWOOD ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102NH
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0795
9 SOUTH EASTERN ROAD RAMSGATE CT119TR
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0796
9 NORTON DRIVE MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124BS
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0761
SURBITON COURT CUTHBERT ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0780
EAST KENT GARAGE MARGATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT126SL
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0789
UNIT 5, BROADSTAIRS RETAIL PARK, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2QW
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0765
FLAT 1, 14 ALBION PLACE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8HQ
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0767
14 NELSON CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT119JF
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0590
22-24 CHURCH STREET BROADSTAIRS CT102TT
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0757
12 MINNIS ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79SE
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0787
32 KINGS AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT79PP
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0800
EAST KENT RETAIL PARK WESTWOOD ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102RQ
current
24 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0802
171 CANTERBURY ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88NH
current
24 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0784
10-11 NELSON CRESCENT, RAMSGATE, CT11 9JF
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0727
31 ALBERT ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103HY
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0766
9 HADLOW DRIVE CLIFTONVILLE MARGATE CT93YQ
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0768
12A EPPLE BAY AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT79HR
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0779
CHAMBERS WALL FARM POTTEN STREET ST. NICHOLAS AT WADE BIRCHINGTON CT70QP
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0783
7-9 HARBOUR STREET RAMSGATE CT11 8HA
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0788
14 CARLTON AVENUE RAMSGATE CT119BP
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0791
CART LODGE BARN DILNOT LANE ACOL BIRCHINGTON CT70HW
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0794
72 NORTHWOOD ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102NH
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0795
9 SOUTH EASTERN ROAD RAMSGATE CT119TR
current
22 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0796
9 NORTON DRIVE MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124BS
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0761
SURBITON COURT CUTHBERT ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0780
EAST KENT GARAGE MARGATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT126SL
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0789
UNIT 5, BROADSTAIRS RETAIL PARK, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2QW
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0765
FLAT 1, 14 ALBION PLACE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8HQ
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0767
14 NELSON CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT119JF
current
New documents published by Thanet District Council,
23/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 23 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
23/09/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Letter from Town & Country Housing Group : Letter from Town & Country Housing Group: Meeting of Sep 23 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
23/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 15 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
21/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 14 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
21/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Aug 31 2010 2:30PM, Asset Management Working Party
20/09/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Dalby Square Development : Dalby Square Development: Meeting of Sep 23 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 28 2010 6:30PM, Governance and Audit Committee
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 28 2010 6:00PM, Coach House Working Party
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 30 2010 6:00PM, Joint Transportation Board
17/09/2010 - Issue Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 Event
17/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 8 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
17/09/2010 - Decision Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 EventLeader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
23/09/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Letter from Town & Country Housing Group : Letter from Town & Country Housing Group: Meeting of Sep 23 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
23/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 15 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
21/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 14 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
21/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Aug 31 2010 2:30PM, Asset Management Working Party
20/09/2010 - Agenda supplement published - Dalby Square Development : Dalby Square Development: Meeting of Sep 23 2010 7:00PM, Cabinet
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 28 2010 6:30PM, Governance and Audit Committee
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 28 2010 6:00PM, Coach House Working Party
20/09/2010 - Agenda published: Meeting of Sep 30 2010 6:00PM, Joint Transportation Board
17/09/2010 - Issue Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 Event
17/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 8 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
17/09/2010 - Decision Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 EventLeader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
Saturday, 25 September 2010
RESTORATION FOR RAMSGATE SEAFRONT SHELTERS
Historic seafront shelters along Ramsgate seafront are set to be restored to their former glory, with help from a charitable organisation.
The council’s Cabinet last night (Thursday 23 September) decided to lease the 14 shelters to the Ramsgate Society, on the basis that it can secure grant funding to completely restore them. The shelters will be leased to the group for 24.5 years and, during this time, they will be responsible for maintaining them.
A total of £1.5 million is available to restore historic buildings along Ramsgate seafront through the Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the council.
The state of the shelters had been highlighted as an issue of concern. The Ramsgate Society, which is a charitable organisation, can be offered a grant of 90% of the total cost of the work, provided that it holds a long lease on the shelters. The council cannot award itself a 90% grant and does not have the money available to undertake the work itself.
Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The council is delighted to be working with the Ramsgate Society on this project. We want to see these shelters being brought back into use, but sadly the council just doesn’t have the money available to undertake the work itself. The Ramsgate Society is committed to caring for and maintaining high profile buildings in the town. I can’t think of a better group to look after these historic shelters and ensure they are conserved for future generations.”
Jocelyn McCarthy, Chairman of the Ramsgate Society, said: "I am delighted that the Ramsgate Society can now go forward with plans to restore the promenade shelters of Ramsgate. Thanks to a lease from Thanet District Council and a 90% grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have the permission and the promise of finance to undertake this exciting project. Our only task now is to raise the remaining 10% to complete the overall costs. We would welcome support from local people and businesses for our project to restore and maintain these shelters, so that the spectacular views from Ramsgate cliffs can be enjoyed by everyone, even on a rainy day."
You can find out more about the Ramsgate Society at www.ramsgate-society.org.uk/
The council’s Cabinet last night (Thursday 23 September) decided to lease the 14 shelters to the Ramsgate Society, on the basis that it can secure grant funding to completely restore them. The shelters will be leased to the group for 24.5 years and, during this time, they will be responsible for maintaining them.
A total of £1.5 million is available to restore historic buildings along Ramsgate seafront through the Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the council.
The state of the shelters had been highlighted as an issue of concern. The Ramsgate Society, which is a charitable organisation, can be offered a grant of 90% of the total cost of the work, provided that it holds a long lease on the shelters. The council cannot award itself a 90% grant and does not have the money available to undertake the work itself.
Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The council is delighted to be working with the Ramsgate Society on this project. We want to see these shelters being brought back into use, but sadly the council just doesn’t have the money available to undertake the work itself. The Ramsgate Society is committed to caring for and maintaining high profile buildings in the town. I can’t think of a better group to look after these historic shelters and ensure they are conserved for future generations.”
Jocelyn McCarthy, Chairman of the Ramsgate Society, said: "I am delighted that the Ramsgate Society can now go forward with plans to restore the promenade shelters of Ramsgate. Thanks to a lease from Thanet District Council and a 90% grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have the permission and the promise of finance to undertake this exciting project. Our only task now is to raise the remaining 10% to complete the overall costs. We would welcome support from local people and businesses for our project to restore and maintain these shelters, so that the spectacular views from Ramsgate cliffs can be enjoyed by everyone, even on a rainy day."
You can find out more about the Ramsgate Society at www.ramsgate-society.org.uk/
CLEAN SWEEPING UP ISSUES IN MARGATE
The latest Operation Clean Sweep in Margate has seen rubbish cleared away, fire safety checks made, truancy sweeps, restaurant inspections and breaches of housing legislation uncovered.
The operation, which is run by Thanet District Council, also brought in officers from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the UK Border Agency, Kent County Council and Kent Police.
Volunteers from Pipeline were on hand and cleared rubbish from alleyways, waste land and car parking areas at Cliff Terrace, Dane Road, Dane Hill Grove, Dane Hill Row, Booth Place, Margate High Street and Grosvenor Place. The council’s waste team also removed dumped furniture and rubbish.
The team tackled addresses in central Margate and the Old Town over a two day period this week (Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September), with several properties due for a re-visit. Breaches of housing legislation were found, which could lead to prosecution, while 50 benefit checks were also made. Businesses were also inspected, with 25 trade waste licences checked and two restaurants visited.
A total of 25 fire safety checks were made, with several planned fire alarm installations made. Truancy checks saw 15 forms completed for children not in school, while two people were arrested for immigration offences by the UK Border Agency.
Two cars were reported to the DVLA for invalid tax in Trinity Square, with two cars moved on and one advisory note issued for parking in Margate High Street.
Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Clean Sweep remains the most visible and effective way agencies and the public co-operate. When Clean Sweep comes to your area, the community feels supported and encouraged to conduct their lives in ways that enhance, rather than hinder their neighbours’ lives.”
The operation, which is run by Thanet District Council, also brought in officers from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the UK Border Agency, Kent County Council and Kent Police.
Volunteers from Pipeline were on hand and cleared rubbish from alleyways, waste land and car parking areas at Cliff Terrace, Dane Road, Dane Hill Grove, Dane Hill Row, Booth Place, Margate High Street and Grosvenor Place. The council’s waste team also removed dumped furniture and rubbish.
The team tackled addresses in central Margate and the Old Town over a two day period this week (Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September), with several properties due for a re-visit. Breaches of housing legislation were found, which could lead to prosecution, while 50 benefit checks were also made. Businesses were also inspected, with 25 trade waste licences checked and two restaurants visited.
A total of 25 fire safety checks were made, with several planned fire alarm installations made. Truancy checks saw 15 forms completed for children not in school, while two people were arrested for immigration offences by the UK Border Agency.
Two cars were reported to the DVLA for invalid tax in Trinity Square, with two cars moved on and one advisory note issued for parking in Margate High Street.
Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Clean Sweep remains the most visible and effective way agencies and the public co-operate. When Clean Sweep comes to your area, the community feels supported and encouraged to conduct their lives in ways that enhance, rather than hinder their neighbours’ lives.”
PLANS IN PLACE FOR TURNER OPENING
The Fort Road Hotel, Arcadian and Arlington Square are amongst key sites to be targeted over the next few months, as Margate prepares for the opening of Turner Contemporary.
An action plan, agreed last night (Thursday 23 September) by Cabinet Members, puts a top 10 list of priority projects at the heart of work over the next few months.
The Fort Road Hotel and Arcadian sites will be tidied and cleared, with decorative hoardings or screening erected. The council is working with the owners to try and bring forward rebuilding plans, but has started compulsory purchase order proceedings as a back-up. With Arlington Square, decorative hoarding will be installed around empty shops and the landowner will be asked to secure the lower car park. Plans for a major redevelopment are expected in autumn 2010 and could begin on site as early as spring 2011.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Anyone looking at Margate at the moment knows there is still work to do. With the opening of Turner Contemporary in just a few months’ time, we’re determined to tackle the key problem areas. In particular, we’re focusing on seafront properties lying vacant and derelict. When visitors arrive in the town for the new gallery, we want them to get the best possible impression of Margate. After all, we all want people to spread the word about what a great place Margate is to visit. As well as tackling those eyesores, we also want to build pride over the next few months in the town. It’s easy to knock Margate, but that’s not what the town needs right now. It needs everyone to come together and support it, as we approach the opening of Turner Contemporary.”
The work will be funded by £100,000 from the government’s Seaside Fund. Other entries on the top 10 list include:
· Landscaping work to Margate station’s forecourt and car park.
· A series of pop-up shops in Marine Drive, along the seafront, for empty properties.
· Repairs to the Sturgeon lights, repainting seating and the shelter, replacing litter bins and improving signs.
· A deep clean of shopfronts and pavements along the High Street and the seafront.
Also included in the countdown to 2011 plan is a media and communications campaign, aiming to promote the town and initiatives for local businesses. This will include training ambassadors for Margate, a small grant scheme for business improvements, training in areas such as customer excellence and promoting improvements in visitor accommodation.
An action plan, agreed last night (Thursday 23 September) by Cabinet Members, puts a top 10 list of priority projects at the heart of work over the next few months.
The Fort Road Hotel and Arcadian sites will be tidied and cleared, with decorative hoardings or screening erected. The council is working with the owners to try and bring forward rebuilding plans, but has started compulsory purchase order proceedings as a back-up. With Arlington Square, decorative hoarding will be installed around empty shops and the landowner will be asked to secure the lower car park. Plans for a major redevelopment are expected in autumn 2010 and could begin on site as early as spring 2011.
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Anyone looking at Margate at the moment knows there is still work to do. With the opening of Turner Contemporary in just a few months’ time, we’re determined to tackle the key problem areas. In particular, we’re focusing on seafront properties lying vacant and derelict. When visitors arrive in the town for the new gallery, we want them to get the best possible impression of Margate. After all, we all want people to spread the word about what a great place Margate is to visit. As well as tackling those eyesores, we also want to build pride over the next few months in the town. It’s easy to knock Margate, but that’s not what the town needs right now. It needs everyone to come together and support it, as we approach the opening of Turner Contemporary.”
The work will be funded by £100,000 from the government’s Seaside Fund. Other entries on the top 10 list include:
· Landscaping work to Margate station’s forecourt and car park.
· A series of pop-up shops in Marine Drive, along the seafront, for empty properties.
· Repairs to the Sturgeon lights, repainting seating and the shelter, replacing litter bins and improving signs.
· A deep clean of shopfronts and pavements along the High Street and the seafront.
Also included in the countdown to 2011 plan is a media and communications campaign, aiming to promote the town and initiatives for local businesses. This will include training ambassadors for Margate, a small grant scheme for business improvements, training in areas such as customer excellence and promoting improvements in visitor accommodation.
Friday, 24 September 2010
JOINT STATEMENTS FROM CLIFTONVILLE WEST COUNCILLORS
In response to tonight's TDC Conservative Cabinet final decision to gift the current green open space in Dalby Square to developers:
"At the Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Panel of 8th September the Director of Regeneration agreed with the Scrutiny Chairman when he suggested that it was not unusual to develop a housing site and still allocate part of the development site for open space purposes.We entirely agree with the Scrutiny Chairman and Director of Planning Services. For ten years residents have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, for over seven years ward councillors have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, TDC's own asset management process of 2008 proposed part of the development site for open space purposes.
However, the current Conservative administration, under the direction of Cllr Wells - the Cabinet Housing Member responsible, chose to ignore all that advice and allowed architects to produce a plan that built on every square meter of land, with no landscaping or green space whatsoever.
We support the Renewal Area and gladly welcome the newly created Task Force, but both are doomed to failure unless the kinds of attitudes towards the things that really matter are changed. Our residents deserve much, much more".
Cllr Linda Aldred Cllr Doug Clark JP Cllr Clive HartWorking together for Cliftonville West
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"At the Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Panel of 8th September the Director of Regeneration agreed with the Scrutiny Chairman when he suggested that it was not unusual to develop a housing site and still allocate part of the development site for open space purposes.We entirely agree with the Scrutiny Chairman and Director of Planning Services. For ten years residents have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, for over seven years ward councillors have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, TDC's own asset management process of 2008 proposed part of the development site for open space purposes.
However, the current Conservative administration, under the direction of Cllr Wells - the Cabinet Housing Member responsible, chose to ignore all that advice and allowed architects to produce a plan that built on every square meter of land, with no landscaping or green space whatsoever.
We support the Renewal Area and gladly welcome the newly created Task Force, but both are doomed to failure unless the kinds of attitudes towards the things that really matter are changed. Our residents deserve much, much more".
Cllr Linda Aldred Cllr Doug Clark JP Cllr Clive HartWorking together for Cliftonville West
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SELECTIVE LICENSING FOR CLIFTONVILLE WEST RENEWAL AREA
Ward Councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and Clive Hart are pleased that a consultation on selective licensing for private sector housing in Cliftonville West is finally underway.
Speaking on behalf of all three ward councillors, Cllr Clive Hart said "Selective Licensing of privately rented accomodation should help us reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the management of properties. It is something we Cliftonville West ward councillors have lobbied for persistently over the past six years and is a matter we have consistently raised through five years of Renewal Area meetings with council officers and PACT* meetings with the Police (*Police & Communities Together).
We dearly wish TDC had acted sooner, but we welcome Selective Licensing for the Renewal Area section of Cliftonville West made possible by the previous Labour government through section 80 of the Housing Act 2004".
Published by Cllrs Linda Aldred, Doug Clark & Clive Hart
44 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, CT9 2RW.
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Speaking on behalf of all three ward councillors, Cllr Clive Hart said "Selective Licensing of privately rented accomodation should help us reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the management of properties. It is something we Cliftonville West ward councillors have lobbied for persistently over the past six years and is a matter we have consistently raised through five years of Renewal Area meetings with council officers and PACT* meetings with the Police (*Police & Communities Together).
We dearly wish TDC had acted sooner, but we welcome Selective Licensing for the Renewal Area section of Cliftonville West made possible by the previous Labour government through section 80 of the Housing Act 2004".
Published by Cllrs Linda Aldred, Doug Clark & Clive Hart
44 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, CT9 2RW.
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SHADOW UPDATE
(23/09/2010)
CORRECTION - AT ITEM 6 - Cllr ALAN POOLE IS DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND A RAMSGATE COUNCILLOR.
Labour Shadow Team comments & questions for Thursday evenings TDC Cabinet meeting.
INTRODUCTION - Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.
Gifting publicly owned land to developers, sharing services, selective licensing for private sector housing, information deemed exempt and a long and nasty personally offensive rant from a leading Conservative Cabinet Member were all part of Thursday's TDC Cabinet meeting.
Labour Shadow Cabinet members were present and gave the following views.
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
_______________________________
AGENDA ITEM 4 - DALBY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT - (CALL-IN OF CABINET NOTICE).
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition & Cliftonville West Ward Councillor.
I refer to the minutes of the Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Panel of 8th September and would draw attention to the end of the second to last paragraph on page 12:
Brian White [the Director of Regeneration] agreed with the Scrutiny Chairman when he suggested that it was not unusual to develop a housing site and still allocate part of the development site for open space purposes.
I entirely agree with the Scrutiny Chairman and Director of Planning Services. For ten years residents have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, for over seven years ward councillors have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, TDC's own asset management process of 2008 proposed part of the development site for open space purposes.
However, this administration, under the direction of Cllr Wells - the Cabinet Member responsible, chose to override that advice and allowed architects to produce a plan that built on every square meter of land with no landscaping or green space.
At planning last week I explained "The planning committee is constantly bombarded with swish applications for developments in other parts of Thanet that provide lovely public spaces and often stunning landscaping as part of those projects. But in the poorest part of our district, where residents have to live in the most densely populated and cramped conditions, architects have decided that absolutely no public space is needed whatsoever".
The next development being discussed last Wednesday was in Broadstairs, it included landscaping and tree planting around the perimeter and a large green open space at the centre, I rest my case.
I'll repeat what I said in summing up to the planning committee last week and at a councillors briefing earlier this week:
We support the Renewal Area and gladly welcome the newly created Task Force, but both are doomed to failure unless the kinds of attitudes towards the things that really matter are changed.
Our local residents deserve much, much more!
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
_______________________________
AGENDA ITEM 5 - EAST KENT HOUSING LANDLORD SHARED SERVICES - CONSULTATION & NEXT STEPS.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Services (Housing).
I welcome the work that had gone in to the consultation and stated she had attended many of the Road Shows. However I have grave concerns that recent reports both to Scrutiny and this one to cabinet give the impression that there was a completely satisfactory outcome.Councillor Tom King and myself were very concerned at our Shared Housing Services meeting in August that there was a 39.4% response and out of that small turn out 63.18% were in favour of joint working. Even with a few more days of increased consultation the positive spin used in TDC press releases does not reflect the truth. The spin implies the 63.18% was out of 100% responses. The majority of tenants did not participate in the consultation and therefore the need for a ballot is even more imperative. The concerns of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are reflected on page 26... 10.5. As the outcome of the tenant consultation has not been an overwhelming endorsement of the Council's plans the need for a formal ballot MUST go back to full Council.
I would ask Cabinet to honour that commitment.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
__________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 6 - THE INTRODUCTION OF SELECTIVE LICENSING IN PHASE 1 RENEWAL AREA.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Services (Housing).
As ward councilors much of our work is involved in dealing with HMO's and we would want this scheme extended throughout the whole of Margate Central ward. I would ask you to agree to this tonight. Tanya Wenham is to be congratulated on the time and effort put in to this report. Unfortunately the new Government's scuppering of Labour's previously comprehensive consultation processes could impact on our plans to consult on this.On the 7th August 2009 Mrs Wenham submitted a thorough response to the Labour Governments consultation on HMO's which gave us the tools from April 2010 to bring forward this paper. On the 21st June 2010 the new Government wrote to the Coastal Communities Alliance with a request to take part in an INFORMAL consultation on amendments to planning rules for HMO's. I have not seen any sign of a letter to TDC directly.However Mr Whites' recent presentation to members covered some of the implications for us. I had spoken to him and other officers and it is clear TDC were given little time to respond to the Communities and Local Government and just managed to respond to Milton Keynes questions to assist with a Judicial Review. Hopefully officers will shortly produce a paper for Cabinet on all of this and especially cover the possibility of compensation payable to landlords.Despite the new Government's knee jerk reactions we must work within the existing rules and I would want you to support this designation but ask you to please include all of Margate Central Ward.Ward councilors would also need to be fully informed of any public meetings being held as part of the consultation.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Clive Hart - Deputy Leader of the Opposition & a RAMSGATE Councillor.
Licensing of privately rented accommodation is something we Cliftonville West ward councillors have lobbied for persistently over the past seven years. It has been a matter we have consistently raised through five years of Renewal Area meetings with council officers and PACT meetings with the Police (Police & Communities Together).
I also firmly believe this action should be extended to cover other parts of our ward and indeed to other similar parts of Thanet.
However, speaking on behalf of myself and my fellow ward councillors Linda Aldred and Doug Clark I'd like to welcome Selective Licensing for the Renewal Area section of Cliftonville West ward and thank the previous Labour government for making it all possible through section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 - just a shame action wasn't taken much sooner.
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
Also speaking:
Cllr Alan Poole - Deputy Leader of the Opposition & a RAMSGATE Councillor.
I fully support this proposal to designate the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards a selective licensing area for privately rented accommodation.
I do however have several concerns.
One concern is that by introducing the licensing of accommodation in the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards we will move the problem landlords to other areas of Thanet.
As parts of Ramsgate suffer from very similar problems to the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards I would like TDC to extend the scheme to cover parts of Ramsgate as soon as possible. A Thanet-wide scheme would be even better.
Another concern I have is that when this Coalition Government cuts housing benefit, and it is looking to save £1.8bn, affecting possibly a million families, many of these families will be forced to look for cheaper accommodation and end up in Thanet……….this would only serve to aggravate what is already a major problem for Thanet.
I also have concerns that the £525 cost of a license for each property will simply be passed on to the tenant.
Because of my concerns I would ask that an impact assessment is carried out by officers.
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 7 - COUNTDOWN TO 2011.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member & Margate Central Ward Councillor.
Councillor Watkins covered many of the concerns we have in Margate Central at a previous Cabinet meeting and unfortunately we just cannot wait for the improvements desperately needed in Margate. Many of the issues in Annex two have been discussed and debated for the last six years and the public and ourselves just want to see some real action NOW.We couldn't wait until March 2011 to clean down shop fronts and are doing this ourselves with volunteers.We are still waiting for St Andrew's Passage to be washed down and members of the public complain mostly about the outside of TDC itself. The 20k on 'Getting the message across' would be better spent on an immediate clean up. Obvious improvements and a rubbish and weed free town will get the message across better than any posters! The Fort Road Hotel which we have asked to be boarded up on numerous occasions was the scene of a serious accident this week and as Councillors we are getting more than a little fed up of asking for help that rarelycomes.
(Cabinet Chairman and Council Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford then openly allowed Cllr Wise to respond with a totally unnecessary, long nasty personal rant against Cllr Johnston - despite having addressed council members earlier in the week and asking them to please treat each other with respect).
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Richard Nicholson - Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration.
Whilst I can only agree with the proposals to “tidy up” the areas leading to the Turner Contemporary it appears to be so much window dressing.
Much of the work is what residents of Margate expect to be done anyway to tidy up their town, except this should be done as a matter of course and not just for the opening next Spring.
I read a letter this week which talked about people coming to the Turner Contemporary and being given “council blinkers” well the blinkers are the hoardings to be erected to cover the failures of the last 7 years.
Also I am sure the residents of the other parts of Thanet would want, and expect, the same for their areas.
Of course it is right to show Margate in it’s best light, especially when the “hoards” come to visit the Turner gallery but due to lack of planning and action this rush at the 11th hour seems a bit tawdry.
Perhaps you were advised by those responsible for the Commonwealth games in India?
Cllr. Richard Nicholson - Phone: 01843 580057
______________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 9 - REVISED CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2010/2011.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member & Margate Central Councillor.
I would like to raise concerns on page 51 2.3.I have spoken to officers about the 65k savings on Margate Pedestrian Connections which should is to be redistributed. Officers feel the wording of the report is not clear. However I feel very strongly that any monies dedicated to Margate should stay there. We have plenty of pedestrian connections not least at Addiscombe Gardens, St Andrews Passage and other Rights of Way that could benefit. The 40k contribution to the new community hall at Pierremont is apparently being recommended through some financial realignment. This seems very strange to me.All of the 65k must be spent in Margate and be seen to be spent according to the rules.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition & Cliftonville West Ward Councillor.
Just questions on this one please:
2.1 - could we please have explanations and some further detail of the overspends on:
Building Safer Communities
Dalby Square
Emergency works to Victoria Parade
2.4 - can we please be assured that contract standing orders were followed for the upgrade of Metering Upgrade works at Ramsgate Harbour?
Page 57 Can I also please ask - what does the £812,190 refer to regarding the Marks & Spencer building?
(Officers will supply Cllr Hart with detailed answers later).
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
AGENDA ITEM 10 - EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS.
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition.
ARGUED AGAINST EXCLUDING THE PUBLIC FOR TOTAL REPORT
Thanet's residents need to know exactly what a tangled web the three Conservative authorities are getting us all into and as soon as possible. I thought we had agreement that only the parts of reports that absolutely had to be exempt would be treated as such - most of this report is perfectly reasonable to debate.
(Chairman overruled suggestion).
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
CORRECTION - AT ITEM 6 - Cllr ALAN POOLE IS DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND A RAMSGATE COUNCILLOR.
Labour Shadow Team comments & questions for Thursday evenings TDC Cabinet meeting.
INTRODUCTION - Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.
Gifting publicly owned land to developers, sharing services, selective licensing for private sector housing, information deemed exempt and a long and nasty personally offensive rant from a leading Conservative Cabinet Member were all part of Thursday's TDC Cabinet meeting.
Labour Shadow Cabinet members were present and gave the following views.
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
_______________________________
AGENDA ITEM 4 - DALBY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT - (CALL-IN OF CABINET NOTICE).
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition & Cliftonville West Ward Councillor.
I refer to the minutes of the Extraordinary Overview and Scrutiny Panel of 8th September and would draw attention to the end of the second to last paragraph on page 12:
Brian White [the Director of Regeneration] agreed with the Scrutiny Chairman when he suggested that it was not unusual to develop a housing site and still allocate part of the development site for open space purposes.
I entirely agree with the Scrutiny Chairman and Director of Planning Services. For ten years residents have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, for over seven years ward councillors have called for part of the development site for open space purposes, TDC's own asset management process of 2008 proposed part of the development site for open space purposes.
However, this administration, under the direction of Cllr Wells - the Cabinet Member responsible, chose to override that advice and allowed architects to produce a plan that built on every square meter of land with no landscaping or green space.
At planning last week I explained "The planning committee is constantly bombarded with swish applications for developments in other parts of Thanet that provide lovely public spaces and often stunning landscaping as part of those projects. But in the poorest part of our district, where residents have to live in the most densely populated and cramped conditions, architects have decided that absolutely no public space is needed whatsoever".
The next development being discussed last Wednesday was in Broadstairs, it included landscaping and tree planting around the perimeter and a large green open space at the centre, I rest my case.
I'll repeat what I said in summing up to the planning committee last week and at a councillors briefing earlier this week:
We support the Renewal Area and gladly welcome the newly created Task Force, but both are doomed to failure unless the kinds of attitudes towards the things that really matter are changed.
Our local residents deserve much, much more!
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
_______________________________
AGENDA ITEM 5 - EAST KENT HOUSING LANDLORD SHARED SERVICES - CONSULTATION & NEXT STEPS.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Services (Housing).
I welcome the work that had gone in to the consultation and stated she had attended many of the Road Shows. However I have grave concerns that recent reports both to Scrutiny and this one to cabinet give the impression that there was a completely satisfactory outcome.Councillor Tom King and myself were very concerned at our Shared Housing Services meeting in August that there was a 39.4% response and out of that small turn out 63.18% were in favour of joint working. Even with a few more days of increased consultation the positive spin used in TDC press releases does not reflect the truth. The spin implies the 63.18% was out of 100% responses. The majority of tenants did not participate in the consultation and therefore the need for a ballot is even more imperative. The concerns of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are reflected on page 26... 10.5. As the outcome of the tenant consultation has not been an overwhelming endorsement of the Council's plans the need for a formal ballot MUST go back to full Council.
I would ask Cabinet to honour that commitment.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
__________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 6 - THE INTRODUCTION OF SELECTIVE LICENSING IN PHASE 1 RENEWAL AREA.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Services (Housing).
As ward councilors much of our work is involved in dealing with HMO's and we would want this scheme extended throughout the whole of Margate Central ward. I would ask you to agree to this tonight. Tanya Wenham is to be congratulated on the time and effort put in to this report. Unfortunately the new Government's scuppering of Labour's previously comprehensive consultation processes could impact on our plans to consult on this.On the 7th August 2009 Mrs Wenham submitted a thorough response to the Labour Governments consultation on HMO's which gave us the tools from April 2010 to bring forward this paper. On the 21st June 2010 the new Government wrote to the Coastal Communities Alliance with a request to take part in an INFORMAL consultation on amendments to planning rules for HMO's. I have not seen any sign of a letter to TDC directly.However Mr Whites' recent presentation to members covered some of the implications for us. I had spoken to him and other officers and it is clear TDC were given little time to respond to the Communities and Local Government and just managed to respond to Milton Keynes questions to assist with a Judicial Review. Hopefully officers will shortly produce a paper for Cabinet on all of this and especially cover the possibility of compensation payable to landlords.Despite the new Government's knee jerk reactions we must work within the existing rules and I would want you to support this designation but ask you to please include all of Margate Central Ward.Ward councilors would also need to be fully informed of any public meetings being held as part of the consultation.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Clive Hart - Deputy Leader of the Opposition & a RAMSGATE Councillor.
Licensing of privately rented accommodation is something we Cliftonville West ward councillors have lobbied for persistently over the past seven years. It has been a matter we have consistently raised through five years of Renewal Area meetings with council officers and PACT meetings with the Police (Police & Communities Together).
I also firmly believe this action should be extended to cover other parts of our ward and indeed to other similar parts of Thanet.
However, speaking on behalf of myself and my fellow ward councillors Linda Aldred and Doug Clark I'd like to welcome Selective Licensing for the Renewal Area section of Cliftonville West ward and thank the previous Labour government for making it all possible through section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 - just a shame action wasn't taken much sooner.
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
Also speaking:
Cllr Alan Poole - Deputy Leader of the Opposition & a RAMSGATE Councillor.
I fully support this proposal to designate the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards a selective licensing area for privately rented accommodation.
I do however have several concerns.
One concern is that by introducing the licensing of accommodation in the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards we will move the problem landlords to other areas of Thanet.
As parts of Ramsgate suffer from very similar problems to the Cliftonville West and Margate Central Wards I would like TDC to extend the scheme to cover parts of Ramsgate as soon as possible. A Thanet-wide scheme would be even better.
Another concern I have is that when this Coalition Government cuts housing benefit, and it is looking to save £1.8bn, affecting possibly a million families, many of these families will be forced to look for cheaper accommodation and end up in Thanet……….this would only serve to aggravate what is already a major problem for Thanet.
I also have concerns that the £525 cost of a license for each property will simply be passed on to the tenant.
Because of my concerns I would ask that an impact assessment is carried out by officers.
Cllr. Alan Poole - Phone: 01843 602594
________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 7 - COUNTDOWN TO 2011.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member & Margate Central Ward Councillor.
Councillor Watkins covered many of the concerns we have in Margate Central at a previous Cabinet meeting and unfortunately we just cannot wait for the improvements desperately needed in Margate. Many of the issues in Annex two have been discussed and debated for the last six years and the public and ourselves just want to see some real action NOW.We couldn't wait until March 2011 to clean down shop fronts and are doing this ourselves with volunteers.We are still waiting for St Andrew's Passage to be washed down and members of the public complain mostly about the outside of TDC itself. The 20k on 'Getting the message across' would be better spent on an immediate clean up. Obvious improvements and a rubbish and weed free town will get the message across better than any posters! The Fort Road Hotel which we have asked to be boarded up on numerous occasions was the scene of a serious accident this week and as Councillors we are getting more than a little fed up of asking for help that rarelycomes.
(Cabinet Chairman and Council Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford then openly allowed Cllr Wise to respond with a totally unnecessary, long nasty personal rant against Cllr Johnston - despite having addressed council members earlier in the week and asking them to please treat each other with respect).
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Richard Nicholson - Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration.
Whilst I can only agree with the proposals to “tidy up” the areas leading to the Turner Contemporary it appears to be so much window dressing.
Much of the work is what residents of Margate expect to be done anyway to tidy up their town, except this should be done as a matter of course and not just for the opening next Spring.
I read a letter this week which talked about people coming to the Turner Contemporary and being given “council blinkers” well the blinkers are the hoardings to be erected to cover the failures of the last 7 years.
Also I am sure the residents of the other parts of Thanet would want, and expect, the same for their areas.
Of course it is right to show Margate in it’s best light, especially when the “hoards” come to visit the Turner gallery but due to lack of planning and action this rush at the 11th hour seems a bit tawdry.
Perhaps you were advised by those responsible for the Commonwealth games in India?
Cllr. Richard Nicholson - Phone: 01843 580057
______________________________________
AGENDA ITEM 9 - REVISED CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2010/2011.
Cllr Iris Johnston - Shadow Cabinet Member & Margate Central Councillor.
I would like to raise concerns on page 51 2.3.I have spoken to officers about the 65k savings on Margate Pedestrian Connections which should is to be redistributed. Officers feel the wording of the report is not clear. However I feel very strongly that any monies dedicated to Margate should stay there. We have plenty of pedestrian connections not least at Addiscombe Gardens, St Andrews Passage and other Rights of Way that could benefit. The 40k contribution to the new community hall at Pierremont is apparently being recommended through some financial realignment. This seems very strange to me.All of the 65k must be spent in Margate and be seen to be spent according to the rules.
Cllr. Iris Johnston - Phone: 01843 299207
Also speaking:
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition & Cliftonville West Ward Councillor.
Just questions on this one please:
2.1 - could we please have explanations and some further detail of the overspends on:
Building Safer Communities
Dalby Square
Emergency works to Victoria Parade
2.4 - can we please be assured that contract standing orders were followed for the upgrade of Metering Upgrade works at Ramsgate Harbour?
Page 57 Can I also please ask - what does the £812,190 refer to regarding the Marks & Spencer building?
(Officers will supply Cllr Hart with detailed answers later).
Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770
AGENDA ITEM 10 - EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS.
Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition.
ARGUED AGAINST EXCLUDING THE PUBLIC FOR TOTAL REPORT
Thanet's residents need to know exactly what a tangled web the three Conservative authorities are getting us all into and as soon as possible. I thought we had agreement that only the parts of reports that absolutely had to be exempt would be treated as such - most of this report is perfectly reasonable to debate.
(Chairman overruled suggestion).
Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.
INJURED IN DANGEROUS EYESORE BUILDING
(Opposite Turner Contemporary Site)
A police and fire service operation in conjunction with the ambulance service had to deal with an unnamed injured young man in the derelict Fort Road Hotel in Margate, opposite the multi million pound Turner Contemporary.Ward Councillor Iris Johnston said "A member of the public alerted me to the accident on Tuesday evening around 9pm and I am sorry to say this was something waiting to happen. Cllr John Watkins and I have reported an open window for months and at other times over the years reported squatters and rubbish to TDC.I took an officer up there again three weeks ago and we saw a young man trying to gain entry. I also pointed out the rubbish filled basement area where anyone could fall in".Councillor Johnston added "TDC are at last taking legal action under a section 215 Notice and could go for compulsory purchase on both the Hotel and Arcadian.There is a planning application in for the latter and apparently 'decorative hoardings' may be put up on both eyesores. TDC have at last served Section 215 notices with a possibility of compulsory purchase if the owners don't make the longover due repairs and improvements.We were at this stage with the Hotel in 2003 and I don't know how many times we can push for action. I am waiting to hear how the young man is and I can only hope we haven't a real tragedy".
Leader of the Opposition at TDC Cllr Clive Hart said "this incident is very worrying. I have seen regular correspondence that proves the ward councillors have done everything they possibly could to warn TDC of the dangerous conditions, but the current administration have been way to slow in taking appropriate action.
Now the Conservative Cabinet intends to hide the Hotel and other eyesore buildings along the seafront from visitors to the Turner Contemporary behind huge hoardings. That's all very well, but they will still be a danger, and continuing eyesores to local rate paying residents inland.
Indeed, the hoardings could hide all manner of illicit activity and actually make things worse. Failing to act on the ward councillors repeated concerns over the past seven years has forced TDC into rushed, last-minute and very temporary solutions to longstanding problems".
A police and fire service operation in conjunction with the ambulance service had to deal with an unnamed injured young man in the derelict Fort Road Hotel in Margate, opposite the multi million pound Turner Contemporary.Ward Councillor Iris Johnston said "A member of the public alerted me to the accident on Tuesday evening around 9pm and I am sorry to say this was something waiting to happen. Cllr John Watkins and I have reported an open window for months and at other times over the years reported squatters and rubbish to TDC.I took an officer up there again three weeks ago and we saw a young man trying to gain entry. I also pointed out the rubbish filled basement area where anyone could fall in".Councillor Johnston added "TDC are at last taking legal action under a section 215 Notice and could go for compulsory purchase on both the Hotel and Arcadian.There is a planning application in for the latter and apparently 'decorative hoardings' may be put up on both eyesores. TDC have at last served Section 215 notices with a possibility of compulsory purchase if the owners don't make the longover due repairs and improvements.We were at this stage with the Hotel in 2003 and I don't know how many times we can push for action. I am waiting to hear how the young man is and I can only hope we haven't a real tragedy".
Leader of the Opposition at TDC Cllr Clive Hart said "this incident is very worrying. I have seen regular correspondence that proves the ward councillors have done everything they possibly could to warn TDC of the dangerous conditions, but the current administration have been way to slow in taking appropriate action.
Now the Conservative Cabinet intends to hide the Hotel and other eyesore buildings along the seafront from visitors to the Turner Contemporary behind huge hoardings. That's all very well, but they will still be a danger, and continuing eyesores to local rate paying residents inland.
Indeed, the hoardings could hide all manner of illicit activity and actually make things worse. Failing to act on the ward councillors repeated concerns over the past seven years has forced TDC into rushed, last-minute and very temporary solutions to longstanding problems".
LOTS OF SUPPORT FOR LILY LOVES…
Over 10,000 dog waste bags have already been given out to local businesses and community venues who have agreed to support the ‘Lily Loves’ anti litter campaign.
Nearly 25 local businesses and community venues across Thanet from Minster to Margate have offered to give out free dog waste and rubbish bags upon request and to display the ‘Lily loves’ posters as part of the campaign.
‘Lily loves’ is a campaign starring an eight year old girl, Lily Manclark, from Margate who contacted the council after noticing the litter on her local beach and is now working with the council to encourage people to play their part in keeping Thanet clean.
The campaign features Lily, her family and council staff on the area’s beaches and in parks and towns and encourages people to use the bins provided or ask for extra litter or dog waste bags if they need them for a number of local venues.
Thanet Council’s community wardens have been visiting towns and villages in Thanet asking local businesses and community venues if they would support the campaign. In the first week, 24 venues have agreed to help support the campaign, by giving out free litter and dog waste bags on request and many more businesses are displaying posters.
Kent County Council wardens have also agreed to help and will be visiting a range of areas in Thanet including Westgate, Birchington and St Nicholas at Wade from next week (wc 20 September).
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Thanet really is a beautiful place and we really work hard to keep the area clean and tidy. But it is an ongoing battle to keep the area tidy, which is largely down to a small minority of people who don’t care about where they live. I’m so pleased that so many businesses and community venues are supporting our anti litter campaign. I just hope that when people see Lily in the posters that they will think twice about dropping litter and will use the bins provided or take their rubbish home with them. We spend most of the council’s budget on keeping the area clean but if we could encourage everybody to use the bins provided, pick up after their dogs and put their rubbish out on the right day – then it really would be a much cleaner place to live and we would have more money to reinvest into the area for things like play areas or grants for new businesses. ”
To request a Lily Loves anti litter campaign pack (which includes posters, window size and supply of litter and dog waste bags) please call 01843 577169, email lucy.tuson@thanet.gov.uk. To find out more about the campaign, visit www.thanet.gov.uk/lily.
Nearly 25 local businesses and community venues across Thanet from Minster to Margate have offered to give out free dog waste and rubbish bags upon request and to display the ‘Lily loves’ posters as part of the campaign.
‘Lily loves’ is a campaign starring an eight year old girl, Lily Manclark, from Margate who contacted the council after noticing the litter on her local beach and is now working with the council to encourage people to play their part in keeping Thanet clean.
The campaign features Lily, her family and council staff on the area’s beaches and in parks and towns and encourages people to use the bins provided or ask for extra litter or dog waste bags if they need them for a number of local venues.
Thanet Council’s community wardens have been visiting towns and villages in Thanet asking local businesses and community venues if they would support the campaign. In the first week, 24 venues have agreed to help support the campaign, by giving out free litter and dog waste bags on request and many more businesses are displaying posters.
Kent County Council wardens have also agreed to help and will be visiting a range of areas in Thanet including Westgate, Birchington and St Nicholas at Wade from next week (wc 20 September).
Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Thanet really is a beautiful place and we really work hard to keep the area clean and tidy. But it is an ongoing battle to keep the area tidy, which is largely down to a small minority of people who don’t care about where they live. I’m so pleased that so many businesses and community venues are supporting our anti litter campaign. I just hope that when people see Lily in the posters that they will think twice about dropping litter and will use the bins provided or take their rubbish home with them. We spend most of the council’s budget on keeping the area clean but if we could encourage everybody to use the bins provided, pick up after their dogs and put their rubbish out on the right day – then it really would be a much cleaner place to live and we would have more money to reinvest into the area for things like play areas or grants for new businesses. ”
To request a Lily Loves anti litter campaign pack (which includes posters, window size and supply of litter and dog waste bags) please call 01843 577169, email lucy.tuson@thanet.gov.uk. To find out more about the campaign, visit www.thanet.gov.uk/lily.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Last weeks planning applications,
The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0761
SURBITON COURT CUTHBERT ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0780
EAST KENT GARAGE MARGATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT126SL
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0789
UNIT 5, BROADSTAIRS RETAIL PARK, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2QW
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0765
FLAT 1, 14 ALBION PLACE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8HQ
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0767
14 NELSON CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT119JF
current
15 Sep 2010
A/TH/10/0624
SIR STANLEY GRAY 81 PEGWELL ROAD RAMSGATE CT110NJ
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0747
20 NEWBURY CLOSE BIRCHINGTON CT79XF
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0749
THE BARN AND NEW INN, NEW STREET, MARGATE, CT9 1EG
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0759
60 WESTGATE BAY AVENUE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88SN
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0781
LAND AT RENDEZVOUS SITE AND SOUTH OF MARGATE HARBOUR ARM MARGATE
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0574
53 PRINCESS MARGARET AVENUE RAMSGATE CT126HX
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0695
7 ADDINGTON PLACE RAMSGATE CT119JG
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0701
ANDREWS OFF LICENCE 46 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92RW
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0702
10A ABBOTS HILL RAMSGATE CT118HN
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0713
14 WHITFIELD AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103HX
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0756
8-12 HIGH STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LH
current
10 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0728
THE COACH HOUSE MONTEFIORE AVENUE RAMSGATE CT118BD
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0502
AGE CONCERN SOPERS YARD 66 KING STREET MARGATE CT91QE
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0583
CHARLES RIVER UK LTD MANSTON ROAD MARGATE CT94LT
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0588
29 WAVERLEY ROAD MARGATE CT95QB
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0724
51 ST. PETERS COURT BROADSTAIRS CT102UU
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0738
THE ARCADIAN, 42 FORT HILL, MARGATE, CT9 1HJ
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0739
20 SYCAMORE CLOSE BROADSTAIRS CT102LT
current
* This date is when Thanet District Council first published this case file.
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0761
SURBITON COURT CUTHBERT ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0780
EAST KENT GARAGE MARGATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT126SL
current
17 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0789
UNIT 5, BROADSTAIRS RETAIL PARK, MARGATE ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2QW
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0765
FLAT 1, 14 ALBION PLACE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8HQ
current
17 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0767
14 NELSON CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT119JF
current
15 Sep 2010
A/TH/10/0624
SIR STANLEY GRAY 81 PEGWELL ROAD RAMSGATE CT110NJ
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0747
20 NEWBURY CLOSE BIRCHINGTON CT79XF
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0749
THE BARN AND NEW INN, NEW STREET, MARGATE, CT9 1EG
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0759
60 WESTGATE BAY AVENUE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88SN
current
15 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0781
LAND AT RENDEZVOUS SITE AND SOUTH OF MARGATE HARBOUR ARM MARGATE
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0574
53 PRINCESS MARGARET AVENUE RAMSGATE CT126HX
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0695
7 ADDINGTON PLACE RAMSGATE CT119JG
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0701
ANDREWS OFF LICENCE 46 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92RW
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0702
10A ABBOTS HILL RAMSGATE CT118HN
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0713
14 WHITFIELD AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT103HX
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0756
8-12 HIGH STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LH
current
10 Sep 2010
L/TH/10/0728
THE COACH HOUSE MONTEFIORE AVENUE RAMSGATE CT118BD
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0502
AGE CONCERN SOPERS YARD 66 KING STREET MARGATE CT91QE
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0583
CHARLES RIVER UK LTD MANSTON ROAD MARGATE CT94LT
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0588
29 WAVERLEY ROAD MARGATE CT95QB
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0724
51 ST. PETERS COURT BROADSTAIRS CT102UU
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0738
THE ARCADIAN, 42 FORT HILL, MARGATE, CT9 1HJ
current
10 Sep 2010
F/TH/10/0739
20 SYCAMORE CLOSE BROADSTAIRS CT102LT
current
* This date is when Thanet District Council first published this case file.
New documents published by Thanet District Council,
17/09/2010 - Issue Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 Event
17/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 8 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
17/09/2010 - Decision Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 EventLeader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
16/09/2010 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 October 2010 to 1 April 2011; Cabinet
15/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 15 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
14/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 14 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
14/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 9 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Sub Commitee
14/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 1 2010 5:00PM, Shared Services Working Party
14/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 14 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
17/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 8 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
17/09/2010 - Decision Published: Ramsgate Beachcross 2010 EventLeader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services
16/09/2010 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 October 2010 to 1 April 2011; Cabinet
15/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 15 2010 7:00PM, Planning Committee
14/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 14 2010 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
14/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 9 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Sub Commitee
14/09/2010 - Minutes published: Meeting of Sep 1 2010 5:00PM, Shared Services Working Party
14/09/2010 - Meeting held: Sep 14 2010 10:00AM, Licensing Board
Laura Sandys MP calls for Cross Government Food Security Group
In an article that is to appear in the Kent on Sunday this weekend, Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet and Sandwich, calls for the Coalition Government to establish a cross departmental working group on Food Security’ to view access to food as central to Britain’s wider national security.
Laura, who sits on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, has written the article in a bid to draw attention to one of the long term threats facing the country.
Discussing food security, Laura said: “A rapidly growing population globally, food price hikes, possible reduction in international trade and the loss of productive land due to sea level rises, will all have an impact on access to food domestically. For too long we have been avoiding one of the biggest threats to this country, deluded by cheap food prices, importing over 70% of what is on our supermarket shelves, and dismissing the calls from UK farmers and fishermen to focus more on national food production. Food insecurity is a crisis emerging slowly but one that will impact our shores and our citizens sooner rather than later.”
“We need to build into our long term planning the impact of food price rises, we must increase domestic production, invest in new technologies and attract some of the highest calibre individuals to the sector to mitigate the impact of food insecurity. While under the Labour Government, food security languished low down on the agenda, I am very pleased that the Coalition has started to show a greater willingness to address Britain’s food security. However I urge the Government to seriously consider the need for a cross departmental Food Security group to coordinate the national and international dimensions of the issue and ensure coordinated action.”
Laura, who sits on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, has written the article in a bid to draw attention to one of the long term threats facing the country.
Discussing food security, Laura said: “A rapidly growing population globally, food price hikes, possible reduction in international trade and the loss of productive land due to sea level rises, will all have an impact on access to food domestically. For too long we have been avoiding one of the biggest threats to this country, deluded by cheap food prices, importing over 70% of what is on our supermarket shelves, and dismissing the calls from UK farmers and fishermen to focus more on national food production. Food insecurity is a crisis emerging slowly but one that will impact our shores and our citizens sooner rather than later.”
“We need to build into our long term planning the impact of food price rises, we must increase domestic production, invest in new technologies and attract some of the highest calibre individuals to the sector to mitigate the impact of food insecurity. While under the Labour Government, food security languished low down on the agenda, I am very pleased that the Coalition has started to show a greater willingness to address Britain’s food security. However I urge the Government to seriously consider the need for a cross departmental Food Security group to coordinate the national and international dimensions of the issue and ensure coordinated action.”
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