NEW THANET MAGAZINE "OVERWHELMED BY SCANDAL STORIES"

A new Thanet magazine has been "overwhelmed" by stories of alleged private corruption, public incompetence and environmental cover-ups.

Mr Norman Thomas of Thanet Watch magazine, which was launched in March, said: "We knew there were some dodgy things going on locally -- we didn't know how much or how near the surface it was."

The big problem, Mr Thomas said, is checking the stories out before they can publish them.

"It's really frustrating, but we are limited by the number of people we have to deal with the things we're being told about.

 "We are a community not-for-profit publication staffed by a small number of volunteers. It takes time and careful research to make sure our coverage is true and accurate. So if there are any would-be investigative journalists out there who'd like to help, please get in touch!"

"I promise we will get the stories out -- eventually," Mr Thomas said.

The new MAY issue of Thanet Watch is out this week. It includes:

 -- "The Burning Question" -- the legacy of controversial deceased developer Jimmy Godden 

-- The passionate debate over equal marriage for same sex partners 

--What Nigel Farrage UK Independence party leader got up to in Broadstairs

-- Worrying developments in local health services

--Shops closing because of Ramsgate's new ASDA

--And a "modest proposal" to solve the problem of Margate's Arlington House.

FOR MORE INFORMATION RING NORMAN THOMAS ON 01843 604 253

19th April Thanet District Council meeting webcast,

here is the link to the council's page http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council_meeting_webcast.aspx

to download the video file right click on this link and select save target as or save file http://www.thanet.gov.uk/files/CMApril.flv

It will take anything from about 5 to 30 mins to download and then can be opened in various media players FLV probably being the most versatile free one without advertising problems and is available from https://www.download-free.com/easy-media-player?source=ga

This will make what is a very poor quality file just about watchable to the point where it is possible to identify some of the speakers and means that you can watch it in sections as you have time. 

Conservative Group on Same Sex Marriage Motion

The Conservative Group position was outlined in the press release dated 18th April.  The Conservative Group did not believe that this was an appropriate use of Council time and resource and voted against debating the motion.  This was defeated and the motion was debated.  Of the 24 Conservative Councillors present, 2 voted against the motion, 7 voted for the motion and 15 abstained.  One Labour member also voted against the motion.

Accusations of homophobia were bandied around like confetti by Thanet Independent Group, Labour and the public gallery, including libellous tweets against members who had abstained and the Conservative Group as a whole.

Tories win free parking to help Broadstairs traders

In a bad tempered debate last Thursday, Conservatives on TDC pushed through a change to Labour's unfair parking review, which gives Broadstairs free Saturday parking in the Vere Road Car Park.  Labour had proposed the concession in the less central St Peters Park Road car park, which would not have benefitted most traders or residents wishing to use the town on a Saturday.

The Labour Party rejected a Conservative amendment to bring Birchington into line with the rest of Thanet and to reflect the stated preference of Birchington traders by allowing a full day’s free parking on Saturday instead of the first ½ hour of each day. 

TIG and Labour refused to consider the evidence provided by Cllr Bruce regarding the preference of most Birchington traders for free Saturday parking in the Albion St car park.  Cllr Cohen did not even seem to know which car park was being debated, preferring to be personally abusive to Cllr Bruce.

Cllr Chris Wells said: “Parking has become the chosen hidden tool to prop up a minority Labour administration.  With nearly 30 per cent on street parking in town centres, it is simply something all parkers can remember: 30 pence in every pound put in a parking meter pays for the political bribes to keep Labour in power.”

Tory leader Bob Bayford commented “It is a sad day for Thanet when tawdry political expedient is put before doing the right thing for our residents.”

TDC Conservative Group criticises Labour’s ‘Corporate Plan’

The Conservative Group at Thanet District Council has criticised Labour’s Corporate Plan as woefully inadequate and unfit for purpose.

Shadow Cabinet Member, Cllr Martin Wise said: “As I have stated at Scrutiny and Cabinet, I believe that Labour’s Corporate Plan fails to explain to residents what the Council will do the in coming years to achieve its objectives.

“It is nothing more than a wish list of token statements that could have been culled from any council or equivalent body in the UK or indeed, the world. It does not challenge anyone (cabinet member, officer, or Chief Executive) to deliver on anything because it contains too many priorities and no measurables.  No one can be held to account, and no one can be blamed for failure.”

The Conservative Group suggests that realistic ambitions should be stated clearly, such as:

Prosperity - We will meet with MPs, government officials, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Manston Airport operator to find opportunities to relieve air traffic congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick, by increasing passenger and freight traffic at Manston.

Housing - We will bring back into use 70 private sector homes a year.

Clean streets - We will add glass and metal to the fortnightly collection of recyclables.

Leisure - We will secure funding to upgrade the changing facilities at Hartsdown Swimming Pool, and increase the number of beach huts and beach concessions around our coast.

These are just a few ideas that would make real improvements for residents and visitors, but which were rejected by the Labour and Independent members at the Council meeting on Thursday 19^th April.

Sandys Welcomes Google to Thanet in Drive to Boost Local Busines

Laura Sandys MP has linked up with her Kent colleague, Damian Collins MP, to bring Google to East Kent in a drive to grow local businesses by getting them online. Laura will be welcoming Google to Thanet on Friday 27^th April when the multinational internet and software company will be offering free one-to-one workshops for local companies.

 

Laura said: “I am delighted that Googlehas agreed to come to Thanet to help our local businesses increase their online presence and attract more trade. The ever-increasing success of online retailers shows just how important it is to be on the internet. Being online can really boost trade and help a company grow. In the UK alone, online sales for January this year were up 16% on 2011’s figures. When compared to a 2.1% increase in trade on the high street over the same period, it is clear just how vital it is to be online. This is also true for businesses offering services; people will frequently do their research online before deciding on a certain restaurant, hairdresser, floristor hotel. In an area which attracts tens of thousands of tourists a year, being accessible online will become more and more important for our local businesses.

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for companies to get free advice from the experts at Google on what really works and I very much hope that this will provide a boost for our local economy.”

 

Google’s advice sessions will take place on Friday 27^th April from 10am to 4pm at The Oak Hotel, Ramsgate. Advance booking is required. For more information or to book a session, please visit Google’s dedicated website: www.gbbo.co.uk/juicebar

New planning applications,

The TDC planning website is one of the most bizarre websites I have ever come across in as much as the web addresses of the pages on it change after a few hours so you can’t publish links to them. If you want to look at any of the applications you need to go to the site and enter the application reference in the search box, this link takes you to the site http://www.ukplanning.com/thanet  

Date Published*	Application No.	Address	Status
20 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0085	WESTGATE SURGERY 60 WESTGATE BAY AVENUE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88SN	current
20 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0260	LORD OF THE MANOR CANTERBURY ROAD EAST RAMSGATE CT125EP	current
20 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0287	25 ROYAL ESPLANADE MARGATE CT95DZ	current
19 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0289	FLAT 3 18 VICTORIA PARADE BROADSTAIRS CT101QS	current
19 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0312	19-27 HIGH STREET, ST LAWRENCE, RAMSGATE, CT11 OQW	current
19 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0313	237 RAMSGATE ROAD MARGATE CT94BL	current
18 Apr 2012	C/TH/12/0172	LAND ADJACENT 2 SHAFTSBURY STREET RAMSGATE	decided
18 Apr 2012	CU/TH/12/0156	6 LAVENDER LANE RAMSGATE CT125LJ	decided
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0139	AUSTIN RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHIC 4 HARBOUR STREET RAMSGATE CT118HA	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0179	25 MASONS RISE BROADSTAIRS CT101AY	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0242	2 WILLOW AVENUE BROADSTAIRS CT102LP	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0245	44-46 ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1NE	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0272	7 CARLTON RISE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88QD	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0295	92 DUNSTAN AVENUE WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88HT	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0298	3 DOMNEVA ROAD MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124DR	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0299	8 MOLINEUX ROAD MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124DP	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0304	12 TOTHILL STREET MINSTER RAMSGATE CT124AG	current
18 Apr 2012	L/TH/12/0246	44-46 ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1NE	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0283	15 STANCOMBE AVENUE RAMSGATE CT110EX	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0284	70 THE SILVERS BROADSTAIRS CT102LZ	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0285	H S B C 244 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92PZ	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0288	25 VINCENT CLOSE BROADSTAIRS CT102NB	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0311	19-27 HIGH STREET ST LAWRENCE RAMSGATE CT11 0QW	current
18 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0256	FIRECRAFT 128 KING STREET RAMSGATE CT118PA	current
17 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0254	CO-OPERATIVE RETAIL SERVICES LTD 54 STATION ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79RA	current
17 Apr 2012	A/TH/12/0282	H S B C 244 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92PZ	current
16 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0276	7 ST MILDREDS AVENUE, RAMSGATE, CT11 0EE	current
16 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0268	BAY VIEW HEIGHTS, ETHELBERT ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9QY	current
16 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0073	22 OZENGELL PLACE, EUROKENT BUSINESS PARK, RAMSGATE, CT12 6PB	current
16 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0248	BIRTHDAYS 106 HIGH STREET MARGATE CT91JW	current
16 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0251	FOCUS DO IT ALL PYSONS ROAD RAMSGATE CT126RL	current
13 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0257	THANET EARTH, BARROW MAN ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT70AX	current
12 Apr 2012	L/TH/12/0218	78 TRINITY SQUARE MARGATE CT91HS	current
12 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0265	48 DANE CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT117JT	current
12 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0267	191 CANTERBURY ROAD MARGATE CT95DA	current
11 Apr 2012	A/TH/12/0177	SEVENSCORE FARM HOUSE, EBBS FLEET LANE NORTH, RAMSGATE, CT12 5DW	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0101	112 BOTANY ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3SE	decided
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0180	17 HIGHBURY GARDENS, RAMSGATE, CT126QG	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0200	RAWSONS RETREAT, NORTH FORELAND AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3QT	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0211	3 PARK ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 7QN	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0228	59 SOUTHWOOD ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 OAL	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0240	ST AUGUSTINES BUSINESS CENTRE, 125 CANTERBURY ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT88NL	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0259	29 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9DJ	current
11 Apr 2012	L/TH/12/0232	3 PARK ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 7QN	current
11 Apr 2012	A/TH/12/0266	294-300 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 3PA	current
11 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0253	HENGROVE FARM, SHOTTENDANE ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 4NH	current
11 Apr 2012	A/TH/12/0249	106 HIGH STREET, MARGATE, CT91JW	current
10 Apr 2012	F/TH/12/0263	41 NASH COURT GARDENS MARGATE CT94DG	current

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