THANET IN TRANSITION SWAP SHOP

Thanet Swap Shop

There will be another free afternoon Swap Shop on Saturday 12th January at 60 High Street in Margate (opp KFC). Everyone is invited to come along with anything they want to swap.

Thanet in Transition, who are working towards a better future for us all, have organised the event and they will even serve up free tea and biscuits to all who attend.

Open from 2pm-4pm you are invited to take along toys, clothes, books and anything from the house and garden that you want to swap with the things that other people bring.

"We will all have some unwanted gifts after Christmas" said Rox Tesla, from The Streets Ahead Margate hub, who are donating the shop space. "And this is a good chance to trade for something more useful".

Thanet in Transition member Charlotte Wilson added "If we can find a good home for any unwanted items then nothing gets thrown away and wasted. All we ask is that you bring your own shopping bags".

Thanet in Transition is planning more events so that that people can get together to make it cheaper to live here, keep the money in Thanet and adapt to the changing climate - while having fun. If you would like to offer a central venue in Ramsgate or Broadstairs, for an event that brings in the community, please email transition@new2margate.com or call Sue on 07855 257 776.

Thanet in Transition is part of a global Transition Movement that creates community-led activities to help achieve a 'soft-landing' to a real and sustainable future.

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
21 Dec 2012	OL/TH/12/0969	SPELDHURST MARLBOROUGH ROAD RAMSGATE CT119BU	current
20 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0980	LAND ADJOINING GRANVILLE MARINA MARINA ESPLANADE RAMSGATE	unknown
19 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0982	77 - 79 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2RJ	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0938	18 ALBION ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT102UP	current
18 Dec 2012	A/TH/12/0957	31 KING STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 8NP	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0895	26 WESTGATE BAY AVENUE, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8TA	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0931	52 WEST CLIFF ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1PU	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0942	NORTHDOWN C P SCHOOL, TENTERDEN WAY, MARGATE, CT9 3RE	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0944	4 DARYNGTON AVENUE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9PS	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0955	15 STANCOMB AVENUE, RAMSGATE, CT11 0EX	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0958	ALDI STORE LTD, ZION PLACE, MARGATE, CT9 1RP	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0964	LAND NORTH OF HAINE ROAD BROADSTAIRS AND WEST OF NASH ROAD, MARGATE	current
18 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0981	130 KING STREET, RAMSGATE	current
17 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0937	18A ALBION ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2UP	current
17 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0966	69 PRINCE CHARLES ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3HH	current
17 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0967	OSTERIA POSILLIPO, 14 ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS,	current
14 Dec 2012	L/TH/12/0968	14 ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LU	current

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

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

• 21/12/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Tuesday, 8th January, 2013 11.00 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 21/12/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Tuesday, 8th January, 2013 10.00 am, Licensing Board
• 21/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Wednesday, 19th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Planning Committee
• 21/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Tuesday, 18th December, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 20/12/2012 - Meeting held: Thursday, 20th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
• 20/12/2012 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan and Exempt Cabinet Report List for period from 22 January 2013 to 2 May 2013; Cabinet
• 19/12/2012 - Meeting held: Wednesday, 19th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Planning Committee
• 19/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Wednesday, 12th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Joint Transportation Board
• 18/12/2012 - Meeting held: Tuesday, 18th December, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 17/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Thursday, 6th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Council

Thanet District Council licensing applications,

Name of Applicant / Club	Address of Premises / Club	Nature of application. New or variation	Proposed licensable activities / or proposed variation	Date by which representations may be made (no less than 28 days after date received)
Sebastian Kingsley	Newington Post Office, 85 Newington Road, Ramsgate CT12 6PP	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	20 December 2012
AKSSR Ltd	Costcutter, 41-43 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2RN	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	26 December 2012
Genting Casinos UK Limited	Zion Place, Margate CT9 1RP	Variation to premises licence	Increase in hours for supply of alcohol	27 December 2012
Anthony Wait	Vera's Kitchen, 11 Broad Street, Margate CT9 1EW	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment	16 January 2013
Alan Dolan	West Bay Cafe, Sea Road, Westgate on Sea, CT8 8QA	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment	17 January 2012

Thanet Independent Leader's Statement about Letters

Due to the press releases recently made by both the Leader of Thanet District Council and Cllr Ian Driver, including the publication of a letter by Cllr Driver , that was originally sent to his independent colleagues, I feel it is in the public interest to publish the following letter sent to Cllr Driver prior to the  retraction of his  statement calling for the Chairman of Thanet District Council to resign.

Dear Ian ,

We are most unhappy, uncomfortable and concerned with your presentations at the Full Council Meeting of TDC 6th December 2012.

We feel that the almost monotonous recurrence of various provocative events, that you engineer, are harmful to our group and personal reputations as well as the stability of our Council in which we play vital roles and owe our loyalty to ensure that normal business is able to continue . Anything less becomes irresponsible.

Earlier in our association, we agreed that any controversial policy statements would be the subject of discussion amongst all three of us prior to any action or publication.

Unfortunately you have not honoured our agreement.

Naturally, this is an unacceptable practice and should it reoccur, you will automatically eliminate yourself from our group.

With best wishes,

We remain,

Sincerely,

Jack Cohen and John Worrow.

Update on Ramsgate Royal Sands Development

Negotiations between Thanet District Council and the developer of Ramsgate Royal Sands are still underway.

That’s the latest news following a meeting held this week (Tuesday 18 December) at Thanet District Council.

The council will only sign a new agreement with the developer once it has absolute assurances that adequate finances and a hotel operator are in place. Negotiations are set to continue.

In the mean-time an existing agreement, signed in 2009, is in place should negotiations fail to reach a conclusion.

PUTTING THANET ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP FOR YOUTH SPORT

Hot on the heels of the UK’s fantastic Olympic sporting legacy Thanet District Council (TDC) has helped to maintain international interest through a lead role in facilitating the European Youth and Sport Forum 2012.
The forum, in Larnaca, Cyprus was funded by the International Sport and Culture Association to encourage greater popular interest in healthy living, physical activity and sport. James Gregory, Sport and Leisure Officer for TDC was one of three Health facilitators (the others from Germany and Slovenia) who made up the team of European coordinators organising the event which involved over 80 young leaders in sports, from 28 different countries.
 Amongst the many positive outcomes were proposals to improve the operating capacity of existing sport or physical activity facilities in schools and in urban green spaces with cycle and running paths. New sport programmes will also be created, to educate and to promote sport to all.
James Gregory, said: “It really was very exciting and inspiring to represent Thanet on a major international project and to play such an integral part in this kind of important declaration. It will encourage the Office of the European Union and the Council of Europe to recognise the importance of sport, health, well-being and physical activity in everyday life. The workshops and other activities raised awareness of the current climate in these fields and the barriers that often seem to prevent us from becoming healthier, volunteering more and being active citizens.”
In fact James’ role was even more significant - as the only native English speaker on the editorial team reporting the recommendations of the Forum to the European authorities and national policy makers!
Cabinet member for community Services, Cllr Iris Johnston said: “Thanet District Council was represented very effectively. This is a great opportunity for the Council to show that we are dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic in keeping Thanet healthy (mentally and physically) and consistently active in sport. Everyone here is very proud of James and all that he and the Sport Matters team do.
“There are so many different choices available to remain fit and healthy now, and that’s down to the hard work and dedication of the Sport Matters team. Thanks to James’ efforts Thanet is able to align with European and national policies. - If there is excellent work going on elsewhere in Europe, then let's learn from it and replicate it here in Thanet for the benefit of our residents and their quality of life!”
The Forum will be monitoring progress at policy level, looking for positive shifts in policies towards improved strategies in the health and sporting fields, together with any resultant  reduction in youth unemployment – so now’s the time to start flexing your muscles if you feel you can help!.
If you would like to know more, or to find out how to get involved in sport in your area, please email sport@thanet.gov.uk or visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sport. You can also tweet us on #EYSF2012 to let us know your thoughts and feelings on sport.

OFFICE CLOSURE - CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR

Please note that we shall be closed for Christmas:

3.00 p.m. - Friday 21 December

TO

10.00 a.m. - Wednesday 2 January, 2013

If you could, please, keep emails to a minimum we should be particularly grateful!

We shall be checking the post and all emails daily for anything urgent during the festive period, and
the office phone will be diverted to my mobile if you need us.

My mobile is 07774 841557.  Roger's pager is 07623 978479 (wait for an operator to answer you).

Have a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

With best wishes from us all in the office - and Roger!

SUZY

www.rogergale.co.uk
www.animalsworldwide.org

Margate masterchef to support Food for Christmas campaign to feed the needy of Thanet.

MARGATE masterchef Dev Biswal has pledged to support
 Food for Christmas campaign to feed the needy of
Thanet.

The man behind award-winning Indian restaurant The
Ambrette has offered to supply food and cook for those going
hungry at the Cliftonville Community Centre.

Mr Biswal , who has featured regularly in the Michelin food
guides will provide cooked meals at the centre and supply
ingredients for the kitchen.

 I' ll be glad to help and do whatever we can to put
something back into the community."

The centre needs more donations to provide food parcels to get
the campaign under-nourished rough-sleepers and low-income families
through Christmas. 

Tinned food , rice and pasta are among the ideal donations
to provide square meals to get hungry homeless people over
the winter months.

Lunch

Volunteers from the centre and St Paul ' s Church will serve
lunch as part of its annual Open Christmas for the most
vulnerable who can be forgotten during the holidays.

A festive meal and food parcels will be provided and we
hope you can spare a few tins or packets of food this Christmas.

With few places in sheltered accommodation and many
priced out of the private sector , the isle' s homeless sleep on
sofas or in inhospitable squats with no water or heating.

The Cliftonville Community Centre provides a lifeline with
free hot showers. , meals and laundry facilities for those in
need.

To find out more or make a donation , pop into the centre in
St Paul' s Road off Edgar Road, call 07716 887378 or bring your
food donation to our offices at 3rd floor , Mill Lane House , Mill
Lane , Margate.

The Ambrette, 44 King Street, Margate Old Town, Kent CT9 1QE

T: 01843 231504  E: info@theambrette.co.uk W: www.theambrette.co.uk

STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO Cllr IAN DRIVER

I want to make it very clear that Cllr Driver is ABSOLUTELY WRONG in his assumption that I/we have in any way tried to have his group remove him as the Chair of Scrutiny.

Indeed, understanding the recent stresses within their group, in any conversation I have had recently with his Thanet Independent Group colleagues I have urged them to do all they can to to try to keep Cllr Driver in their group and as the Chair of Scrutiny.

This statement is absolutely factual - please feel free to check these facts with Cllr Driver's two group colleagues.

Cllr Clive Hart - Labour Leader of TDC

DREAMLAND APPEAL - COURT DATE SET

Thanet District Council has today (Thursday 20 December) been successful in its application to have the Dreamland Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) appeal prioritised. A two day hearing will now take place on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 March 2013. If the appeal by the landowners is unsuccessful, Thanet District Council will immediately begin the process of acquiring ownership of the site. The council received approval from the Secretary of State for the Compulsory Purchase of the site in August 2012, following a public inquiry. The landowners then challenged the decision by the Secretary of State. Thanet District Council is working in partnership with The Dreamland Trust to create a world first for the site, an amusement park of thrilling historic rides, with classic sideshows, vintage cafes, restaurants, and gardens with special events and festivals.

SPORT 4 LIFE

For the third year running, Thanet District Council is aiming to help adults in Thanet who, previously, may not have felt that they have had the time or money to get involved with sport.

Sport 4 Life will be delivering a series of free sports activities across the area with sessions starting from Monday 14 January 2013 which will continue for 8 weeks.

Thanet District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr Iris Johnston said: “Many people can relate to wanting to keep active and fit, especially after the Christmas period. This scheme, run by Thanet District Council is a great way to bring together people, who are interested in the same thing. There’s something for everyone to get involved in such as Pilates, Futsal and dance classes. Get fit and give something new a go next year.”

All sessions are free and open to anyone aged 16 or over. Those who get the sports bug will then be helped to find a suitable activity after the 8 weeks of free activities ends.

Get into the rhythm on Monday lunchtimes with Zumba Gold, which is aimed at the active older participant, and is fun, social and friendly. These classes will take place at Hartsdown Leisure Centre between 1-2pm. Also on a Monday: learn to dance to the rumba, quickstep or foxtrot at The Baptist Church in Margate between 7.30-8.30pm.

Ladies, get back onto the court with Return 2 Netball. Boost your fitness and match play at Ursuline Sports Centre from 7-8pm on a Monday.

Emphasise your creativity, technique, ball control and passing in smaller spaces with Futsal, the ultimate 5-a-side football experience. This will take place at Hartsdown Leisure Centre on Tuesdays between 5.30-6.30pm.

On Wednesdays try your hand at indoor volleyball and warm up for the summer beach season. This fast and frantic game will be at St George’s School in Broadstairs from 6-7pm. Also on Wednesdays at Hartsdown Leisure Centre you could take part in fun and energetic light fitness workouts: easing your way back into the New Year with this full body conditioning session.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your day and join in with the lunchtime Pilates classes, again at Hartsdown Leisure Centre on Thursdays from 1-2pm. Also on Thursdays, Ramsgate Sports Centre is holding badminton and table tennis tasters from 5.30-6.30pm.

All classes have a limited number of places available, so book in fast. For more details of the Sport 4 Life sessions, or to get yourself registered, visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sport or call 01843 577032.

COUNCIL SECURES £1.9M FOR CLIFTONVILLE PROJECT

Thanet District Council is delighted to announce that it has today (Wednesday 19 December) secured funding of £1.9 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), through their Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), for a restoration project in Dalby Square, Cliftonville.
Council Leader, Cllr Clive Hart, said: “Close on the heels of Margate’s inclusion in the international ‘Rough Guide’ as a top travel destination, this is another brilliant opportunity to improve the area still further. The project will not only extend the successful concept as seen in the rejuvenated Old Town area but also create useful additional employment in the district.” 
The scheme, which is due to commence in January 2013, follows the similar and successful historic area grant schemes in Margate Old Town (2003-2008) and Ramsgate seafront (2008-2013) which have done much to contribute to the new positive interest being taken in Thanet.
The five-year programme will take place in the Dalby Square Conservation Area (includes Dalby Road and Arthur Road).
Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: “HLF investment goes well beyond the bricks and mortar of buildings. THI schemes can really help turn around local economies, not only by improving how they look and feel, but by prompting business start-ups and creating new jobs and training opportunities. We are delighted to be able to work with Thanet District Council in helping boost the fortunes of Dalby Square.”
Grants will be given to improve the appearance of the front elevations of buildings in the area, in a manner that reinforces their historic character, to replace lost architectural detailing, such as balconies, windows and cornices and to improve the ‘public realm’ – such as paving and lighting. Further, funding is aimed at bringing empty properties back into use, especially where this will help to create additional employment in Dalby Square; beyond the extra staff who will be involved in coordinating the scheme itself.
Dalby Square was developed in the 1870s and was the centrepiece of the planned seaside resort of Cliftonville. The area consists of grand, and highly ornate, terraces and villas, many of which were originally hotels. Up to the First World War, Cliftonville was probably the most exclusive seaside resort in England – a grandeur reflected in its many surviving buildings from the mid to late Victorian period.
The project will also fund the promotion of Dalby Square, and the wider area, as a place of great historic and townscape value, and as a highly desirable place to live or visit.
With the renewed interest in Britain’s heritage and the tighter control which Thanet District Council is taking over ensuring that landlords look after their properties, this all provides a superb opportunity to breathe even more of life back into Thanet’s tremendous potential for increased prosperity.  

Statement from Cllr Ian Driver Current Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Last week I called for the resignation of the Chairman of Thanet Council, Councillor Doug Clark, because, in my opinion, he had used his casting vote unconstitutionally in relation to decisions about SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd and the Royal Sands Development Ramsgate at a meeting on 6^th December. 

I have checked the Constitution of Thanet District Council.  Article 21.2 states that “there will be no restriction on how the Chairman chooses to exercise a casting vote.”  Technically speaking Cllr Clarke did not therefore act unconstitutionally. I publically apologise to Councillor Clark for suggesting that he did. Any complaint I may have planned to take to the Council’s Standards Sub-Committee is therefore not warranted because no rules have been broken.

However I would like to point out that the exercise of a casting vote does not take place in a vacuum.  A casting vote must be used in a reasonable and balanced manner and the person using that vote must take into account all of the issues related to the subject under discussion including;

·        the level of public interest

·        the level of  councillor interest 

·        the financial implications of the decision

·        any precedents set by previous discussion on this or similar issues

·        any other relevant issues of concern relating to the issue under discussion

·        any advice or guidance about how best to manage the issue under debate

In relation to SFP Ventures Ltd and Royal Sands I think it would be fair to say that;

·        Quite clearly the people of Ramsgate are concerned about the Royal Sands development. They want to know what the Council proposes to do about the lack of progress made by developers SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd during the past decade

·        Quite clearly many councillors share these concerns. That’s why 27 councillors (50% of those present at the meeting on 6^th December) voted to have any final decision about a new development agreement with SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd, discussed and voted on by a meeting of the full Council, rather than a decision being taken by a single Cabinet member at a secret meeting.

·        Quite clearly any decision about Royal Sands has major financial implications for the Council and council taxpayers. 

·        Quite clearly a precedent has been set when in 2009 the first changes SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd’s development agreement were agreed at a meeting of the full Council rather than by a secret meeting.

Furthermore there are a number of other relevant issues which Councillors may have wished to raise had they been granted a full debate and vote about the changes to the development agreement including;

·      the value of the land proposed to be sold to SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd

·      uncertainties about the height of the development

·      issues related to the lack of a flood risk assessment when the project is being built in a designated flood risk area

·      issues related to the cost to the Council of maintaining the cliff face behind the proposed development

There is also sound advice and guidance in place in relation to how the Chairman should have managed the discussion of Royal Sands on 6^th December. Article 15 (iii) of the Council’s Constitution requires the Chairman “to ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which Members who are neither on the Executive nor hold Committee chairs are able to hold the Executive and Committee chairmen to account”. The Government Audit Commission, following an investigation into the Royal Sands development, also cautioned the Council to manage this project as openly and transparently as possible, which suggests to me that any final decision on the proposed new development agreement with SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd be made at a meeting of the full Council rather than in a secret meeting.

It is my opinion therefore that,  when all the relevant factors are taken into account,  there is an overwhelming case for any final decision on the proposed new development agreement with SFP (Ventures) UK Ltd to be taken by a meeting of full Council. 

Although technically speaking the Chairman of the Council did not act unconstitutionally in using his casting vote to block this proposal, I do believe on the evidence above that he failed to use his casting vote in a considered and balanced manner.

Finally I would have expected officers of the Council to have made the Chairman aware of the issues I have raised in this statement.

Cllr Ian Driver

Current Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel 

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
14 Dec 2012	L/TH/12/0968	14 ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LU	current
12 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0939	84 MONKTON ROAD, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4EF	current
12 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0775	119 SOUTHWOOD ROAD RAMSGATE CT110AZ	unknown
12 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0850	LAND ADJ 34 SEAFIELD ROAD RAMSGATE CT110AX	current
12 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0972	2 CHURCH COTTAGES, PLUMSTONE ROAD, ACOL, BIRCHINGTON, KENT CT7 0JD	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0965	10 BERKELEY ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, KENT CT7 9JR	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0932	100 STATION ROAD BIRCHINGTON CT79RA	current
11 Dec 2012	A/TH/12/0933	THE PARAGON, 100 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9RA	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0906	38 COLLEGE ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT11 7AA	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0910	MANSTON CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK, MANSTON COURT ROAD,RAMSGATE	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0922	58 WEST PARK AVENUE, MARGATE, CT9 3LJ	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0923	27 HATFEILDROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5AT	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0925	25A BUCKINGHAM ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5SR	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0929	GREAT CLlFFSEND FARM, COTTINGTON ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT12 5JL	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0941	6 NORTH FORELAND ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3NJ	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0974	62 KINGS AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1DN	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0975	60 STATION ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9RA	current
11 Dec 2012	L/TH/12/0928	50 HARBOUR PARADE, RAMSGATE, CT11 8LJ	current
11 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0953	45 FITZROY AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, KENT	current
07 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0946	94 SOUTHWOOD ROAD RAMSGATE CT110AW	current
07 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0945	VIKING HOUSE CLIFTONVILLE AVENUE MARGATE CT9 2AQ	current

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

New documents published by Thanet District Council,

• 18/12/2012 - Meeting scheduled: Tuesday, 18th December, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 12/12/2012 - Meeting held: Wednesday, 12th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Joint Transportation Board
• 11/12/2012 - Meeting held: Tuesday, 11th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Governance and Audit Committee
• 11/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Tuesday, 20th November, 2012 6.00 pm, East Kent Hospitals Clinical Strategy Review Task & Finish Group
• 11/12/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Wednesday, 19th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Planning Committee
• 10/12/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Tuesday, 18th December, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Sub Committee
• 10/12/2012 - Agenda published: Meeting of Thursday, 20th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
• 06/12/2012 - Meeting held: Thursday, 6th December, 2012 7.00 pm, Council
• 06/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Wednesday, 21st November, 2012 7.00 pm, Planning Committee
• 06/12/2012 - Minutes published: Meeting of Tuesday, 27th November, 2012 10.00 am, Licensing Board

Thanet District Council licensing applications,

Name of Applicant / Club	Address of Premises / Club	Nature of application. New or variation	Proposed licensable activities / or proposed variation	Date by which representations may be made (no less than 28 days after date received)
Martin McColl Limited	57 Station Road, Birchington CT7 9DJ	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	06 December 2012
Salmestone Grange Limited	Nash Road, Margate CT9 4BX	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	10 December 2012
Mr Krishnapillai Saseenthiran	Rzi Restaurant, 49 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2RN	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol and late night refreshment	13 December 2012
Charlotte Russell & Joanna Cornford	Fredericks Tearoom, Carlton Cinema, 29 St Mildreds Road, Westgate on Sea CT8 8RE	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	18 December 2012
Charlotte Russell & Joanna Cornford	Carlton Cinema, (Upper Floor) 29 St Mildreds Road, Westgate on Sea CT8 8RE	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment	18 December 2012
Sebastian Kingsley	Newington Post Office, 85 Newington Road, Ramsgate CT12 6PP	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	20 December 2012
AKSSR Ltd	Costcutter, 41-43 Northdown Road, Margate CT9 2RN	New premises licence application	Supply of alcohol	26 December 2012
Genting Casinos UK Limited	Zion Place, Margate CT9 1RP	Variation to premises licence	Increase in hours for supply of alcohol	27 December 2012

Thanet District Council meeting 6th December 2012 webcast,

6 December Full Council meeting

Copyright

This video is the property of Thanet District Council and is subject to their copyright statement

Response to the call for Thanet District Council Chairman to resign.

Thanet District Council constitution Council Procedure Rule 21.2 states that “if there are equal numbers of votes for and against, the Chairman will have a second or casting vote. There will be no restriction on how the Chairman chooses to exercise a casting vote.”

Thanet District Council’s Chairman Doug Clark acted fully in accordance with Council procedure rules when issuing his casting vote at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 6 December.

As the Cabinet had previously taken a decision in relation to the disposal of the Ramsgate Royal Sands site, and as there were no reports or paperwork supplied to support an informed debate on this subject at this meeting, the Chairman considered it appropriate on this occasion, to vote against the motion.

Thanet District Council Cabinet conducts all of its meetings in public and only excludes the press and public if commercially sensitive or confidential information is disclosed. All Councillors receive full copies of Cabinet reports and all Councillors can attend Cabinet meetings and speak on agenda items.

Cabinet has, importantly, already agreed that the Chairman of Scrutiny will receive all of the supporting information and reports with regards to the Ramsgate Royal Sands development before the council enter into any binding agreement with the developer.

 

Thanet beach Pollution Report Published

Chairman of Thanet Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee,  Cllr Ian Driver, has welcomed the publication of a report into the major sewage pollution incident which  led to the week-long closure of Thanet’s award winning  beaches in June 2012.

He said “this is an extremely thorough report which looks at the lessons to be learned following this terrible incident. The report makes 15 important  recommendations which will ensure that if something similar was to happen again we would be much better prepared and we would act a lot quicker”.

The key recommendations are -

·       Produce and adopt a Contingency Plan for the closure of Thanet Beaches which should be based on the best practice framework model for the South East Region to be developed by the Environment Agency;

·       Thanet District Council should be responsible for signage and dissemination of information during emergencies

·       Generic large signage boards (AO size) should be in store; ready to be deployed at strategic points of public access only to the beaches affected by the emergency event. The response to emergencies should be measured and appropriate and ensure that beaches not affected are not closed

·       Social media (to include face book, twitter and local radio stations) should be used to alert the public about the contamination on the beaches;

·       After the beaches have been cleaned, signage should be put up to let visitors and the public know that the beaches are now clean and open. Appropriate signage, including social media should be used to advertise that the beaches have been cleaned and are safe

·       Southern Water’s response time between alarm action and the physical presence of staff to an emergency site should be 20 minutes and Monitoring CCTV facility should be installed at strategic points at Foreness Point Pumping Station in order to enable early response to emergencies;

·       Southern water after a prolonged period of drought, there should be more frequent jet washing of the sewer system particularly along known pinch points

The report & its recommendations  will be approved by the meeting of Thanet’s Overview & Scrutiny Panel on 20^th December.

Said Driver “I would like to thank everyone who gave evidence to the working group. We now need to begin working with Southern Water and the Environment Agency to implement the report recommendations which will  help us deal with any  future incidents of beach and sea pollution more effectively”.

For more information contact Cllr Ian Driver on 07866 588766

The report can found at this link

http://tdc-mg-dmz.thanet.gov.uk/documents/g3250/Public%20reports%20pack%2020th-Dec-2012%2019.00%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Panel.pdf?T=10

 

Thanet Councillor Welcomes Drugs Liberalisation Report

Independent Thanet District Councillor Ian Driver has welcomed the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee “Breaking the Cycle”  which calls on the Government to set up a Royal Commission into drugs policy and to  consider the liberalisation of drugs laws in England.

 

Said Driver “Everyone knows that the war on drugs is a lost cause.  In a time of austerity, we are wasting £billions of public money fighting a battle we can never win. Now at long last we are beginning to start having a sensible grown up debate about drugs policy. Liberalising drugs laws and decriminalising possession will save massive amounts of money which can be spent on drugs education,  medical treatment and research. Reviewing drugs laws and legalising cannabis will also help to reduce drug related crime and drive out organised criminal gangs from the drugs supply. This will have a massive and positive impact on crime and disorder problems in Thanet and across the town and cities of England and should be welcomed by everyone”.

Driver who admits to taking recreational drugs during his clubbing days said “ I have supported the decriminalisation of drugs and the legalisation of cannabis for many years now. The Report of the Home Affairs Select Committee shows that a growing number of politicians from the main parties and many scientists, academics and police officers, agree that it is time to start a serious discussion instead of  knee jerk prohibition”

“It’s not just in England that opinion is beginning to change, but worldwide with more and more leaders saying it’s time to reconsider drugs polices. I have been very impressed and influenced by the work of the “Break the Taboo” campaign   who are calling on the United Nations and Governments across the world to review their drugs policies. They have produced a brilliant film which can be seen at

http://www.breakingthetaboo.info/breakingthetaboohome.htm

NEWINGTON AWARDED £1M OF BIG LOTTERY FUNDING

Newington is set to receive at least £1 million of lottery funding as part of a national ‘Big Local’ initiative.

That’s the news following an announcement today (Monday 10 December) from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

The funding is part of a £200 million programme of investment which was launched in July 2010 by BIG and is managed by the Local Trust.

The initiative was set up to support small urban and rural communities to come together to make their areas even better places to live.

The funding can be used on anything from starting up social enterprises and addressing unemployment to tackling local issues or providing more activities and services for people locally.

Leader of Thanet Council, Cllr Clive Hart, said: “It’s fantastic that Newington has been chosen to be part of the Big Local programme. Receiving £1 million to inject into the local community is very welcome news.

“An exciting part of this funding is that the scheme is completely resident led, so it will be entirely up to people in the area to use the money on the things that matter most to them. This means there a chance for the whole community to have an input about what’s needed in the area and what could be done to improve things.

“As well as substantial funding, residents will also receive training and support to help them identify priorities and develop a plan for their area. I’m delighted for the residents of Ramsgate.”

There are four main outcomes that Big Local is hoping to achieve:

·         Communities will be able to better identify local needs and take action in response to them;

·         People will have increased skills and confidence so that they continue to identify and respond to needs in the future;

·         The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises;

·         People will feel that their area is a better place to live.

The Big Local programme will be run by the Local Trust. As part of this a "Big Local Rep" employed by the Lottery will communicate with the community and help to guide the programme.

Minority Labour Administration suppresses debate

In a cynical act of political arrogance, the minority Labour administration, with the help of two members of the Thanet Independent Group and the casting vote of the Labour Chairman of Council, have blocked vital debate on the Royal Sands (Pleasurama)development site.

Conservative Group leader, Cllr Bob Bayford, said after last Thursday’s vote: “Despite the public interest in this issue, particularly in Ramsgate, and the fact that millions of pounds of public money is at stake, the minority Labour administration has suppressed any debate on Royal Sands.  As always, the so called Thanet ‘Independents’, Cllrs Jack Cohen and John Worrow voted with the Labour Group to prop up its secretive and undemocratic approach to running this Council.”

“Then the final coup de grace was delivered by Council’s ineffectual and biased Labour Chairman, Cllr Doug Clark who put party before public and used his casting vote to block debate.

“Since the Chairman clearly failed to uphold the Council Constitution’s central principles of fairness and public interest, the Conservative Group is calling for his immediate resignation.

“This is yet another bad day for democracy in Thanet under this minority Labour administration.”

*The Council’s Constitution states in Article 5 that the Chairman of the Council must:

Para 2: ‘preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out…with regards to the …interests of the community.’

Para 3: ‘ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members who are not on the Cabinet or hold Committee Chairs are able to hold the Cabinet and Committee Chairmen to account.’

Para 5: ‘be the conscience of the Council.’      

Ian Driver calls for resignation of Thanet Council Chairman

Independent Thanet District Councillor and Chairman of the Council’s powerful Overview& Scrutiny Panel, Ian Driver, has called for the immediate resignation of Council Chairman Doug Clarke for his “appallingly partisan and unconstitutional abuse of power.”

The demand for Clarke’s resignation follows a meeting of Thanet Council on 6^th December when, as Chairman, he used his casting ballot to break the 27 – 27 vote deadlock to allow the approval of a major development agreement to take place secretly behind closed doors.

The £36million development at Ramsgate Royal Sands involves the construction of 107 luxury apartments and a 70 bed luxury hotel. The development is being managed by SFP Ventures (UK) Ltd.

SFP became the project developer 10 years ago and in that time precious little development work has taken place, apart from the pouring of foundations.

During this time members of the public and some Councillors have expressed their concerns about SFPs ability to complete the project.

SFP appears to have no track record as construction project developers. They are owned by an offshore parent company which pays no UK tax and is managed by unknown directors. They have on-going problems raising finance and even though the Council changed the development agreement in 2009 to make things easier for SFP, the company still appears to be struggling.

The company is now asking for further concessions including the sale of the freehold of the land to them for what Councillor Driver believes to be “a bargain basement price of £3.3million”.

A final decision on the sale of the freehold is now, following the use of the Chairman’s casting vote, likely to take place secretly behind closed doors.

Said Driver, SFPs management of the Royal Sands Development has been a 10 year nightmare, despite all their promises that the project would create jobs and help to regenerate Ramsgate’s economy all we have got is a “beachfront bombsite”

“There is a very strong public and political interest in sorting out this decade old problem and this should be done openly and democratically and involve as many councillors as possible. Not secretly and behind closed doors by a small unaccountable cabal”

Driver said “By using his casting vote to support a secretive deal with SFP, I believe Chairman Clarke has ignored his responsibilities under the Council’s Constitution and abused his powers.

“Article 5 paragraph 5.01.3 of TDCs Constitution requires that the Chairman of the Council must “ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members who are not on the Cabinet or hold Committee Chairs are able to hold the Cabinet and Committee Chairmen to account.”

By voting to discuss and approve the revised SFP development agreement in secret, Councillor Clarke has, in my view, clearly broken this rule and should now resign. If he refuses to do the honourable thing I will move a motion of no confidence in him and will report his partisan and un-constitutional behaviour to the Standards Committee.

I have written to Cllr Clarke advising him of my views

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
07 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0946	94 SOUTHWOOD ROAD RAMSGATE CT110AW	current
07 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0945	VIKING HOUSE CLIFTONVILLE AVENUE MARGATE CT9 2AQ	current
06 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0441	ALL SAINTS AVENUE MARGATE	current
06 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0916	LAND ADJOINING THE HOMESTEAD ARUNDEL ROAD RAMSGATE CT125DZ	current
06 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0921	QUEENS COURT, QUEENS PARADE, MARGATE, CT9 2GA	current
06 Dec 2012	A/TH/12/0932	100 STATION ROAD BIRCHINGTON	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0935	3 SUTHERLAND DRIVE, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9UE	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0696	5 CROFTON ROAD WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT88DY	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0878	31 KING STREET RAMSGATE CT118NP	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0892	6 CASTLE COTTAGES KINGSGATE BAY ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT103QL	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0908	290 NORTHDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT92PT	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0913	8 COLLEGE ROAD, MARGATE, CT94DA	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0951	2 DUMPTON PARK DRIVE BROADSTAIRS CT101RE	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0952	PRIORY COUNTY INFANT SCHOOL CANNON ROAD RAMSGATE CT119XT	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0954	6 GRENHAM BAY AVENUE BIRCHINGTON CT79NN	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0918	LIDL UK GMBH 416 MARGATE ROAD RAMSGATE CT126SJ	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0889	131 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, KENT	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0911	2 BAY VIEW ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, KENT CT10 2EA	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0919	191 NORTHDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2PA	current
05 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0920	WHITE STAG, 70 MONKTON STREET, MONKTON	current
04 Dec 2012	F/TH/12/0917	LAND ADJ, 79 ST MILDREDS ROAD, WESTGATE ON SEA, CT8 8RL	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0851	24-25A PARK PLACE MARGATE CT91LE	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0740	FLAT 1 39 ALBION STREET BROADSTAIRS CT10 1NE	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0744	82 MONKTON STREET MONKTON RAMSGATE CT124JF	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0790	28 ALEXANDRA ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101EP	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0843	PELOSIS CAFE 76 HARBOUR PARADE RAMSGATE CT118LP	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0844	13 PARAGON RAMSGATE CT119JX	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0882	AMF BOWLING ADDINGTON STREET MARGATE CT9 1QS	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0887	WATCHESTER FARMHOUSE WATCHESTER LANE MINSTER RAMSGATE CT12 4DA	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0888	WOOD FARM MANSTON ROAD MANSTON RAMSGATE CT125AY	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0926	13 MAYFORTH GARDENS RAMSGATE CT110LL	current
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0940	VYESON COURT QUEEN STREET RAMSGATE CT11 9DT	current
30 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0185	FLAT 1 5 UNION CRESCENT MARGATE CT91NR	current
30 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0758	82 MONKTON STREET MONKTON RAMSGATE CT124JF	current
30 Nov 2012	TL/TH/12/0648	49-51 RODNEY STREET RAMSGATE CT11 9JT	decided
30 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0893	NUMBER 16 MARINE DRIVE AND 42, HIGH STREET, MARGATE, CT9 1DS	current
30 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0915	CHURCHILL TAVERN, 19-22 PARAGON, RAMSGATE, CT11 9JX	current
29 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0914	CHURCHILL TAVERN, 19-22 PARAGON, RAMSGATE, CT11 9JX	current
29 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0902	14 NELSON CRESCENT RAMSGATE CT119JF	current
29 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0894	THANET COLLEGE RAMSGATE ROAD BROADSTAIRS CT101PN	current
28 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0905	62A ADDISCOMBE ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 2SU	current
28 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0909	THE CENTRE, NEWINGTON, RAMSGATE	current
28 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0810	THE OLD POST OFFICE, CANTERBURY ROAD, SARRE, KENT CT7 0JY	current
28 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0904	6 SCEALES DRIVE CLIFFSEND RAMSGATE CT125HH	current
27 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0879	107A HIGH STREET, RAMSGATE, CT11 9RH	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0719	69 WESTFIELD ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5PA	decided
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0859	57 ALPHA ROAD, BIRCHINGTON, CT7 9ED	current
26 Nov 2012	OL/TH/12/0875	LAND FORMERLY USED AS CLUB UNION CONVALESCENT HOME, READING STREET, BROADSTAIRS	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0924	31 SANDWICH ROAD, RAMSGATE, CT12 5HX	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0899	173A PERCY AVENUE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3LE	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0896	23 THE HAWTHORNS, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 2NG	current
26 Nov 2012	L/TH/12/0886	10 KINGSGATE CASTLE, JOSS GAP ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3PH	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0885	10 KINGSGATE CASTLE, JOSS GAP ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 3PH	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0874	EAGLE HOUSE, THE PARADE, BROADSTAIRS, CT10 1LZ	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0854	69 MONKTON ROAD, MINSTER, RAMSGATE, CT12 4EE	current
26 Nov 2012	F/TH/12/0765	LAND ADJACENT 30 AND 32 HIGH STREET AND 9, CAVENDISH STREET, RAMSGATE	current

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