New documents published by Thanet District Council,

• 25/05/2011 - Meeting scheduled: May 25 2011 7:00PM, Planning Committee
• 24/05/2011 - Meeting held: May 24 2011 10:00AM, Licensing Board
• 20/05/2011 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 31 2011 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
• 19/05/2011 - Meeting held: May 19 2011 7:00PM, Council
• 18/05/2011 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 26 2011 7:00PM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
• 18/05/2011 - Issue Published: District Wide Article 4 Direction - Houses in Multiple Occupation
• 17/05/2011 - Publication of plan: Forward Plan for period from 1 June 2011 to 1 December 2011; Cabinet
• 16/05/2011 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 25 2011 7:00PM, Planning Committee
• 16/05/2011 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 24 2011 10:00AM, Licensing Board
• 12/05/2011 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 21 2011 7:00PM, Council
• 12/05/2011 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 19 2011 12:00AM, Overview and Scrutiny Panel
• 12/05/2011 - Agenda published: Meeting of May 19 2011 7:00PM, Council
• 11/05/2011 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 19 2011 3:00PM, Local Development Cabinet Advisory Group
• 11/05/2011 - Minutes published: Meeting of Apr 26 2011 5:00PM, Airport Working Party

Thanet Charity in National Lottery Awards Semi Final

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, a Thanet based charity, needs your vote as it is about to go head to head with other National Lottery-funded projects from across the UK in the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards 2011. The Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities.

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service is one of only 10 projects to make it through in the Best Voluntary/Charity Project category in The National Lottery Awards, the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Semi-finalists have been shortlisted for the big difference they have made with Lottery money, and people in Thanet are being urged to cast a vote, from Tuesday 31 May, to help them make it through to the final.

There are seven categories in the Awards each reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education (in association with Best magazine) and voluntary/charity. The winning project in each of the categories will receive national recognition at a star-studded event later this year, broadcast on BBC One, as well as a £2,000 cash prize[1] to spend on their project.

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service offers emergency safe and temporary accommodation to women suffering from domestic violence, and their children. As well as a safe house, it also provides an outreach and counselling service, resettlement service and children’s support worker.

Community Fundraising Coordinator, Loukia Michael says: "We are absolutely thrilled to have reached the semi-finals of The National Lottery Awards. Lottery money is enabling us to provide an outreach service to help keep families safe in their communities and to support them while they effect the changes that will allow them to rebuild their lives safe from abuse.  It’s easy to vote, so we're hoping people support us, as it would be a fantastic reward for those involved in the project to receive national recognition for their hard work.”

This year’s National Lottery Awards are supported by Lottery Draw Show presenter Jenni Falconer. She says:

“I love The National Lottery Awards because they really pay tribute to all the unsung heroes, selfless volunteers and dedicated workers across the UK who are using Lottery funding to make a real difference to local people, places and communities.

“National Lottery players raise a massive £28 million a week for charities and groups - big and small - across the UK. Everyone who plays the Lottery should feel proud that they have helped such a wide variety of projects – including arts, sport, heritage and community groups – there’s quite literally something for everyone.

“Now it's your chance to have your say and vote for your favourite. Please get behind your local project and vote to get them through to the final - every vote counts!"

Voting for the semi-finals starts at 9am on Tuesday 31 May and ends at midday on Monday 20 June. To vote for Oasis Domestic Abuse call 0844 836 9734 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Please do not call before lines open as your vote will not be counted but you will be charged for the call.

The three projects in each category with the highest number of votes will go through to the final round of public voting later this summer.

Improved information for Broadstairs visitors

Visitors to Broadstairs can get improved information about what to see
and do in the town this summer, thanks to a partnership between a number
of local organisations.

A new Visitor Information Kiosk is opening for business at the end of
May along the seafront promenade. Located in the former ice cream kiosk
on the edge of the Royal Albion Hotel’s garden, it will be staffed by
a keen group of local volunteers over the summer, who will be able to
help tourists with any questions they have about the area.

The money for the project has been raised by the Broadstairs Tourism
and Leisure Association and the Broadstairs and St. Peter’s Chamber of
Commerce with Broadstairs and St. Peter’s Town Council matching the
funds they raised.

Thanet District Council’s visitor information team have provided the
literature and equipment for the kiosk. This includes a touch screen
facility, which will be available 24 hours a day for people to find out
more about what to see and do in Thanet. This is in addition to the
touch screen in the Dickens House Museum.

The new information kiosk is in addition to the one already in
operation at Lillyputt Minigolf on Victoria Parade.

WANTSUM JAZZ FESTIVAL

Wantsum Jazz are delighted to announce that they have funding for this year’s festival, and have started negotiating with various bands. In particular, we are hoping to have the Jazztet from Chatham House School. This will be our 7^th Annual Festival and is all free to the public.

The projected venue is the Ellington Park bandstand and we are looking to hold it on Saturday 3 September.

In the meantime, come along to one of our curtain-raising events at the Churchill Tavern on Saturday and Sunday 28^th & 29^th May.

On Saturday, 9pm we shall be hosting S.J.B. which consists of Mark Fletcher (Drums) and Duncan Mackay (Trumpet). Between them, they have played and toured with some of the greats in pop and jazz including Dizzy Gillespie and John Dankworth. The line-up is completed by the well-known Andy Tolman (Bass), Nick Peck (Keyboards) and Richard Rozze (Guitar).

Sunday at 5.30 pm, we have the Mike Gorman Organ Trio. Mike is an exceptional performer on the Hammond organ and has accompanied many of the leading singers in pop and jazz. Phil Robson will be on guitar and many people will remember his last appearance with Christine Tobin. Asaf Serkis, an Israeli drummer, completes the line-up.

All in all, a great couple of days with a great mix of musical styles, performed by some of the finest jazz musicians in the country.

Tony Bex

Sandys and Gale: “GMC must drop any sanction on Christian Doctor”

South Thanet`s MP, Laura Sandys, and North Thanet`s Roger Gale have condemned the GMC for seeking to censure a Christian doctor working as a partner within the Bethesda (Cliftonville) practice for discussing religious beliefs with patients.

 

“It is quite wrong that the Doctor, Richard Scott , should be reprimanded by the General Medical Council for “risking bringing the profession into disrepute” by mentioning Christianity after having given medical advice to his patient.” say the MPs.   “The Bethesda Medical Centre not only delivers excellent care to our constituents but is known to be a Christian practise.

 

Laura Sandys says:

 

 

“We totally appreciate that medical standards need regulating, but monitoring and then sanctioning doctors on conversations with patients, that do not relate to their medical condition, must be a matter between the individuals and dealt with locally.  The GMC has over-reacted and needs to put an end to mis-placed  activism that is putting a respected doctor’s profession on the line.”

 

Patients have the right to transfer to alternative surgeries if they so wish but with some of the best standards in East Kent there are many patients who would very much like to be able to register at Bethesda.”. 

 

The Authorities  need to get away from managing every aspect of professionals’ lives – this doctor’s natural instinct to make reference to Christianity is not a matter for the GMC, it is matter for his conscience and beliefs.”

 

And Roger Gale adds:

 

“I had the privilege of representing the Bethesda Practice, in its former premises and in the new Bethesda Centre, for twenty-seven years.  The doctors are known to be Christian. They do not seek to impose their beliefs upon their patients and more than I, as a Christian Member of Parliament, seek to force my beliefs on my constituents, but I believe that they have a faith that they choose to share with some of their patients is of great benefit and, sometimes, of comfort.

 

Nobody is saying that a Doctor ought to be a Christian, or of any other faith, but to treat faith as an active disqualification, as the GMC apparently seeks to do, is unacceptable.  It is not up to the GMC  to play God!”

see press comment - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8528088/GP-rapped-for-talking-about-God-with-patient.html 

The Minnis and Walpole Bay Hotel announce art competition to capture “the loveliest skies in Europe”

Half-term breaks to be won. Proceeds to RNLI

The Minnis Bar and Restaurant in Birchington and the Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville, Kent have joined forces to hold an art competition that will run throughout the summer. 

Walpole Bay Hotel owner, Jane Bishop is a trustee of Margate’s new Turner Contemporary art gallery, inspired by JMW Turner who described the north facing skies over Thanet with "dawn clouds to the east and glorious sunsets to the west” as “the loveliest skies in Europe”. The beach front Minnis Bar & Restaurant overlooks the golden sands of Minnis Bay in Birchington, with coastal views towards the ruins of the Roman fort at Reculver. 

The competition to capture Minnis Bay in painting or drawing is open to everyone, with four age categories; 5 and under, 6 to 12 years, 12 to 18 and over 18s.  Entry costs £1, with all proceeds being donated to the RNLI.  Entry forms are available at both the Minnis and Walpole.

“We ran a competition for three consecutive years, attracting over 500 entries annually, but not since 2008,“ said Minnis co owner Carly Freedman who runs the restaurant’s front of house operations. “The opening of the Turner Contemporary has motivated us to revive it.”

Historically, the Minnis’ art competition attracted entries from children largely in the 5 to 8 year group, but Carly Freedman and Jane Bishop hope that the publicity surrounding the a gallery open will attract more adult artists to the area.

The competition is open now and will run until 7^th October 2011.  Winners in the children’s categories will receive lunch at The Minnis for and an overnight stay in a family suite for up to 4 people at The Walpole bay Hotel.  The winner of the adult section will receive lunch or dinner at The Minnis and a room for two people at The Walpole. Winners will be announced in time for families to take prizes during the schools’ half-term holidays at the end of October.

“With so many entries of a high standard, judging has always problematical, but with Jane Bishop’s connections in the art world, we expect to have a leading artist cast a professional eye over the finalists,” said Carly.

Carly’s husband chef-patron Jason Freedman added, “One entry that did stand a few years ago in contrast to all the pictures of kite surfers, sunsets, boats and imaginary sea monsters, some with incredible detail, was that by a young boy who depicted a range of scenes of himself killing his sister in a variety of gruesome methods.”

The Minnis, which has long been popular with families has a take-away service for those who wish to have their lunch on the beach and operates a kiosk selling beach toys, inflatables and boats, snacks, seafood and an ice creams in the summer months.

The Walpole Bay Hotel, described as a “living museum”, has long been popular with visiting artists and is Tracey Emin’s favourite place to stay when she returns to her hometown.  The dining room has permanent display of original works of the leading artists who have stayed there.  As a trustee of the Tuner Contemporary, Jane Bishop has a special interest in for children’s education.

Gale calls for greater recognition for the UK’s six million carers

Roger Gale  has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year’s Carers Week (13-19 June) and recognise the contribution made by those people in North Thanet and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

The theme for Carers Week 2011 is ‘The True Face of Carers’. It calls for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

Roger and Angela have joined together to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles. Roger says:

“Very many constituents of mine  sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. Together they save this country an incredible £119 billion every year. They deserve to be recognised for their contribution to both our local community and to wider society.

“I am taking part in Carers Week to show my respect and appreciation for our carers. I also want to let them know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”

Angela Rippon has personal experience of being a carer. She says:

"For a number of years now I’ve become aware of the extraordinary job that carers do throughout this country. I feel that it’s important that anybody who has any knowledge at all stands up and be counted for them and make the job that they do public, because they should not be invisible, they should be out there and being seen as the heroes and heroines that they are.

“It’s a strain that people accept willingly and lovingly, and if they’re prepared to do that, I think that as a civilised nation we should be prepared to do something in return.”

Other celebrities supporting this campaign include Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Jason OBE, Jack Charlton OBE and Martin Lewis.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 9 national charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel & Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org.

CROSS-PARTY WORKING AT TDC – NOT A COALITION

Thanet is set for greater cross-party working in the future, with all three political parties taking positions on the council in a unique move not seen before in the area.

At the elections on Thursday 5 May, no one party won enough seats to take overall control of the council, with the Conservatives winning 27, Labour taking 26 and the remaining three going to the Independents. This left the council with no overall control, the first time Thanet has been in this position in 20 years.

Last night’s (Thursday 19 May) Annual Council meeting saw elections and appointments of all the key council positions, with the Conservatives taking minority leadership of the council, with Cllr. Bob Bayford elected as the Leader of the Council by 27 votes to 26. Cllr. Martin Wise was then appointed as the Deputy Leader. The Leader of the Opposition is Labour’s Cllr. Clive Hart and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is Cllr. Alan Poole. 

Chairmanship of the Council is now held by Labour’s Cllr. Doug Clark, with party colleague Cllr. Kay Dark as the Vice-Chairman.

The council’s Independent Group now chairs three of the council’s main committees, with Cllr. Tom King chairing the council’s watchdog body, the Overview and Scrutiny Panel. In an unusual move, he will be joined by two Vice-Chairmen, one Labour, Cllr. David Green, and the other Conservative, Cllr. Zita Wiltshire. Cllr. Jack Cohen was named as the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Cllr. Bob Grove takes charge of the Licensing Board.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “I see this as an exciting opportunity, both for the council and Thanet. The electorate didn’t give any one party a mandate in Thanet and that leaves the council very finely balanced. We recognise that all three political groups have to work with each other and I have every intention of doing that for the greater good of the community.”

That’s something echoed by the Leader of the Opposition, Cllr. Clive Hart. “The outcome of the elections and Thursday’s Annual Council undoubtedly means there will need to be more cross party working at TDC. However, it is important to remember this is not a coalition and we are still three separate parties with our own very distinct policies and we will obviously vote with this in mind, on each and every issue.”

Tom King is the Leader of the Independent Group: “We believe it’s important to stay Independent, as that’s why people voted for us. We would like to see the two main parties working more closely together in the future and we’ll do what we can to help achieve that.”

  

Formal appointments for 2011/12:

Leader of the Council	Cllr. Bob Bayford	Conservative
Deputy Leader of the Council	Cllr. Martin Wise	Conservative
Leader of the Opposition	Cllr. Clive Hart	Labour
Deputy Leader of the Opposition	Cllr. Alan Poole	Labour
Overview and Scrutiny Panel Chairman	Cllr. Tom King	Independent
Overview and Scrutiny Vice-Chairmen	Cllr. David Green Cllr. Zita Wiltshire	Labour Conservative
Planning Committee Chairman	Cllr. Jack Cohen	Independent
Planning Committee Vice-Chairman	Cllr. Ken Gregory	Conservative
Licensing Board Chairman	Cllr. Bob Grove	Independent
Licensing Board Vice-Chairman	Cllr. John Edwards	Labour
Governance and Audit Committee Chairman	Cllr. Jason Savage	Conservative
Governance and Audit Committee Vice-Chairman	Cllr. Peter Campbell	Labour
Joint Transportation Board Chairman	Cllr. Harry Scobie	Labour

Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet appointments:

Portfolio	Cabinet Member (Conservative)	Shadow Cabinet Member (Labour)
Finance and Corporate Services (also includes communications and policy, procurement and audit)	Cllr. Bob Bayford	Cllr. Richard Nicholson
Regeneration and Economic Development (includes asset management, strategic planning and the Port of Ramsgate)	Cllr. Alasdair Bruce	Cllr. Clive Hart
Customer Services, Regulatory Services (includes IT services, revenues and benefits, planning enforcement and applications, licensing, land charges and general estate management)	Cllr. Simon Moores	Cllr. Michelle Fenner
Community Services (includes council housing, strategic housing, housing need and homelessness, housing renewal, private sector housing, community safety and environmental health)	Cllr. Chris Wells	Cllr. Iris Johnston
Environmental Services (includes waste collection, recycling, street cleaning, public toilets, parking, parks, allotments, cemeteries and crematorium, sports development, arts development, museums, foreshores, Thanet Coast Project, indoor and outdoor leisure, play services, tourism, events and Environmental Action Programme)	Cllr. Martin Wise	Cllr. Alan Poole

New council appointments

Decisions have been made about who leads the council at the authority's annual meeting, after no one party took overall control at the recent elections.
Watched by a packed public gallery, Cllrs. Bob Bayford and Clive Hart were both nominated as Leader of the Council. In an exceptionally tight vote, Cllr. Bayford was elected as Leader, receiving a total of 27 votes, as opposed to 26 votes for Cllr. Hart, who is the Leader of the Opposition.
Following his election, Cllr. Martin Wise was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council.

Cabinet Members and Shadow Cabinet Members were named as:

Finance portfolio - the Cabinet Member is Cllr. Bayford, shadowed by Cllr. Richard Nicholson

Environmental Services portfolio - the Cabinet Member is Cllr. Wise, shadowed by Cllr. Alan Poole

Regeneration and Economic Development portfolio - the Cabinet Member is Cllr. Alasdair Bruce, shadowed by Cllr. Clive Hart

Customer Services - the Cabinet Member is Cllr. Simon Moores, shadowed by Cllr. Michelle Fenner

Community Services - the Cabinet Member is Cllr. Chris Wells, shadowed by Cllr. Iris Johnston

Cllr. Doug Clark was the only member nominated for the role of Chairman and was duly elected to that role. He promised to "try and live up to the standards of the previous Chairman." He described the forthcoming year as "interesting, but difficult" and told members that he was looking forward to it also being "rewarding".

The role of Vice-Chairman went to Cllr. Kay Dark, a former Mayor of Ramsgate.
The evening began with a standing ovation for the outgoing Chairman, Cllr. Margaret Sheldrick, with members going on to thank her for all her work over the last eight years. Cllr. Mike Roberts described it as a "privilege and a pleasure" to have worked with her, thanking her for her "help and support". It was also announced that she will receive a past Chairman's pendant in due course.

Heartfelt tributes were then paid by members to former Chairman of the Council, Cllr. Margaret Mortlock, who recently died.
Chief Executive Richard Samuel, who is leaving the council and was attending his last Council meeting, paid tribute to the three leaders that he had worked with during his time at the council, saying that they had all brought a "passion" to the council. He also praised the staff at the council, saying he couldn't have "done a single thing without them", before describing Thanet as a "great place to work".

The meeting also looked at the work of the council's watchdog body, the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and what it had achieved over the last year. In total, it made 16 recommendations to Cabinet, of which 13 were carried.

NEW BREAKWATER COMPLETED IN RAMSGATE HARBOUR

A major new scheme to protect Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour Marina, which will increase the number of vessels berthed there, has been completed.

The project to replace the existing breakwater in the Eastern outer marina has cost £930,000 and has been managed by the harbour owners, Thanet District Council. The breakwater helps to absorb wave energy and protect boats in the harbour.

Contractors Marinetek UK and Commercial Marine and Piling were given the task of bringing in each of the nine concrete floating breakwater units piece by piece. Each weighs around 42 tons and were delivered four nautical miles offshore in deep water. They then had to be towed into the harbour by R Cannon and Sons and NE Murray Tugs, where they were then assembled.

The previous breakwater will now be used as finger pontoons, doubling the capacity from 14 to 28 vessels and generating additional income for the harbour.

Harbourmaster Robert Brown said: “This has been an excellent example of everyone working together to deliver a really high quality scheme on time and on budget that will benefit the harbour for many years to come. It’s also been about creative thinking. We knew that, although the facility we had was at the end of its operational life in protecting the outer marina, we could still find a use for it. By putting in to create additional berthing space, we can now generate extra income for the harbour.”

The work has been funded by Thanet District Council, with some money also coming from a European Interreg programme called PATCH, which stands for Ports Adapting to Change. This aims to diversify port operations by developing new maritime activities and markets and helping to strengthen cross-border cooperation and efficiency between the ports.

It’s part of ongoing work by the council at the harbour, which has recently seen more dredging carried out and the introduction of a smart electricity metering project for harbour customers. 

TACKLING CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE

Is noise making your life a misery? Do you want to find out more about what you can do to tackle the problem?

The council’s Environmental Health and Community Safety teams will be in Westwood Cross as part of Noise Awareness Week later this month. (May)

The teams will be on hand between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday 25 May and officers will be available to talk to people about their concerns about noise. They will also be able to answer questions about other environmental issues, such as air and light pollution, bonfires and odours.

The community safety team will be talking to people about how they can help to tackle crimes, particularly domestic abuse, and anti-social behaviour by reporting any unusual noises they hear that people can’t account for. Examples include screaming or unexpected deliveries in the early hours of the morning. 

Environmental Protection Team Leader, Morgan Sproates, said: “If noise is making your life a misery, then this is your chance to get some help. We’re here for any noise concerns you have and we can also deal with other environmental problems, perhaps connected to light or air pollution or odours. Our community safety team will also be on hand, as noise can sometimes be an indication of other issues, such as domestic abuse or even flytipping. We want to encourage people to come forward and talk to us if they hear anything suspicious.”

LOTTERY CASH FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN CLIFTONVILLE

Nearly £2 million of lottery funding is coming into Thanet to help improve historic buildings in one part of Cliftonville.

A “first round pass” from the Heritage Lottery Fund, giving the green light for a £1.89m* Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) award, includes £35,100 in development funding so that Thanet District Council can work up the application.

The money will be used for works to the Dalby Square Conservation Area in Cliftonville, Margate, including Dalby and Arthur Roads. The area dates from the mid-19th century and formed part of the wider expansion of Margate through the development of Cliftonville.  Cliftonville was a highly exclusive resort from the 1870s until the First World War and remained a popular one until the 1970s.

HLF’s investment comes through its Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)** programme which fosters effective partnerships between local organisations enabling repairs and other essential works in historic but often run-down areas bringing high streets back to life. The funding, integral to wider conservation and regeneration strategies, also aims to help provide employment opportunities, volunteer training and heritage days to help actively involve local residents projects in their area. 

Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the South East, said: “City and town centres form a large part of our urban landscape and are the backdrop to millions of people’s daily lives. We’re determined to help regenerate areas that are currently struggling and in need of additional encouragement and an injection of much-needed cash. The Heritage Lottery Fund set up its THI programme to help exactly the sort of local projects like this one in Margate.”

The project will reinstate many lost historical features such as chimneys, parapets and roof coverings. It will also focus on energy conservation issues and, by bringing empty floor space back into use, strive to re-instate some of the high quality hotels that once lined the square.  Local people will have the chance to get actively involved and engage with the project through a range of events and activities relating to the town's history

Thanet has already had two successful THI schemes. The first ran from 2003 until 2008 in Margate Old Town and the second, which focuses on Ramsgate Waterfront, is still running. The THI programme aims to promote and financially assist the conservation, regeneration and enhancement of historic buildings in particular areas which have high historic value. The new scheme in Cliftonville will also look at improvements to public areas, providing high quality hotel accommodation and making properties more energy efficient.

  

In Margate Old Town, over 25 buildings were brought back into use, some after many years of neglect and dereliction. In addition, many more buildings were repaired or had architectural features restored. The Ramsgate THI scheme, which still has eighteen months to run, has to date offered 52 grants and work has been completed to 25 buildings. It is expected that by the end of the scheme, the full budget of £1.5m will be spent.

Heritage Development Advisor, Nick Dermott, said: “Thanet is fortunate in being incredibly rich in historic buildings and environments and the Dalby Square area in Cliftonville is a fine example of this. THI schemes in Margate and Ramsgate have already made a real difference, bringing many properties, that were previously derelict, back into use and helping to significantly improve the appearance and economic viability of the area. This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow us to do the same in Dalby Square and I’m sure it’s something that everyone in the area will warmly welcome. We appreciate the Lottery’s strong and continuing support for the Thanet District.”

Thanet District Council has up to a year to secure match funding for the scheme and to agree details with the Heritage Lottery Fund.