Thanet Newswire

Seaside town spends £39,000 on council job... running beach trips for locals

2011-04-01T08:57:00.001+01:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1371843/Seaside-town-spends-39-000-council-job--running-beach-trips-locals.html

"Seaside town spends £39,000 on council job... running beach trips for locals
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

All its residents live within a few miles of sandy beaches.
But that hasn’t stopped Thanet District Council splashing out £39,000 a year on a manager to take children on trips... to the seaside.
For 30 months Suzie Hooper’s sole job will be to head off on ‘rockpool safaris’ and ‘father and son’ outings with children from Ramsgate and Margate.
The salary – £14,000 above the national average – is being paid out of a £98,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, which is repeatedly under fire for its choice of funding projects.

Margate beach and promenade: But spending the £100,000 grant on trips to the seaside for children who live nearby has been criticised
The scheme was planned after a council survey revealed several youngsters living in the area, which boasts 20 miles of sandy beaches, had never been to the sea.
But the project has come under fire from local residents who have branded it 'disgusting' and a 'waste of money'.

More...
600 groups hit by £100m arts cuts as a quarter of theatres, galleries and orchestras lose ALL funding
Semi-retired construction worker Ron Greene, 50, who is the chairman of the Arlington House Residents' Association in Margate, described the funding as a 'joke'.
He said: 'It's disgusting that this amount of money is being spent on trips to the beach when we are seeing huge cutbacks on vital services, such as those for the elderly.
'It's a complete and utter waste of money to pay someone to take kids to the beach - that should be something their parents or guardians should do.

Summer fun: Events scheduled for this summer include 'rockpooling safaris' and 'father and son' outings
'There is nowhere in Thanet where you are more than four miles from a beach so it's ridiculous to say local kids aren't able to go.
'Three of my friends have just been laid off by Thanet District Council to save money so what they are doing seems unbelievable.
'These are top notch people they have sacked and instead someone is getting paid £39,000 a year to take kids to the beach. It's a joke.'
Retired engineer Keith Chadband, 70, chairman of the Cliftonville Residents' Association in the town, added: 'This seems to be a very strange idea and I certainly think there are a lot better ways the money could be used to benefit the local area.

'There are lots of communal areas in Margate that have suffered vandalism but it's almost impossible for us to raise money or get grants to repair them.
'The children always go down to the beach by themselves because it's quite safe and only about 50 yards away from town.
'It's disgusting that this amount of money is being spent on trips to the beach when we are seeing huge cutbacks on vital services, such as those for the elderly.
'It's a complete and utter waste of money to pay someone to take kids to the beach - that should be something their parents or guardians should do'
- Residents' Association chairman Ron Greene

'I can't understand what they are going to do with the money because lots of groups like primary schools and clubs already take kids to the beach for free.'
The Footprints in the Sand scheme is run by the council's Thanet Coast Project and was set up to hold children and family events.
Events scheduled for this summer include 'rockpooling safaris' and 'father and son' events on beaches in Ramsgate and Margate.
The £98,000 lottery grant will be used to pay project officer Suzie Hooper to organise community events for the next two and a half years.
The money will not be spent on equipment or to pay other staff members.
A spokesman for Thanet District Council revealed the project was launched after project workers discovered some children had never been to the seaside.
She said: 'Essentially the grant is paying the wages for a person to deliver events for the next two and a half years.
'It is specifically aimed at people who don't go to the beach. Sadly we've had groups go out to schools and ask how many have been to the beach and there are some that don't.

'It is very disappointing because the beach is on their doorstep. You would think people would go an explore what is on their doorstep.'
Project officer Ms Hooper added: 'Over the next couple of years, I'll be aiming to get people more interested and aware of what's available for them on their coastline.
'We want to make people proud of what we have here and get more involved with the wide range of activities along the shoreline.'
A spokesman for the Taxpayers' Alliance criticised the project as a 'waste of money'.
He said: 'At a time when there are such huge pressures on public finances, local residents will be bemused to see this money being spend on this project.
'Children in the Thanet area are living with the beach on their doorstep anyway, it's a waste of money.'
The Big Lottery Fund grant is being administered by Natural England as part of its Access to Nature programme."

THREE EVENTS - THIS Sunday with food & drink THEN Fri 25 AND Sunday 27

2011-03-16T14:29:00.000Z

Community Volunteer Day organised by

Friends of the Countess of Huntingdon's Burial Ground

Sunday 20th March 12 - 4pm

Meet at the gated entrance to the site at the side of BT and the Post Office Sorting Office on Addington Square, Margate

Come and discover one of Margate's hidden gems

We need your help us bring this secret garden back to life

Help clear the site and get involved with the project for the future

Activities for kids and all the family

Learn to make a bird feeder / make a bird hide

Gloves and tools provided - Please wear stout footwear and something warm

Please bring food & drink to share

Food and drink also provided by "The old Comrades" and their "ELLIE" van

For more information: thecountessofhuntingdons@gmail.com / 07932 713292 or paul.pearce@kentwildlifetrust.org.uk / 07872 028947

The Friends of The Countess of Huntingdon's Burial Ground is supported by the Thanet Wildlife Project, Kent Wildlife Trust, TDC, Natural England, Thanet Coast Project

From: Dane Valley Woods [mailto:info@danevalleywoods.org] Sent: 14 March 2011 23:04

DANE VALLEY WOODS – FINAL TREE PLANTING EVENT THIS SEASON – SUNDAY 27 MARCH 2011 @ 10AM

This winter, with the help of the local community, we have already planted 650 trees of native species – Hazel, Spindle, Dogwood, Field Maple, Ash, Cherry, Oak and Wild Service Tree. We need your help again to plant another 500 trees, continuing to create Margate's very own community woodland. No experience necessary and all ages welcome (under 16s to be accompanied by an adult). We'll provide the tools – just come along dressed for muddy conditions, with sturdy shoes and enthusiasm – it will be your last chance to plant trees with us until next autumn!

Meet at the junction of Dane Valley Road and Kent Road on Sunday 27 March at 10am (CT9 3RX). For more information reply to this email at info@danevalleywoods.org or call 07806 623201. Oh, and don't forget that the clocks go FORWARD earlier that morning!

Looking forward to seeing you, The Dane Valley Woods team. www.danevalleywoods.org www.twitter.com/danevalleywoods

The Windmill Community Allotment Project

Over 55s Gardening, Volunteer Opportunities

Veg Box Scheme

· We are running a new project launch day on Friday 25^th March at 10.30am; it's a new gardening group for people over 55, which will run on a regular basis every Friday. No experience is necessary, make new friends, keep fit in the open air and use existing skills and learn new ones; find more details in the attached poster. Numbers are limited. To book a place please call 01843 280 555 or 07717 531 589.

· There is a variety of volunteering opportunities available at the project; we have a range of activities for you to participate in, learn new skills and meet new people. Whatever your level of experience or field of interest, you will be very welcome! Please call 01843 280 555 or 07717 531 589 and ask about the Windmill Volunteer Opportunities.

· Our Veg Box Co-ordinator is now in post, so we are looking to launch our veg box scheme in July this year. We will have a number of different venues around Margate initially and then throughout Thanet, where you will be able to pick up fresh, seasonal vegetables every week, grown locally without chemicals. Recipes and top tips to help you use the contents. Health and convenience in a bag! Call Alex on Tuesdays or Wednesdays on 01843 280555 if you would like to know more.

· If these events/activities aren't of interest to you, they might be to someone you know. Please let others know what is going on at Windmill Community Allotment Project and tell them to drop us a line if they wish to be included in this e-mail newsletter.

· We are going to be launching lots more exciting activities and events in the near future. We don't intend to bombard you with e-mails, but if you feel you received this by accident, or don't wish to learn more about our project, please reply to this e-mail with an e-mail subject of "Unsubscribe" and we will take you off our list.

Thank you for your interest – we hope to see you soon!

Jules Ellis windmill.project@surestartmillmead.org.uk

Press Release: Save the Date - Opening of the new Thanet Visitor Information Centre

2011-03-15T15:51:00.001Z

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Emma Dadds
Date: 15 March 2011 14:14
Subject: Save the Date - Opening of the new Thanet Visitor Information Centre
To: Abigail Budd

Dear Colleague

As you may remember in the last edition of 'Tourism Matters' we let you know about the opening date of our new Thanet Visitor Information Centre at Droit House in Margate.

We have some more good news to share with you now about Droit House...

Kent County Council are now working on redoing the surrounding road and paving of Droit House to match with the Turner Contemporary landscaping work. To allow for this work to take place, and to ensure that our new office looks its absolute best we have changed our first day of opening to the public to Friday 1st April, when we shall be open from 10am to 5pm. Please note that our old office (12-13 The Parade, Margate) will remain open as usual until 1st April.

We would also like to let you know, that our High Season will start from Tuesday 12th April which means that the Thanet Visitor Information Centre, at Droit House, will be open every day of the week from 10am to 5pm. Please do check our website www.visitthanet.co.uk for details on when we shall be staying open later into the evening to support the areas exciting new season of events. An example of this, is through our work to support the opening date of Turner Contemporary on Saturday 16th April, when we shall be open from 10am until 10pm.

Should you require any clarification on the above please telephone our Visitor Services Officer, Abigail Budd on 01843 577577 or email Abigail.Budd@thanet.gov.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to our new centre from 1st April!

Best Wishes

The Thanet Visitor Information Centre Team
12-13 The Parade,
Margate,
Kent,
CT9 1EY
01843 577577
Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk
Website: www.visitthanet.co.uk

MOTHER PLEADS: LEAVE MY DEAD DAUGHTER'S TREES IN PEACE

2011-03-15T11:15:00.001Z

Ursuline College phone number 01843 834431

THANET ACTION GROUP

11 Grosvenor Road, Broadstairs, KENT CT10 2BT

01843 604253

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH 2011

MOTHER PLEADS: LEAVE MY DEAD DAUGHTER'S TREES IN PEACE

A woman who planted trees in loving memory of her daughter in Broadstairs' Pierremont Park is begging the council to think again about plans to build in the park.

Mrs Kathy Carr's daughter Ajanta died 30 years ago this month in a tragic drowning accident off Ramsgate seafront when she was ten years old. Her family planted trees in Pierremont Park in her memory.

Mrs Carr said: "I was saddened to hear there are plans to a build a large new community centre in Pierremont Park and that trees and parkland will be lost to make way for this development."

Mrs Carr added: "My daughter would have been 40 this month and the park holds pleasant memories for me and the community at large."

After the death of her daughter, Mrs Carr wrote a book of poetry "The Rich Pattern Of Mind" which, she said, brought comfort to many people grieving for the loss of loved ones.

Mrs Carr said: "It would be a comfort to know the park will always be there unspoilt and peaceful, so people can remember happier times and be at peace with nature."

Mr Carr, who is known for her volunteering work locally, said: "Parks like Pierremont must be protected from development of any kind and preserved for everyone to enjoy."

Opposition to the plans to erect the new building in the park is growing, according to local resident Norman Thomas.

Mr Thomas said: "Every day people ring me and express their anger over the plans. People are horrified at the prospect of the loss of trees."

"They simply don't believe council reassurances that there will be minimum damage. Many people want a new community centre but a small, local, much-loved park is absolutely the wrong place to build it."

"And Broadstairs Town council still have serious questions to answer about the funding of the project and also their plans to re-landscape the park by planting semi-mature trees. We have it on good authority that these plans are not feasible. "

A meeting to discuss what to do next about trying to save the park will be held on Friday March 18^th in the Park Hut, in Pierremont Park at 7.30pm.

"This is a crisis situation," said Mr Thomas, "Anyone who feels strongly about what's happening to our park should come and discuss what can be done."

For more info or pictures contact Norman Thomas, 01843 604253

THANET ON FILM TO SCREEN AT LOCAL SCHOOL

2011-03-15T10:46:00.000Z

IMS

THE RED HALL

11 GROSVENOR RD

BROADSTAIRS

CT10 2BT

01843 694253

inmeds@yahoo.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE:

"Thanet on Film": - Additional screening due to popular demand

The public will have their last chance to see the phenomenally popular "Thanet On Film II" when the Margate version of the film gets its final public screening at the Ursuline College in Westgate-On-Sea.

The 78 minute film includes vintage footage of Thanet from the 1920s to the 1970s and explores the impact of the decline in seaside holidays on the area. It also explores the future for Thanet and hopes for the regeneration of the area through initiatives such as the new Turner Contemporary Gallery.

Mrs O'Grady, Assistant Headteacher at the Ursuline College, saw the film when it was screened at the Carlton Cinema recently and felt that it was an excellent way to show her Geography students the changing tourist industry in Thanet, and also other current issues such as the decline of Dreamland, attempts to regenerate tourism and the Thanet Earth Developments.

Members of the public are invited to attend the screening and tickets, costing £5.00 can be booked in advance by telephoning the Ursuline College on 01843 434431.

"Thanet On Film" will be shown in the Ursuline College, Westgate-On-Sea on Wednesday 30 March 2011 at 7pm. Doors open at 6.30pm.

Photos attached. More information about the film please call Christine Tongue on 01843 604253, for information about the Ursuline school and how to book, please ring 01843 434431.

Thanet Detectives, behind the scenes - Consultation - some thoughts

2011-03-15T07:55:00.000Z

Views & info in this email are not necessarily mine. I am simply
forwarding them on & I do not accept responsibility for their accuracy
or content by circulating them. If you have any concerns about
contents/ accuracy of this email, please tell me.   If you would like
to be added, or removed, from this mailing list, let me know.

________________________________
From: N                                       Sent: 10 March 2011 19:27
… At the moment it seems anyone can come up with an idea, and have it
financially supported - that is, anyone who is in the supported group!
Such people can also come up with proposals which then go out for
consultation – tick box, multiple choice answers - to the rest of us.
The problem is that some of the suggestions may be very good. And who
are we to say that they aren't the wishes of the people? How many
people would that be? The accusation could be that they just aren't
OUR wishes.
We know what it's like. You ask the question in a particular way, and
people who will give you the answer you want. So some people have
said "yes" to some initiatives.
We have the same problem as TDC. How do we count our numbers? And
how can we legitimately say it's a sufficient pool of the population
to justify our stance? How else would we do it? And at what point
could we say we have truly got the people's vote on something? …
________________________________
From: b                                   Sent: 11 March 2011 00:25
I know the whole issue of consultation is difficult, but a good
starting point would be to give people the true facts. The Walkie
Talkie team asked X, and others, ...
"Do you think it's a good idea if the two disused areas of land in the
old town were turned into gardens?"
The obvious answer, from most if not all, was "yes".
The question could have been
"Do you think it's a good idea for the Council to spend £40,000,
through Groundwork, who we represent, to convert two vacant building
plots, scheduled for re-development in the near future, into gardens
to make the Old Town look better for the opening of the Turner
Contemporary?"
To this question, I am sure the answer would be very different.
As for whether or not you have accessed a large enough sample of
people, if the people felt that what they said was listened to and
acted upon, then public participation would surely increase. …
________________________________
Report on the Public Consultation for the Improvement of Queen's Arms
Yard & Margate Media Centre Sites [extract about the disused land –
from report produced by Groundwork]
December 2010
Groundwork was commissioned by Derek Harding, the Programme Director
of Margate Renewal Partnership, to carry out a consultation with
regard to the future development of two disused green spaces in
Margate Old Town. The sites are located at Queen's Arms Yard and
Cobb's Place (land adjacent to the Margate Media Centre).
Using our team of Walkie Talkies and community development workers,
with their local knowledge and existing social networks, the team were
employed to visit residents, shop-keepers and businesses in Margate
Old Town and ask their opinions regarding proposed physical
improvements to the two sites.
Improvements to these green spaces are part of a programme of works to
the town ('The Countdown Plan') to ensure that it looks its best when
the new Turner Contemporary Gallery opens in April 2011.
A questionnaire was developed to enable us to capture people's views
and to come up with some creative temporary solutions for these green
spaces, bearing in mind that use of the sites may need to change over
time. We wanted to get the views of as many people as possible who
have a good understanding of the local area, including the needs of
visitors to the Old Town.
During the month of December the Walkie talkies team took the
questionnaires out into the Old Town and completed a door-knocking
exercise.
We also held an evening drop-in consultation event on Thursday 16th
December (delayed from earlier date due to the snow). This was not
particularly well attended due to the very cold weather, but the
landscape architect team and Walkie Talkies were able to have some
useful discussions with several local stakeholders and manager to come
up with some innovative ideas, many of which were reflected in the
results of the survey. People who were unable to make the evening
event did phone or email their questionnaires or opinions through to
us.
Additionally, we facilitated an all-day workshop with a group of local
adults with learning disabilities from the nearby Tivoli Centre,
exploring ideas for the two spaces, including creating mosaics and
using patterns such as spirals and shells to create design features.
Results
We had a total of 92 questionnaires returned/completed by the end of
the consultation process and the results of the survey are set out on
the following pages: [extract ends – ask Margate Renewal Partnership,
or Groundwork, if you want to know more.]

Thanet District Council consultation on Night Flights from Steve Dawe, Press Officer, Kent Green Party

2010-10-24T17:58:00.000+01:00

TO: Thanet District Council consultation on Night Flights – DRAFT for comments

FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, Kent Green Party

October 2010

greenparty@gn.apc.org

Kent Green Party covers Kent and Medway with a network of local branches and has about 45,000 supporters in this area. As part of the Green Party of England and Wales, Kent Green Party supports initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and opposes those proposals which add to them. Consequently, we are opposed to aviation expansion in the UK and support increased taxation on flights and ideally on aviation fuel to reduce emissions and to push businesses and travellers towards less polluting transport modes.

1. CONSIDERING NOISE AND HEALTH

2. PEAK OIL AS AN OBSTACLE TO CIVIL AVIATION EXPANSION

3. NEW RESEARCH SHOWS AVIATION AND SHIPPING POLLUTION WORSE THAN EXPECTED

4. LOCAL FOOD NOT AIR FREIGHTED FRUIT AND VEG

5. THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ON NIGHT FLIGHTS

Introduction:

Manston Airport proposes to have more night flights. To do this ignores the known health impacts of aircraft noise. Research around the world shows exposure to aircraft noise is damaging to health and even impairs learning in children. Since half of the EU’s population is exposed to noise levels likely to damage their health, according to World Health Organisation standards, this is not a minor issue.^{^[1]}

How productive will people in Thanet be if their sleep is disturbed, perhaps by noisy freight-carrying aircraft at night? The health evidence collected by researchers throughout the world (see below) is that there is a strong association between aviation noise at night and blood pressure problems. There are also associations with increasing stress and anxiety. Some studies show increases in allergies – especially amongst children. But more worrying is evidence that the learning ability of children is appreciably reduced if they live near busy airports. Near major airports, elderly people are more prone to die at earlier ages from heart and circulation problems.

Manston may opt for more air freight, bringing in higher value light weight items that are passed on to the China Gateway for distribution. Since employment in warehousing is low density ( perhaps as little as 13 jobs an acre) and airports similarly use large areas of land for very little employment, we should all look sceptically at claims of significant jobs from Manston’s expansion – or the China Gateway for that matter. We are still very much in recession and no regional airport in the UK is doing well at present. If successful, Manston and the China Gateway could potentially generate a lot more local air pollution from increased traffic. But oil prices are rising again as we head rapidly to the global peak of cheap, recoverable oil supplies (see below), so success from these initiatives seems very unlikely.

Any believed gain in jobs for Thanet at Manston has to be set against the losses of productivity and skills which are created by ill-health from noise and associated air pollution. What about the alternative of a combination of Pleasurama in Ramsgate, a revived Dreamland and Margate sea front and the creation of all-weather leisure facilities at Manston instead of airport expansion. Couple this with the Turner centre and the possibility of a creative quarter in Margate copying Folkestone’s and you might have an overall economic strategy that is more sustainable than more warehouses and more aircraft. Promotion of the No Use Empty approach to empty commercial properties – renting them at low rents rather than keeping them empty - to local arts groups and other locally-based organisations – could help fill up long-term empty properties. Thanet’s tourism has been day tripper-based for too long: more leisure and cultural facilities could change this.

It is a practical impossibility for the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions if aviation use is not constrained. If aviation emissions are averaged across households, then each UK household is making about one third of its carbon emissions by the flights its members take. This is accomplished by a small proportion of households making a lot of flights and accounting for a lot of emissions in consequence. Even more surprising, the UK is top in the world for aviation emissions per adult - far ahead of the USA and other rich countries. Currently, each UK adult averages about 603 kg of carbon emissions from aviation use per year whilst the US average is only 275 kg per adult per year.

Journeys to Europe can be made by rail. This alone would cut emissions from aviation significantly.

Domestic tourism and rail travel to the continent can substitute for flights, helping to boost UK tourism revenues. Kent Green Party wants all of Kent’s airports converted to other leisure uses to support domestic tourism, not international flights.

Each year, civil aviation is already getting about £9 billion in subsidies from Government, particularly towards transport infrastructure serving airports. Each year, emissions from aviation in Europe increase by about 6% - the rate of increase of any sector. It is impossible to fight climate change by expanding airports.

It is also clear that both Lydd Airport and Manston, like other regional airports, showed losses even before the recession. Why on earth would councillors in Shepway want to fly jobs out of the country by supporting tourism elsewhere in the world? Lydd, like Manston, can and should be an all-weather leisure site, not an airport. The rising cost of oil, and the impact of rising energy and food bills upon household spending, may well curb this planned airport expansion before real damage is done. Let us hope so.

Looking at these issues in more detail:

CONSIDERING NOISE AND HEALTH

Airport expansion should be stopped on public health grounds. A large amount of research indicates damage to the intellectual development of children exposed to high levels of aircraft noise. Children are a high-risk group vulnerable to the effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure: Birmingham Airport anti-noise group: http://www.bhamantinoise.org.uk/Noise_effects.htm See also: S. Stansfeld, M. Haines, & B. Brown (2000): Noise and Health in the Urban Environment. Reviews on Environmental Health 15, p43-82; M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, R. Job, B. Berglund and J. Head (2001a): Chronic aircraft noise exposure, stress responses, mental health and cognitive performance in school children. Psychological Medicine 31, p265-277; M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, S. Brentnall, J. Head, B. Berry, M. Jiggins & S. Hygge (2001b): The West London Schools Study: the effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure on child health. Psychological Medicine 31, p1385-1396; M. Haines, S. Stansfeld, R. Job, B. Berglund & J. Head (2001c): A follow-up study of effects of chronic noise exposure on child stress responses and cognition. International Journal of Epidemiology 30, p839-845.

The World Health Organization has also recently emphasised "the striking contribution of noise to premature deaths from disease".^{^[2]} Kent Green Party is calling for airport expansion at Lydd, Manston, Biggin Hill, Heathrow and elsewhere to be stopped on public health grounds.

If a household was guilty of the prolonged loud noise of typical aircraft late at night, its inhabitants could expect a visit from the Police, and, if they persisted, prosecution. However, if noise is made from the overflight of aircraft, those disturbed by it are not protected by law. Instead, aircraft may disrupt our sleep and make our working days more difficult, with the most serious effects upon children’s concentration and ability to learn.

Since we already know that aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe as well,^{^[3]} the noise factor provides another reason to curb airport expansion. Kent Green Party will continue to argue for minor airports like Lydd and Manston to be converted to leisure uses and housing. People have a right to sleep and a right to be able to peacefully live and work without major noise disturbances. We will continue to press decision-makers to withdraw the £9 billion subsidy to civil aviation each year and to protect the public from irresponsible aviation expansion.

PEAK OIL AS AN OBSTACLE TO CIVIL AVIATION EXPANSION

There are a number of major reports which examine the research on the global peak of cheap, recoverable oil supplies and conclude that a peak in such supplies is imminent – usually referred to as ‘Peak Oil.’

Authoritative reports have been prepared by groups such as: by the UK Energy Research Council: http://www.ukerc.ac.uk/support/tiki-index.php; the UK Industry Task Force on Peak Oil and Energy Security: http://peakoiltaskforce.net/download-the-report/2010-peak-oil-report/ ; the Hirsch report to the most recent Bush presidency: http://www.mnforsustain.org/oil_peaking_of_world_oil_production_study_hirsch.htm; Kjell Aleklett et al., http://www.liv.ac.uk/~jan/teaching/References/Aleklett%20et%20al.%20in%20press.pdf

The previous Government commissioned research on Peak Oil but did not release it to the public.

The current Government is refusing Freedom of Information requests to allow the documents it holds on Peak Oil to be released to the media:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-climate-change

The German armed forces have investigated Peak Oil and conclude that the Peak of cheap recoverable oil supplies is this year, 2010. Their report, leaked to the German media, is clearly concerned about public reactions to the impacts of Peak Oil upon prices. Ref: http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-09-01/german-military-study-warns-potentially-drastic-oil-crisis

Not unlike the Green Party of England and Wales, The Transition Towns movement, active throughout the UK, has based its efforts to make local communities more sustainable upon two concerns: the threat of climate change and the imminence of a Peak in global oil supplies. Since the latter is commonly discussed in meetings of this Movement and in those of other environmentally-aware bodies throughout the country, it is hardly sensible that the Government attempt to suppress information on the topic: particularly as it has major implications for aviation expansion.

What implications might a long-term rising trend in oil prices have? Significant implications include: an inflationary trend because of higher food prices and increasing costs of distribution of goods; the necessity of a relatively rapid transport revolution influencing technologies used in all transport sectors; a need to substitute existing forms of road repair and maintenance with sustainable means of achieving the same objectives. Given these impacts, engaging the public in an early awareness of adjustments they may have to make is highly desirable. Thanet District Council needs to lead on this rather than looking for jobs in what is rapidly becoming the past history of transport.

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS AVIATION AND SHIPPING POLLUTION WORSE THAN EXPECTED

Recent research shows the effects of aviation^{^[4]} and shipping^{^[5]} pollution to be considerably worse than previous expectations. This has major implications for the expansion of airports and ports in Kent.

Airport expansion in Kent could be halted by its climate impacts alone. New research shows that aviation emissions are far more damaging than previously thought. With Manston and Lydd both showing major financial losses recently,^{^[6]} this provides another reason to accept Kent Green Party’s argument that these sites should be used as all-weather leisure centres to support our expanding domestic tourism in Kent and Medway.

Even more startling is research showing up to 39,000 people in the European Union are dying prematurely each year as a result of pollution from shipping. Since all of Kent’s ports, but particularly Dover, are trying to expand, this pollution now becomes more important as a climate change and a public health issue. Both aviation expansion and Port expansion generate more traffic movements so we need to consider if we really want public money used on road maintenance, or lorry parks or - even worse – new road building when the aviation and shipping industries need to cut their emissions radically and rapidly.

LOCAL FOOD NOT AIR FREIGHTED FRUIT AND VEG

Food prices are rising rapidly, due to more extreme weather events associated with climate change, and because the price of oil is rising once again as some states (notably India and China) shrug off recession. Since we are now roughly at the peak of oil production,^{^[7]} and the effects of climate change are likely to worsen until effective policies are followed, it is very probable that air freighted foods will become considerably more expensive. The benefits of increasing local production for a County like Kent are obvious.^{^[8]} Kent Green Party is supporting a phase out of air freighted fruit and vegetables and more local production, as in places like Thanet – particularly to meet local needs.

Clearly, stopping long-distance air freighting of foodstuffs is necessary as oil becomes ever more expensive. Isn’t this what Thanet Earth is about? Isn’t this what the polytunnels that cover parts of West Kent are about? However, this is no simple matter: first, these initiatives may have transport and environmental impacts here and impact upon the relationships of dependence which have been created in countries much poorer than our own, including many in Africa.^{^[9]} Since about 17% of UK carbon emissions are from growing, distributing and preparing food, we cannot simply ignore these emissions when cutting back on greenhouse gases. A kilo of Kent apples generates about 120g of carbon dioxide in its travel to a home in Kent. By comparison, a kilo of apples air freighted from New Zealand would generate about 300g. Buying organic and buying locally will help keep emissions down, even more so if you grow food in your own garden.

Kent Green Party is calling upon supermarkets, which are claiming policies on climate change, to phase out air freighted foodstuffs and to do so in a manner which helps producers in poorer countries to adapt. Clearly, this means more Kent and UK produced food in our supermarkets.

THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ON NIGHT FLIGHTS

It is emphatically not the job of Thanet District Council to advocate or support any type of economic activity in the name of more jobs at any price. Decades of doing this in Thanet have failed to prevent the area retaining low incomes, one of the highest rates of empty shops in the UK and generally higher unemployment than the Kent average. It is abundantly clear that Thanet needs entirely different and varied employment strategies to become more self-sustaining and more resilient against external shocks. This has never been more important than at a time when a return to Thatcherite policies threatens a large boost in UK unemployment whilst taxes for the wealthy remain low, tax havens remain open and HM Customs and Revenue managed not to collect £42 bn in taxes known to be due , last year. We have suggested a variety of methods which might help to change this situation, including a wiser use of the Manston site.

TDC’s propose Night Time Flying Policy deliberately understates the impact of noise on public health and offers an over generous time period during the night when night flights might take place. Given the unique characteristic of Thanet, that it has all of its urban area on its periphery at the coast, it is clear that protecting the public from aircraft noise – day and night – has to be a TDC priority. Given the increasing number of people in the UK who work at night, daytime noise levels from Manston should not be ignored. Kent Green Party therefore proposes a complete block on night flights except for emergency landings. We also wish to see a new economic Masterplan for the Manston site, including the phasing out of aviation as a major use other than for aircraft repair or emergency landing facilities. We think the site should be looked at for leisure uses, including the possibility of a major Park perhaps linked into existing walking and cycling routes and using neighbouring land if feasible. This is consistent with the Government’s stated aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, whilst continuing the search for new employment for Thanet.

The TDC Night Flights policy takes no account of Peak Oil (see above) or the strength and severity of recession, not the Government’s tendency to reinforce recession through making 600,000 public sector workers unemployed up to 2014. (This would have the effect of reducing the spending of these workers in the private sector, probably leading to 600,000 private sector job losses in sectors such as retail, tourism, home repair and construction, and in financial services.

We suggest that any decibel level set for the Airport should consider day and night noise impacts, and reflect the actual health and vulnerabilities of people living in the whole of affected area – meaning all those areas of Thanet which might experience aircraft flying over them at less than 500 feet at any point in the year. This is consistent with the idea of a Health Impact Assessment for the affected area, which should be carried out by the Airport at its expense and with peer review of the consultants it uses. This should either take place before any night flights are permitted, or should be considered as a permanent block on night flights if the Airport declines to carry out such a study. Kent Green Party reiterates that it sees no pressing reason for any regular night flights.

The existing consultants reports do not take health seriously as a factor which should be considered with regard to night flights. It would seem that their brief was either insufficiently broad, or tailored to minimise the impacts of increased aircraft noise.

Future housing expansion – planned or possible – in areas under the complete ‘noise footprint’ of Manston are not considered in the documents linked to this consultation. This is unacceptable.

We note the legitimate concern of people in Herne Bay concerning Night Flights at Manston.^{^[10]} We wonder to what extent TDC will ensure that people outside Thanet who may already be experiencing noise from Manston Airport may get a chance to comment upon the proposals for increasing night flights.

^{^[1]} European Federation for Transport and Environment – T&E bulletin, November 2008.

^{^[2]} Noise and WHO: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs258/en/ as reported in: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/23/noise123.xml and www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2154289,00.html

^{^[3]} S. Cairns and C. Newson – Predict and Decide: aviation, climate change and UK policy Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University, 2006; European Federation for Transport and Environment & Climate Action Network Europe – Clearing the Air: the myth and reality of aviation and climate change, 2006.

^{^[4]} SEE: http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2009/5/Climate-impact-of-aviation-greater-than-IPCC-report/

^{^[5]} SEE: http://www.transportenvironment.org/News/2009/5/Environmental-and-health-impact-of-shipping-seriously-underestimated/

^{^[6]} About £4 million in the case of Manston and over £1 million in the case of Lydd.

^{^[7]} See the website of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Caroline Lucas and Andy Jones – Fuelling a food crisis: the impact of peak oil on food security . At: www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk

SEE: Caroline Lucas MEP and Andy Jones – Local Food: benefits and opportunities at www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk

^{^[8]} Govt stats on benefits and carbon costs of horticultural trade with Africa: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/Final%20Africa%20trade.pdf See also Department of Transport – UK Air Freight Study Report and the Soil Association’s consultation on what it should do about organic produce being airfreighted into the UK.

^{^[9]} SEE: East Anglia Food Link: Food and Climate Change

^{^[10]}SEE FOR EXAMPLE: http://hernebaymatters.com/hb-issues/manston-night-flights/342-bap-report-on-night-flights

Vote to bring in more money and work into Thanet!

2010-10-24T17:49:00.000+01:00

From: Damien Cooke [mailto:damien@cookeandco.com]
Sent: 18 October 2010 12:45

Thanet could benefit from super fast broadband but only if Thanet people vote! I have emailed all of the Cooke & Co clients, as I think that if the Thanet exchange got upgraded it will bring work, commuters and new business to the area. At the moment we have some of the slowest broadband in the UK and no cable at all!!

I think it is very important for our local paper to let people and businesses know in Thanet as BT seems to have kept this quiet. I will also be contacting TDC etc. When I voted I was vote number 19!!!! It is now 47!!!!! Here is letter we sent to encourage people to vote.

From Cooke And Co

If you want 40mb plus broadband in Thanet you have to vote for your area on BT's infinity site. BT will then upgrade the Thanet exchange to fibre optic broadband - if they get enough votes for us.

We currently get a max of about 4mb to 8mb so just think of the difference to downloads and the possibilities of London clients working from home etc.

It's about time our area was put first for a change as this will create wealth, jobs and will encourage people to move to Thanet. This will result in the quality and prosperity of the area increasing. Visit the link http://www.racetoinfinity.bt.com/, put in your postcode and vote for Thanet. Thanks so much for you help in advance.

Damien Cooke Msc MNAEA

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Dreamland workshop - FREE creative, family event

2010-10-24T17:48:00.001+01:00

Come and share your Dreamland Memories

with local writer, Maggie Harris

Event held at Margate Media Centre
King Street, Margate CT9 1DA
(in Margate Old Town—old Lloyds Bank)

Whole family are welcome.
From Nans and Grandads, Mums and Dads and of course the children too! (school age children)
You bring your lunch & we'll provide the drinks!

To book, call Nicola on 07845 979 024

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NIGHT FLIGHTS - Public Meeting, Monday 25th October

2010-10-24T17:48:00.000+01:00

Dear All,

Sorry for any cross posting.
Please try to attend the Meeting on Monday the 25th at 7.00 at Chatham House School with Ramsgate Town council, to show your opposition to night flights. It's important that a big crowd turns up to all of these meetings.

See you there !

Claire

Clarie Dugue
Hurdy-gurdy maker
Unit 5
St LAwrence Industrial Estate
Manston Road
Ramsgate CT11 0QZ

00 44 + (0)1843 588 470
www.claire-dugue.com
mail@claire-dugue.com

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THANET STUDENTS MARCH AGAINST RACISM

2010-10-22T20:56:00.002+01:00

EAST KENT LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM GROUP

PRESS RELEASE

OCTOBER 2010

THANET STUDENTS WILL JOIN MARCH AGAINST RACISM

Thanet students are planning to go a major anti-racism demo in London on Saturday November 6^th – and are calling on others in Thanet to go, too.

Hannah Bartlett and Letitia Stewart, both students at Thanet college, went to the highly successful Love Music Hate Racism festival in Margate in September. There they were inspired to go on the demo, which promises to be the biggest anti-racist event for many years.

Hannah said: ''We are urging everyone who came to the festival in September, to now come with us to make our voices heard and send an anti-racist message out far and wide."

Letitia added: "We are taking the banner that was on the stage for the festival and we will be proud to be holding it with all the others from all over the country''

The demo, which is supported by major trade unions and leading politicians, will take the form of a march followed by a carnival in central London, where well-known performers including Jerry Dammers of the Specials and Missing Andy will take the stage.

A special coach has been laid on to take people from Thanet to the demo. The coach will leave the Royal Pub, Ramsgate at 8.30am and Cecil Square, Margate at 8.45am. Tickets cost £5-£10.

Hannah said: "Come and get on the coaches with us for a great cause."

For more information ring Bunny la Roche on 07947 424505
email: lmhrkent@gmail.com www.lovemusichateracism.com

PICTURES ATTACHED.

BROADSTAIRS SINGER GOES CABARET

2010-10-22T20:56:00.001+01:00

INDEPENDENT MEDIA SOCIETY

11 GROSVENOR ROAD, BROADSTAIRS, KENT CT10 2BT TEL 01843 604253

PRESS RELEASE

October 2010

BROADSTAIRS SINGER GOES CABARET!

Broadstairs singer Sarah Hale will be "going cabaret" in her concert in her home town on Saturday 6^th November at the Sarah Thorne Theatre Club.

As well as her established repertoire of classical songs and traditional British melodies, Sarah will be performing a variety of sensational numbers including sexy show-stoppers from the musical Cabaret and other hit shows.

"People who've seen me perform me before are in for some real surprises," Sarah said.

The new flavour to her latest performance will mark an important departure for Sarah.

"Switching between different styles of singing is one of the hardest challenges you can undertake," she said, "and understanding how you do that successfully has become a quest for me."

"I think I've made some real discoveries in this area and this concert will be a chance for me to put some of these ideas into practice."

Three years ago Sarah took a masters' degree in music performance in Christ Church Canterbury University, where she won the prestigious Metropole Arts Scholarship and the Alan Parnell competition.

Since then she's been performing across the country and made successful appearances in Belgium and Holland

In addition to performing, she also teaches singing and works in the field of speech therapy. She said: "I've always been fascinated by the amazing capacity and versatility of the human voice. The key to it all lies in your mind – what you think you can do, you will be able to do."

As well as songs from the musical Cabaret, Sarah will be singing songs by Stephen Sondheim and Kurt Weill, and numbers from hit musicals. The second half is made up of classical songs, inspired by folk music and traditional melodies set by British composers.

Photos attached of Sarah Hale.

This concert will be performed on Saturday 6^th November at 7.30pm, at the Memorial Theatre, Hilderstone, Broadstairs. All seats at £8.

Seats are bookable in advance from the Box Office on 0845 2626263. Whilst the 24 hour booking rule applies to non-members of Sarah Thorne, seats can be reserved by telephone or on the 24 hour on-line booking service at info@sarahthorne-theatreclub.co.uk .

FOR MORE INFORMATION RING CHRISTINE TONGUE ON 01843 604253 or email tv.choice@virgin.net or

What's on at the Tom Thumb Theatre

2010-10-22T20:56:00.000+01:00

A Little of What You Fancy

Saturday 20th November 2010

8pm (Peformance time approx 90 minutes)

Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Kent. CT9 2LB

Join Miss Maybe and her Minxes and Mr's as they entertain you with traditional British Burlesque, Boylesque and Caberet songs as well as a Retro Raffle, tea and cake served by delightful trolley dollies. Come dressed to impress with glitz, glamour and a little dollop of sauce!

01843 221 791

Jack and the Emperor's New Clothes

21st-23rd December 2010 (Tuesday-Thursday)

1:30pm (Performance running tim approx 90 minutes)

Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Kent. CT9 2LB

Come and celebrate the Tom Thumb Theatres one year anniversary with our Christmas production of Jack and the Emperor's New Clothes, performed by Changing Faces Theatre Company.

Told in rhyming verse, with live music, puppetry, shadow puppetry, audience participation and plenty of humour too, this show promises to be a festive fairytale experience you won't forget!

01843 221 791

Mandy Winters Up Close and Personal

18th and 19th February 2011 (Fri and Sat)

7:30pm (Performance running time approx 90 mins)

Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Kent. CT9 2LB

Spend an intimate evening with Mandy Winters, up close and personal. A very special "one off" show specially created for The Tom Thumb Theatre. Mandy's last show in Thanet sold out so early booking is advised.

A very special evening, with a very special person, in a very special theatre.

01843 221 791

Thank you

Tom Thumb Theatre

Thanet Local Board Meeting

2010-10-22T20:55:00.001+01:00

Meeting? What meeting?

I was looking forward to the minutes of the TLB (That Lamentable Balls-up). I was really looking forward to the video. I was going to teach myself basic video editing, so that I could splice together Cllr Hayton's interjections and set them to an amusing soundtrack. However...

One of the audience at the Thanet Local Board's entry in The Worst-run Meeting of the Year awards agreed to being video-recorded on the understanding that a copy of the recording be made available. The recording proved elusive: first there was a brief diversion: "we need permission from the parents of the kids from the Kent Youth Council". Then came the suggestion of a phone call, for a quiet word presumably. And now, in a dazzling masterstroke... it vanishes.

October 6 2010
Dear Councillor Carter,

I write to make you aware of the increasing disquiet and anger of a widespread and rapidly growing number of East Kent individuals and groups involved in examining the future of the proposed Kent International Airport development.

The two recent public meetings I have attended (KIACC 17/9 and Thanet Local Board 27/9) attracted a larger than expected number of members of the public. Discussion at both was less than useful, as was accurate information sought from those elected to represent them in response to the publics' questions.

The Thanet Local Board meeting (attended by yourself) was a travesty - shambolic, bullying and rude chairmanship by Cllr Bill Hayton; avoidance or refusal to respond to questions; another exercise in kicking the real issues into the long grass.

I now understand, surprise, surprise, that there is no record of this meeting. No accurate minutes were taken and the video document taken of the whole proceedings has disappeared. We're told that the operator didn't press the right button (despite members of the audience seeing the red record light was on!). How very convenient! If this farce continues a growing number of East Kent constituents will be seeking a quick exit for members of both Councils - and their highly paid executives.

I would like to know what action you intend to take to prevent any repetition of this kind of fiasco and allow your constituents to access factual and honest information about KIA developments. In the light of the impending consultation process through TDC now being mooted it is essential that the whole exercise is both democratic and transparently fair, and not, as many fear, a quasi-legal rubber stamping of matters already decided behind doors.

Yours Sincerely,

Here's some of what would undoubtedly have been a viral video hit, as reported by yourthanet.co.uk:

A member of the public got up close and personal to remonstrate with Kent County Council leader Paul Carter on Monday night (September 27). Ramsgate resident Malcolm Kirkaldie mounted the stage at Chatham House Grammar School as the atmosphere at the KCC Thanet Local Board meeting soured.

He was annoyed at the way the meeting was being chaired by councillor Bill Hayton and said he felt that not all the people asking questions of the panel were not being allowed to ask supplementary questions. He was riled when a man asking questions before him was not allowed to ask a further question, and then when his own turn came to ask something immediately afterwards, a growing sense of disorganisation and clarity took its toll.

Just a few seconds into his question, Cllr Hayton tried to hurry Mr Kirkaldie into getting to his point before he was allowed to add some context to what he was saying. An irritated audience berated the chairman as Mr Kirkaldie got up from his seat to leave.

At first it looked like Mr Kirkaldie was going to storm out, but he turned on to the stage and, standing yards from the shocked-looking KCC leader, gave him a tongue-lashing – although exactly what he said was not clear. Cllr Hayton told Mr Kirkaldie to get off the stage several times before he obliged and left the meeting in the school hall, slamming the doors behind him.

He complained outside that the whole meeting was being carried out in an undemocratic fashion but later re-entered looking relaxed. Mr Kirkaldie was seen chatting amicably with Cllr Carter outside the hall after the event, and Yourthanet understands he was able to put his question to him in the end. Nevertheless, there was widespread dissatisfaction with the way the meeting had been conducted.

One member of the audience, who declined to be named, described the event as "probably the worst public meeting I have attended in my whole life".

Turner Contemporary - Listings

2010-10-22T20:55:00.000+01:00

Sea Whisperers

Turner Contemporary

Droit House

The Pier

Margate

Kent

CT9 1 HB

FREE EVENTS

Droit House Weekend events 30^th October - 12^th December, everybody is welcome:

Ghoulish Sea Stories

30^th October, 11-12pm and 2-3pm

‘Scandalmongers’ theatre company will send shivers down everyone’s spine with a ghostly sea tales performance including their retelling of the local Goodwin Sands phantom ship legend Lady Lovibond. Then create your own ghoulish tale, inspired by objects found in our ‘Curiosity Sea Shop’; at our afternoon workshop.

Seazine

13^thand 14^thNovember, 10-4pm

Create a page for Turner Contemporary’s DIY publication ‘Seazine’. With the help of artist Polly Brannan, we’ll be exploring your stories, memories and thoughts about the sea, using text, drawing, collage and photography.

Sea Shanty Sing-Song

11^th and 12^th December, 10-4pm

Join us for some shanty singing, celebrating this great sailor tradition with some fantastic acts, great to listen to or take part in.

The Boat Project

27^th and 28^th November, 10-4pm

Be a part of artist duo Lone Twin’s large-scale public art project commissioned for the Cultural Olympiad. Bring whatever wood you can spare to Droit House, to help to build a sea-faring boat in 2012.

For further information please visit www.turnercontemporary.org or contact us at info@turnercontemporary.org

ENDS

Notes to Editors: For more information and images please contact Communications and Relationship Manager David Yard Dyard@turnercontemporary.org or Press Officer Chloe Barker Cbarker@turnercontemporary.org alternatively call 01843 294208

Turner Contemporary – www.turnercontemporary.org

Taking inspiration from JMW Turner, Turner Contemporary is a contemporary arts organisation that aims to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of historical and contemporary art through; a dynamic and diverse international programme of exhibitions and events.

Turner Contemporary is based in Margate, Kent and will open in spring 2011

Chloë Barker

Press and Events Officer

P Before printing, please think about the environment

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/TCMargate

Turner Contemporary 17 - 18 The Parade, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EY

T +44 (0) 1843 294208 Ext 207 F +44 (0) 1843 294390

For more information about all our exhibitions and events, and to sign up for our free e-newsletter please visit www.turnercontemporary.org

This e-mail, and any attachment, is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Turner Contemporary Registration No: 06772337. Registered Address: 17-18 The Parade, Margate, Kent CT9 1EY
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Sea Whisperers

Every weekend from Sat 30th Oct - Sun 12th Dec 2010, 10am - 4pm
Droit House, Stone Pier, Margate

Help us fill our ‘Curiosity Sea Shop’ full of weird and wonderful Thanet sea stories. Bring your local tales and an object that represents them to us at Droit House.

Visit www.turnercontemporary.org/whatson to find out more.

Songs from Cabaret to Classical

2010-10-22T20:54:00.000+01:00

Sarah Hale sings songs from Cabaret to Classical

7.30 pm Saturday 6th November 2010

The Sarah Thorne Theatre Club

Memorial Theatre, Hilderstone Centre,

St Peter's Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2JW

Tickets: £8

To book ring: 0845 2626 263

The Old Town Action Group Meetings

2010-10-22T20:53:00.001+01:00

Message sent on behalf of Anthony Wait (Chair of OTAG)

Dear all,

I am writing to invite you to the next round of OTAG meetings.

We are trying a different approach by hosting the meetings in various Old Town locations in a more informal setting. The dates and venues of the next three meetings are: -

Monday 4th October at 6.00pm - The Lighthouse Bar
Monday 1st November at 6.00pm - The Old Town Hall
Monday 6th December at 6.00pm - Venue to be announced

We hope that you will come along and look forward to seeing you next week.

Best Wishes
Anthony Wait

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Please consider the environment before printing this email.

This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee and may also be privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee, or have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not copy, disclose or otherwise act upon any part of this email or its attachments. Any views expressed in this email are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifies and with authority, states them to be the views of Thanet District Council. All communications sent to or from Thanet District council may be subject to recording and/or monitoring in accordance with relevant legislation.

Fwd: MAN INJURED IN DANGEROUS EYESORE BUILDING

2010-10-22T20:53:00.000+01:00

23/09/2010

MAN 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 long
over 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".

Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road Margate CT9 2RW.

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THANET PROTEST AGAINST SPENDING CUTS

2010-09-28T10:01:00.000+01:00

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/

First Impressions - A New Play About Margate

2010-09-28T10:00:00.000+01:00

FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Tim Stimpson, performed by THE NET CURTAINS THEATRE COMPANY – a play all about and FOR Margate.

Please help us to fill the Theatre Royal Margate next Friday and Saturday 24^th and 25^th. This is going to be one of the most entertaining, funny and brilliant things we have seen for a long time!

You may know about an excellent event last year where the Net Curtains Theatre Company presented excerpts from three plays, all with a Margate theme, and the full-house audience voted for which one they wanted to be written up into a complete production. The winner chosen was First Impressions by Tim Stimpson who writes for The Archers. Here is some more information http://netcurtains.org/wordpress/ and a flyer is attached. If you would like a higher-res flyer please let me know.

Claire has brought this project together on a shoestring and she needs to fill the Theatre Royal on Friday evening, and Saturday afternoon and evening, so this message must reach as many people as possible. Anyone who knows, works or lives in Margate will appreciate this production, even people who wouldn’t normally go to the theatre. It really is pure entertainment for absolutely everyone, of all ages. It’s ALL ABOUT MARGATE and FOR MARGATE, and it will be excellent!

You can get your tickets here. http://www.theatreroyalmargate.com/. This event is next weekend so move fast and book asap!

Please pass this on to everyone you know. This project deserves to succeed, not only because of Claire’s passion for Margate and her incredible energy for this project, but because it is going to be FANTASTIC and you shouldn’t miss it!

Thank you!

Fiona Sherriff

Margate Harbour Arm

More info:

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Review-Dreamland-Theatre-Royal-Margate/article-1037566-detail/article.html

http://kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Emin-backs-play-aiming-to-regenerate-Margate-newsinkent39672.aspx?news=local

Charity Day SATURDAY , 30TH OCTOBER, 2010

2010-09-28T09:59:00.000+01:00

CHARITY DAY AT ST. NICHOLAS-AT-WADE CHURCH,

SATURDAY , 30^TH OCTOBER, 2010

10AM TO 3 P.M.

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS and GIFTS ON SALE

PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCHES AND REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE.

Entry Free

Margate Operatic Society's The Sleeping Beauty

2010-09-28T09:57:00.000+01:00

Margate Operatic Society proudly presents

1.      The Sleeping Beauty
2.       1st - 5th December 2010
3.       Eveing performances Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30 pm
with matinee performances Saturday and Sunday at 2.30 pm
4.       Winter Gardens, Fort Crescent, Margate CT9 1HX
5.      Traditional Family Pantomime
6.       Winter Gardens Box Office 01843 292795
and MOS Box Office 01843 297780

Windmill Community Allotment Project Market Stall

2010-09-28T09:56:00.000+01:00

Title: Windmill Community Allotment Project Market Stall
Date: Every Tuesday
time: 12noon - 4pm
Brief Description: Come and buy fresh local produce from our own
Community run allotment and other plot holders in the area. Plants,
veg, jams and a friendly welcome. Please come and look around. Perhaps
you may like to join us as a volunteer.
Venue: Corner of Dane Valley Road and College Road.
Contact: Lorna Kane 07717531589

Turner Contemporary listing

2010-09-28T09:54:00.001+01:00

TURNER CONTEMPORARY

1. Free Art Workshop - as part of the Big Draw 2010

2. 09 October 2010

3. 13:00 - 15:00

4. Droit House, The Pier Margate, Kent CT9 1HB

5. Add your doodles to our big wall drawing and watch it grow.

6. For adults and children to get creative together..........This summer, Turner Contemporary and the Generate artists are offering you and your children the opportunity to get creative and make art together. These relaxed and informal workshops are free to join and there is no need to pre-book, so just come along and enjoy yourselves. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

7. For more information contact us on 01843 294208 or info@turnercontemporary.org visit www.turnercontemporary.org

Chloë Barker

Press and Events Officer

P Before printing, please think about the environment

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Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/TCMargate

Turner Contemporary 17 - 18 The Parade, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EY

T +44 (0) 1843 294208 Ext 207 M +44 (0) 77384 19455 F +44 (0) 1843 294390

For more information about all our exhibitions and events, and to sign up for our free e-newsletter please visit www.turnercontemporary.org

Turner Contemporary Registration No: 06772337. Registered Address: 17-18 The Parade, Margate, Kent CT9 1EY
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Building Blocks
Generate exhibition 2010

From Sat 14 Aug - 26 Sept 2010
Droit House, Stone Pier, Margate & 20 Market Place, Margate.

An exhibition of artworks made by artists and their children, inspired by the changing landscape.

Meeting with Paul Carter & Bob Bayford - inc regeneration thru transport (Kent Int Airport, Manston & Thanet Parkway)

2010-09-28T09:54:00.000+01:00

Ed: Apologies for late posting.

THE Thanet Local Board

Monday, 27 September 2010 Chatham House Grammar School, Chatham St, CT11 7PS
Ask for:	Anne Charman
Starting at 7.00 pm. Doors open at 6.30 pm	Tel	01622 696389

1.	Welcome to the meeting – Mr Bill Hayton, Chairman - Apologies - Introductions - Declarations of Interests by Members in Items on the Agenda for this Meeting.
2.	Notes of Local Board meeting held on 13 July 2010 and progress on any actions agreed
3.	Paul Carter , Leader Kent County Council ' Bold Steps for Kent'
	Paul Carter will provide a countywide context to the opportunities, future plans and ambitions for regeneration in Thanet, focusing on the importance of improved transport links, including Manston and Thanet Parkway. Kent County Council has just launched its 'Bold Steps for Kent' strategy which is now out for consultation with staff, residents, community groups and other public sector partners. This sets out how, over the next four years, KCC will provide the best possible services for its residents for less, addressing the budget challenges that lie ahead and recognising the importance of empowering local residents and communities by involving them in how their services are designed and delivered.
4.	Robert Bayford, Leader of Thanet District Council and Kent County Councillor for Broadstairs and Sir Moses Montiefore
	Cllr Bayford will describe the various consultative processes that have been undertaken by Thanet District Council and give an update on The Airport Working Party.
5.	Kent Youth County Council/Thanet Youth Council
	Kent Youth County Council and Thanet Youth Council members will update the recent work they have undertaken and the local issues in Thanet that matter to them.
6.	Panel discussion: regeneration and the importance of good transport links to the prosperity and quality of life for local Thanet people, including discussion on Kent International Airport, Manston and the Thanet Parkway.
	The rest of the panel will introduce them and give a brief overview of their organisation's work and provide a general update on any future plans or developments. Charles Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, Manston, Kent International Airport Andrew Pearce , Area Manager, Environment Agency Paul Crick, KCC Director of Integrated Strategy and Planning, Environment, Highways and Waste Question and Answer Session. The audience is invited to ask the panel questions on any issues or concerns that they may have.
7.	Opportunity to ask questions about local public services.

8.	Any Other Business notified to the Chairman prior to the meeting.

County Councillors for Electoral Divisions within the Thanet District:

Bill Hayton (Chairman)	- Broadstairs & Sir M M'fiore
Robert Burgess	- Margate West
Robert Bayford	- Broadstairs & Sir M M'fiore
Elizabeth Green	- Ramsgate
Michael Jarvis	- Margate & Cliftonville
Charles Hibberd	- Birchington and Villages
John Kirby	- Ramsgate
Chris Wells	- Margate & Cliftonville

The purpose of the Board is to provide opportunities:

· for elected County Council Members to work more closely with public, and with voluntary and private sector partners locally, to meet the aspirations of local people

· for a regular forum for community consultation and participation that will encourage discussion and debate on matters of particular relevance to their area

· to consider the need for services in the local community, and look at the effectiveness of existing services

· for KCC's Cabinet and Cabinet Members to consult on strategic issues affecting a Local Board's area

· to allow County Council Members to consider funding applications made to the Small Community Capital Projects fund.

--
Thanet Newswire
--
thanet.newswire@gmail.com
http://thanetnewswire.blogspot.com

One Response: Preparing for the Turner Contemporary Opening

2010-09-26T16:16:00.000+01:00

From: Arlington House Resident's Association:c/o vakinuk@hotmail.com

Subject: FW: Preparing for the Turner Contemporary Opening
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:58:09 +0100

We have just read the recent press release (24/9/10) from Cheryl Pendry at Thanet District Council and wish to respond as follows:

It seems to be the case that some Councillors and Officers are unaware of the fact that the Arlington Site is already fenced off and there are already "hoardings installed around empty shops" - albeit that many of them have been allowed to be decorated with graffiti. Does anyone really think that Freshwater will do anything to improve the aesthetics of the site, given that it has done nothing for years unless pressured by the Resident's Association? Proposals to have attractive paintings by local artists or children on the front hoardings have been ignored in the past. We believe that the front of the Arlington site (the Marine Terrace frontage) will remain boarded up, as Freshwater is only going to apply for outline planning consent and will not build anything there in the near future.

The car park at Arlington House has been fenced off for some months now, after years of ourselves, the Arlington residents, complaining to Freshwater and the Council that it should not have been left open to anyone who wanted to dump cars , illegal builders' waste and holiday makers leaving their rubbish before they go back home.

Why couldn't the fencing have been of a better standard than the temporary "animal pen" fencing that we have now? We have been trying for months to get all the parties concerned to talk about what is going to happen to the outside of Arlington House (and the rest of the site) ready for the opening of the Turner Centre.

We all know that in reality, Arlington House tower will not be touched by next year. Freshwater is already months late on its initial promises to file a planning application.

The Arlington House Residents' Association has given the Council suggested details of what the Arlington tower could look like. Have we had any feedback? No. Have we had any subsequent meetings? No. Have any plans been put forward by Freshwater? No. Has the council come up with any specific ideas? No.

Residents have "come together" for years, but have learned that their opinions are given little credence The Council has a direct involvement in the Arlington site as they are the freeholders of the site as well as landlord to Freshwater. As such, the Council has to give "Landlords Consent" to any alterations to any part of the site in accordance with the provisions of the lease between the Council and Freshwater. This is in addition to the Council's role as planning authority.

Why is it that no one wants to take the lead and speak about Arlington House? We, the residents have done all we can to help. It's about time someone with the authority started the ball rolling and stuck their head above the parapet wall they are hiding behind - a wall which apparently obscures their view of existing conditions!

This is the "one off opportunity" for the outside of Arlington House to become the iconic gateway to Margate that the Council aspires to be seen by the new wave of visitors that will be attracted to the town by the Turner Contemporary and the Dreamland Heritage site. This opportunity needs to be firmly grasped rather than allowed to slip through our fingers. The Arlington tower is the first thing you see as you enter Margate and first impressions do count. The Arlington tower is also the last thing you see as you leave Margate and lasting impressions are also paramount.

Surely the best compromise that can be reached in the current circumstances would be for realistic artists' impressions of what the finished redevelopment will look like to be illustrated on the front of the proposed new hoarding? This will at least give an indication that the plans and intentions are at a progressive stage and that both the Council and Freshwater have agreed what the end result will look like.

This is something that affects all the residents and businesses in Margate and therefore it imperative that the finished product creates the right impression. We believe that the aspirations of the town's Council Tax and Business Rate payers and the views other groups and organisations that represent the area need to be heard and considered by the Council.

Ron Greene
Chair
Arlington House Residents' Association

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----

From: Cheryl Pendry

Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 2:15 PM

Subject: PLANS IN PLACE FOR TURNER OPENING

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.

ENDS

Cheryl Pendry
Press and Media Manager
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577 034
Fax: 01843 295 343

Biggest beach clean in UK - will you help?

2010-09-14T19:26:00.003+01:00

----- Original Message -----
From: "Hannah Thorpe" <Hannah.Thorpe@thanet.gov.uk>
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 12:55 PM

Thanet Coast Project is looking for volunteers to join them this weekend
(18 and 19 September) to take part in the largest coordinated beach clean
up in the UK. Anyone who wants to help keep the beach clean and make the
environment safer for wildlife is invited to register to take part.

Beachwatch takes place around the country on the third weekend of
September every year and is coordinated by the Marine Conservation Society.

Two Beachwatch events have been organised by Thanet Coast Project along
the northern sea wall beaches just west of Minnis Bay, Birchington, and
also within the National Nature Reserve at Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend.

On Saturday 18 September, the Plumpudding Beachwatch will clean along the
northern sea wall beaches beside the Viking Coastal Trail going towards
Reculver. Volunteers should meet at 10:30am outside the Minnis Restaurant at
Minnis Bay, Birchington.

On Sunday 19 September, the Pegwell Bay Beachwatch will meet at 10:30am on
the beach below the former hoverport access road within the National Nature
Reserve in Cliffsend. Both events will last 2½ hours, and protective
gloves, bags, pick-up sticks and refreshments will be provided, thanks to
support from Thanet District Council and the Clean Kent Campaign. You can
register to take part in the clean ups by booking online at
www.thanetcoast.org.uk

Other Beachwatch events taking place around the Thanet Coast include
Margate Main Sands (contact Brian on 01843 295481) and St Mildred's
Bay (contact the Marine Conservation Society for more information
www.mcsuk.org).

Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Manager, said: "Beach cleans provide
an ideal opportunity for anyone wishing to get out and about to help do
their bit for the environment. In Thanet, we are lucky enough to have
nine blue flag beaches and have some of the best beaches in the country.
This makes it even more important to take care of the stunning
coastline we have and to ensure that our beaches are safe to allow all
sorts of amazing wildlife to thrive.

The Marine Conservation Society's annual Beachwatch campaign provides
a vital role in monitoring the type of beach litter found and
contributes to get a national perspective as to where it all comes from.
Beach litter is not just an unsightly blight on our coastline, but also
has a damaging effect on the local wildlife. Many marine wildlife
species have mistaken litter for food, resulting in fatal blockages,
poisoning or starvation. Plastic and discarded fishing nets can also
injure, entangle and drown marine wildlife, such as seals and dolphins.
With this in mind I hope to see lots of people this weekend helping us
to keep the beaches clean."

Further information about Thanet Coast Project events can be found
online at www.thanetcoast.org.uk or by calling 01843 577672.

ENDS

Notes to editor:
Since 1994 the Beachwatch surveys have recorded a 96% increase in the
amount of beach litter. The main sources in South East England beaches
last year were from public and fishing related litter, with plastics the
most dominant item found.

Hannah Thorpe
Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk
Direct Dial: 01843 577120
Fax: 01843 296866

YOGA WORKSHOP WITH DIANE

2010-09-14T19:26:00.002+01:00

date: October 9th
time: 2-4pm
Brief Description: Yoga for all beginners and more experienced,
friendly atmosphere, all welcome. Book early to avoid disappointment
Venue: Cliffsend Village Hall, Foads Lane, Ramsgate CT12 5JH
Contact: Diane Middleton 07570808359 or diane.e.middleton@gmail.com

Windmill Community Allotment Project Market Stall

2010-09-14T19:26:00.000+01:00

Date: Every Tuesday
time: 12noon - 4pm
Brief Description: Come and buy fresh local produce from our own
Community run allotment and other plot holders in the area. Plants,
veg, jams and a friendly welcome. Please come and look around. Perhaps
you may like to join us as a volunteer.
Venue: Corner of Dane Valley Road and College Road.
Contact: Lorna Kane 07717531589

COMMUNICATION FROM Cllr DOUG CLARK JP

2010-09-14T19:25:00.002+01:00

Cllr Douglas Clark JP

20 St Peters Road

Margate

CT9 1TF

(September 2010)

GREEN OPEN SPACE - DALBY SQUARE CLIFTONVILLE

(SIGNED LETTER ATTACHED - SENT TO ALL TDC COUNCILLORS)

Dear colleagues

I'm afraid I am unable to attend the TDC Planning Committee on 15^th September so I would therefore like to inform you of my serious concerns regarding the development of the much loved and well used green open space in Dalby Square, Cliftonville.

Firstly, this public green open space provides opportunities for social interaction, physical activity and play and general enhancement of the local environment. It also improves the quality of life of our residents by providing space for social interaction, especially for children, in an area dominated by densely situated and internally cramped living conditions.

Fighting obesity, especially in children is a particular problem for us here in Cliftonville West. The green space currently provides physical and mental health benefits which improve the health of our residents through the ability for children to 'let off steam' in a positive manner and stressed adults to simply take a break, rest and unwind in the open air.

Suggestions have been made that there are other places nearby for children to play, namely the small playground at the other end of the square and the Viking Playground on the seafront. The playground at the other end of the square is small and for 'tiny tots' only, with small apparatus for very young children. The Viking Playground is around the corner and across a very busy and dangerous main road. Consequently it is only really suitable to be visited with parents. This playground is also covered with apparatus, indeed another open green space was lost when it was created, and so ball games would be extremely dangerous and practically impossible in both the areas suggested.

My ward colleagues and residents will no doubt expand on these matters at the planning committee meeting but as a JP of twenty eight years and the Chairman of the Cliftonville PACT, I am particularly concerned about the knock-on effect that taking away the green could have on anti-social behaviour in our ward.

Groups of children from many different backgrounds come together on the large green open space in Dalby Square and iron out their differences in a positive manner using a ball and in a spirit of sportsmanship instead of 'running gangs' in a concrete jungle.

I simply cannot express strongly enough just how important this green is in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour in an area where it has even proved necessary to create a special Task Force!

Yours sincerely

Cllr Douglas Clark JP

GOOD NEWS FOR DECENT CLIFTONVILLE RESIDENTS

2010-09-14T19:25:00.000+01:00

From: Clive Hart
Date: 13 September 2010 16:26
Subject: GOOD NEWS FOR DECENT CLIFTONVILLE RESIDENTS

13/09/2010

GOOD NEWS FOR DECENT CLIFTONVILLE RESIDENTS

Cliftonville West ward councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and Clive Hart are delighted to see that work has now finally started on compliance with the requirements of a notice issued by Thanet District Council on the derelict and dangerous site at 5 Albion road Cliftonville, better known across Thanet as the former and very popular Maurice Auto Electrics.

A notice under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 has been served on the land, to demolish the burnt out building and remove all waste materials from the site.

Cllr Clive Hart said "this is good news for decent local residents who have understandably raised very serious concerns with us over the past year concerning fly tipping, anti-social behaviour and problems with vermin emanating from the site. We understand that TDC workers have also recently removed a number of items dumped on the land that were considered a serious danger to children.

As ward councillors we are pleased to be informed that the owners have now stated they will cooperate fully with the Councils directions and residents can be assured that we will be monitoring any future developments on the site very closely indeed".

Published by Cllrs Aldred, Clark & Hart, 44 Northdown Road, Cliftonville.

PARTNERS IN CRIME at TOM THUMB

2010-09-14T19:24:00.001+01:00

Tickets selling fast. Don't risk missing out at one of the smallest Theatres in the world!

PARTNERS IN CRIME
18th September, 8.30pm, £10/£8.

Brigitte explores the puzzling nature of relationships with contemporary and historical stories - that are comical, touching and sometimes utterly disasterous - in this 60 minute monologue. Featuring an eclectic mix of songs by Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave, Mercer & Arlen, Altman & Lawrence, Clive Gregson and Rupert Holmes.

To book your tickets visit www.tomthumbtheatre.co.uk, call 01843 221 791, email tickets@tomthumbtheatre.co.uk.

PROPOSED SELECTIVE LICENSING SCHEME

2010-09-14T19:24:00.000+01:00

From: "Hannah Thorpe" <Hannah.Thorpe@thanet.gov.uk>
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 10:44 AM
Subject: PROPOSED SELECTIVE LICENSING SCHEME

Local people are being asked for their views on a proposal to introduce
a new licensing scheme for privately rented accommodation in parts of
Margate Central and Cliftonville West.

The new selective licensing scheme is being proposed to help tackle the
high levels of problems in the area, such as anti-social behaviour,
crime, fires and empty properties.

Under the new scheme, landlords in the designated area would be
required to apply for a licence for every privately rented flat, house
or room in order to continue to operate in the area. The licence will
contain a series of conditions that the property owner will be required
to comply with relating to the management of the property, fire safety
and anti-social behaviour. Landlords who own more than one property in
the designated area would need to apply for a licence for each of the
units of accommodation they rent out. There would be a charge of £525
per licence which landlords would be required to cover.

In other places where this type of scheme has been introduced,
landlords have seen improvements such as less damage to properties,
reduced management costs and a slower turnover of tenants. It is also
anticipated that in the longer term as well as improving the image of
the area and helping to improve the condition of housing, possible
benefits could also include the possible rise in rent and property
values.

Before adopting this scheme, the council is encouraging tenants,
landlords and residents in the area to have their say on the proposal.
Everyone living in the area will be contacted by letter with details
about the scheme and with information on how to take part, including a
short tear out survey. A survey is also available to complete online by
visiting www.thanet.gov.uk, or any additional comments can be submitted
in writing either to hannah.thorpe@thanet.gov.uk or free of charge to
Selective Licensing Consultation, FREEPOST SEA 82 73, Thanet District
Council, Margate CT9 1XZ.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "The
council is fully aware of the problems that exist in these two wards and
we're committed to doing everything we can to tackle them. One of the
biggest issues for many years has been the huge supply in this area of
privately rented housing. Bringing in a licensing scheme for these
properties will help to ensure better regulation and could help to
achieve some significant improvements in the area. Before adopting the
scheme though it is important that local people have an opportunity to
tell us what they think of the proposals. I'd like to encourage anyone
who has a view, to make sure they take part in the consultation."

Local people have until Monday 15 November to submit their comments. A
full copy of the proposal can be viewed online or by calling in to
Thanet's Gateway Plus.

ENDS

To view all of the online details please go to:
http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/selective_licensing.aspx
or you can find this via the front page of TDC's website (under Have
your say).

Hannah Thorpe
Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk
Direct Dial: 01843 577120
Fax: 01843 296866

Become a friend of the Shell Grotto

2010-09-14T19:16:00.000+01:00

It costs just £15 for two (at the same address) to become Friends of Shell Grotto. In return, there is FREE entry to the 2 Vintage Film nights on 16 September and 14 October. That would have cost £18 – so we're up on the deal already! http://www.creativeboom.co.uk/gillingham/2010/07/12/vintage-film-nights-margate-16th-september-and-14th-october/

AND there is a year's free entry to the Shell Grotto and, currently, Crampton Tower Museum .

Meanwhile, they get an extra £80, from English Heritage, for every £20 they raise. So come on … become a Friend of Shell Grotto … and make your subscription count!

http://www.shellgrottofriends.org/

Cllrs Clive Hart and Bob Bayford re Dalby Square

2010-08-10T18:29:00.000+01:00

FOR INFORMATION:

----- Original Message ----- From: "Clive Hart" <clive.hart@btinternet.com>
To: "cllr-Robert Bayford" <cllr-Robert.Bayford@thanet.gov.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 2:43 PM
Subject: Re: AN OPEN COMMUNICATION TO THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, TDC

Cllr Bayford

I asked three simple questions concerning your Cabinet's decision to gift away the green at Dalby Square - they were:

1) Why were the valiant efforts and more importantly the serious concerns of a local residents group simply airbrushed out of a report and how can TDC now assure other groups across the district that they are being listened to and taken seriously?

2) How can people here in Thanet have any confidence in the TDC Asset Disposal public consultation process if such significant changes as the removal of a 700 sq mtr green space can occur AFTER the consultation process has been completed?

3) How can the people of Thanet trust a council that says one thing and does the absolute opposite?

I'm very sorry but you dealt with none of these questions anywhere near adequately in your response.

Your comment regarding any reservations I may have had is simply ridiculous. After seven years of making my/our position absolutely clear, if you still didn't know how we ward councillors and our residents felt about the green space then quite frankly you were the only person at TDC (and probably in Thanet) who didn't.

I welcome regeneration in our ward or any other, but not at the expense of community green space in such a densely populated area with so many inherent problems that particular situation brings with it.

Cllr Clive Hart

PS - You may consider a 1,300 sq mtr green area to be 'a patch of grass' but I think you'll find almost anyone else in Thanet would refer to such an area as a large open green space, and if anyone is being disingenuous it is a council leader who allows such a one-sided report to come to his own cabinet which totally ignores a residents group that has raised around £400,000 to do the council's own work for them.

----- Original Message ----- From: "cllr-Robert Bayford" <cllr-Robert.Bayford@thanet.gov.uk>
To: "Clive Hart" <clive.hart@btinternet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:10 AM
Subject: AN OPEN COMMUNICATION TO THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, TDC

Cllr Hart,

Your open letter concerning Cabinet’s decision in respect of the
proposed new housing in Dalby Square is disappointing.

Anyone present at the meeting will know that all the issues raised by
you and your colleagues were comprehensively answered. Furthermore, the
documents you produced for dramatic effect were shown to be minutes of
decisions from 2003, which were subsequently superseded, and it was
explained that a sketch of what a development on the site might look
like was not a definitive brief.

The fact is that the patch of grass you refer to was clearly designated
for housing in Thanet’s current local plan which was adopted in 2006.
It had been the object of a grant application to the Countryside Agency
to create a ‘doorstep green’ on the site but this failed. As ward
councillors, I would have thought that you and your colleagues should
have been aware of this but you quite clearly were not.

It is totally disingenuous of you to refer to the applicants, Town and
Country Housing, as ‘developers’. They are a housing association and
one of this council’s preferred partners and their proposed scheme
will provide high quality social housing which will complement the drive
to improve an area desperately in need of change.

Our gifting of the land for this project not only demonstrates the
importance that we attach to the regeneration of Cliftonville but also
allows for a better scheme, with more housing units, to come forward.

What is built on this site will be determined by TDC’s planning
committee and, as you should know, our planning process allows plenty of
opportunity for the public to make their views known. I have every
confidence that whatever scheme is ultimately approved, it will be the
best one for the area.

A regeneration scheme at the heart of your ward is something to be
welcomed with open arms. If you had any reservations about the proposals
coming forward, I would have expected you, as a responsible politician,
to have made your concerns known to me in private, so that we might have
been able to address these and present a united front at the public
Cabinet meeting. Your decision to treat this matter as a political
football is disappointing, although not surprising.

Cllr. Bob Bayford
Leader of the Council

"Clive Hart" <clive.hart@btinternet.com> 06/08/2010 09:58 >>>
Bob

I would have preferred to keep these matters within the council but I'm
afraid the omissions in relation to information made available through
the report to cabinet regarding the green space at Dalby Square last
night were shocking and the public therefore needs to know the answers
to my questions below.

Regards

Clive
_____________________________________________________________

AN OPEN COMMUNICATION TO THE THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL LEADER

Cllr Bayford

Last night, as a ward councillor and jointly with Cllr Linda Aldred and
Cllr Doug Clark, I/we argued against the proposed decision for Cabinet
to gift the current green space at Dalby Square to developers for them
to build on. Despite our very best efforts your cabinet decided to
completely ignore our pleas.

I therefore now write as Leader of the Opposition to outline the wider
implications of that Cabinet decision for Thanet District Council as a
whole.

Firstly, the residents group totally ignored by the Cabinet process has
been promoted by TDC over the past seven years as an exemplar community
partner, appearing in many TDC publications and in the press. Indeed,
your predecessor even took a Government Minister to the square to see
the group's sterling work. And quite rightly, the Dalby Square Group
have worked tirelessly for around a decade, raised almost £400,000 to do
what could actually be described as the council's own work for them, and
made an enormous difference to their community and our local
environment. As Cllr Lind Aldred quoted last night, your TDC community
involvement statement says "It is important that the community is
involved from the early stages".

So why were the valiant efforts and more importantly the serious
concerns of a local residents group simply airbrushed out of a report
and how can TDC now assure other groups across the district that they
are being listened to and taken seriously?

The TDC plans for Dalby Square drawn by TDC officers that went through
the TDC Asset Disposal Process in 2008 were completely ignored by you
and your colleagues when making last night's decision. A 700 sq mtr
green was clearly shown to residents and ward councillors as part of any
future development of the site during the Asset Disposal process. Last
night's decision will leave not one blade of grass or community space
for residents or visitors.

How can people here in Thanet have any confidence in the TDC Asset
Disposal public consultation process if such significant changes as the
removal of a 700 sq mtr green space can occur AFTER the consultation
process has been completed?

Last night Cllr Doug Clark explained that he had spoken to the
architect for the developer and asked him if he had been briefed by
planning of the concerns of the residents about saving the green area at
the south end of Dalby Square - his answer was that he had not. Only
three weeks ago full council at TDC agreed a KEY COMMITMENT to improving
quality use of open spaces and a KEY PROJECT to develop a targeted
programme for improving play facilities. Furthermore, in a recent press
release on the new garden development rules you said yourself "It is a
step that will transform our ability to prevent unwanted development and
gives us more power to protect our valuable green spaces".

How can the people of Thanet trust a council that says one thing and
does the absolute opposite?

Residents are also asking why the developers drop-in consultation took
place on one evening and the following evening TDC declared the square a
Conservation Area? And how can the land be 'gifted' to a developer by
cabinet AFTER a planning application has been received but before a
decision has been made and therefore during the application process? It
all sounds very shifty to residents and I have to say I can understand
why.

Thursday's appalling decision goes well beyond the green space, well
beyond Dalby Square and well beyond Cliftonville West. It has
ramifications for all the residents of our district here in Thanet
regarding their dealings with our local authority.

Cllr Clive Hart - Leader of the Opposition TDC.

Manston plans to open Gateway article in Property Week

2010-08-09T19:37:00.000+01:00

Manston plans to open Gateway article in Property Week
http://www.propertyweek.com/manston-plans-to-open-gateway/5003607.article

Press Release: Cllr Clive Hart: Shadow Update: 05/08/2010

2010-08-09T19:33:00.000+01:00

SHADOW UPDATE

(05/08/2010)

Labour Shadow Team comments & questions for Thursday evenings TDC Cabinet meeting.

INTRODUCTION - Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.

From a Task Force for Margate to much needed improvements at Ramsgate Harbour, Thursday's meeting included arange of important issues. As always Labour Shadow Cabinet members were present to comment and ask questions. Concerned Labour front line councillors were also present to comment on local ward matters.

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

_______________________________

AGENDA ITEM 4 - MARGATE TASK FORCE.

Cllr Clive Hart - Labour Group Leader.

As I've made clear before on several occasions, I welcome this initiative, though I have to say I cannot see how it is in any way related to the Safer & Stronger Communities Fund. Though it had some organisaional control from our local authorities the SSCF project was basically a resident-led process and therefore 'bottom-up'. This task force is most certainly service-led and therefore 'top-down'.

From my time at KCC I know Sara Woodward to be an excellent and very committed officer but even more importantly for me she is someone with good local knowledge - a quality all too rare with so many leading our local initiatives.

All those involved in the project deserve our backing and support - they really are going to need it as the coalition government appears hell bent on dismantleing almost every other kind of support available to them.

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

_______________________________

AGENDA ITEM 5 - POTENTIAL ASSET DISPOSALS.

Cllr Elizabeth Green - Speaking as ward councillor.

LAND AT 2 - 48 HIGHFIELD CLOSE. Cllr Green explained she had written to the Director and Chief Executive asking for this asset to be withdrawn. She explained the land was well used. Cllr Green also raised concerns regarding what appeared to be a road entrance. She confirmed that housing was not what residents wanted and was worried that their views could be overlooked. Cllr Green also called for the involvement of Kent Wildlife with the area concerned.

Cllr. Elizabeth Green - Phone: 01843 591495

_____________________________________

AGENDA ITEM 6 - DALBY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT.

Cllr Linda Aldred - Speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

As ward councillors our issue is not about the development itself - which in priciple we agree is a good one. And I have no personal issue per se about gifting of land to Town and Country Housing.

What concerns us at this stage is that residents wishes have not been considered at all whilst working on and moving forward with this plan. As it says in your community involvement statement "It is important that the community is involved from the early stages".

We have supported the Dalby Square project for seven years in their request to retain the top area of green space for community use so the issue has been aired in various forums and we felt that our negotiations on behalf of the residents were leading to a compromise.

We fully realise the importance of developing the square but we think the Council needs to acknowledge that preserving areas of green space and promoting community cohesion is just as important as bricks and mortar when it comes to regeneration and therefore equal consideration should be given to both.

Cllr. Linda Aldred - Phone: 01843 602490

Cllr Doug Clark - Also speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

The recomendation is that Town and Country Housing be invited to submit a full planning application for development of the Warren Court Hotel but that has already happened and consultation does not end untill 27th August - is that not putting the cart before the horse?

The second part of this recomendation is that the land (the green at the south end) is gifted to Town and Country. Dose that mean that a very valuable asset id being given away and do we not realise one penny for the land?

5.6 CONSULTATION - The drop in consultation at St Paul's Community Centre on the 14th July - there is no mention in this report of the matters raised by the three elected members of Cliftonville West who were all present.

I spoke to the architect and asked him if he had been friefed by planning of the concerns of the residents about saving the green area at the south end of Dalby Square - his answer was that he had not - why?

The most important person that should have been consulted is the chair of the Dalby Square Project Group - Jenny Cranstone. I'm sure that you are all aware of her work in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the garden in Dalby Square - and what a truly wonderful job she and her committee have achieved.

The young people that play on the green are a mix of many different nationalities which is very good for intigration and anti-social behaviour is very rare.

Please do not take away the green from young people and the residents.

The council says it prides itself on its consultations with residents - so please listen to our residents before it is too late.

Cllr. Doug Clark - Phone: 01843 220174

Cllr Clive Hart - Also speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

At 1.2 in the report it says the council allocated the adjacent ‘council owned’ land for housing purposes.

Please see the minute PS01/21 of the PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND PUBLIC CONVENIENCES WORKING PARTY 18^th MARCH 2003 - MINUTE POS/21 DALBY SQUARE PROJECT (below - italics)

'Members were informed that the Development Control Manager had raised concerns regarding the use of the Dalby Square site for public open space as it had been previously allocated for housing provision.

Both the Development Control Manager and the Principal Local Plan Officer had discussed the matter and had agreed there was flexibility within the Local Plan for Members to allocate the land for public open space.

Councillor Hayton informed Members that he did have concerns about reallocation of housing land as Thanet could be left with a shortage in future years.

Moved by Councillor Alan Poole and seconded by Councillor Hayton that:

“(A) Cabinet be recommended to reclassify the Dalby Square site from housing land to public open space;

(B) Cabinet be recommended to instruct officers to enter into a formal partnership agrrement with the Dalby Square Project required by funding sources, dependent upon their receiving funding; and

(C) officers be instructed to obtain written confirmation of the flexibility within the Local Plan to allow the change in allocation”.

MOTION ADOPTED'

And also please see the following minute CR/13 from the TDC CABINET of 29^th MAY 2003 - PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND PUBLIC CONVENIENCES WORKING PARTY (below - italics)

'Decision made: That,

1) The minutes of the Parks, Open Spaces And Public Conveniences Working Party meetings held on 29^th November 2002 and 18^th March 2003 be received and noted

2) The recommendations contained within Minute Numbers POS/15, POS/16,POS/21 and POS/22 be approved'.

There was also an Planning Application commenced by the residents F/ TH/ 03/ 1421 that specifically refers to the site including the former buildings at 17 – 23 Dalby Square.

And there is also in existence a partnership agreement dated 13^th August 2003 signed by the Dalby Square residents group chairman and TDC that includes the green space to the south of Dalby Square.

Most importantly plans agreed with residents through the asset disposal process in 2008 clearly show a reduced, but still substantial, green space of over 700 sq mtrs (37mx19m).

AT 2.1 in tonights report:

I strongly agree with first bullet point – the existing Warren Court site certainly does need redeveloping.

However, I strongly disagree with second bullet point – the green space does not need to be built on.

5.4.2 states that a private developer would be highly unlikely to undertake a scheme of this magnitude.

Well we don’t need a site of this magnitude – half the development on just the Warren Court site alone would do very nicely. Indeed, several years ago developers proposed just that, but this authority blocked the application, even at appeal.

5.6.1 points to the drop in consultation on 14^th July but conveniently ignores the fact that at that consultation all 3 ward councillors and representatives of the residents group who have done so much to improve the square all FIRMLY OBJECTED to building on the green space.

Three weeks ago the council met in this very chamber to confirm the Corporate Refresh programme that under the banner of Beautiful Thanet expressed a KEY COMMITMENT to improving quality use of open spaces. Under the Healthy Communities banner it also said a KEY PROJECT was to develop a targeted programme for improving play facilities. Lastly, under the banner Modern Council it refered to involving residents in accordance with our duty to involve.

The report for this agenda has several serious omissions:

1) Absolutely no mention whatsoever is made in the report regarding the current use of the green space for public recreation that has been the case for the last fifteen years. TDC laid the whole area to lawn in the mid 90's and has maintained it as a green open space for local residents ever since.

2) Absolutely no mention whatsoever is made in the report of the Dalby Square Project Group and their sterling work to regenerate the square that includes the south green that is proposed to be 'gifted' away against their wishes. Over the last decade the group have raised around £400,000 to create beautiful formal gardens for adults and visitors and a playground at the north end for very young children. The group are clear that the south green is part of their project and that it provides a large grassed area where slightly older children can play ball and let off steam whilst being watched by parents from windows in hundreds of flats surrounding the square. The group now feel cheated by TDC with whom they have signed joint agreements and received planning permission to improve the green space.

3) For over seven years, as ward councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and I have met with TDC housing and regeneration officers on numerous occasions (that must average at least 4 times each year). On every such occasion we have made it absolutely clear that the green space at the south end of the square is an important local amenity in a densely populated area where health and wellbeing are nowhere near the levels they should be.

4) At paragraph 5.6.1 in the report it states that a drop-in consultation was held on 14th July attended by local residents and council officers. Firstly, that drop-in consultation was advertised as an application for the Warren Court site and not the south green in Dalby Square. And as I've said, this paragraph in the report completely fails to say that all three ward councillors were present at the drop-in and much more importantly it fails to say that the Dalby Square Project Group and all three ward councillors raised serious objections to the proposed development at that drop-in consultation.

Last Thursday we met with residents and concerns were also raised as to why the developers drop-in consultation took place on one evening and the following evening TDC declared the square a Conservation Area?

Questions were also asked as to how the land can be 'gifted' to a developer by cabinet after a planning application has been received but before a decision has been made and therefore actually during the application process?

Chairman – in a recent press release on the new garden development rules you said “It is a step that will transform our ability to prevent unwanted development and gives us more power to protect our valuable green spaces”.

Well how about protecting this valuable community green space in Dalby Square?

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

______________________________

THE CONSERVATIVE CABINET IGNORED THE WARD COUNCILLORS AND RESIDENTS PLEAS AND GIFTED THE GREEN SPACE TO THE TOWN AND COUNTRY HOUSING GROUP FOR DEVELOPMENT.

_____________________________________________________________

AGENDA ITEM 7 - LOOKING AFTER OUR TOWN CENTRES.

Cllr Richard Nicholson - Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development.

Once again monies for Thanet are being nearly all targeted in Margate. This is despite the fact many other income streams have and are available for Margate. Whilst there is need all around Thanet the decline in Ramsgate gathers pace and here is another instance of ignoring the town.

The report does state in 2.3 how the target is to be focused in Margate and north down road with emphasis to also the approaches to the Turner Contemporary.

However in item 4 we find a Margate “Task Force” with substantial resources target to this area.

2.3 does say “some resources” will also be available in Ramsgate, well how much? The lack of any figure does not fill me with any confidence.

I request that Cabinet set a 50% of the remaining monies, potential a total of £18K, is allocated to smarten up the declining Ramsgate.

This can only be fair and remember you are the cabinet for Thanet district, something many think is no longer the case.

Cllr. Richard Nicholson - Phone: 01843 580057

______________________________________

Cllr David Green - speaking as a ward councillor (Eastcliff).

Cllr Green highlighted the six months during which the council appeared unable to spend the money as a failure. He also explained that some businesses in his ward were under the impression that all the funding was going to Margate.

Cllr. David Green - Phone: 01843 591495

_________________________________

AGENDA ITEM 8 - COUNTDOWN TO 2011.

Cllr John Watkins - speaking as ward councillor (Margate Central).

This report states that much more needs to be done to create an environment that supports the world class ambitions of the Turner Contemporary and changes some of the prevailing negative perceptions of Margate.

Many of these negative perceptions are held by our own Thanet residents and also people from around Kent who regularly visit our town and beaches during the year.

What front line staff like taxi drivers, local people and visitors see on a daily basis, is the run down public realm defects like the tatty redundant seafront signs, the scruffy shelters, dirty doorways to empty premises and the dog mess on stained pavements, together with the squalid alleyways like Andrews back passage to the High Street.

But most of all, it is those two ugly sisters that scar our seafront,

The Arcadian and the Fort Road hotel that have been allowed to remain eyesores in full view of everyone for a decade now.

There has been talk of section 215 orders or CPOs regarding those two negative perceptions since TDC first employed an empty properties officer in 2002, and they regularly win the Civic Society’s annual town shame award.

The countdown report lists the priorities for the next 12 months, but it is now less than that to the op0ening of the Turner - more like eight to nine months. So time is moving on.

It is unfortunate that Cllr. Wise the deputy leader, is not here tonight, because I was going to ask if he would re-establish the Margate Environmental group, consisting of the Portfolio holder, an EAP officer, a town warden and a ward Cllr. A team that used to tour the Margate seafront and Old town area at regular intervals.

I would be a willing volunteer again and I am sure that I can say the same for Cllr. Johnston. This group could start right away, even before the Project Plan is presented to Cabinet in September.

Quick wins could be achieved by regular monitoring of the street cleaning and maintenance, and arranging for effective enforcement to combat the constant fly tipping that occurs around the seafront eyesore buildings and alleyways. Perhaps we could make a start by getting the forest of weeds removed from around the TDC’s own Media Centre building in Fort Road.

We really don’t need a new paint job for our light house,

The money would be much better spent in the coming months on a dedicated hit squad that could get to grips with things like the weeds around the town flagstaff, the aroma of urine in the seafront telephone boxes and the chewing gum stains on the pavements.

So Chairman, I support the Project Director’s recommendation to commit the £100,000 Seaside fund money, towards the Programme to make Margate fit to face the World’s media next spring.

And thank you for the opportunity to ride my favourite hobby horse as a Margate ward councillor once again.

Mr. Derek Harding the report’s author, has heard it all before.

And the TDC chief executive, who has also toured our ward with us, can probably even tell you the colloquial name for Andrew’s back passage.

Cllr. Richard Nicholson - Phone: 01843 580057

______________________________________

Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.

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SHADOW UPDATE

(05/08/2010)

Labour Shadow Team comments & questions for Thursday evenings TDC Cabinet meeting.

INTRODUCTION - Labour Group Leader - Cllr. Clive Hart.

From a Task Force for Margate to much needed improvements at Ramsgate Harbour, Thursday's meeting included arrange of important issues. As always Labour Shadow Cabinet members were present to comment and ask questions. Concerned Labour front line councillors were also present to comment on local ward matters.

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

_______________________________

AGENDA ITEM 4 - MARGATE TASK FORCE.

Cllr Clive Hart - Labour Group Leader.

All those involved in the project deserve our backing and support - they really are going to need it as the coalition government appears hell bent on dismantling almost every other kind of support available to them.

Cllr. Clive Hart - Phone: 01843 298770

_______________________________

AGENDA ITEM 5 - POTENTIAL ASSET DISPOSALS.

Cllr Elizabeth Green - Speaking as ward councillor.

Cllr. Elizabeth Green - Phone: 01843 591495

_____________________________________

AGENDA ITEM 6 - DALBY SQUARE DEVELOPMENT.

Cllr Linda Aldred - Speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

As ward councillors our issue is not about the development itself - which in principle we agree is a good one. And I have no personal issue per se about gifting of land to Town and Country Housing.

Cllr. Linda Aldred - Phone: 01843 602490

Cllr Doug Clark - Also speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

The recommendation is that Town and Country Housing be invited to submit a full planning application for development of the Warren Court Hotel but that has already happened and consultation does not end until 27th August - is that not putting the cart before the horse?

The second part of this recommendation is that the land (the green at the south end) is gifted to Town and Country. Dose that mean that a very valuable asset id being given away and do we not realise one penny for the land?

I spoke to the architect and asked him if he had been briefed by planning of the concerns of the residents about saving the green area at the south end of Dalby Square - his answer was that he had not - why?

The young people that play on the green are a mix of many different nationalities which is very good for integration and anti-social behaviour is very rare.

Please do not take away the green from young people and the residents.

The council says it prides itself on its consultations with residents - so please listen to our residents before it is too late.

Cllr. Doug Clark - Phone: 01843 220174

Cllr Clive Hart - Also speaking as ward councillor (Cliftonville West).

At 1.2 in the report it says the council allocated the adjacent ‘council owned’ land for housing purposes.

Please see the minute PS01/21 of the PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND PUBLIC CONVENIENCES WORKING PARTY 18^th MARCH 2003 - MINUTE POS/21 DALBY SQUARE PROJECT (below - italics)

Councillor Hayton informed Members that he did have concerns about reallocation of housing land as Thanet could be left with a shortage in future years.

Moved by Councillor Alan Poole and seconded by Councillor Hayton that:

“(A) Cabinet be recommended to reclassify the Dalby Square site from housing land to public open space;

(B) Cabinet be recommended to instruct officers to enter into a formal partnership agreement with the Dalby Square Project required by funding sources, dependent upon their receiving funding; and

(C) officers be instructed to obtain written confirmation of the flexibility within the Local Plan to allow the change in allocation”.

MOTION ADOPTED'

And also please see the following minute CR/13 from the TDC CABINET of 29^th MAY 2003 - PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND PUBLIC CONVENIENCES WORKING PARTY (below - italics)

'Decision made: That,

1) The minutes of the Parks, Open Spaces And Public Conveniences Working Party meetings held on 29^th November 2002 and 18^th March 2003 be received and noted

2) The recommendations contained within Minute Numbers POS/15, POS/16,POS/21 and POS/22 be approved'.

There was also an Planning Application commenced by the residents F/ TH/ 03/ 1421 that specifically refers to the site including the former buildings at 17 – 23 Dalby Square.

And there is also in existence a partnership agreement dated 13^th August 2003 signed by the Dalby Square residents group chairman and TDC that includes the green space to the south of Dalby Square.

Most importantly plans agreed with residents through the asset disposal process in 2008 clearly show a reduced, but still substantial, green space of over 700 sq mtrs (37mx19m).

AT 2.1 in tonight's report:

I strongly agree with first bullet point – the existing Warren Court site certainly does need redeveloping.

However, I strongly disagree with second bullet point – the green space does not need to be built on.

5.4.2 states that a private developer would be highly unlikely to undertake a scheme of this magnitude.

Three weeks ago the council met in this very chamber to confirm the Corporate Refresh programme that under the banner of Beautiful Thanet expressed a KEY COMMITMENT to improving quality use of open spaces. Under the Healthy Communities banner it also said a KEY PROJECT was to develop a targeted programme for improving play facilities. Lastly, under the banner Modern Council it referred to involving residents in accordance with our duty to involve.

The countdown report lists the priorities for the next 12 months, but it is now less than that to the opening of the Turner - more like eight to nine months. So time is moving on.

I would be a willing volunteer again and I am sure that I can say the same for Cllr. Johnston. This group could start right away, even before the Project Plan is presented to Cabinet in September.

We really don’t need a new paint job for our light house,

So Chairman, I support the Project Director’s recommendation to commit the £100,000 Seaside fund money, towards the Programme to make Margate fit to face the World’s media next spring.

And thank you for the opportunity to ride my favourite hobby horse as a Margate ward councillor once again.

Mr. Derek Harding the report’s author, has heard it all before.

And the TDC chief executive, who has also toured our ward with us, can probably even tell you the colloquial name for Andrew’s back passage.

Cllr. Richard Nicholson - Phone: 01843 580057

______________________________________

Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2RW.