Sunday 23 February 2014

Why do Some Local Councillors not support our local resident's association?

Its a shame that only a few of our local councillors attend The Westgate and Westbrook Resident's Association meetings. In my opinion it shows a lack of interest in the issues affecting voters in their wards.

Anyway for those that are interested here are the minutes of the last meeting.

NEXT MEETING  Monday 10th March, at Westbrook Bowls Club.


WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

 

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN HALL BUILDINGS ON MONDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2014 AT 7.15PM.


 

 

PRESENT


Tom King, councillor and chairman, thirty two members, and KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor.

 

The chairman welcomed all attending.

 

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Derek Smith and John Vaughan.

 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

1)       Dog Fouling.  This appears to have been increasing, and is very unpleasant for all residents as well as dangerous for children as blindness can be caused. Tom suggested that the W&WRA mount a campaign against it and invited comments from the floor.  Suggestions included education of the ignorant dog owners/fines possibly by contractors/more wardens/more dog bins/use of posters available from TDC/the need to target the very small minority of dog owners who fail to clear up.  The meeting was in favour of a local campaign and Tom agreed to follow this up.  Members noted that other debris also accumulated on pavements as there was no regular sweeping rota except in areas of high footfall.

2)      Pancake Races.  Invitations to four schools had been sent out.  The date is 4th March and profits will go to the “Caring for Connor” funds.

3)      Marc Lawrence Memorial.  Tom had received a phone call from TDC and has to go in to sort one final detail out after which the work should go ahead.

4)      Bake House Seating.  Seating is being considered for the right hand side wall so that it will be more comfortable and will match the other side.  A quote has been obtained from Tony Wiltshire, Carpenter’s Workshop, of £500.

5)      Railway Footbridge.  Network Rail has scheduled work which should start very soon.

6)      The “Why Not”.  TDC have had ten expressions of interest to take over the premises.

7)      Tesco Westgate.  The appeal has failed and planning permission is refused.

   

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (13th January 2014), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop by Don Eacott sec by Mick Rooney, and signed.

 

MATTERS ARISING

1)       Post Box and Wall, Elm Grove.  Tom had spoken to Nick Dermott who confirmed that the post box will be reinstated with the wall.

2)      Quiz.  This is to take place on 28th February, (not 21st February).

 

COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor:

 

1)      Station Road Improvements.  The system of KCC members’ grants for local projects has been valued in recent years, where a small pot of money can be democratically used for local improvements.  Jeff suggested that one such project could be to repair and refurbish the unique row of shop canopies along Station Road.  Many of the members present had memories of the same suggestion some years ago, there had been a history of problems mainly due to the fact that the canopies are individually owned.  Additional grants to help with conservation had been made less likely by some shops having put in UPVC windows, and the new plastic planters.  It was agreed that projects should be looked at in greater detail next meeting.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

1)      Westgate Heritage Centre.  A grant of £7,600 had been received from the Heritage Lottery Funding.

2)      Police Poster.  This will be displayed in the Bake House, as police wish to identify and interview the subject about possible involvement in a violent crime. 

3)      Police Email Messages.  A warning about two men cold callers wanting to repair roof tiles.  The charge was high but the quality of work poor, only a handwritten receipt was given with the name “AK Roofing”.  Both men late twenties came in a white van.  Police advise never commission work with cold callers.     

 

PLANNING

1)      21, Nelson Villas, Quex Road.  Application for permission to change timber windows to aluminium.

2)      8, Elm Grove.  Application for single storey rear extension.

3)      Royal Sea Bathing Hospital.  Application for electricity substation.

4)      120, St James Park Road.  Application for erection of single storey side and rear extension.

5)      83, Sea Road.  Application for conversion of home to six two bedroom flats, and three houses.  Permission granted.

6)      149, Sea Road.  Application for erection of detached two storey dwelling. Permission granted.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Sam Secomb told the meeting that in the last month expenditure had exceeded income, but only due to the fact that the bill for the new year lunch at St Augustines had been paid.  The balance of funds is £6,802 and all bills to date are paid.

 

EDITOR’S REPORT

Members were reminded that copy for the next issue is required by this Friday.

 

SUNSHINE REPORT

Margaret reported that three get well cards had been sent to members this month, including Eileen Cunnew who had been in hospital.

 

MEMBERSHIP

No report.

 

CIVIC

No report.

 

PRESS

Richard Charlton confirmed he is sending reports to the local press.

 

SOCIAL

1)      Police Panto.  Stephanie said a group of members will be going to this on Friday 21st February.

2)      Quiz 28th February.  A list for names is in the Bake House

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Victorian Letter Box, Elm Grove.  Chris Wyer had a petition for the members and the public to sign requesting the letter box to be put back in the wall as it is to be rebuilt soon following enforcement action. 

2)      Station Phone Boxes.  Following problems with misuse Tom had suggested to BT that they be removed, but these are part of a minimum quota that must be maintained in the area.

3)      Letter Boxes.  A member pointed out that some of these required refurbishing, one by Bridge Road had lost its lid, another had graffiti on it, and others were leaning.

4)      Adrian Square – Holm Oak.  A member pointed out that the entire tree had been taken away when it appeared that the removal of one branch should have been sufficient.  Tom agreed to enquire if a replacement tree would be supplied.

 

NEXT MEETING

 Monday 10th March, at Westbrook Bowls Club.

 

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.20pm.

 

 

 

 

Signed…………………………………..                               Date……………………..

Monday 17 February 2014

What has the The Thanet Coast Project done for Thanet?




Thanet Coast Project Under Threat
In answer to the question:

Its brought tourists to the area with its activities like Sea Shore Safaris, Beach events and by protecting our coast and wildlife. When events are run by its team of volunteers beach cafes and franchises benefit.

Wardens regularly survey our bays reporting incidents and ensuring they are acted upon.




The project has engaged with young people on issues like water safety, marine and wildlife so that they respect our coast.


Wardens get involved with beach cleans ensuring that our bays remain pristine reporting and identifying litter, plastic and its sources.

The Thanet Coast Project has also be strongly involved with Climate Change and planning for the future of our Coastal Communities to the year 2150. Recent weather patterns have highlighted the need to plan for climate change.

Wardens are seeing the effects of climate change on our beaches with changing marine life and the appearance and survival of non native species. There are changes in the bird populations that winter on our coast and regular counts are made to determine causes and effects.

There is some wonderful wildlife on our coast and wardens are best placed share this with local people and tourists coming to the area.



Coastal Art.

We have the Turner Centre bringing people to our area but do they stay in Thanet. What else could they do. Maybe Dreamland when it is up and running but what about our amazing coast. That could be an all year activity if we promoted it.

To Quote TCP web site:
Follow link on the right to visit the site.

The Thanet coast is amongst the best wildlife sites in Europe...


You can find out more about this internationally important area for birds and marine life around our chalk coastline on this website.  This covers information relating to the management of the North East Kent European marine sites (NEKEMS) and about the Thanet Coast Project, working with local people to help safeguard the wildlife and the coastlines' unique features.

It also includes the proposed action plan for the North East Kent Marine Protected Area (NEKMPA) - to incorporate the existing management framework of the NEKEMS and the new Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).


To continue: our coast faces many challenges for the future and when I see the way Thanet District Council wastes our money on Waffle and Bureaucracy it sickens me to think that the small amount of funding required to keep this project running is drying up. Its about time that councillors woke up to what is an important resource right on our doorstep.
Look after the Thanet Coast and it will look after Thanet.

 You don't know what you have lost until its gone.