Wednesday 28 September 2016

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK Residents Association Minutes Sept 2016


 

 

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2016 AT 7.15PM.

 

PRESENT


Mick Tomlinson (chair), twenty seven members, Thanet District Cllrs Ash Ashby, Sam Bambridge, Carol Partington, and Mick Tomlinson, Westgate Town Cllr Ash Ashby, and Robin Chantrill-Smith (I/C parking for TDC) who was introduced by the chairman.

 The chairman welcomed all to the meeting.

 
APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Pat Sawyer-Jones.

 
GUEST SPEAKER

Mr Robin Chantrill-Smith informed the meeting that he was in charge of on and off street parking for TDC.  There were twelve enforcement officers for the whole of Thanet which was a somewhat limited resource.  Questions were then invited from the floor.

1)      St Mildred's Bay Car Park.  A ticket machine had now been installed, this is solar powered as the previous electricity supply had failed.  Members questioned if this was worth charging as motorists can and do park in adjacent roads.  Answer: It does just about break even.  Local members would prefer no charges so that it is used and parking would not congest local residential roads.  One member asked if it was a legal charge as the land had been made over to the community by deed of covenant in 1926.

2)      Double Parking had been noticed in the main Westgate roads.

3)      Westbrook Tescos.  James Brazier brought to members' attention parking problems here, and also on corners in Westgate Bay Avenue.  Answer This is a country wide problem and lack of enforcement officers is a difficulty.  Cllr Carol Partington said there had been an agreement that smaller delivery lorries should be used, although it appeared that this was not always the case.  The chairman said there had often been problems with bollards and railings had been asked for but this would be the responsibility of KCC Highways.

4)      Westbrook Road.  An unauthorised yellow line had been put down and subsequently blacked out.

5)      Zebra Crossing, Westgate.  Cars parking by the zig zag lines had been checked and considered sufficiently safe.

6)      Problems caused by parking at bus stops, and parked camper vans were also discussed.  The police or environmental dept may be contacted in cases of overnight camping.  Chris Wyer pointed out that if the jacks are put down it becomes illegal.

Mr Chantrill-Smith was thanked for his time and assistance.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (8th August 2016), which had been circulated were agreed and adopted.

 MATTERS ARISING

1)      Westgate Town Council Boundary.  Following the debate at the last meeting James Brazier had obtained a copy of a map from TDC showing the boundary as it is now.  The blue shed at St Mildred's Bay has been  made over to WTC, but there was some question about land that may go with it.

2)      Westbrook Road  HMO.  This is now empty, there is still a fly tipping problem in the road.

3)      Old Nurses Home at the Sea Bathing Hospital Site.  Following conversion to flats the scaffolding is being removed and the appearance is good.

 
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC.  PCSOs and Wardens.

Cllr Carol Partington TDC:

1)      Camper Vans in Barnes Park.  The complaint has been resolved with the help of an enforcement officer. 

2)      Green by Community Centre.  For access TDC used to use Wellington Road, but now has changed to the corner by Lymington Road where suitable posts have been placed.

3)      Tennis Courts.  Youngsters have been observed playing football on these.  Appropriate signs are to be put up.  Opinion was being sought as to the possibility of using some of the courts as a multi sports court.

4)      The Knot.  The planning application is ongoing.

5)      Beach Clean reminder.  The national beachwatch beach cleans take place this weekend, the local one in St Mildred's Bay is on Saturday 17th September at 9.30 am. 

 
Cllr Ash Ashbee TDC & WTC:

1)      KCC Warden Laura Bungard had sent in her report to Cllr Ashbee.  This detailed a busy month with vehicles without  tax, highways issues, 101 calls, illegal camping and drugs.

2)      Westbrook Avenue Speeding.  Permanent speeding signs had been requested but the cost for one would be £6,000.  KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor had earmarked his discretional funding for a second zebra crossing. One member suggested a 20mph limit would reduce casualties considerably, but there would be much legislation to be dealt with beforehand.

 
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

1)      Nurses' Home, Old Sea Bathing Hospital.  Work is nearly complete and it is looking good.

2)      Nayland Rock Hotel.  This has been sold and is to be converted to a five star hotel.

3)      Victorian Shelter by the Nayland Rock.  In spite of being cleaned regularly it does at times get into a poor state.

4)      The “Record” Magazine.   The next issue is being prepared and Carol Peters are going to print it.  Muriel Atkins was warmly thanked for co-ordinating the new arrangements.

 

 CORRESPONDENCE

1)      Police Information by email.  Phone calls have been received pretending to be from HMRC and Amazon requesting personal details, these have been confirmed as fraudulent.  Never give your details when cold calls request them.     Care when leaving parked cars, do not leave items with your home address or even home GPS as if the car is stolen it may be driven to your home whilst you are unaware.  Mobile phones if stolen in a bag with credit cards.  It has been known for the thieves to call “home” to request pin numbers and if given to draw money from the victim's account.

2)      Letter from Derek Smith.  A letter had been received by the secretary, Pat Sawyer-Jones concerning the recent death of member and tea lady Joyce Smith expressing disappointment that no committee member had attended the funeral  on 30th August in spite of an open invitation.  It appeared that not all the committee were aware of the invitation and date.  Some members were aware of the small size of the Bake House and would not have wished to occupy space needed for family and friends at the reception. The chairman expressed regret that the W&WRA had not been officially represented, and a reply would be sent concerning this oversight. Pat Sawyer-Jones had provided a floral tribute.

 
PLANNING 

1)      40, Royal Esplanade.  Application to erect single storey rear extension together with loft conversion.  Permission granted.

2)      8, Westcliff Gardens.  Application to erect single storey rear extension.

3)      10, Buenos Ayres.  Application to change of use from one flat and hostel to two self contained flats with single storey rear extension.

4)      14, Domneva Road.  Application to change windows on first and second floor levels to UPVC vertical sliding with external Georgian bars.

5)      85, Linksfield Road.  Application for erection of single storey side and rear extension.  Permission granted.

6)      Margate Beach.  Application for new life boat house.  There is some support and some objection.  A TDC meeting is to be held on Wednesday week.  For details see TDC planning services.

 
TREASURER'S REPORT  

In the absence of Sam  Secomb there was no report.

 
EDITOR'S REPORT

At present the W&WRA has no editor.  The next issue is being prepared, see Chairman's Report item (4) on page 2.

 

SUNSHINE REPORT

None.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Christina reported members still joining weekly.  As soon as the new magazine was ready the road stewards would be requested to deliver copies to members.

 

 CIVIC REPORT

Westgate Heritage Centre:  Next meeting is Saturday 8th October at St Saviour's Church at 10.30am when there will be a chance to see the film taken of the ceremony when Dr Dawn Crouch was appointed the first Honorary Freeman of the town of Westgate-on-Sea.

Margate Civic Society: Next meeting Thursday 6th October at the Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm a talk “Civic Voice” by John Walker, Deputy Chairman, Civic Voice/President, Kent Federation of Amenity Societies/Chairman, Ramsgate Society.

 

Mick Tomlinson informed the meeting that the Civic service for the Mayor would take place on Sunday 9th October.

 

PRESS REPORT

None. 

 

SOCIAL

1)      Trips out and the annual festive lunch are being arranged.

2)      Sunday Carvery Lunches at The Swan.  Next date is Sunday 9th October.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Westgate Community Centre Quiz.  To be held on Saturday 29th October at 7.00pm.  Entry £5.

2)      Small encampment in public shelter near Barnes car park.  This has been called in by Cllr Ash Ashbee.

3)      Chris Wyer, various observations.  a)The mechanical road sweepers cannot do their job as so many parked cars are in the way.  b)The litter bin outside the Piggy Bank Nursery is reported to have cost £3,000.  c)Bridge Road.  New trees have not been watered and have died, and the weeds were not completely killed during the first treatment and have had to be sprayed again.

4)      Next Litter Pick is on 24th September at 10.00am.

5)      Railway Footbridge.  This had not been painted very well, and one light on the Station Road side and two lights on the South side are not working.

6)      Seaweed in St Mildred's Bay.  A very large quantity has been removed by TDC.

7)      Bonfires.  In answer to an enquiry, bonfires are legal but subject to the law of nuisance.

8)      Animal Excrement.  Though there is a legal obligation for owners to pick up dog poo, there is no such obligation for horse owners.  

 

 

NEXT MEETING

 Monday 10th October, at the United Services Club, 7.00pm for 7.15pm.

 

 

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 9.00pm.