Sunday 8 March 2020

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Meeting March 2020




DRAFT OF MINUTES MAY BE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT IF NECESSARY 

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT CHRIST CHURCH URC ON MONDAY 2nd MARCH 2020 AT 7.00PM.


PRESENT

Tom King (Ch), and thirty two members, including TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee-Welch, and WTC Cllr David Wallin.   

APOLOGIES
Jane Chambers, Joanna Cornford, Bob Loxley, Pam O’Toole, and Ron Rolfe.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
1)       The Constitution.  This is being brought up to date and will be presented to the April meeting for comment/approval.
2)      WTC By-election.  Tim Green was elected to the council.  There was comment all round that many had not been aware that an election was taking place as poll cards were not used, and there was a low turnout of only 401 voters.
3)      Induction of new minister to Christ Church URC, Rev David Yule.  Tom had been invited to represent the W&WRA at the service along with MP Sir Roger Gale and WTC chairman Martyn Pennington.
4)      Proposed Margate Town Council.  Tom will be finding out more information and will be reporting back in due course.

Questions:  The question of poll cards arose, apparently they are not legally required, but many missed the poll as they were not aware of it.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last general meeting, (10/02/20), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a proposal by Chris Smith sec. by James Brazier, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING
Minutes.  Following discussion about the availability of minutes of general meetings, a proposal by Ash Ashbee-Welch sec by Chris Whittingham that these in draft form may be available to members and on the website/facebook/and WASPS site was unanimously agreed

REPORTS Cllrs, PCSOs, WARDEN'S:
TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee-Welch:
1)      George V Park (Green).  The TDC budget has been passed, and the plan to plant trees would go ahead.
2)      Tivoli Park Site.  Nothing has been decided as yet about this site.

A question arose as to the new statue near the Nayland Rock, and for how long the temporary statue would be there.  One member thought it was provocative.

KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Report sent in and read by the minute secretary):
1)      Scams.  These are becoming more frequent most commonly by post and phone.  Be aware do not have any conversation or be persuaded to press any buttons on the phone, and do not redial them.
2)      Blocked Drains.  Laura has repeatedly requested these to be cleared and shown the KCC Inspector the worse areas.  Residents can call KCC to report these problems on 03000 414141, (ask for highways), or to kent.gov.uk click on “report a problem”.
3)      Vulnerable and Elderly.  It is much better to make friends in group settings in halls, libraries, offices etc rather than inviting someone into your home.
4)       Contact.  Laura may be contacted by email laurabungard@kent.gov.uk or by phone 07969 583922, and her details are held at the Town Council Offices.

Police Messages (by email):
1)      Scam.  Calls received supposedly from HMRC are prevalent at the moment.

PLANNING
1)      174, Canterbury Road.  Application for change of use from hot food takeaway to tattoo studio.
2)      15, Victoria Avenue. Application for erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory.
3)      6, Ashly House, 9, Royal Crescent.  Application for listed building consent for alteration to existing room layout.
4)      1, Countess Mountbatten Court.  Change of use from 1x three bed flat to 2x one bed flats.  GRANTED.
5)      53, Victoria Avenue.  Single storey rear extension with 3x rooflights and alteration to fenestration following demolition of conservatory. GRANTED.
6)      23, Minster Road.  Application for erection of single storey side extension.
7)      18-20A Station Road.  Variation of use from storage to community use to allow alterations to opening hours.
8)      3, Orchard Road.  Application for erection of double detached garage.
9)      Hundred’s Farm House.  Application for outline permission for erection of three storey building. GRANTED.
10)  Land Adjacent to Lifeboat Memorial, Marine Terrace.  Installation of temporary sculpture, between April – November 2020.
11)  13, Meadow Road.  Erection of first floor side extension and rear extension raising the roof height.  REFUSED.
12)  Ursuline Convent.  Application for listed building consent for internal and external work, including roof cowls and external fire escape.
13)  24, Gresham Avenue.  Application for erection of two storey rear and side extension, and new roof and balcony to the rear and front porch.


TREASURER'S REPORT (Jane)
Jane reported that the bank has now officially recognised her as treasurer.  The bank balance stands at £4,430.  Bills to pay St Augustines £144, Bowls Club £20.
Jane will be contacting Dennis Jarvis for auditing the years accounts.


EDITOR & MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Ash reported that the facebook page is set up, and work on the magazine is going ahead.  This will be a sixteen page magazine with a colour cover costing £170 for 800 copies, three times a year (ie just over £500 per year).  Thanks to Jane there is already £300 worth of advertising with possibly more to come to offset the price of production.  The address for the magazine is wwra.20@btinternet.com

Jane is gathering membership details, and will be meeting with road stewards.  A5 application for membership forms will be available, and incentives for members suggested to encourage residents to join.

SUNSHINE REPORT
Sent in by Joanna and read out by the minute secretary:
Cards and contact had been made with four members who had been poorly or had operations from which they were recovering.  A card was also sent to June, the bereaved mother of our prematurely departed member Andrew Bramley, known by many and a popular figure in the area.
If any member is aware of another who would benefit from contact or card please text 07896092324 with the details.

CIVIC REPORT
Margate Civic Society:  5th March talk by Chris McCooey “Rogues, Rascals and Rebels”,  also 2nd April talk by Sally Whitworth on the Early Days of Westgate-on-Sea.  Both talks are at the Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm.

Westgate-on-Sea Heritage Centre:  This Saturday 7th March, the AGM will be followed by a short talk by member Karl Troop on his research on Christopher Moor.
The meeting is as usual at St Saviour’s Church at 10.00am for 10.30am.

SOCIAL REPORT
Following enquiries it had been decided to hold the annual lunch, as previously in January at St Augustines.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1)      Sunken Gardens Group. Meets on the last Saturday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00noon, more volunteers will be welcome.  Details of tree planting will be forthcoming soon.
2)      Railway Footbridge.  Dee Hooper pointed out one of the lights (no TAR 007) on the bridge has not been working for some weeks.  It was thought that KCC are responsible for these lights.
3)      St Mildred’s Bay Car Park.  As pointed out by member Bob Loxley at a previous meeting it is unusual to see any vehicles paying for parking, due to unrealistically high charges, and the requirement of a smart phone to make the payments, so that if this could be made free there would be minimal loss to TDC.  Under the freedom of information act is it possible to be advised of the annual revenue collected for this car park?  Free parking would encourage visitors and relieve local residents of street parking round their houses and flats which is considerable in the summer.  Cllr Ash said she has raised this before unsuccessfully as the council’s thinking is for the revenue to pay for upkeep and repairs, but she would try again.
Tony Sykes thought the area could be under a covenant from the Bethlehem Hospital and if so are the charges legal?  James Brazier thought the covenant was just for restricting building.

NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Monday 6th April at Westbrook Bowls Club at 7.00pm.

The meeting concluded at 8.10pm



DRAFT OF MINUTES MAY BE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT IF NECESSARY

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