WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 13th
OCTOBER 2014 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, twenty one members, and
KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor.
The chairman welcomed all attending especially on
such a wet evening.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Stephanie Sutton.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1) Dreamland Briefing. Tom reported that he had just come from a
briefing for councillors about plans for the site, which include some original
items, retail outlets, restaurants, ballroom, and pin ball area etc which will
all be marketed. The opening will take
place in 2015.
2) Library Service. A “Kent on Sunday” article had featured
formal plans to hand over the running of libraries to a charitable trust. There is a twelve week consultation period
which has just started. If this change
goes ahead it is estimated to save half a million pounds, business rates would
no longer apply. The service should
continue as at present (the museum and libraries' act protects library
services). Suffolk CC has made this
change successfully. Consultation forms
are available at libraries.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (8th
September 2014), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop by Richard
Charlton sec by Darren Ellis, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) TV Reception. This was still poor in many areas especially
the BBC. The suggestion from Offcom that
those affected should purchase receiving equipment at around £200 was regarded
as an insult.
2) Anti Social Behaviour. Richard Charlton reported that when the
congregations of youngsters are moved away from the station by the police, they
often end up in Ethelbert Square causing disturbance to local residents. Tom has raised awareness of this problem at
the Community Safety meetings.
3) Governance Review. James Brazier referred to the meeting of the
Council Boundary and Electoral working party.
Tom reminded the meeting that residents may attend any council meeting,
except those designated as confidential.
The views of the other local ward councillors concerning a possible
Westgate parish council was not known.
4) St Milded's Bay Car
Park. Residents and visitors had been
avoiding the car park since notices went up requiring payment by mobile phone
and credit card, sometimes there is no phone signal, and there is concern about
giving out credit card numbers over the telephone. One of the notices is with the disabled space
parking notices giving rise to concern that those disabled may have to
pay. Tom agreed to clarify the situation
from the council.
5) 34, Westgate Bay
Avenue. Following concern about this
site as the trees had been very severely cut and part of the flint wall taken
down, Tom has arranged with the KCC to receive a copy of their list of trees
undergoing work. These trees are on the
list, most tree work is carried out by an independent firm but the KCC makes
checks. Other areas in Sea Road and
Lockwood are on the list.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor:
1)
Library Service.
KCC are proud they have retained all the seventy nine libraries in the
county, and are not intending to close any.
There are questionnaire forms available at the library about the new proposals, group points of view are
welcome. Jeff agreed to find out who is
eligible to sit on the trust.
2)
Community Warden Service. KCC have to save 250M£, and in round figures
one hundred staff will be reduced by fifty, covering management,
administration, supervisors, and wardens.
3)
Kerb Stones. In
answer to a question Jeff confirmed that there is one contractor who uses
plastic kerb stones.
4)
New Trees in Westgate.
Jeff had arranged for these trees to be watered, and recent rain as well
should ensure their survival.
5)
Weeds. Extra
spraying had been carried out and Bridge road tidied up. Julian Smith pointed out that the metal railing by the junction of Bridge
Road and Westbrook Avenue was loose.
6)
Westbrook Shops Area.
It was pointed out that the road easily becomes flooded during rain, as
does part of the dual carriageway.
CORRESPONDENCE
1)
Beach Management Plan for Thanet. A lengthy report had been produced with ideas
for maximising the asset for tourism.
Some residents were concerned about the beach accomodation, eco-huts,
and overnight camper vans that had been suggested. At St Mildred's Bay the old closed cafe and
horseshoe huts could be phased into the new scheme as also the Westbrook
cafe. It was noted that contrary to
previous information all the old style beach huts by the Sea Bathing hospital
site had been removed.
PLANNING
1)
28, Roxburgh Road.
Appllication for permission to replace timber windows with UPVC ones.
2)
Lockwoods Yard.
The site is now under an enforcement order to reinstate the wall.
3)
12, Thanet Road.
Application for retrospective permission to erect a two metre high
boundary fence.
4)
14, Barn Crescent.
Application for permission to erect a two storey side extension.
5)
20, Carlton Road East.
The planing committee has been called in to check the application for
french doors and a balcony on the first floor.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Sam Secomb told the meeting that the bank balance stood at £7,511, and the year to date to the end of
September showed an income of £10,490, and an expenditure of £8,790. Some
of the Bake House renovations had been covered from the memorial fund
for Barbara. The profit had been made by
hard work of the residents, and their
views as to how this may best be spent should be sought. Various suggestions were made including a
contribution towards a crossing for Westgate
Bay Avenue, the Community Centre refurbishment, paint for the library,
the old putting green area.
James Brazier felt that the audited accounts are required before further
consideration, and several members said that a reasonable reserve should be
kept as magazine printing is costly.
EDITOR’S REPORT
None.
SUNSHINE REPORT
None
MEMBERSHIP
None
CIVIC REPORT
Margate Civic Society.
Next meeting Thursday 6th November,
a talk “Richborough Port and World War 1” by Dr Frank Andrews.
SOCIAL
1)
Quiz Night. This
was held on 8th October and enjoyed by all.
2)
Ramsgate Caves.
A trip to see the caves is to be arranged.
3)
Trip to Deal next Wednesday.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Promenade Rubbish Bins. It was pointed out that three of these had
gone from St Mildred's Bay, so that no bins were available between Rowena Court
and West Bay. Also noted the lifebelt
previously by the pool was missing.
2) Tesco Arlington. Tesco had pulled out of this development, as
yet it was not known what was going to happen at the site.
3) Westgate Sign. This had again been vandalised with
graffiti. Darren Ellis offered to clean
it again.
4) TDC Chief Executive. It was noted from the floor that this
executive had been on leave for five
months and the TDC had an interim
director. Tom explained that the general
purposes committee make these appointments, and that a barrister is going to
report on his findings.
5) Traffic Accidents in
Westbrook. Chris Wyer pointed out that
these accidents had left the area and
walls damaged and looking very tatty, and asked if TDC could bring to bear any
pressure to help effect repairs.
6) Westcliff House. Westgate CAAG are meeting to view the
plans. The building is being converted
to flats, but some houses are to be build adjacent to this to help offset the
costs. There was concern about the
proximity to Ellingham.
7) Signs re Units by Garden
Centre. These had appeared recently, and
Darren Ellis thought they could be a reference to possible retail units.
8) Christmas Lights Switch
on. This is scheduled to take place on
Sunday 30th November.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 10th
November in the Town Hall Building.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.50pm.
