WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN
HALL BUILDINGS ON MONDAY 10th
NOVEMBER 2014 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, thirty six members, and
KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Richard Charlton
and Derek and Chris Smith.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1) Review of Governance
Arrangements. There is to be an
extraordinary meeting at TDC to consider the recommendations of the working
party: That a Westgate-on-Sea Parish Council be created, and that the remainder
of Margate should retain the Charter Trustees.
There had been letters, leaflets, meetings, consultations, press
adverts, publicity teams, tweets twice a day, with copies of the information
sent to libraries and community groups prior to the recommendation. Public meetings had been held in Westgate and
Margate and had been attended by 100 and 20 persons respectively. There appeared to be a good deal of interest
in forming a Westgate Parish Council, but little interest in one for
Margate. If the recommendations are
ratified questions are likely to arise and Tom has been in touch with the
democratic services manager, and the finance and legal officers.
Questions were then invited
from the floor: These included arrangements for a shadow PC as in other areas,
a more accurate estimate for the cost of the precept (as in band D) which is
£36, not £24, and the additional precept that will be required in the council
tax as fewer households will be contributing towards the Margate Charter
Trustees. It was noted that these points
had not been taken up by the local press.
The effect on the W&WRA was raised, Tom felt that the relationship
between PCs and RAs should be constructive (although it has been known for them
not to get along). He expressed the
opinion that for a member of the W&WRA to be also on the Parish Council
could be a conflict of interest. The
meeting is to be held on 18th November at 7.00pm at the TDC chambers
and the public gallery is available for residents.
2) St Mildred's Bay
Slipway. It had been pointed out that
there were no railings on one side of the slipway and a dog had fallen and
injured itself here, and this could possibly happen to a child. Tom is to see Mike Humber of TDC.
3) Westgate Bay
Avenue/Dent-de-Lion Road. Blocked drains
had been reported after the rain, but the cause was due to leaves requiring
removal and Tom has contacted TDC for
action.
4) Elm Grove by St Saviour's
School. It had been reported that a
nearby site had been cleared, but Tom confirmed that no planning applications
had been received.
5) ASB Dispersal Notices. Ethelbert Square and the Station areas had
been much better, residents have asked that the benches be re-sited to reduce
possible nuisance and this had been agreed.
6) Footpath Lights, between
Ursuline and King Ethelbert Schools.
None of the lights are working, and Tom reported that these are the
responsibility of TDC (not KCC), although KCC are obtaining an estimate for
TDC.
MINUTES OF
LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (13th
October 2014), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop by Don Eacott
sec by Tony Snow, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) 34, Westgate Bay
Avenue. A substantial part of the wall had
been knocked down, as yet Tom had been unable to contact planning enforcement,
and is watching to see if there should be any planning applications. There are trees on site and Tom has arranged
to receive copies of all applications for tree work.
2) St Mildred's Bay Car
Park. Tom had spoken to Mr Smith of TDC
who said the car park was under used, one member asked if they were taking any
money now as it appears that motorists are completely avoiding it. The general feeling of the meeting was that
residents would prefer to pay by using a meter as before, as there were
complications with the new arrangements, not everyone has mobile phones or can
get a signal in the venue, and many were concerned about the security of giving
out card numbers over the phone. The charges are not displayed on the notices.
3) W&WRA Accounts. Tom confirmed that these have now been audited and will be ready this week and made available to members.
4) TDC Chief Executive. James Brazier asked if the chief executive
was coming back as she was still on the payroll. Tom said that this was not yet known.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor:
1)
St Mildred's and Station Roads. Members were very pleased with the
resurfacing of these roads.
2)
Hospice Fundraising Event. This had been supported by Brenda Blethin and
been very successful.
3)
“Essential Furniture”.
Jeff told the meeting that this company takes and will collect good
second hand furniture which is placed at reasonable prices according to
need. They are at present in Hersden but
are planning to have a place in Margate.
4)
Westgate Bay Avenue Crossing. Jeff has put much of his member's
discretionary funding towards this, as some older residents have difficulty
crossing this road and could become isolated.
CORRESPONDENCE
1)
Promenade Bins and Lifebuoys. The extra (seasonal) bins had been removed,
unfortunately the lifebuoys had been vandalised five times recently.
2)
Public Address System.
This had been purchased with the KCC grant. It is transportable and may also be used with
battery power. It is for the community,
and has been used by Westgate Community Centre.
3)
Police Community Messages (received by email). Minor crimes in the area included vehicles
being broken into and windows smashed, and hubcaps stolen. Some households had received flyers bearing
the wording “important notice” and an address “RSL Metro House” This is a scam
and should be disregarded.
PLANNING
1)
14 Wellesley Road.
Application for permission to erect part one storey and part two storey
extension following demolition of existing extension.
2)
22, Carlton Road West.
Application for permission to erect a single storey front and side
extension, and alteration to roof.
3)
20 Carlton Road East.
Retrospective application for permission for french doors and first
floor balcony.
4)
41 Royal Esplanade.
Application to demolish existing
house and build blocks of flats.
This application has caused great
concern and a petition is going round. If this was allowed it would set a
precedent. Ward councillor Mick
Tomlinson is calling it in. Tom thought
the hearing may be in about two months time, on the third Wednesday during
which the public may attend.
TREASURER'S REPORT
None.
EDITOR’S REPORT
None.
SUNSHINE REPORT
None
MEMBERSHIP None
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre (in St Saviour's Church). Next meeting is Saturday 6th
December at 10.30am when there will be a talk by Dr Dawn Crouch and Sally
Whitworth about their research into the names on the war memorial boards of
Wellington House School.
SOCIAL
1)
Quiz Night. To
be held on Wednesday 19th November at the Bake House.
2)
Christmas Party.
All welcome.
3)
New Year Lunch.
Sunday 11th January at St Augustines. Booking forms and menus available from the
Bake House, names and deposits required by 24th November.
Also there is a talk on “Defence of Thanet in WW2” at the
Community Centre on 20th November at 7.30pm.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Fly Tipping. Tony Sykes reported that fly tipping has
taken place in the Barnes car park, on informing TDC they had very promptly
cleared this up.
2) CAAG Groups. Chris Wyer reported that both Westgate and
Margate had written to oppose the proposed development at 41 Royal Esplanade.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 8th
December, as it is the Christmas meeting it will be held again in the Town
Hall Building.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.30pm.
