WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2015 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Richard Charlton, (chair), twenty three members, Thanet
District Cllr Bertie Braidwood, Westgate Town Cllrs Richard Charlton, Tom King,
and Hannah Scott, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from TDC Cllrs Ash
Ashbee and Carol Partington.
CHAIRMAN
The chairman spoke of the urgent need for a regular
rental for the Bake House, and the possibility of advertising for this. Quotes from the local press were £30 + VAT
per month (min 12 months) for their website business listing, or a one off advert
in the paper for £86 + VAT. Any member
who receives enquiries is asked to forward these to the Bake House for the
chairman's attention.
Magazine. The
next issue due out soon is the last for
the year and the last by our editor
Derek Smith who will be stepping
down. The editor elect will be Mike
Linder who will be co-opted to the committee.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (12th
October 2015), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop. by Ray Taylor
seconded by Pat Sawyer-Jones.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Accounts. James Brazier reminded the meeting that the
accounts should be formerly approved.
2) Family Fun Day at Community
Centre. Abigail Carden was pleased to
report that over £300 had been raised in spite of the poor weather.
3) Business Rates. It was confirmed that the treasurer is
in contact with TDC and is awaiting a
reply.
4) Litter Bags in
Birchington. Chris Wyer reported that
more bags had been tied to trees by the anti litter group.
5) Town Council. Richard confirmed that the official name is
now Westgate-on-Sea Town council.
6) Lights on Railway
Footbridge. All three on The Grove side
and one on the other side were not working.
Cllr Braidwood agreed to chase this
up.
COUNCILLORS' / WARDEN'S / PCSOS' REPORTS
KCC Warden
Laura Bungard: Rubbish in the area had been reported and dealt with. The highways had had drains, kerbs, and
pothole issues which are being resolved.
The problem with the new charity shop using the pavement for it's wares
had proved difficult as part of the area was found to be private land. There have been burglaries in the area, some
criminals have been caught, but residents were asked to keep an eye out and
report anything suspicious on 101. There
has been a change round of PCSOs and for the time being the PCSO at Birchington
is also covering Westgate. There was an
assault in Beach Rise on Saturday, and some local car break ins. Laura's contact phone no is 07969 583922.
Cllr Bertie Braidwood: Sunday's remembrance service had been well
attended, the zebra crossing had been put in by KCC and resurfacing started on
the pavements on the Royal Esplanade.
Tony Snow congratulated and thanked KCC and TDC councillors who had
worked to bring this about, it had been may years since a crossing had first been requested, and a news cutting of former
Cllr Brian Goodwin in Westgate Bay Avenue in 2002 campaigning for the crossing
was passed round.
Cllr Braidwood said that the three councillors would
be checking planning very carefully especially in view of the conservation
area, and were at present looking at applications for 17, Sea Road and Fodbury
Court.
Cllr Braidwood informed the meeting that his surgery
is held on the second Saturday of the month at the library from 10.00am to
11.00am.
In answer to questions Cllr Braidwood said road
markings for the Roxburgh Road bus stop will now be painted in, and a
consultation had been taking place concerning payment methods for the St
Mildred's Bay car park and the conclusions available shortly.
WTC Cllr Hannah Scott: Details of a forthcoming survey to determine
what Westgate residents would like to see the Town Council doing were given,
and feedback should be returned as soon as possible. £2,000 is available through bids to the clerk
by community groups for community items.
The clerk is Jacqueline Williams tel 834252 (Mondays, Tuesdays, or leave
a message), or email townclerk.westgateonseatc@gmail.com. A website is also being prepared.
Questions and comments: Will the Town Cllrs be each designated with
an area of Westgate? This could be
worth considering and may be put on the
agenda.
Members commented that it was good to see some of
the Town Cllrs at the W&WRA meetings.
PLANNING
1)
8, Westleigh Road. Application for permission to erect
a three storey building with six flats of various sizes with access following
demolition of existing building. WTC Cllr Hannah Scott said this had been
turned down as it would be oversized for the plot, and insufficient play area for children. However the larger building in Sea Road had
been referred to as a precedent, and this could result in demolitions of other
large buildings. The Town Council has
made representation and asked TDC Cllr Bertie Braidwood to call this in.
TREASURER'S REPORT
None.
EDITOR’S REPORT
The next magazine issue will be ready soon.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported that a card had been sent to Stephanie
Sutton.
MEMBERSHIP
Christina reported that most subscriptions were now in
only a very few were outstanding. New
members always welcome.
CIVIC REPORT
Civic Society. The next monthly meeting is to be held on
Thursday 10th December when there will be a slides show of old
Margate, and a social evening..
Westgate Heritage Centre.
Saturday 5th December
at St Saviour's Church 10.30am when there will be a talk about the Huckstep
family.
SOCIAL
Jane reported on events to take place during the
winter: Lunch at the Golf Club 22nd
November, New year Lunch at St Augustines 10th January (booking/menu
forms available at the Bake House). Trip
to Pole Hill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks (with Carol Peters) 7th
December, Quiz Night end of January.
Jane also explained to members that since the major loss
of rental income some of the social events need to become self funding which
would require a contribution from each person attending. A Christmas party could be held during the
afternoon for some members and extending into the evening for others so that
more members could come than in previous years.
It was agreed that the Bake House should be used as much as possible and
maintained as it is a very valuable centre for the people of Westgate. It was suggested that the facebook page be
updated, and a rise in subscription rates considered.
Other social events include the Christmas light switch on
29th November, and a nativity play at Minster Abbey on 8th
December.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Letter Boxes. Tony Snow pointed out that two of these along
the Royal Esplanade, near the junctions with Fitzmary and Cliffe Avenues are in
poor condition. Chris Wyer said he would report this to the CAAG who will help.
2) Kerb Stones. Chris Wyer reported that KCC are not going to
put in any more plastic kerbs.
3) Westgate Library. There is great concern about the future of
the library, the Gardening Club are not allowed to use the upstairs part of the
building. WTC Cllr Tom King suggested
that the W&WRA should be in touch with KCC and KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor.
4) Briary Close Hedge Row. A cross over (drop kerb) had been put in
against this hedge presumably for possible future development. It was also noted that one had been placed at
the Epple Bay bus stop in Birchington.
5) Westgate-on-Sea Town
Council. Cllr Hannah Scott said all
residents are invited to attend the WTC meetings which are held on the first
Monday of the month at 7.00pm, and the planning and environment meetings on the
third Monday. Residents wishing to raise
any points should notify the clerk by the previous Friday. Three minutes may be allotted for
speaking.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 14th
December, at the Town Hall Buildings 7.00pm for 7.15pm.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.25pm.
