MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
UNITED SERVICES CLUB ON MONDAY 8th AUGUST 2016 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Mick Tomlinson (chair), twenty members, Thanet District
Cllr Mick Tomlinson, Westgate Town Cllrs Tom King, and Dave Morrish.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Diane Coe, Sam
Secombe, Stephanie Sutton, Tony and Sylvia Sykes, Christina Taylor, and KCC
Warden Laura Bungard.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (11th
July 2016), which had been circulated were adopted on a prop. by Don Eacott
seconded by Jane Smith.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Westbrook Road HMO. Chris Wyer reported that in spite of TDC
efforts to resolve the situation most of the residents were still there, and
the owner was going to the ombudsman concerning the TDC action.
The whole property is now up for auction which will delay proceedings.
2) Westbrook Road Waste and
Flytipping. Chris Wyer had removed some
of this and the council had also removed a quantity.
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC. PCSOs and Wardens.
Cllr Tom King WTC:
1) Refuse and Recycling. There is a lack of refuse bins available to
residents living above the shops, some have had to keep rubbish indoors which
is most unsatisfactory, and members of the WTC are meeting with Mr Geoff Dunn
and others from the TDC to try to resolve the problem, possibly by allocating
an outside area where bins may be kept.
2) Station Road. Flytipping has been experienced by traders. Also graffiti has appeared on the toilets and
mobile phone mast boxes and Johnsons empty shop needs tidying up.
3) Street Cleaning
Machines. These will be stored in the
old games hut by St Mildred's car park, the rubbish at present inside will be
removed by TDC. A cleaning schedule will
then be set up.
4) Parking Problems in St
Mildred's Road. Parking and double
parking have been noted.
5) Westgate Bay Promenade. The “no cycling” area is not always observed,
and the bay warden has received some verbal abuse.
6) Allotments. No increase in charges have been made, and
there is a healthy waiting list of applications.
KCC Warden Laura Bungard:
Duties this month have included updating first aid
course and training on IT scams/danger to residents. General and financial advice to
elderly/vulnerable residents. Highways
potholes/street lamps.
Refuse issues, cars and vans used for camping on
roads, cycles turn up as lost property.
Residents are encouraged to be observant and to give
Laura details of events witnessed, but not to confront anyone regarding ASB.
Suspect vehicles, misuse of drugs, work continues
with PCSO Adrian Butterworth.
TDC Westbrook Cllr Mick Tomlinson:
1) Sea Front Roundabout
Westbrook. This has at last been tidied up, and is the first
place visitors see when coming into Margate.
2) Barnes Car Park. A new sign is
needed for this which should also
indicate it is suitable for coaches, which hopefully will reduce road parking.
3) Canterbury Road. Many properties are receiving maintenance
which is good for the area.
MEMBERS QUESTIONS FOR ABOVE
1) St Mildred's Bay Paddling
Pool. Members had observed that this
does not retain water when the tide goes out, and asked if this could be
rectified.
2) Barnes Car Park. This was in the past used for both cars and
coaches, and new notices to this effect were needed.
3) The roundabout going into
Margate and joined by All Saints Avenue is not a proper one and requires
looking at.
4) Parking in Westgate. Bob Loxley had handed in a written proposal
requesting a discussion as there seemed to be so little control, and this could
end up being detrimental to businesses and residents. The chairman offered to get in touch with
council officers.
5) Street Cleaning
Equipment. A member asked if this is
insured. Answer Yes.
6) Graffiti, poor condition of
beach facilities, and weeds were giving a
bad impression of the area.
7) St Mildred's Court. A resident had frequently found the
residents' parking area full which is probably caused by the St Mildred's beach
car park being chargeable. Developments
at “The Knott” may make this worse.
8) Signs by the Golf Club. Only the Westgate sign now remains, and a new
location is required for the Margate and Cinque Ports signs. Cllr Tom King suggested they could be resited
at Garlinge near the Hussar.
CORRESPONDENCE
1) Police Information by
email. Phone calls have been received
pretending to be from the Telephone Preference Service stating that unwanted
call protection is about to end. This comes
from a number showing as 08000326281, and may ask for direct debit
details. This is a fraud do not give any
information.
2)
Stolen
Cycles. One was stolen from a porch in
Adrian Square overnight three or four days ago.
Ensure cycles are secure.
PLANNING
1)
45 – 51 Sea Road.
Permission has been granted for change of use and extension of 51 to
seven flats, and erection of two 3 to 4 storey buildings with fifteen flats,
and erection of seven three storey houses fronting St Clements Road following
demolition of 47 and 49 Sea Road.
2)
139, Sea Road.
Application for erection of single storey rear extension and two storey
side extension following demolition of existing structure. Permission Refused.
3)
125, Canterbury Road.
(St Augustines/Tower House).
Application for listed building consent for change of use from residential
C2 to C3 for thirteen flats. Permission
Granted.
4)
Cliff Edge (40?) Royal Esplanade. Concern was expressed from the floor that the
application for a two storey side extension may cause a change of character of
the property.
5)
Walmer Castle.
Application for change of use to Greek bar and snack bar and flats above
has been called in. The chairman agreed
to find out the details of this application.
6)
New Shops, Station Road. It was confirmed that an application for
change of use for one unit from retail to educational has been made.
TREASURER'S REPORT
There was no general report, but the chairman confirmed
that the nursery bill has been paid.
EDITOR'S REPORT
At present the W&WRA has no editor. A volunteer is urgently required. Suggestions from the floor, were to have a
temporary newsletter, to pay for an editor, or encourage a new editor by
offering an incentive. Muriel Atkins has
been making enquiries as to a possible new editor.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported sending one card this month.
MEMBERSHIP
No Report.
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:
Next meeting is Saturday 3rd September at St Saviour's Church
at 10.30am when there will be a talk by Dr Dawn Crouch “The Story of Christ
Church's Clock”.
There is also an exhibition of information on the battle
of the Somme and the effect of this on Westgate and local people. It will be
open for two weeks in St Saviour's Church .
PRESS REPORT
None.
SOCIAL
1)
Carol Peters Dinner/Dance. Tuesday 30th
August at Bay Point, tickets £28.
2)
Sunday Carvery Lunches at The Swan. These are enjoyed by all attending and will
continue.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) George V Green. Pumping operations had been observed and
members were curious. It was thought
that this could be test boring for a storage area for storm overflows, but it
was hoped to find out if this is correct.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 12th
September, at the Westbrook Bowls Club, 7.00pm for 7.15pm.
