WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Minutes March 2017

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 13th MARCH 2017 AT 7.15PM.


PRESENT
Mick Tomlinson (Ch) and twelve members. 

APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Muriel Atkins, Allan Harris, Christina Taylor, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.

The chairman briefly commented on two items of correspondence received, one concerning a committee member who had stepped down, and the other concerning a member's funeral.  Replies had been sent and it was hoped that the W&WRA could now move on.  

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (13th February 2017), which had been circulated were agreed, adopted, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING
1) 36, Westgate Bay Avenue.   Chris Wyer (Westgate CAAG) reported that there are ongoing enquiries concerning the trees and a reply is expected shortly..  
2) 147, Sea Road.  It was noted that planning permission is not normally required.
3) NHS.  Future planning may include four major surgeries for Thanet, but smaller surgeries will be kept.
4) Barnes Car Park Rubbish.  This had been cleaned up but subsequently a great deal more rubbish had appeared.  Tony Sykes noted that a proportion was of containers from MacDonald's who could be asked to supply/sponsor litter bins.  Mick Tomlinson had requested notices in 2016 but so far these had not been forthcoming.
5) Car Park Charges.  There is to be an enquiry into the increased car park charges.  Among others the new charges at Dreamland and St Mildred's Bay will deter locals and visitors.
6) Local Plan Consultation.  The period  of consultation has been extended.
7) Manston Public Enquiry.  This starts on Tuesday 14th March at the Council Chambers.
8) Westbrook Promenade Repair.  This is in hand.
9) Bus/Cafe.  There is a double decker bus by the Nayland Rock in use as a cafe.  

REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC.  PCSOs and Wardens.

KCC Warden Laura Bungard:
The report had been sent in and was read out.
February had been a busy month dealing with the usual items, highways, rubbish,
fly tips, parking, untaxed vehicles etc.
Laura is available in the weekdays, tel no 07969 583922 and by email laura.bungard@kent.gov.uk  there is also a notebook stored in the Bake House for concerns from residents that  require Laura's attention.


New PCSO Tom Daley had not been seen as yet, and it was agreed that he should be invited to look in at the Bake House to meet some of the residents.

CORRESPONDENCE

1) Police Community Messages (by email).  Cold callers had been experienced in the area claiming to be deaf and selling paintings/drawings, and also members had had callers selling items for “Lighthouse” ex servicemen.  Both are scams.    

PLANNING  
1) 11, Cliff Avenue.  This is  a large house converted for use as a play school for handicapped children.  The owner had all the necessary qualifications but had failed to apply for planning permission or change of use.  This would have to be retrospectively applied for or another premises sought.
2) 7, Old Crossing Road.  Application for erection of rear extension.
3) 159, Sea Road, (Bickley).  Application for two storey side and rear extension.
4) 48, St Benets Road.  Application for erection of extension with dormer windows.
5) 17, Norman Road.  Retrospective application for lantern window GRANTED. 
6) 4, Bowes Avenue.  Application for alterations to roof to facilitate loft conversion together with three roof lights to front and one dormer window to rear elevation.
7) 5, Gordon Grove.  Application for erection of porch to front elevation.
8) 5, Beach Houses, Royal Crescent.  Application for change of use from care home to one 1-bed, one 2-bed, and one 3-bed self contained flats.
9) West Bay Cafe.  Application for erection of first floor extension with terrace and modifications to public steps to create disabled access. GRANTED.
10) 31, Rancorn Road (was Abbeyfield).  Application for change of use from sheltered housing to five self contained flats with single storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatories. GRANTED.
11) 1, Westleigh Road.  Application for erection of one 2-storey building following demolition of existing garage. GRANTED.

TREASURER'S REPORT   
In the absence of Sam  Secomb there was no new report.  As reported at the last committee meeting the bank balance stood at £5,781, and the accounts were being prepared for auditing.

EDITOR'S REPORT
Pat Sawyer-Jones reported the next issue should be out at the end of the month.  Our editor Muriel Atkins will be moving away and will be much missed.  

SUNSHINE REPORT
It was reported that Elsie Wellingham, wife of Ron Wellingham had passed away the  previous week.  Mavis will be sending a card to Ron on behalf of members.

MEMBERSHIP
No special items to report.

CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:  Next meeting is Saturday 1st April at St Saviour's Church at 10.30am when there will be an illustrated talk “Westgate-on-Sea in the 1950s” by Sally Whitworth, the Heritage Centre's Newsletter Editor.

Margate Civic Society: Next meeting is Thursday 6th April when a talk will be given “Dalby Square Townscape Heritage Initiative and Margate Coastal Park” by Sam Causer, Lecturer and Architect.

PRESS & SOCIAL
No reports. 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Westgate Library. It was reported that a footfall count is in progress and residents are encouraged to use the library as much as possible.
2) Fences.  Chris Wyer reported that several properties had had fences put up at the interface between the garden and the roads in Westgate Bay/Westbrook Avenues.
3) Litter.  It was noted that that recently there had been publicity for Broadstairs on Radio Kent for litter picking sessions, and that it would benefit Westgate/Westbrook in a similar way.  Shortage of litter bins had been noticed by the  Westgate litter pickers.
4) New Street Trees.  Concern was expressed about the  lack of follow up maintenance for new trees by St Saviours.
5) Garden Recycling.  There had been problems when the  collecting vehicle had been unable gain access to Hockeredge Gardens, and on days when garden recycling had been refused to residents taking it to the amenity site.
6) East Kent Councils.  A full council meeting takes place this week which will end up with a vote on whether to join with the other councils as one authority. This should save up to 6M£ in the first year.
7) Nominations Sheet.  After the meeting this will be posted in the Bake House so that a new committee can be elected at the AGM on 8th May  

NEXT MEETING
 Monday 10th April, at the Bake House, 7.00pm for 7.15pm. 


There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.45pm.