MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 12th MARCH 2018 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Mick Tomlinson (chair) nineteen members, TDC Cllrs Ash
Ashbee and Carol Partington.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Bob Loxley, John
Pye, Vivien Osborne, Pat Sawyer-Jones, Sylvia and Tony Sykes, Mavis Vaughan,
WTC Cllr Matthew Scott, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (12/2/18), which
had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Ray Taylor
sec. by Cllr Ash Ashbee, and adopted, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) People Homeless or Sleeping
Outside. A member had noticed a tent
opposite Westonville Avenue. Cllr Ash
Ashbee informed the meeting that it was
the same man who had been sleeping in
the shelter in spite of having his own flat, and just likes to sleep
outdoors. There is camping again in
Margate by Primark.
2) Speeding along Local Roads. Chris Wyer had noticed that if vehicles are
parked in the road it appears to slow the traffic.
3) Planning. The micro-pub at the Knot may not be going
ahead. The boundary wall of the site in
Westgate Bay Avenue is not exactly as it was before.
4) St Mildred's Bay Car
Park. The blue sign is fixed to a
telegraph pole and not the hut. It
advertises motorcycle repairs.
5) Margate Carnival. This will not be processing through Westbrook
this year, but will be under new management next year.
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC. PCSOs and Wardens.
TDC Cllr:Carol Partington
1) TDC. The leadership has changed and is now lead by
the conservatives as a minority. The
priority is the local plan, this and development of the economy are urgent.
Mick thought the DCO by River Oak seems likely to go through.
TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee:
1) Homeless in Westbrook
Shelter. A request to have the tent
removed is being made. The shelters are
being repaired and repainted, and it is hoped to obtain some roofing felt. Cllr
Carol Partington informed the meeting that the homeless man outside the Co-op
has been offered accommodation but has not taken it up, and should not be
offered handouts.
2) Bumble Bee Project. The shrubs were planted and mulched, by
volunteers, special thanks are due to Chris Wyer and TDC. Lawrence Sampson from
the Bumble Bee Trust has sent his thanks.
This is one of only three areas designated in the country.
3) Barnes Car Park. It is hoped to get the mess left in the car
park by contractors cleared up. Mick
agreed to contact the relevant people.
4) Westbrook Roundabout (by
Station). This is now maintained by KCC.
KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Sent in and read out at
the meeting).
1) Highways. Many potholes caused by the bad weather now
being repaired. The obscured view of the
crossing in Westgate Bay Avenue continues to be a problem and has been reported
to KCC as a potential accident spot.
2) Trading Standards
Visits. Residents are still sending
money to lottery win letters etc which are scams
3) Social Services Visits
continue to be undertaken by Wardens, also visits to properties for residents
coming out of hospital.
4) TDC Reports. Ongoing regarding rubbish, fly tips, road
sweeping, bins. The homeless man outside the Co-op has been served with an
order from Gordon Hunt TDC, if causing a nuisance report directly to Mr Hunt
tel 01843 577743.
5) PCSO. Westgate now has a dedicated PCSO, her name
is Susy.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
1) Pancake Race. This was organised by the Westgate-on-Sea
Town Council and had been a good success.
2) Extreme Weather/Safety. The Bake House had been closed for a few
days.
3) TDC. The bins are now up to date again. The
streets near Margate station are in a mess, some residents have asked for
cleaning every day but there are
insufficient resources for this. Some
lamp posts have been installed with cameras which photograph cars that have
been parked on double yellow lines. Events, TDC charges seem rather high for
use of their land. The usual grant has
been applied for this year's flowers for Westgate.
Comments/Questions:
Cllr Ash Ashbee pointed out that potholes and their location can be
reported on the KCC website, and salt/grit bins can be requested.
CORRESPONDENCE
Tony Sykes had sent a message of thanks for everyone
who had helped work on the undercliff site when one hundred shrubs were planted
and the site was given a final rake and litter pick, this included Ray, Don,
Tony and Pat Snow, Ash Ashby, Chris Whittingham, and for the expert guidance of
Chris Wyer. The following organisations
took part: Thanet Coast Project, WASPS, W&WResidents' Association, Dane
Valley Woods Group, and the Bumble Bee Trust.
Tony has put a full report on the blog on http://westbrookwasps.blogspot.co.uk/ (where he also kindly
displays the W&WRA minutes).
PLANNING
1) Unit
1, 18-20A Station Road. Application for
change of use from storage and distribution to community use.
2) Westcliff
House 37A Sea Road. Erection of 4 storey
front/side and rear extension with balconies, 3rd floor front/side
and rear extensions with terraces, 3 storey rear extension with balconies, to
facilitate conversion into 27 x 2 bed apartments and 4 x 1 bed apartments with
parking and pedestrian access. GRANTED.
3) 10
Royal Esplanade. Installation of balcony
at first floor level. GRANTED.
4) Waterside
Stables, Rowena Road. Listed building
consent for external alterations including replacement of damaged roof tiles
and guttering. GRANTED.
5) 3
Royal Esplanade. Change of use of second
floor from hotel bedrooms to 1 x 4bedroom self contained flat for manager/owner
accommodation with front extension and balcony.
GRANTED.
6) 21
Station Road. Change of use of part of
building from storage to dwelling house with erection of second floor extension
to create 1 x 2 bedroom flat. REFUSED.
7) 17
Victoria Avenue. Application for
erection of 2 storey 2 bedroom dwelling.
8) 176
Westbrook Avenue. Application for single
storey side extensions with two storey rear extension with raised terrace and
balustrade fencing following demolition of existing conservatory and extension.
9) 244
Canterbury Road Margate. Application for
erection of single storey rear extension.
10) 3
Lymington Road. Application for change
of use from micro-pub to restaurant.
11) 27
Station Road. Application for erection
of 1 x 2 storey 1 x bed dwelling following demolition of existing storage
building.
12) 201A
Westbrook Avenue. Application for
erection of single storey 2 x bed annexe to rear following demolition of
existing outbuilding.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Sam is preparing the annual accounts for auditing before
the AGM. Nine months will be compared
with the full twelve months due to alteration of the financial year end.
EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor reported that the new magazines should be ready
by the end of March.
MEMBERSHIP
Christina made an urgent appeal for more road stewards.
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:
Saturday 7th April at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, the AGM
will be held, followed by a talk by Sally Whittaker Dr Dawn Crouch on part 2 of
the “Storey of Three Wills relating to Westgate-on-Sea”.
Margate Civic Society: Thursday 5th April at
7.30pm at The Walpole Bay Hotel, a talk by Mike Bundock, Chairman of the Herne
Bay Historical Records Society on “Public Timekeeping on the Isle of Thanet”.
The Civic Society Town Pride Awards had shortlisted two buildings
in the area namely the Nurses Home at the Sea Bathing Hospital site, and the
new house opposite Westgate-on-Sea war memorial.
DIAMOND JUBILEE (2018)
Ray Taylor informed the meeting that the special event
will take place on Saturday 23rd June at the Community Centre from
1.00pm to 5.00pm. There will be a finger
buffet with tea/coffee and seating inside and out. No structures are to be put up on the green,
which belongs to TDC. Entertainment is being arranged, from King Ethelbert
School a drum band, group, and singing, also a ukulele group, and the Blend
singers. Local artists and other groups may run displays. There will be a slide
show of W&WRA activities and people over the years. Tickets will be £2 adults and £1 for
children.
SOCIAL
Music Quiz Friday 2nd March this had been
cancelled due to the extreme weather.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Westgate-on-Sea Town Council
will be holding a public assembly meeting on 11th April at the
Community Centre.
2) Road Car Sales. This is taking place opposite St James
Church.
3) Post Boxes. These do not appear to have had any
maintenance or paint which was promised,and Mick agreed to chase this up.
4) Garlinge Post Office. It was noted with regret that this had
closed.
5) The Walmer Castle. This is now run as a Greek community centre,
and is open to all on Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm for teas and coffees, and
Friday evenings for a meze style meal.
6) The AGM will be held on 14th
May at the Bowls Club.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 9th
April at The Bake House.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.55pm.
