WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION AGM and short meeting May 2018

                       AGM

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE WESTBOOK BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 14^th MAY 2018 AT 7.15P.M.

PRESENT

John Pye, (acting chairman), twenty four members, and TDC Cllrs Ash Ashbee, Sam Bambridge, and Carol Messenger, and WTC Cllrs Joanna Cornford, Hannah Scott, and Matthew Scott.

John welcomed all to the meeting.

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Cllr Mick Tomlinson, Janet Smith, and Christina ans Ray Taylor.

MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM (8^th May 2017)

These as circulated were adopted on a prop. by Don Eacott, sec. by Sam Secomb, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

None.

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

This was read out by the meeting's acting chairman.

Mick Tomlinson first had expressed his apologies for absence due to duties at the TDC Mayor making.

The year has been busy dealing with problems at Barnes Car Park, and ongoing issues of the homeless, and planning applications for large housing developments.  However Westcliff House on Sea Road should be brought back to life with a good development.

The delay in the DCO application for Manston Airport has caused concern.

The Charter Trustees have agreed to draw a line on the financial situation with Westgate-on-Sea Town Council.

The Diamond Jubilee (60^th) Celebrations in June are being prepared, a great deal of work is going on in the background.  The chairman also thanked all members of the committee for their hard work in their respective offices.

The  Data Protection Act is a new issue to be dealt with.

Car parking, the KCC is applying this but ward Councillors will be able to give guidance on how to object.

Mick thanked all members for supporting him especially as there are occasions when there is a clash with council meetings and he cannot attend.  He looked forward to continuing with the friendly meetings for the forth coming year.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Sam Secomb presented the accounts for the year.  Dennis Jarvis had again audited them, there had been just one receipt missing for a small amount.  Sam pointed out that due to the financial year end being brought forward to allow the accounts to be completed for the  AGM nine months are compared with twelve months.  A surplus of £1,301 had been made, and this allowed for expenditure for the diamond jubilee celebrations. 

New committee members elected this evening will be requested to fill in details for the bank.

SUNSHINE REPORT

Mavis reported that forty eight cards had been sent pout to members over the year.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

The following nominees had been proposed and seconded, and were duly elected :--

Chairman                                   Mick Tomlinson

Vice-Chairman                         Ray Taylor

Secretary                                   Pat Sawyer-Jones

Treasurer                                   Samantha Secomb

Minute Secretary                       Chris Whittingham

Editor                                        Ray Taylor

Social Organiser                        Vivien Osborne

Membership Secretary              Christina Taylor

Sunshine (Visitor) Friend          Mavis Vaughan

Press Officer                             Pat Castle

Committee Members                 John Pye

                                                  Matthew Scott

ANY OTHER (AGM) BUSINESS

None.

The acting chairman then closed the AGM at 7.55p.m.

MINUTES OF A SHORT GENERAL MEETING HELD AT WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB FOLLOWING THE AGM ON 15^th MAY 2018 AT 7.50 P.M.

In the absence of Mick Tomlinson, it was agreed for John Pye to take the chair.

MINUTES OF THE LAST GENERAL MEETING (9^th April 2018)

These were circulated, amended, and adopted on a prop. by Jane Ashbee-Welch sec. by Samantha Secomb, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

1)      Post Boxes. Tony Snow pointed out that whilst it was good that local post boxes were to be refurbished, no start date has as yet been announced.

2)      Cars left parked in Rowena and other roads.  These had had police notices attached, and if still left would be towed away.

3)      Rough Sleepers.  Cllr Ash Ashbee said there were questions of whether they were actually homeless or had chosen to be homeless and sleep out.  Cllr Carol Messenger reported that at the NEM the previous week the police had been aware of the campers.

4)      Cable Laying.  Chris Wyer reported recently the engineers had been seen to push a vehicle out of their way and damage had been caused.

5)      Flowers and TDC funding.  This year no grant will be supplied by the TDC. A discussion followed as to the possibility oof the W&WRA paying for flowers, but the unanimous opinion was that it would be unfair to raise the subscription of all members to pay for Westgate flowers, especially as many members lived in Westbrook.  A fund raising event was suggested.  It was noted that TDC would plant bulbs that had been purchased and donated.  Cllr Joanna Cornford offered to find  out if the  WTC could help.

6)      Westbrook Undercliff.  Tony Sykes reported that all the shrubs planted by volunteers, as part of the Bumble Bee project, were in flower and leaf. 

 

COUNCILLORS/PCSO/WARDEN REPORTS

WTC Cllr Matthew Scott:  Objections to the proposed parking charges should be sent to TDC individually.  The WTC are very much against the new parking proposals.

TDC Cllr Carol Messenger pointed out that objections must be sent to arrive by 29^th May.  There had been two hundred objections from Minnis Bay residents.

It was felt that if present parking regulations were enforced, the fines would produce more money than parking meters.

TDC waste and recycling now work with a split shift to give better bin clearance, there will be more bins some larger ones and some “smart” bins which will notify the TDC when full.

WTC Cllr Joanna Cornford:  A vacancy existed on the WTC for a councillor, and nominations are invited. (James Brazier pointed out that nominees must live within three miles round Westgate).  The new chairman is Cllr Martin Pennington.

TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee:  Westbrook traders are meeting to discuss the proposed parking charges.  On the new TDC website residents can type in “parking charges”, and can then find a link for objections.

TDC had cleared up well after the storms, and the traffic wardens are proving very vigilant.

KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Report for April sent in and read by the acting chairman).  Issues involved:

1)      Long term car parking.  Working with Gordon Hunt of TDC on cars in Rowena Road.  These are to be removed immediately.

2)      Young Man asking for bus fare, but lives in Westgate and requires money for other reasons.

3)      Pot holes, these are being filled in by KCC Highways, but blocked drains remain a problem.

4)      Rubbish/Bins.  Reports sent regularly when necessary.

5)      Vulnerable elderly visits continue.

6)      Requests for yellow lines now go direct to KCC, a there is no one currently iin post at TDC.

7)      Contact details for Laura: Tel 07969 583922, Email laura.bungard@kent.gov.uk

PLANNING

1)  Lockwood's Yard.  James Brazier pointed out that there were two applications, one for listed consent, and one for the general outline  of the proposal.  Chris Wyer had been pleased to see this included reinstatement of the  Victorian letter box.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Sam informed the meeting that there was £6,700 in the bank account, a bit higher than usual as the years subscriptions are coming in, and the anniversary party budget was included.

The charge for the renewal of the public liability insurance was £540.

EDITOR'S REPORT

Copy, script and articles for the next edition are required.

CIVIC REPORT

Westgate Heritage Centre.  The next monthly meeting is on Saturday 2^nd June at 10.30am in St Saviour's Church when there will be an illustrated talk by Dr Dawn Crouch “The Story of Three Will” Part III.

Margate Civic Society.  Next meeting on Thursday 14^th June at 7.30p.m. At the Walpole Bay Hotel when a talk will  be given “Margate Caves and Thanet's Underground Heritage” by Rod LeGear MCIfA (Vice president Kent Archaeological Society, Chairman, Kent Underground Research Group).

James informed the  meeting that the recent Town Pride awards had included 35 Sea Road, Westgate and the former Nurses Home at the Sea Bathing Hospital.

SOCIAL REPORT

Ideas from members are invited, forms and suggestion box are in the Bake House.

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Ray Taylor's report was read out by the acting chairman.

The food has been booked half from Frederick's and half from Angelo's.  Bands poets, and artists are booked.  The Neighbourhood Steering Group will have a display stand, and there will be a tombola.  More tickets should be promoted to members, and names of those coming noted.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Canterbury Road.  Members had noticed signs on the road near George V Avenue, hopefully indicating that repairs are soon to be carried out.  

2)      Rancorn Road.  James had noticed an electric car charging bay had been set up on the north side of the  road.  Apparently planning permission cannot be refused for these, and the resident would  have had to pay for it.

3)      Committee.  Cllr Ash Ashbee thanked all the committee for their hard work during the year.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 11^th June 2018  7.00pm for 7.15pm, at the Bake House.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 8.52pm.

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION minutes April 2018

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 9^th APRIL 2018 AT 7.15PM.

PRESENT

Mick Tomlinson (chair) and eighteen members.

The chairman welcomed all to the meeting. 

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Alan Harris, Bob Loxley, Sylvia and Tony Sykes,  TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee, and WTC Cllrs Joanna Cornford and Matthew Scott.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (12/3/18), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Don Eacott sec. by Ray Taylor, and adopted, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

1)      Garlinge Post Office.  James Brazier reported that this was about to reopen.

2)      Road Car Sales/Obstructions.  Cars in Rowena and other roads had been served with police notices, and if left there would be removed.

3)      Parking generally is receiving  more attention, the wardens now have the latest technology for checking purposes.

4)      Rough Sleepers.  The local ones have refused help, which makes action difficult.

5)      Margate Carnival.  This will now process through Westbrook this year.

6)      Post Boxes.  These are soon to be refurbished.

7)      Hanging Flower Baskets.  The W&WRA had passed over all the money from the TDC to the nursery, and the balance of £300 is to be paid by the WTC, as agreed by a letter from the former Town Clerk.

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

Don Eacott reported that scam phone calls were still being received concerning PPI. There are also “con” letters in a format similar to government letters re PPI, they may help claims, but then keep one third of the money recovered.

Another scam involves a “barrister” phoning about a high court appearance about money supposedly owed.  If the telephone no is given this may be looked up in Google, and  should also be reported to BT 150, and Action Fraud.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 

1)      Pot Holes.  Mick thanked those who had sent photos in and said these are now due to be repaired.

2)      Signs Formerly on Canterbury Road.  The present location of these was not known.

3)      Manston Airport.  The DCO had been submitted to the government today, the planning inspectorate then has up to twenty eight days to say yes  or no.

4)      Virgin Media Cables.  Millions of pounds of investment is being made.  The former contractors have gone and the new ones are leaving the ground in a much better state.  They are not legally required to replace paving slabs except in conservation areas.

5)      Stroke Services.  Mick had brought information  sheets which would be left in the Bake House.  At present closure of the A&E at Margate is not being considered, but the possibility of a large hospital in Canterbury is being looked at.

6)      Street Cleaning/Shelters etc.  These are to be improved, so also the toilet block on Margate sea front, but some of the art work suggested seemed over expensive.  A new restaurant is supposed to be opening where the double decker bus cafe is set up, (owned by the Sands Hotel Group).

7)      Margate Town Team.  This was set up by Mary Portas with £100,000 funding and progress can be looked up on line.

CORRESPONDENCE

1)      Tony Sykes had sent an update on the Westbrook Undercliff Bumble Bee project, outlining the next action will be some signage on cliff top greens explaining why some areas will be cut less often to encourage wild flowers.  Some bee friendly flowers will be planted in the Sunken Gardens.  New volunteers welcome, details in the Bake House.

2)      Skip in Barnes Car Park.  TDC are trying to have this removed.

PLANNING  APPLICATIONS

1)      3, Marilyn Court, 73, Sea Road.  For installation of replacement windows with partial infill of original window openings.

2)      4&5 Beach Houses, Royal Crescent.  Change of use of no4 from single dwelling house to two self contained flats with balconies, and balconies to no5.

3)      Westerly, Carlton Rise.  Erection of balcony to front side and rear over existing garage, with door at first floor level.  REFUSED.

4)      145, Canterbury Road, Margate.  Change of use from HMO to single dwelling with erection of porch, boundary wall, fence and gate.  GRANTED.

5)      12, Westgate Bay Avenue.  Formation of vehicular access with hardstanding.

6)      76, Royal Esplanade.  Erection of porch with flat roof, following demolition of existing  porch and utility room.

7)      33, Minster Road.  Erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing extension.

8)      20/21 Roxburgh Road.  Erection of single storey workshop, for light industrial use with parking and access to Edith  Road.  WITHDRAWN.

9)      4/1, Beach Rise.  Retrospective application for roof light to the rear.

10)  11, Royal  Esplanade.  Relocation of door on first level enlargement of dormer windows, loft conversion, window, turret, and balcony alterations, and single storey side extension and garage following demolition of existing side extension and garage.

11)  2/58, Westgate Bay Avenue.  Erection of external staircase and porch to rear elevation following removal of existing.

12)  105, Sea Road.  Installation of dormer window and balcony to first floor rear.

13)  16, Cliffe Aveune.  Erection of canopy/awning off front edge of existing recessed first floor balcony at the rear.

14)  10, Domneva Road.  Erection of detached dwelling with associated parking and amenity space following part demolition of existing property.

15)  155, Sea Road.  Erection of single storey rear extension with  balcony and first floor infill extension.                                                                                         

TREASURER'S REPORT  

Accounts had been sent for auditing, and the bank balance was healthy at around £6,000.  

EDITOR'S REPORT

Ray Taylor reported that road stewards are now taking the new magazines out to members.

SUNSHINE REPORT

Mavis reported that four cards had been sent out during March. 

MEMBERSHIP

Christina reported that the subscriptions had started to come in for the new year.

CIVIC REPORT

Westgate Heritage Centre:  Saturday 5^th May at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, illustrated talk by Dr Graham Field “A Rolling Kentish Stone” - the storey of one resident of Roxburgh Road.

Civic Society: Thursday 10^th May at 7.30pm at The Walpole Bay Hotel, Town Pride Awards followed by refreshments.

SOCIAL/DIAMOND JUBILEE (2018)

Ray Taylor reminded the meeting that the special event/party will take place on Saturday 23^rd June at the Community Centre from 1.00pm to 5.00pm.  There will be a  buffet by Angelos and Fredericks also tea/coffee and seating inside and out.   Entertainment is being arranged, from King Ethelbert School a  band, poetry group, dancers and singing, also a ukulele group, rock group. The Blend singers, Mick T and his music. Local artists, Westgate Against Rubbish, and other groups may run displays and stalls. There will be a slide show of W&WRA activities and people over the years.  Tickets will be £2 adults and £1 for children, these will be on sale at the Bake House up to one week before the event. If possible an ice cream van will be arranged.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Police Communications:  Warnings to keep the rear of properties secure following burglaries, and vehicles as secure as possible have been received.   The new local PCSO holds surgeries at the library on the first Wednesday of the month after lunch (2.00pm to 3.30pm).

2)      Westgate-on-Sea Town Council.  The third annual public assembly meeting takes place at the Community Centre on Wednesday 11^th April at 7.00pm.  Only those registered for Westgate elections are permitted to speak, which, it was pointed out from  the floor, would exclude residents of Essex Road and other nearby roads, and those regularly in Westgate who live just outside the electoral boundary. 

3)      Young Man in Westgate asking for money for bus fare.  When he tried this in the Bake House, fortunately KCC Warden Laura was present as he is not supposed to do this, the bus staff take his name and address and allow him on to get home.  The chairman said that the W&WRA should obtain an incident book to record any such events.

4)      Miscellaneous: Telephone Kiosk by Westbrook Bridge.  It was noted that this did not contain a telephone.  A house near the front in Hengist Road has had blue roof tiles replaced by grey ones.  A van has been parked on the pavement outside the houses of Chris Wyer and his neighbour, and is in danger of causing a cover to collapse.  The number of Thanet road sweepers has been reduced from 74 to 38.  The fine for littering is to go up from £80 to £150.

The chairman, Mick Tomlinson, told the meeting that he was thinking of relinquishing his duties, as he cannot guarantee his attendance at all W&WRA meetings due to clashes with TDC business.

NEXT MEETING

 Monday 14^th May at The Bowls Club.   The AGM will be held followed by a short general meeting.

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.52pm.