MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2018 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Ray Taylor (chair), and twenty three members, KCC Cllr
Emma Dawson, and TDC Cllrs Sam Bambridge and Carol Messenger.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Sam Secomb and WTC
Cllr Matthew Scott.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (13/08/18), which
had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by James
Brazier sec. by Dee Hooper, and adopted, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Speed Camera, Canterbury
Road. Chris Wyer reported that this is
working well.
2) Planning Applications. A request by Chris Wyer concerning a large
building said to be planned for removal to allow the building of flats,
(Victoria House in Carlton Rise), resulted in the chairman agreeing to look
into the matter.
3) Local Plan Protest
March. This had taken place on 1st
September, and it was observed that two other groups had hijacked the march,
one being the NNF group (no night flights), and these were asked to leave by a
councillor.
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC. PCSOs and
Wardens.
KCC Cllr Emma Dawson:
1) Westgate Bay Avenue Zebra
Crossing Request. There had been a
survey in the area and the average traffic speed was 36mph, but there had not
been many pedestrians waiting to cross the road, so resources would not at
present be used for a crossing. A pedestrian refuge in St Mildred's Road
between Dadds the Butchers and the
Carlton Cinema is to be considered.
2) Signs. A “Welcome to Margate” sign has been placed
on the roundabout by the Nayland Rock, and community signs from TDC concerning
litter.
3) Sunken Gardens.
Requests may be made for a community grant for flowers. (It was thought
that this is being done by Peter Hasted and the volunteer group).
TDC Cllr Carol Messenger:
1) Street Cleaning
Complaints. There is to be a meeting with the Town Clerk and TDC
and cleansing staff concerning improvements.
2) Local Plan. The consultation period is now live, and
opinions are invited. There are two meetings this week, on Wednesday 12th
September at the Community Centre with WTC, and on Thursday 13th
September at the Swan with Sir Rger Gale MP and TDC councillors. Both meetings at 7.00pm.
3) Planning. The application to demolish a large house at
129 Sea Road has been refused.
4) The Homeless. The man who was at the Co-op has been offered
three properties but did not behave reasonably, and is now begging at Marks and
Spencers. Residents are advised not to
give money or food as he is in receipt of benefit. This Thursday Porchlight are carrying out a
sweep of the area. There is a blue tent near the Westgate memorial, TDC and
Porchlight are aware, the public are advised not to approach.
5) Lymington Road Recreation
Ground. The application by Dr Dawn
Crouch for a memorial plaque has now been approved.
6) Local Plan. There had been no time left for councillors
to oppose this, but Manston had been removed to protect it. It was hoped to reduce the number of proposed
houses in Westgate by consultation.
KCC WARDEN Laura Bungard: (Sent in and read out by
the chairman).
1) Graffiti. This
has been reported, and TDC clean up any on council property.
2) Overgrown Hedges. Where these impede footpaths etc. they are
reported to KCC Highways who require the owner to cut them back, or charge for
it to be done.
3) ASB. This year has not been too bad, any incidents
are reported to the police.
4) Camper Vans and Vehicles
Staying Overnight. If they are taxed,
insured, and have MOT they are legally allowed to be there as long as no
criminal offences are committed.
Chris Wyer pointed out that cars are being sold on
Canterbury Road.
The chairman said it had been some time since local
PCSOs had attended a W&WRA meeting with their report, but could be
contacted by Kent Police Website.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
1) Local Plan. Ray informed the meeting that the Bake House
will be open Saturdays 10.30am to 1.00pm to assist residents who wish to write
to TDC about the local plan. Pens paper
and envelopes have kindly been supplied by WTC and there are helpful
suggestions available. The letters may be left in a box in the Bake House and they will then be delivered.
Refreshments donated by Joanna Cornford.
2) Bake House
Redecorations. Having spoken with the
landlady the condensation and mould will
be dealt with, (the wrong paint was used last time), the toilet fan will be
repaired and windows at the back reopened.
Our signs and notices will be
updated to fit the frames. The Bake
House may have to be closed for a short period but should be open again before
remembrance day.
3) Green Wedge by Allen Avenue
(end of Linksfield Road). Though not
part of the local plan there is concern
to keep this from development, in spite of reports in the local press Ray has confirmed that there
are no plans to build on this site.
4) Remembrance Day – 100
years. Ray suggested that the Bake House
be appropriately decorated to commemorate those who had died. Members may be able to make some more knitted
poppies, black buttons had been requested by Betty for this purpose.
5) TV Licensing authorities
will be making a visit to check there is no receiving equipment in the Bake House, the chairman had replied on the
declaration they would be welcome and could purchase a cup of the excellent
W&WRA tea or coffee.
6) Amenity Tip. KCC propose to charge for taking soil,
rubble, hardcore and plasterboard etc. There is a consultation period for this
to be considered.
A question from the floor about possible use of toilets in shops to replace the public
toilets when closed was raised. TDC Cllr
Carol Messenger said that following a review the public toilets will be open
for longer.
CORRESPONDENCE
1) Police emails. No new information, as last month warned of
bogus callers in the area who try to trick their way into homes to steal
valuables and money. Thefts from cars
have taken place, do not leave valuables inside.
PLANNING
APPLICATIONS
1) 28,
Waverley Road. Application for erection
of 1 x two storey two bed dwelling.
2) 8,
Cliff Field. Application for erection of
two storey and single storey side extensions with single storey rear extension.
3) 43
to 49, Marine Terrace, Margate.
Application for 124 bedroom hotel with restaurant/bar, gymnasium,
meeting spaces, rooftop bar following demolition of existing buildings.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Bank balance stands at £5,229. Advertising revenues of £1,260 are
expected. A few more advertisers would
be welcome.
EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor reported that the facebook page is doing very
well, and the new magazine would be out soon.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported that no cards had been required this month.
MEMBERSHIP
Christina reported that thirty three new members had
joined this year and more were joining.
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:
Saturday 6th October at 10.30am at THE SWAN, illustrated talk
by Sally Whitworth on the Rammell family, one-time owners of Streete Court and
other land relating to Westgate.
Also the Heritage Open Day's programme on Saturday
September 15th from 12.00noon to 4.00pm, in the Town Hall.
Civic Society: There are Heritage open days next Saturday
and Sunday, and on the 4th October at the Walpole Bay Hotel at
7.30pm there will be a talk by Dr Andrew Brown BA, PhD, MCBA, planning
director, SE Planning Group, historic England on “Thanet's Gift to the
World”.
PRESS REPORT
Pat Castle confirmed the monthly meeting report had been
sent in to the local press.
SOCIAL REPORT
1)
Sunday Lunches.
The next one is to be held on 23rd September.
2)
MacMillan Coffee Morning. To be held at the Bake House
on 28th September.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Westgate-on-Sea Town
Council. James Brazier informed the meeting that co-options were due to be made
to fill vacancies on the council, there were now four names put forward,
(although the two candidates available earlier had not been considered).
2) Tree at Meades. Concern was expressed that the roots had been
undermined, the work was alleged to be necessary for pest control. A second
tree nearby is intact.
3) Westbrook Road. Chris Wyer pointed out that the new block of
flats only had spaces for bicycle stands
but the residents owned many cars which were causing congestion problems.
4) Flower Beds by War
Memorial. These are in need of weeding
and a member asked if TDC was responsible for their upkeep. Cllr Carol Messenger agreed to chase this up.
5) Post Boxes. It was reported some had been refurbished
whilst most were not.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 8th October at The Bake
House.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.40pm.
