Friday, 4 January 2019

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION December 2018 Meeting


WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 10th  DECEMBER 2018 AT 7.15PM.


PRESENT

Ray Taylor (chair), nineteen members, and TDC Cllr Carol Messenger. 

APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from TDC Cllr Sam Bambridge and WTC Cllr Matthew Scott..

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (12/11/18), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Mavis Vaughan sec. by Cllr Carol Messenger, and adopted, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING
1)      Road Surface, Canterbury Road.  Cllr Carol Messenger informed the meeting that KCC have planned for the A28 from Brooksend to the clock tower to be resurfaced at a cost of 2.9M£.  No further information had been received concerning damaged tree roots or blocked drains.

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

TDC Cllr Carol Messenger: Report has been covered under matters arising.


KCC WARDEN Laura Bungard: (report sent in and read out by the chairman).
1)      Untaxed Vehicles.  Laura reports these when seen, TDC only considers a vehicle abandoned if it has no road tax.  Untaxed vehicles are reported to DVLA which are then clamped and removed.  Vehicles without MOT or tax risk voiding their insurance.
2)      Drains.  These become blocked and Laura reports and chases up KCC.
3)      Pedestrian Crossing, Westgate Bay Avenue.  There have been complaints about safety, and Laura brings this to the notice of KCC.
4)      Potholes.  These are reported as necessary.
5)      Elderly and Vulnerable Friends/Neighbours.  Ask them if they are OK especially regarding heating, shopping, company and care.  If there are concerns report to Laura.
6)      Laura may be contacted by phone 07969 583922 or by email laura.bungard@kent.gov.uk .


CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
1)      Bake House.  This was expected to be available on 1st December but no date has yet been given.  Rumours have been circulating that it will not be opening again and the W&WRA may collapse.  Our involvement in the community has been put out on Face Book
2)      Christmas Lights Switch On.  Very well attended.  Ruth (our local hero) switched on the lights
3)      Remembrance Day 2019.  WTC Cllr Bob Micallef is looking for knitters for next year's remembrance day.
4)      Job Vacancies within the W&WRA.  The AGM is held in May when a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Editor, Treasurer, and Social Secretary will be required.


CORRESPONDENCE
None relevant.

PLANNING  APPLICATIONS
1)      123 Canterbury Road.  Application for listed building consent for replacement, repair, and reinstatement of windows with timber sash and casement dormer windows to match original.
2)      11 Audley Avenue.  Part retrospective application for single storey pitched roof rear extension following demolition of conservatory.  GRANTED
3)      11, Royal Esplanade.  Application for erection of 2 storey 2 bed attached dwelling with dormers to front and rear.   REFUSED
4)      29 Royal Esplanade.  Change of use of existing dwelling to 3 x 2bed and 2 x 1 bed self contained flats.  REFUSED

TREASURER'S REPORT  
Bank balance stands at £6,317.  Bills are paid to date, some rental money from AA and EKIDS will be returned as the Bake House has not been available to them.  The standing order for the Bake House rent of £260/month is still going out and the treasurer will be sending an email to the landlady to clarify the position.
The treasurer, Sam Secomb, has informed the W&WRA that she will be unable to stand for re-election in May and has been warmly thanked  for her excellent work in this office.

EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor reported that the magazines had gone out.  The face Book page was building up well.  Re the coming vacancy for editor, Don Eacott pointed out that in the past the W&WRA has employed an editor which was not too expensive, and could be worth looking at.  Ray said that with the adverts revenue the magazine was cost neutral.  More advertising may help, and a comment had been received requesting more articles.

SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported that no cards had been required this month.

MEMBERSHIP
Christina reported that all memberships had been paid up to date..



CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:  Saturday 5th January at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, an illustrated talk on the history of Westgate-on-Sea Railway Station will be given by Dr Graham Field.

Civic Society: 13th December at the Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm , Christmas  Social and 50th Anniversary celebration with  1960s films , music, and photo quiz, raffle and refreshments.  All welcome, there will be a charge of £6.50  for non-members.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

PRESS REPORT
Pat Castle had sent a report to the Gazette, and the information had been printed but not the photograph.  Ray thought it would be worth trying also with the “Community Ad” and “Isle of Thanet News”.

SOCIAL REPORT
1)      New Year Lunch.  Ninety six people had booked for the New Year Lunch on 13th January so far in spite of difficulties caused by the Bake House closure.
2)      Next social lunch at The Swan will be February, date TBA.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1)      Bridge Road.   James Brazier pointed out that the contractor had done an excellent job in tidying up the area and banks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
2)      Westbrook Avenue.  Buses were having difficulties getting through where cars were parked on both sides of the road, a member also reported an accident due to this narrowing the road.    The enforcement team now had new and more efficient staff deployed.  This road will be busy when  the A28 is resurfaced.                                        
3)      Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.  There will be a planting session on the undercliff green on Tuesday morning.   
4)      Homeless People.  Cllr Carol Messenger asked to be informed of any homeless people found as there is now a special team who can help them.  This has reduced the number of homeless in Thanet.



NEXT MEETING
Monday 14th January at The Bake House (Hopefully?).  


There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.05pm.

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