MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 11th
FEBRUARY 2019 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Ray Taylor (chair), twenty one members, TDC Cllr Carol
Messenger and WTC Cllrs Joanna Cornford and Matthew Scott.
The chairman initiated a few moments of silence in memory
of Ruth Shilling a member who had recently died following a difficult illness,
at all times remaining brave and positive.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Pat Sawyer-Jones,
Stephanie Sutton and TDC Cllr Sam Bambridge.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (14/01/19), which
had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by James
Brazier sec. by Tony Snow, and adopted, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) There were no matters arising.
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC. PCSOs and
Wardens.
TDC Cllr Carol Messenger:
1) Lymington Road
Crossing. There has been a report
concerning safety at this site, and as a result new more visible lights will
shortly be installed. Cllr Messenger has
also asked for a sign to be put up.
2) Ramsgate Port. The ferry contract offer to Seaborne Freight
has been withdrawn, but the Port is still being looked at to offer Brexit
resilience. Some dredging had been
carried out, and it was hoped a ferry service might bridge a budget gap, the
government had asked TDC to wait before a decision is made to decide the
budget. TDC did not want the expense to
fall on council tax payers.
3) Camping/The Homeless. Cllr Messenger is looking to have the bye-law
reinstated concerning no camping allowed on the sea front. A TDC sweep showed that those in tents and
homeless had been reduced by 50%, temporary accommodation had been offered, but
some would not accept help. Any new
homeless people turning up should be
reported to TDC for help.
Questions:
James Brazier expressed concern about the possibility of part of
Hartsdown Park, a public open space, being used for a hotel. It was thought that this is proposed to be
built in the Football Club grounds.
WTC Cllr Matthew Scott:
1) Ruth Shilling. The WTC had acknowledged the recent death of
“local hero” Ruth.
2) Precept. A full WTC meeting had set the precept, which
is an increase of 3%, and for band D is now £55.80.
3) Speedwatch. There are more sessions to follow.
4) WTC Surgeries. These are held on the third Saturday of the
month, at the library, the next one being the 16th February, when
Matt and Robert Micallef will be in attendance.
5) Pancake Race. This will be held on Tuesday 5th
March, 10.00am to 11.00am.
6) Westgate in Bloom. The group will give the type of work a trial,
the cost will be almost nil as many plants have been donated. Thanks are due to Cllr Robert Micallef for
kindly sourcing three hundred trees, free of charge, for planting in and around
Westgate.
Questions/Comments:
James Brazier noted that when the precept was put with the whole council
tax the increase would be approximately 1.5%.
Julian Smith expressed concern at the amount of
rubbish weeds and dog mess around the streets of Westgate and Westbrook.
KCC Warden Laura Bungard:
Laura has been busy with the usual ongoing items,
litter, dumped rubbish, potholes, drains, parking, untaxed vehicles etc.,
neighbourhood disputes and reports of pot smoking in residential areas have also
been dealt with.
Laura has also been in touch with KCC re plans for
Brexit and Manston and Dover Docks, should any problem arise in this area.
The Elderly and Vulnerable. We are asked to keep an eye out for these
especially during cold weather.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The chairman thanked the Bake and Alehouse for
installing a defibrillator, and also thanked Westgate Town Council for publishing
a list of locations of defibrillators in Westgate.
Concerning the Bake House, there had been changes in terms and conditions which had
caused issues. Financial analysis showed
that at the new hourly rental, a two hour coffee morning would be £17, during
which takings might be about £5, and if open for the five mornings each week
would create a loss of £3,000 per year.
During the four months closure of the Bake House many of the members had
come to enjoy coffee mornings at several different venues, and the committee
had suggested trying Wednesday mornings at the Bake House for a trial period,
and the alternate monthly general meetings on the second Monday evenings which
would reduce outgoings. The W&WRA would
have to remove their furniture, papers and records, and photo albums etc.
It is hoped that we could concentrate on a wider age
group and families in the community, by putting on events such as an Easter Egg
hunt, a Beach Party, and joining up with Westgate in Bloom.
The Chairman expressed concern at the option offered
by the Landlords that the W&WRA should promote and seek other renters for
the Bake House, things can go wrong with sub renters and the W&WRA are not
qualified as letting agents, and who would manage and facilitate such bookings?
Questions/Comments:
Don Eacott had always thought that the Bake House
was a white elephant, with the large number of members subsidising the few who
use it.
A vote was taken on the chairman's proposal to
request use of the Bake House for Wednesday mornings for coffee, and the
alternate monthly general meetings on the second Monday evenings for a trial
period. This was passed by 15 votes to 3
with a few abstentions.
CORRESPONDENCE
1) From the Police by E-mail. Residents are advised to be very aware of
scam emails purporting to come from BT and offering refunds.
2) A member had been approached by two supposed roofers
about tiles on the roof, the advice is not to become involved.
PLANNING
APPLICATIONS
1)
United Services Club, Westgate. Application for installation of solar panels.
2)
315, Canterbury Road.
Application for erection of single storey side extension with increase
in height of garage.
3)
16, Seymour Avenue.
Application for erection of first floor side extension over existing
garage conversion.
4)
7, Hundreds Farm Stables, Canterbury Road. Application for conversion og garages into
habitable rooms.
5)
5, Harold Avenue.
Application for single storey side extension. REFUSED.
6)
30, Argyle Avenue.
Application for front and rear dormer windows to facilitate loft conversion. GRANTED.
7)
174A, Linksfield Road.
Application for single storey side extension to create annexe following
demolition of existing garage. GRANTED.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The bank balance stands at £5,775. There is a bill of £239 outstanding for buildings
insurance up to the end of September, and the treasurer is writing to Westgate
Investment Co requesting a refund on the £260 for each of October November and
December when access was denied.
EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor informed the meeting that the next magazine,
due out in March was well under way.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported that six cards had been sent this month.
MEMBERSHIP
Christina reported that the files were being prepared for
the new association year.
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:
Saturday 2nd March at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, The AGM
will be held, followed by a short talk by Dr Dawn Crouch on “Objects we have
been given in the past year”. The
objects will be available for viewing.
Civic Society: Thursday 7th March at the
Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm, a talk “A
Schoolgirl's War”, storey of a Kent schoolgirl during WWII by Mary Smith.
PRESS REPORT
Pat Castle had sent the press a report on the new year
lunch, thanking all for their work in organising the event.
SOCIAL REPORT
1)
Easter Egg Hunt.
This will take place in Westgate, and be a good way to engage with the
children and community.
2)
Beach Party West Bay.
Sunday 9th June in conjunction with West Bay Cafe.
3)
Next social lunch at The Swan will be 17th February.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Drug Dealing in
Westbrook? Concern was expressed by a
member following observations. Cllr
Scott, who had attended the recent NEM meeting
had learned that dealers were
coming off trains at Westgate Station instead of Margate as there were
fewer police searches. It was hoped to
improve the situation, and have CCTV at Westgate Station, and Cllr Scott had
spoken to the local PCSO and Neighbourhood Watch. Literature is available at the council
offices.
It was
thought to be a good idea to invite the local PCSO to one of the general meetings, (there is a PCSO surgery at
the library on the first Wednesday of the month).
NEXT MEETING
Monday 11th March, Venue TBA.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.40pm.
