MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 11th
MARCH 2019 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Ray Taylor (chair), twenty one members, TDC Cllrs Ash
Ashbee and Carol Messenger and WTC Cllrs Joanna Cornford, Tom King, and Matthew
Scott.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Dave Morrish, Barry
and Anne Wells and TDC Cllrs Sam Bambridge, and Mick Tomlinson.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (11/02/19), 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) Council Tax Increase in Westgate. James Brazier pointed out that due to a late
change the council tax increase would now be 1.8%
REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC. PCSOs and
Wardens.
TDC Cllr Carol Messenger:
1) Pancake Race. Thanks are due to WTC for a very well
organised event which was great fun and enjoyed by all.
2) Lymington Road
Crossing. Work has been done to change
the poles so they are more visible.
3) New Houses. Millwood Homes have submitted a proposal for
building on the site from Minster Road to Shottendane Road. The local plan will be going for public
examination at St Augustines from 2nd to 4th April, 9th
to 12th April, and 16th to 18th April.
4) Vehicles in Cambourne
Avenue. Up to four vehicles have been
observed to carry the same number plate, and this is being investigated, and
may subsequently be passed to police and enforcement for removal.
5) Travellers in
Westbrook. Residents are advised to
beware of offers of work on driveways which are usually of poor quality and have no warranty.
TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee:
1) Travellers by Sunken
Gardens. Cllr Ash had called in to TDC
on the Friday when they appeared, having preciously been evicted from Dane Valley. The required procedure had been initiated,
and a section 77 notice issued directing them to remove themselves in twenty
four hours, failure to do so results in it going to court. TDC teams are collecting rubbish twice a day,
and will thoroughly clean the site when they have gone. This has been the fourth or fifth site they
have arrived at in a few months, there is no travellers site in Thanet but
there is one in Dover but it appears they are unwilling to go there. Do not give work as already one resident has
had more cash demanded than originally agreed.
There are children on site who are not at school. Residents are advised to keep doors and
windows secure.
WRC Cllr Joanna Cornford:
1) Social Prescribing Day. This is being organised by Westgate Surgery
and is to be held in Christ Church URC on Thursday 14th March 1.00pm
to 3.00pm. The aims are to support people who may feel socially isolated with
activities and volunteers will be required.
2) Speedwatch. More volunteers are required.
3) Defibrillator Training. This at the moment is fully booked.
WTC Cllr Matthew Scott:
1) Lymington Road Notice
Board. This has now been authorised for
placement on the wall at no 3.
2) WTC Saturday Surgery. The next one to be held on 16th
March 10.00am to 11.30am, when Cllrs O'Connor and Scott will be in attendance.
3) Neighbourhood Watch. Mr Adam Sackett hopes to regenerate this, and
may use social media.
Questions/Comments:
James Brazier noted that in the report of the proposed “Westgate in Bloom”
in the Gazette the war memorial had been
described as “in a state of disrepair”, and this was incorrect. Cllr Scott
agreed to rectify this.
Chris Whittingham reported that a Westbrook resident
had a wheelie bin which had blown over and broken the lid hinges. On contacting TDC to request a repair he had
been told he would have to have a new one as they did not now carry out
repairs, and the charge would be £48.
This did not only seem wasteful but could prove very difficult for any
resident unable to afford it. Cllr
Ashbee agreed to look into this.
Ray Taylor said details of “Westgate in Bloom” had
been received by the W&WRA.
KCC Warden Laura Bungard:
In her February report Laura reflected on the change
and development of the role of a Warden, and how this fits in with policing and
PCSOs. For matters of a police nature call 101 and
report. Laura's main work is with the council, highways issues, rubbish, fly tips,
parking, drains, lighting etc. Wardens have always promoted KCC services, but
are now undertaking new work including
visits to vulnerable residents and any
referrals that may be required, and help so that residents may stay in their
own home, care in the community is now a large part of the work.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
In his penultimate month as chairman for the year
Ray said it had been a difficult year, Mick Tomlinson had been unable to carry
on, and there had been many difficulties, but the W&WRA is now strong and
in a good position and will be focusing onto the communities as a whole and
less in the Bake House.
Items being arranged in the community include Easter
Egg hunt (April), Beach Party (June), supporting WTC with Westgate in Bloom and
Westgate Day, and sponsoring the town
Christmas tree.
Some items belonging to the W&WRA, or to
individual members, will need to be cleared from the shelter, and members need
to decide how and what is done with the various items in the store, these
include: tables and chairs, pictures and prints (the picture of the town hall
belongs to Kath Bonner), hostess trolley, speakers and microphones (these are
currently on loan to WTC), chest of drawers (purchased from a gift left to the
W&WRA in memory of Barbara Whitlock), and a roll desk, photo albums,
cushions, and a complete set of W&WRA “Record” magazines, and the china.
For the April general meeting a young lady from the
Life Saver Volunteer Service will give us an overview of the use of
defibrillators and how to facilitate setting one up in Westbrook. Thanks are due to Cllr Carol Messenger for
setting this up.
Again thanks to Cllr Messenger for achieving the
improvements to the Lymington Road crossing.
The April meeting will again be in the Bake House,
which will give the option of holding the AGM meeting in May at the Bowls Club
where there is more room. Nomination
slips for the new committee will be in the magazine which will be ready
shortly, or nominations may be made on the form in the Bake House.
Questions/Comments:
A suggestion to purchase a bench from the proceeds
of the sale of the items listed was made, Cllr Messenger recommended the price
of such a bench be checked as the value of the second hand furniture may not be
sufficient.
PLANNING
APPLICATIONS
1)
14, St Benets Road.
Application for single storey rear extension.
2)
15, Victoria Avenue.
Proposed variation of condition 2 of planning ref F/TH/17/0852 for
erection of two storey detached dwelling to allow alterations to landscaping.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The bank balance stands at £5,134. Finances were about £2,000 down due to not
receiving sub-letting rentals or tea/coffee money.
Direct debits for water and electricity had been cancelled
as the tenancy had ended, and closing balance details were awaited. TDC had been informed that we had vacated the
premises on 30th September 2018.
A request for refund of overpaid rent for October to
January (£1,040), had been made, less a buildings insurance premium of £239.11,
leaving a balance of refund owing to us
of £800.89.
The matter of the stopped cheque has been resolved.
EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor informed the meeting that the next magazine due
out shortly would be delivered to road stewards in bundles by himself and
Christina.
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 and receipt of subscriptions.
CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:
Next meeting Saturday 6th April at 10.30am at St Saviour's
Church, when there will be an illustrated
talk by Jill Beechey - “More Westgate Memories”.
Civic Society: Thursday 4th April at the
Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm, a talk by
Jane Wenham-Jones (author, journalist, presenter, interviewer, creative writing
tutor, writing competition judge and
speaker) – subject to be confirmed.
The Civic Society Town Pride Awards nominations have been
made, and of the seven, two are from Westgate.
SOCIAL REPORT
1)
Easter Egg Hunt.
This will take place in Westgate, and will start and finish at the Ice
House Easter Saturday, approx time 10.30am to 12.00noon.
2)
Beach Party West Bay.
Sunday 9th June in conjunction with West Bay Cafe.
3)
Next social lunch at The Swan will be 17th March, twenty three members
have booked.
Thanks were expressed to Viv and Tracy Gurney (co-opted to
help) for these ongoing arrangements.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Letter Boxes. Chris Wyer noted that at least three letter
boxes on the sea front had been painted, one apparently at 6.00am! The phone box by Bridge Road is now without
telephone and derelict.
2) “Hi Neighbour”
leaflets. Members had received these
recently and were concerned that it may be a scam. Ray confirmed it is OK and quite a good local
website.
3) Parked Car by St
Augustines. This car in the road is
marked for sale, and observed by Chris Wyer.
It was recommended that Chris speaks to Laura the Warden.
4) Westbrook & Margate
Parish/Town Council. Cllr Ash Ashbee
said that this could be much better for the area than the present Charter
Trustee system which has very limited powers.
More things could be done other than the present ceremonial duties only,
and the area could lose out without this type of council.
5) Sunken Gardens. Members were very concerned about rubbish and
damage in the area due to the travellers.
Cllr Ashbee assured the meeting that the TDC team will carry out a
thorough clean up, so that it will be safe for the volunteers to continue their
work.
6) The Bake House. Cllr Joanna Cornford hoped that the new hire
arrangements would reduce costs to the W&WRA, and would also be more
available to others.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 8th April, at the Bake House
7.00pm for 7.15pm.
There being no other business the meeting concluded
at 8.30pm.
