WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION June 2019 Minutes

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 10^th  JUNE 2019 AT 7.15PM.

PRESENT

Gina May (chair), twenty two members, including WTC Cllrs Joanna Cornford,  Bob Micallef, Matthew Scott, and David Wallin.

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from Tim Bentley, Lorraine Hambidge, Bob Loxley,  Pam O'Toole, Laura Shawyer, Sylvia and Tony Sykes, Christina and Ray Taylor and Sheila Williams.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (13/05/19), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Don Eacott sec. by Christine Smith and adopted, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR: (Gina May):

Election of Committee at the AGM.  On examination of the constitution it appeared that several nominations had been made at the AGM and not fourteen days before this.  In order to regularize this those members were subsequently asked to stand down and offered reinstatement with co-option by the committee so that the end result would be the same.  One member had resigned in writing. The new committee would shortly introduce themselves.

Gina stated she will work to make the W&WRA inclusive and welcoming, and able to address needs,  and be part of the community.  Ways of increasing the membership with all ages will be sought, and the W&WRA needs a unique identity, and to work with WTC.

There is a need to modernise and bring the constitution up to date adding child protection, safeguarding and inclusion etc which will then enable applications for grants to be made.

There is a need for a permanent multifunctional space.

There will be some dramatic changes planned, the magazine as a separate entity will cease and will be incorporated with a local circulation together with joining forms.

Coffee mornings, there is a need to increase attendance at these.

Others possibilities are to run stalls at local fayres and revive the Westgate one, Christmas party, and to take back the pancake races which could be relaunched in 1950s style.  VE Day celebrations with baking and talks for local schools.

Gina herself is keen to promote books, and is fighting for the library, and has been arranging a book festival, with Terry Waite speaking at one of the events, and should being in money and tourism into the  area. 

INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMITTEE

Chairperson, Gina May then introduced the new committee to the meeting.

            Vice-Chairman:                       Robert Micallef

            Treasurer:                                Jacquie Agnew

            Minute Secretary:                    Chris Whittingham

            Social Organiser:                     Linda Kiddell

            Sunshine Friend:                     Joanna Cornford

The  position of membership secretary is vacant and being covered by the treasurer and chairperson at present.

Each member of the committee then briefly introduced themselves to the meeting. (Committee member Laura Shawyer was unable to attend this meeting).

Pat Sawyer-Jones indicated that she would be resigning from the committee, but was willing to co-ordinate the rota for staffing the weekday refreshments. The Vice-Chairman asked her to take time to reconsider resigning, and welcomed her offer concerning the refreshments rota.

Jacquie then told the meeting that she was looking at a “cloud” based system for the membership records.  Jacquie also recommended that an independent auditor check through recent records for transparency.

GDPR Compliance. Members are required to give their permission if they wish to be contacted by the W&WRA, and forms to that effect were distributed, and will  be available in the Bake House.

CIVIC REPORT

Westgate-on-Sea Heritage Centre:

Tuesday 11^th June at 2.00pm in St Mildred's Bay a short event of remembrance of the Royal Naval Air Service Station Westgate  as the bench donated is handed over to the Chairman of WTC Cllr Martyn Pennington, and special guest Jacqueline Ingram.  Then moving on to Sea Road where the second bench is installed in the gardens by 17 and 25 Sea Road, (sites of VAD hospitals).

Next meeting Saturday 6^th July at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, when there will be an illustrated  talk by Dr Dawn Crouch - “How Westgate celebrated the Peace in 1919”.

Civic Society:  

Evening meetings  resume in October.

Saturday 22^nd June is Civic Day when many places of interest are open, and there is a walk round the  Old Town of Margate led by Robin Colyer starting at Droit House at 2.00pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                        

NEXT MEETING

Monday 8^th July, at the Bowls Club 7.00pm for 7.15pm.  

The meeting concluded at 8.01pm.

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Minutes of May 2019 meeting

MINUTES OF A SHORT GENERAL MEETING HELD AT WESTBROOK BOWLS CLUB FOLLOWING THE AGM ON 13^th MAY 2019 AT 7.55 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE LAST GENERAL MEETING (8^th April 2019)

These were circulated, confirmed, and adopted.

MATTERS ARISING

1)      Thanet Coast Project.  Tony Sykes asked all for continued support for this project which has been threatened with cuts to the only paid position of organiser, Tony Child, who works with one hundred volunteers to look after the coast, environment, and public awareness of the beaches.

2)      Rough Sleepers.  Chris Wyer asked how the new grant to help the council resolve the problem is going to be used.  (See below in councillors' reports).

COUNCILLORS'/PCSO/WARDEN REPORTS

WTC Cllr David Donaldson introduced himself, being newly elected, and hopes the WTC and W&WRA will work together.

TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee:   

1)      Thank You.  Ash thanked all for their support and will continue to work hard  for the area.

2)      Rough Sleepers.  The recent grant will help the dedicated team who look to finding more permanent accommodation, and also to help in cases of alcohol and addiction problems.

3)      Visitor Information Centre and Thanet Coast Project.  These are now under review and discussions.  When the new positions and sub-committees on TDC are arranged shortly, hopefully Ash may be able to resume this briefing with coastal matters and will report back next meeting.

4)      Canterbury Road Resurfacing.  KCC contractors are carrying this out at night. Comments from residents are about the difficulty in negotiating the works when directions are not clear.  However it seems that good and necessary work is being done.  Ash agreed to pass on these comments.

5)      Sea Front Grass Areas.  Some parts are not mowed short in order to support Bumble Bee conservation, the undercliff grass is cut only once a year for this and other wildlife conservation.

A question from the floor concerning the woodland area at the end of Tivoli Park Avenue asked what is intended for this area.  Ash thought it could be for a KCC recreation area but would check and find out.

TDC and WTC Cllr Matt Scott:

Cllr Scott apologised for arriving late, due to another meeting, and said he is always ready to help residents when needed.

The WTC AGM is on Wednesday at 7.00pm in the URC hall, and is open for the public to attend.

WTC Cllr Joanna Cornford:

Cllr Cornford thanked all who had voted in recent elections.

Incident Reporting.  This is  very important and tel 101 should be used to make the report as it will then be logged.

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

1)      Contact.  Details for Laura are held at the Town Council Office, or messages can be left at the library.  Phone number 07969 583922 and email address laura.bungard@kent.gov.uk.

2)      General Duties.  The month has been busy with the usual items, vulnerable visits, referrals, drains, pot holes, neighbour disputes, and pot smoking etc.

3)      Linksfield Road by the Park.  Anybody seeing pot smoking, youths on mopeds/petrol scooters in the park causing a nuisance please call the police on 101.  There is a need to know where the moped/scooter drivers live so that their use of these vehicles can be discussed.

4)      Rowena Road.  Poo bags are being left behind the Virgin Media junction boxes.  Please report this to TDC so that it can be stopped.

PLANNING

No planning reports to hand, (Carol Messenger used to provide the copies).

CORRESONDENCE   TREASURER'S  & EDITOR'S REPORTS   MEMBERSHIP

No further information.

CIVIC REPORT

Westgate Heritage Centre.  The next monthly meeting is on Saturday 1^st June at 10.30am in St Saviour's Church when there will be an illustrated talk by Sally Whitworth about the Hockeridge Hotel.

Margate Civic Society.   James informed the  meeting that at this year's Town Pride Awards the winner was Brompton Villas, Westgate Bay Avenue.  There was also a second nomination in Westgate.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Stephanie Sutton reported to the meeting the death of Eileen Cunnew who had given great service to the W&WRA over many years, serving as secretary and president during this time.  

2)      Easter Egg Hunt.  This had been very successful and enjoyed by all.

3)      Wednesday Coffee Mornings.  More members were requested for this as at present the takings are not sufficient to pay the rental.

4)      WTC Surgery.  Cllr Matt Scott reminded the meeting of the surgery on the third Saturday of the month at the library, 10.00 – 11.30am.

5)      Speedwatch.  More volunteers are required, and it is hoped to monitor Westgate Bay Avenue and Lymington Road.

6)      CCTV Cameras and Safety.  Following discussion Ash Ashbee considered that two cameras correctly positioned could cover Westgate.

7)      Tennis Group.  James Brazier said the new member Derek had started the group on Sunday afternoons at St Mildrerd's Bay and it was worthy of support.

8)      Two Memorial Benches via Westgate Heritage Centre.  James reported that  location problems had been resolved, and they would shortly be placed, one in St Mildred's Bay by the memorial, and the other in the gardens by Sea Road near to the site of the old Ivyside Hotel (which had been a VAD hospital).

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 10^h June 2019  7.00pm for 7.15pm.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 8.40pm.