WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK Residents' Association meeting March 2016

 

 

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 14^th MARCH 2016 AT 7.15PM.

 

 

PRESENT

Abigail Carden, (vice-chair), thirtysix members, Thanet District Cllrs Bertie Braidwood and Carol Partington, Westgate Town Cllrs Tom King, and Ron Rolfe.

 

Abigail welcomed all to the meeting.

 

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor, TDC Cllrs  Ash Ashby, and Sam Bambridge, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.

 

CHAIRMAN

1)      W&WRA Officers.  Abigail reminded the meeting that following the resignation of Richard Charlton the committee had co-opted her to act as vice-chairman, and Pat Sawyer-Jones as secretary.  Abigail then introduced Cllr Carol Partington who had kindly agreed to chair tonight's meeting.

2)      Post Boxes.  Abigail reported that she had been able to contact the Royal Mail Property Dept and was informed that the boxes in CT8 and CT9 are due to be painted between April 2016 and March 2017.

3)      The Queen's Birthday Event.  Sunday 12^th June a party event (self funding) is proposed and a subcommittee is required to arrange this.

4)      Westgate-on-Sea Town Council.  Abigail has written to the WTC requesting reports for the W&WRA meetings.  It is understood that the WTC will take responsibility for the pancake race next year.

5)      Funds for Westgate Flowers.  The funding supplied is for the hanging baskets only, it was not known as yet who will be responsible for the planters.

6)      Westgate Post Office Refurbishment.  It had not been thought that there was sufficient demand for a bus service to the Birchington post office during the refurbishment.

7)      Committee Nominations.  The sheet will be going up in the Bake House at the end of March, in preparation for the AGM in May.

8)      General Meetings 11^th April and 9^th May.  Due to availability/refurbishment both the Town Hall and Westbrook Bowls Club may not be free, and the Bake house may be used again for the meeting on 11^th April.

9)      Proposed Alterations to the Constitution.  The committee had proposed two alterations, one concerning the frequency of issues of “The Record” which has been three per year for some time, and a change of dates of the Association year to 1^st February to 31^st January to allow time for the accounts to be completed and audited for the AGM.  Notice was given that these would be put to the AGM in May.

 

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (8^th February 2016), which had been circulated, were  adopted on a prop. by Don Eacott seconded by Jane Welch.

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

1)      Post Boxes.  Chris Wyer offered to contact the Post Office about those boxes  in a poor state of repair, and concerning the Victorian post box. 

2)      Council Tax.  James Brazier had raised the matter of the precept on the bills of Westgate residents at the last meeting, but discussion had not been permitted, and the chair said that such questions should be put to the WTC, and any reply would be reported. 

3)      27, Westbrook Road.  An order had been made to remove people from  this address, but this had not yet been completed.

 

COUNCILLORS' / WARDEN'S / PCSOS'  REPORTS

TDC Cllr Bertie Braidwood:

1)      Rubbish/Litter-Pick.  Cllr Braidwood congratulated the group on their work.  There is another litter-pick on Saturday at 10.00am at the station.

2)      Graffiti on Railway Footbridge.  This will be removed shortly.

3)      Lymington and Minster Road Bins.  There are not enough of these.

4)      Redhill Road Parking Issues.  KCC Highways may put in bollards.  Abigail suggested creation of parking bays may help.

5)      Double Yellow Lines.  Generally these do not appear to be enforced.

6)      St Mildred's Bay Rubbish Bins.  These are often overflowing, and will be checked for business use which is not allowed

WTC Cllr Tom King:

1)      Westgate-on-Sea Town Council is working for value for money and has met with  TDC re ideas for services such as enhanced road sweeping and removing graffiti and fly tipping.  A vehicle has been offered for £1, which will give a good opportunity together with the sweeper barrows, and dog fouling machine to keep Westgate tidier.  Cllr Tom King expressed a wish that the WTC and W&WRA will work well together for  the benefit of Westgate.

 

 

KCC Warden Laura Bungard:

Laura's Report was read out by the Chair:

Laura has been involved with parking issues / neighbourhood disputes / theft from a van in St Mildred's Road / antisocial behaviour / garage in Ivanhoe Road / KCC Highways issues / trading standards and scams / NEM meetings / and stairs by West Bay Cafe.

 

CORRESPONDENCE 

1)      Westgate Gardening Club.  Meeting Monday 21^st March at 10.30am at the Bake House, speaker Charlotte Tagart.

2)       Police Messages (by email).  Police had warnings of telephone scams. 

 

 

PLANNING 

1)      30, Briary Close.  Application to erect a two storey extension at the side and a rear extension.

2)      84, Westfield Road.  Application for gable roof extension and dormer.

3)      19, College Gardens.  Application to erect a single storey rear extension.

4)      9, Station Road.  Application to erect an external illuminated panel.

5)      27, Westbrook Road.  Application to erect a single storey rear extension.

6)      45-51, Sea Road.  Application for change of use to nine one bedroom flats, seven two bedroom flats, and erection of buildings and basement parking.  This has been called in.  An observation from a member was that TDC were trying to reduce the number of one bedroom flats in Thanet.

 

 

TREASURER'S REPORT  

Abigail gave this report:  Bank balance stood at £6,561.  The bill for St Augustines had been paid.  The business rate refund had been received. 

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

Christina reported that the next magazine should be ready early April.  The W&WRA is very short of road stewards, and new volunteers are urgently required.

 

CIVIC REPORT

Margate Civic Society. Next meeting at the Walpole Bay Hotel is on Thursday 7^th April 7.30pm when there will be a talk on the art work of Christopher Alexander.

 

Westgate Heritage Centre.  Saturday 2^nd April at St Saviour's Church 10.30am when there is a talk on the gated estate town of Westgate,                                                       

 

SOCIAL

Jane reported:

1)      Quiz Night.  Friday 12^th February enjoyed by all and a profit was made.

2)      Sunday Lunch at the Swan.  21^st February.  Well attended and enjoyed.

3)      Trip to the Secret Gardens and Afternoon Tea.  21^st March £23 with Carol Peters. (Still a few places left).

4)      Bake House Closing.  This will be on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

5)      Trip to Sheppey Music Hall 7^th April.

6)      Lunch at the Golf Club 10^th April.  Menu will be pre-ordered.

7)      St George's Day Party Saturday 23^rd April at the Bake House, Tea sandwiches etc. £3.

8)      Westgate Community Centre Easter Extravaganza.  Saturday 26^th March.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Westbrook Residents' Council Tax.  James Brazier drew attention to the increases in the Charter Trustees precept.

2)      Royal Esplanade Bins.  The existing ones overflow and more are required.

3)      Fayre in May.  This had been difficult to arrange due to all the red tape.

4)      Phone Box on Westbrook Green.  This is in very poor condition and has been reported.

5)      Charter Trustees Precept.  Chris Wyer drew attention to the 80% increase. Cllr Carol Partington explained that the precept had not been revised for a few years and the reserves had now been used up, together with the change of border with Westgate.

6)      Fencing at Westgate  Bay Avenue.  Chris Wyer reported that Westgate CAAG had written about this.

7)      Dumped Fridges.  Chris Wyer reported that when this happened it was extremely dangerous as children could become trapped inside.  When  notified TDC had promptly cleared them.

8)      Pavements have become blocked with bins and bags on collection days.

9)      Westgate Community Centre Easter Extravaganza.  11.00am to 3.00pm Saturday 26^th March, £1 per child.  Egg hunt, crafts, fun and games, food.  Brings the community together.  Volunteer helpers required.

 

NEXT MEETING

 Monday 11^th April, at the Bake House, 7.00pm for 7.15pm.

(The Bowls Club and Town Hall Suite being unavailable).

 

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.06pm.

 

Sea Search Walpole Bay Tidal Pool Emptying

Tidal Pool Sea Search

Several sea searchers turned up on this cold morning to witness the emptying of the Walpole Bay tidal pool yesterday morning. This happens a couple of times a year for maintenance and it is an ideal time to see some of the creatures that you would only see if you were diving. The following pictures show some of the remarkable finds which I hope you will enjoy.

For further events visit the Thanet Coast Project Website http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/whats-on/2016-events-and-activities/

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION February 2016 meeting

 

 

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE TOWN HALL BUILDINGS ON MONDAY 8^th FEBRUARY 2016 AT 7.15PM.

 

PRESENT

Abigail Carden, (vice-chair), thirty members, Thanet District Cllr Ash Ashbee, Westgate Town Cllrs Ash Ashbee, Tom King, Dave Morrish, and Hannah Scott, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.

 

Abigail welcomed all to the meeting.

 

APOLOGIES

Apologies had been received from KCC Cllr Jeff Elenor, TDC Cllrs Sam Bambridge, and Carol Partington.

 

CHAIRMAN

1)      W&WRA Officers.  Abigail informed the meeting that following the resignation of Richard Charlton the committee had co-opted her to act as vice-chairman, and Pat Sawyer-Jones as secretary and in charge of bookings to hire the Bake House.  For the three remaining general meetings before the AGM three of the TDC ward councillors had agreed to act as chairman, starting today when Cllr Ash Ashby has kindly agreed to fill this roll.

2)      Post Boxes.  A letter from the W&WRA is to be sent to the appropriate department of the post office requesting the required maintenance.

3)      Flower Budget for Westgate.  This has been halved to £1,500, and the best use for this will be looked into.

4)      Rent for Bake House and Meeting Room.  This has been increased from £235 to £260/month and will be held at this level for two years.

5)      Committee.  Nomination sheets for the new committee to be elected at the AGM in May will go up in the Bake House at the beginning of April.

6)      Gardening Club.  This club now meets at the Bake House once a month.

7)      Business Rates Refund.  This has been fully agreed and  is now awaited.

8)      Pancake Race.  This had had to be cancelled due to the necessary paperwork not being completed.  It would be carefully looked at for future years so that the division of tasks between the W&WRA and the Rotary Club are made clear or even possibly that the W&WRA may take over completely.  It was hoped that the £100 road closure fee may be recovered.  The bus company had been informed of the cancellation.

 

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting, (11^th January 2016), which had been circulated, were amended and then adopted on a prop. by Don Eacott seconded by Ray Taylor.

 

 

 

MATTERS ARISING

1)      Amendments to the Minutes.  Page 1, matters arising (1) Chris Wyer had raised the subject of the post boxes.   Page 2 planning (1) The application at 36, Westgate Bay Avenue involved one large building. 

2)      Road Safety.  Cllr Ash Ashby reported that procedures for a possible additional crossing in Westbrook Avenue are at the moment held up due to the inquest into the fatal accident, but a consultation will take place in due course. 

3)      Refuse/Recycling.  TDC have discussed the Christmas arrangements and hope to improve on this for next December.

 

COUNCILLORS' / WARDEN'S / PCSOS'  REPORTS

TDC Cllr Ash Ashby:

1)      Bus Service.  There had been interest in the division of the no 8 and 8A buses between Canterbury Road and Westbrook Avenue and the debate was ongoing.

2)      Dog Bone Road Markings.  Three had  been requested including one for a resident for a garage entrance with a drop kerb.  Funding was awaited.

3)      Bridge Road Green.  Members had seen some shrubs/hedges removed and the ground levelled and seeded with grass.  This had been done to facilitate mowing.  No previous notice or consultation had taken place, and Chris Whittingham asked councillors present to make known to other councillors and TDC officers residents' concerns about the hedges around Westgate and Westbrook.  It was recalled that about ten or twelve years ago TDC had intended to remove all hedging around the footpaths and greens of St Mildred's and West Bays and at a site meeting with councillors a very large number of residents had attended and expressed their views that these hedges which had been present for over one hundred years should be retained. Councillors should be called if any further hedge destruction is seen.

 

WTC Cllr Hannah Scott:

1)      Grants Available for Not for Profit Community Groups.  Cllr Scott told the meeting that £5,000 is available for applications which should be made before 28^th February.  Application forms are on the website or from the Town Clerk.

 

WTC Cllr Dave Morrish:

1)      Double Yellow Lines.  TDC are proposing, subject to comment and consultation double yellow lines from the URC Church to the zebra crossing. In Ivanhoe Road, following consultation the lines will be put to the correct side of the road.

 

KCC Warden Laura Bungard:

Laura reported that TDC would be placing a rubbish bin opposite the library.

Vulnerable Elderly – There is a multiagency operation taking place and any information on those needing help such as warm home alterations, Age UK services etc would be welcome. 

Laura has also been involved in matters of highways, graffiti, ASB meetings, and dementia training.   (There is a meeting on 8^th March for carers of those with dementia).  TDC parking and litter tickets have been issued.  The FIDO (dog mess clearing) vehicle has visited and will be in the Westgate and Birchington area on Mondays.  Grass verge parking can cause problems and if the marks exceed a certain depth tickets can be issued, however this can bring problems of road parking when wing mirrors are knocked off.  In some cases speeding is a considerable problem.

 

The question arose from the floor re the promised report from Westgate-on-Sea Town Council.  Cllr Ashby said one had not been prepared for this meeting but will request one for next time.

 

CORRESPONDENCE 

1)      WTC Meetings.  A letter from the Town Clerk stated that members of the public are welcome to come to the meetings, and anyone who wishes to speak at the meetings should give written notice by 4.00pm on the Friday before the meeting. Filming or photography at the meetings are not permitted without consent of the WTC, though there is thought to be a new law concerning this.

2)       Police Messages (by email).  Police had warnings of cars being broken into, fake police officers questing bank cards and personal details, and scam emails. 

 

PLANNING 

1)      Castle Cottage.  Application for UPVC windows to replace aluminium windows.

2)      27, Westbrook Road.  Change of use to flats.

 

Cllr Ashby said anyone who may wish to call in an application should contact their local district councillor.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT  

Abigail gave this report:  Bank balance stood at £7,858 on 29^th December, but this included the new year lunch money that had been paid  in.  The two payments queried were cheques 200377 to the Carpenter's Workshop £110, and no 200376 for £15 for the pitch fee for the Community Centre fun day.

Abigail informed the meeting that the committee is considering a proposal to alter the financial year end to 31^st January in order to provide time for the year's books to be completed and audited for the AGM.  As this would involve an alteration to the constitution approval for this would have to be given by members at the AGM. 

 

SUNSHINE REPORT

Mavis reported six cards had been sent  out to members this month.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Christina reported that seventy new members had recently joined.

 

CIVIC REPORT

Margate Civic Society. Next meeting at the Walpole Bay Hotel is on Thursday 3^rd March 7.30pm when there will be a talk “Policing the Past – Heritage Crime”.

 

Westgate Heritage Centre.  Saturday 12^th  March at St Saviour's Church 10.30am when the AGM will take place followed by a talk by Dr Dawn Crouch about St Saviour's church bells.  (SECOND Saturday of the month).

 

SOCIAL

Jane reported:

1)      Quiz Night.  Friday 12^th February 7.00pm, £2 bring your own food and drink.

2)      Sunday Lunch at the Swan.  21^st February.

3)      Sunday Lunch at the Golf Club.  March.

4)      Trip to the Secret Gardens and Afternoon Tea.  21^st March £23 with Carol Peters.

5)      More local trips to be arranged.   

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)      Thatched House, 190 Canterbury Road.  English Heritage had been interested in possibly listing this house but the previous owners would not allow access.  It has now changed hands but they do not consider that it meets the requirements for listing, but the house does seem secure.

2)      27, Westbrook Road (see planning page 3), in answer to a question Cllr Ashby said this had been an illegal HMO but had now been cleared out.  The application had been called in by Cllr Sam Bambridge.

3)      Large Holm Oak Tree opposite the Library.  Those who had cut this down beyond reasonable pruning have been prosecuted by the council.

4)      Shelter on Green above West Bay Cafe.  This had suffered from vandalism, and members asked when repairs would be put in hand.

5)      Westgate Community Centre News.  Easter Hunt 26^th March 11.00am to 3.00pm, £1 per child.  An application for a grant to renovate one end of the building and patch up  the car park has been applied for.  The summer fun day is still awaiting permission from TDC events dept before arrangements can go ahead.

6)      Westgate Against Rubbish Group.  A clean up at Ursuline Drive and the Town Green will take place on 27^th February at 10.00am.  Future event 4^th - 5^th March “Clean for the Queen”.

7)      West Bay Cafe.  Alan Dolan the proprietor spoke about his application for the cafe for a single storey extension over the cafe for a restaurant.  A pre plan has been sent to TDC and Alan would be pleased to have some support from local people.  Cllr Hannah Scott said that a restaurant had been requested by residents on the recent survey forms.  Alan was also known to make his cafe available to the Local Astronomy Group for their meetings and educational purposes.  He would also make improvements to the shelter if he could have part use of this for his customers.

8)      Allotment.  Tony Snow told the meeting that he had been working the W&WRA's half plot 30B at Lymington Road, but would now like to pass this on to another member.  It was suggested that this be put in the magazine.

9)      Tea Ladies.  Pat Sawyer-Jones asked for new volunteers.

 

NEXT MEETING

 Monday 14^th March, at the Town Hall Buildings, Westgate, 7.00pm for 7.15pm.

(The Bowls Club being unavailable).

 

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.30pm.