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Thanet news you may have missed in 2007. 

TDC BUDGET 2008  9 December

The ‘financial chicken’ has come home to roost for Council taxpayers in Thanet and it has “bird flu2 to boot.

This draft budget is a panic reaction with swinging increases in some costs and cuts to vital services.

Car parking increased by 27%, how much more can our town centre businesses take? The Tories talk about gold standards for our town centres, better be quick as they are squeezed to death by the Tories. The Royal Harbour losing customers, the council reaction, increases of 10% in fees, brilliant!

Last year the Tories increased costs of bulky waste collections, we now have the worst fly tipping problem in Kent. This year the green target is the green waste service. Now we will have to buy a bin and pay £26 a year or take it to waste sites ourselves, if you have a car that is.

Charges for toilets, 20p a time but will we get a decent and clean service? We shall see on that one. East Kent Maritime Trust effectively defunct, pity it wasn’t in Margate!

All this and more and the usual whining from the Tories about central government grant, remember Thanet get the largest grant in Kent. The problem is the continuing failure to control costs, staff costs up, staff numbers up, but not on the ‘frontline’.

Finally I see after next year the Capital reserves are zero, another example of the Tory financial mismanagement.

And it all adds up to no control just higher council taxes, higher costs and service cuts!

LOCAL VOTING MADE EASIER  30 November

A review of local polling districts and polling places should make voting at elections much easier for thousands of Thanet residents in the future. Several new polling stations will be provided and in many locations access to current polling places will be improved. The final details were agreed at an extraordinary meeting of Thanet District Council on Thursday evening.

The main changes relate to new polling stations, which will be provided in Dane Valley at the Surestart complex, in Cliftonville West at Margate Bowls Club, St Lukes Hall in St Lukes Road and the Echo Shop at Plains of Waterloo will be two new polling stations for Eastcliff ward, and in Salmestone where residents will now be served by two Portakabins positioned especially for elections in Yoakley Square and in the Orb Public House car park.

Thanks to an earlier amended resolution of the council back in July proposed by Labour Group Deputy Leader Clive Hart, the review was undertaken by a politically balanced working party of 2 Labour, 2 Conservative and 2 Independent councillors.

Cllr. Hart, who was also a Working Party Member said,
"The group of councillors on the working party worked together in a spirit of genuine cooperation and the small team of TDC officers deserve praise for their thorough investigations. I believe the changes we proposed should greatly improve access to their local polling stations for many Thanet residents who may have had difficulty in the past".

NEW TERM – NEW LIGHTS  26 November

A new set of lights for the landmark Cliftonville West Christmas Beacon on top of St Paul’s Church in Cliftonville have been purchased and installed for the festive season. Ward councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and Clive Hart have had the display renewed for Christmas 2007 through their Cliftonville West ward fund.

The now annual display is visible for miles and can be seen from areas of Margate, Westbrook, St. Peter’s and even Westwood.

Cllr. Clive Hart said,
"The original lighting system was first installed three years ago, early in our first term as ward councillors and although they were still in surprisingly good condition we felt that in the interests of safety a new system was necessary. Thankfully we were re-elected in May and our new ward fund is already working for small but effective local projects like the one at St. Paul’s.

Linda, Doug and I wish all the residents of Thanet a very merry Christmas and lets all hope for a prosperous new year."


OVER 190 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE  5 November

Labour party members and councillors from across Kent came together in Margate on Sunday afternoon (04/11/2007) to celebrate over 190 years of public service given by three revered local members.

Two former Town Mayor’s of Margate - Charles Young and Roy Ford were joined by former Sheriff of Canterbury Brian Hunter to receive long service awards signed personally by the Prime Minister – Gordon Brown.



From Left to right Charles, Brian and Roy with their long service awards.

Brian Hunter from Herne Bay has been a stalwart Labour member for over 50 years, Roy Ford tops that with over 60 years service but both are beaten by what must be a national record Labour membership of 81 years from Charles Young who joined the party as a young lad of 14 and who celebrated his 95th birthday just two months ago.

North Thanet Labour Party Chairperson Cllr. Iris Johnston said
"we’re very proud in the North Thanet Labour party to have three of the loveliest people you could wish to meet. All three have given a major contribution not just to our party but also to our local community and they are held in great affection."

Above Inflation Increase
(so no excuse to sell community assets)  13 October

The Comprehensive Spending Review again gives above inflation increase to Local Government.

Cllr Richard Nicholson said,
“I am pleased that again, since 1998, the Government has increased spending on Local Government by more than inflation. Though I am not surprised that the Tory whinging machine quickly got into action to cry wolf and desperately try to cover up the Tory incompetent handling of the finances of TDC.

If the Council refuses to budget within proper limits then again the local taxpayers will have to pay the price of the mess we are sliding deeper into. The Tories have used extra monies awarded from central government, which were intended to promote business growth, to ’balance the books’ for the past couple of years.”

We hear fine words from the Tories about only spending when resources can be found then they blithely go off on a spending spree running up a bill we will pay for in Council Tax increases and service cuts’.

Since 2003 the Tories have abandoned Economic Development, Tourism, Regeneration and much of Housing repairs. In spite of this the numbers of staff continue to rise under the Tories, an inefficient administration by a deficient Tory group.

So we are still subject to rises 50% above the average under the previous Labour administration.

And whilst the Council can dispose of unnecessary assets this should not be allowed to become a wholesale sell off of anything. This does not give them the go ahead to sell of parts of our parks, green spaces or leisure facilities.

Your Labour members will watch very carefully and keep the public informed of what the Tories try to do in their desperate attempt to hide their mismanagement.”

Positive Forum Enters 5th Year.  10 October

The Cliftonville West Community Forum entered its 5th year this week with a very positive meeting at Smith’s Court Hotel on Monday evening.

The forums are facilitated by ward councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and Clive Hart to bring together leading members of voluntary and community groups working predominantly in Cliftonville West in order to network, promote their plans and ideas and also to encourage partnership working.

The local Neighbourhood Champions project’s Peter Whale independently chaired Monday’s meeting for the evening.

Margaret Main outlined major community projects being undertaken locally and Cathy Westbrook asked for Cliftonville resident’s views on the newly refurbished Theatre Royal. The ward councillors also gave reports on their work over the past six months.

Special praise was given to Cliftonville Residents Association for raising the profile of the area with their ‘Best in Kent’ award winning Farmers Markets.

Cllr. Linda Aldred said
"As ward councillors we are very lucky to get so much positive support from the local community here in Cliftonville West and it’s always good to see so many active groups coming together in such a positive atmosphere."

LONG AWAITED CRACKDOWN WELCOMED.  1 October

Following reams of correspondence with Thanet District Council officers and a ‘ward walk’ in a small part of Cliftonville West undertaken with the TDC Chief Executive and the Head of Commercial Services of TDC over a month ago, ward councillors Linda Aldred, Doug Clark and Clive Hart welcome the news that TDC is finally acting on the many issues they have outlined over the past five months.

The two leading officers of the council were recently shown very many gardens and yards heaped high with rubbish and one even being used as a large metal scrap yard. It was also explained to the Chief. Exec. that this ‘scrap business’ often operates right through the night by floodlight and that engine oil from cars is swept down the road gutter onto derelict land. Associated fighting and appalling language emanating from this property plagues neighbours and semi-dismantled cars also litter the surrounding streets.

Alleyways, completely blocked and absolutely full of rubbish and debris were also highlighted during the chief. Exec’s visit, as was a telephone box standing in the middle of a demolition site which is almost impossible to access for phone calls but is reportedly used by unsavoury characters for drug dealing and other illicit purposes.

The visit only covered a small part of the ward and consequently leading officers only saw the very ‘tip of the iceberg’ in relation to anti-social issues affecting Cliftonville West.

TDC officers have also received a constant stream of correspondence from Cllrs. Aldred, Clark & Hart on these issues and many, many others since their re-election as the three district ward councillors in May. The ward councillors have been hit with a huge barrage of totally understandable complaints from extremely frustrated resident’s reference anti-social behaviour issues affecting Cliftonville West. These residents have been absolutely appalled at the apparent lack of action by TDC to deal with matters to date.

Through issues raised at their joint surgeries, at regular meetings with residents groups and through numerous individual complaints the ward councillors have let TDC know in no uncertain terms that the current situation in Cliftonville West in relation to anti-social behaviour is probably worse than ever and that any further delay in dealing with these serious issues would be absolutely disastrous.

Cllr. Clive Hart said
"Cllr. Aldred, Cllr. Clark and I are relieved that TDC is now finally taking some kind of action on these serious issues at long last.

However, any actions must be both swift and effective in order to counter the sad lack of confidence in TDC that has emerged amongst decent residents in our ward over the past months".

Good Educational Move - More Highways Misery?  22 September

Thanet Council has overwhelmingly agreed to the plan for Thanet College to relocate to a new site at Thanet Reach Westwood. Labour Cllrs welcomed this step up for our local residents who will benefit for more places and better facilities, however grave reservations in regard to what will happen to the already congested road network were also raised at Full Council by many members.

Leader of the Labour group Cllr R Nicholson said,
“I and the labour members welcome this move and the valued increase in Central Government spending on Further education. With the proposed increase in the school leaving age to 18 we have to be ready to ensure the courses and opportunities are there for everyone. However we are concerned with what amounts to nothing more than promises and doubtless finger crossing that our infrastructure can accommodate this move to the general Westwood area.
It cannot surely be right to say that Thanet College is responsible?
KCC have a duty to sort out this whole area and not just give vague answers to our questions.”

Northwood Cllrs also raised the concerns of local residents who already suffer from frequent gridlock. Cllr Nottingham spoke at Council with others to say,
“Already we have met with residents who are clearly concerned with this planned move. They are not against a better Thanet College but even now before a single brick has been laid they find sometimes they cannot get out of their own driveways because of the weight of traffic. We need to ensure a properly thought out travel plan is produced to deal with this whole question in the Westwood area.”

Cllr Nicholson went on to say,
“I and my labour colleagues asked that the travel plans promised in the Planning Application came back to members for comment. This was, I am sad to say, refused and we were told to trust all this to officers. Prior experience shows that we hold little confidence in what might emerge.

However, I can assure everyone that your labour members, especially the Northwood ones will do all they can to ensure a proper workable plan is put in place. We will not allow this to go away and be quietly forgotten, we fully support Thanet College’s plans but we need more certainty in the travel plan.”

Press blamed for TDC Housing Problems  21 September

In an extraordinary outburst at Thanet Council Meeting, Cllr Zita Wiltshire appeared to blame residents, ward councillor David Green and the local press for problems surrounding the Council’s High Rise block of flats.

In fact Cllr Wiltshire blamed everyone except her own policies for problems identified by residents including antisocial behaviour, lack of security and poor maintenance of the blocks.

The incident arose following a request by Labour Housing spokesperson Cllr. Michelle Fenner that concerns around the type of tenant allocated to the flats are examined with some urgency rather than the 3 year wait planned by Cllr Wiltshire.

Cllr. David Green said:
“Tenants themselves have identified poor security at the blocks together with allocation policy and failure to maintain tenancy agreements as the root causes of their problems.

Despite appeals over a number of months to Conservative cabinet members and in desperation to the Local Government Ombudsman TDC is failing to respond. The Tower Blocks amount to 10% of TDC’s housing stock; so to effectively ignore the problems of these tenants is extraordinary behaviour by Thanet’s biggest social landlord. Rent from the tower blocks amounts to approximately £1m per year into TDC’s coffers.

The tenants are wondering if they are getting value for money.”

Community Safety Downgraded.  21 September

Cllr Richard Nicholson, Leader of the Labour Group on Thanet District Council slammed the decision by the Conservative administration to amalgamate Community Safety with another portfolio at last night’s Full Council.

Cllr Nicholson said,
“I am shocked at this retrograde step. Crime and Disorder are at the top of most people’s agenda these days. This is a major policy area, which clearly deserves the full attention of a Cabinet member. Surely Cllr Ezekiel could have found someone in his group of Tories who could do a proper job, but evidently not!’

Just four months ago at the annual Council he was praising his team and saying how the old set up was the right one for Thanet and the new Council term.

Labour set before Thanet residents a programme, which had at its head the need for real action on anti social behaviour and crime. This was not just words but a promise to all residents that we listened loud and clear to them and would take this matter seriously. This we will continue to do, I still say Community safety deserves the efforts of both a dedicated members and the whole Council,

Labour will retain a dedicated Shadow member for this policy area. We have never subscribed to this type of promise one day but little action the next. Labour will continue to keep up the pressure on those who inflict so much misery on the vast majority.

Hurray for the Array!  31 August

The news that works on the London Array can now continue is welcome news and a great opportunity for Ramsgate and Thanet in general.

Cllr Iris Johnston Shadow Member for Economic Development said,
“I am delighted that we in Thanet now have the opportunity to be at the leading edge of the technology which will bring both economic and environmental benefits to our area.

I hope the Council can be successful in ensuring the construction works are based in Thanet and the Port of Ramsgate. This venture will provide up to 800 jobs for the 5 years of the works with another 100+ jobs in the long term for the servicing and maintenance of the Array and the other planned Wind Farms. I am also pleased that already discussions are taking place with the industry and training and educational providers, which will ensure we have the right skills in Thanet so ensuring most of the jobs created, will be for local people. Previous experiences of this type of project do show a large number of the jobs, in engineering and indeed maritime are local jobs for local people.

There is of course a long way to go before Ramsgate is finally successful but with all our support locally we can help to ensure locals, especially the young benefit with skilled and well paid jobs. It will take a lot of work by many different agencies but with willingness on all sides we can have an industry to be proud of.

I can also reassure everyone we will work to ensure the local environment is not neglected and in partnership with the team which finally develops this project to that important end.”

Westwood Cross to be sub regional Centre   31 August

Thanet Labour Councillors give a broad welcome to the Inspectors report on the proposed South East Plan.
Cllr Green said,
“The Government inspectors report on the south east plan broadly endorses the draft plan. Highlights for Thanet include the recommendation that Westwood Cross should be regarded a sub regional centre on a par with Canterbury, and that the corridor from Dover to Thanet be designated a "regional development spoke". This is official endorsement for two of the major developments that Labour support when last in office in Thanet.
The region is recommended an increase in housing from 48,000 to 53,000. Kent Tories and others are trying to portray this as a major threat to green belt and countryside. This is nonsense; Thanet for example is already building many more houses than required under the plan.
Disappointingly from our point of view, and for people on the housing list in Thanet, the panel accepted a lower figure in Thanet’s region of 30% for social housing than the Regional figure of 35%. We in the Labour Group will continue to press for every development to contribute to the chronic need for affordable housing in Thanet.”

Thanet Tories under pressure over Airport.  3 August

Last month, Cllr David Green supported by Cllr Alan Poole proposed that the Council review the controls of take offs and landings at the airport in view of breaches of the airport controls, and public reaction to the weekend training flights.

The Council’s Tory Cabinet responded to the proposal at its meeting last night, after hearing from Cllr David Green.

“ My reason for proposing a review was not because I am anti airport, but because I believe the best way to achieving support for the airport is through reasonable transparent controls. This has been achieved through an environment agreement (section 106). It is vitally important that the Council is seen to be upholding this agreement.

There is a Council Scrutiny report outstanding that makes proposals on improving the airport agreement that has sat gathering dust for over 18 months. I put forward my resolution as a way of reminding the Council of this.

I would also like the review to clear up rumours that regulations governing Training Flights at the Airport were relaxed in February of this year after secret consultations with the Council.”

It has also come to light at the Cabinet Meeting that the District Auditors Office has also asked for improvements in the Council’s procedures.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Richard Samuel conceded that:

A letter from the Auditors has said: “Council and officers have agreed to strengthen the arrangements for noise monitoring and fines through the use of an independent review of Infratil’s source data. This work will be completed by the East Kent Internal Audit Consortium and publicly reported through the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee.

In relation to night flight activity we have also identified arrangements in place to invoke the penalty tariff stipulated in the S106 agreement, and again the source data to support these penalties will be independently reviewed.

The Council has agreed that it will look to strengthen the links between its own Major Emergency Plan, those of other emergency responders and Infratil’s emergency arrangements that are required by the Civil Aviation Authority.

For the financial year 2006/07 we have found that all debts arising have been paid and the money collected arising from night flight fines has been correctly accounted for in the Statement of Accounts. The money retained by the Council on behalf of KIACC is correctly included as a liability in its year-end accounts.”

Tories Reject Tower Block Plea  3 August

The Thanet District Council Tory Housing Chief last night rejected resident’s plea for a review of the sorts of people allocated to the blocks. Last month, Cllr Michelle Fenner and Cllr David Green presented a petition to the Council:
"Council instructs the Cabinet Member for Housing to conduct an urgent review of Council's policy concerning allocations to High Rise flats. The review will include reference to the Council's obligations under aims of Supporting People programme and pay particular attention to the needs of families with young children, people with mental and physical disabilities, and the impact of housing people with known antisocial behaviour problems in such close proximity to other tenants."

Last night, Conservative Housing Cabinet Member, Zita Wiltshire, rejected the proposition.

Cllr David Green, Eastcliff ward councillor for Trove and Kennedy High rise blocks said:
“I supported this review of who the Council allocates to these blocks mainly because I see too often the effect unsuitable tenants can have on a whole block of normal decent families.

The Council does not appear to recognise that these are very special environments where people are forced to live very close together, with little space or recreational areas. I am extremely disappointed in Cllr Wiltshire, who came with me to a recent meeting of Trove and Kennedy residents and heard at first hand the problems in the flats.

Problems arise when the Council mixes elderly and very young tenants on the same floors, and when they allocate flats to people with known antisocial behaviour records including drug dealing and prostitution.

We also have problems caused by the allocation of tenants with physical and mental disabilities to these buildings. These were graphically illustrated during the resent flood that led to evacuation of Trove Court.

Cabinet recommended to Council that no action be taken at present in response to the motion on the grounds that work is already underway in the Council’s Corporate Plan that would lead to a review of lettings policy in 3 years time.

Cabinet recommend to full Council not to instruct the Cabinet member for housing to conduct an urgent review of the allocations policy for high-rise properties.

TDC Labour Group Leader Cllr. Richard Nicholson said
“The Tory refusal to review it’s lettings policy was a missed opportunity and blatantly failed to listen to the concerns of the many residents who suffer from the small minority who’s behaviour blights so many lives.

I asked the Cabinet to instigate a review right away and to extend this to not just high rise buildings but an across the board review. I and many other members are repeatedly asked to act on resident’s behalf because of anti social behaviour. It is high time the Council remembered it has a responsibility as a landlord to ensure the vast majority of tenants do not suffer continual nuisance.

There must be more done to ensure a better quality of life for all and enforcing the tenancy agreements on all would go a long way to ensure better behaviour. Despite this out of hand rejection I can ensure those suffering from anti social behaviour that I and my Labour colleagues will not give up or abandon the majority, we will fight this blight on society.”

The recommendation of Cabinet will be reported to the next meeting of the Full Council.

IMPARTIALITY PLEA WINS CROSS PARTY CONSENSUS  16 July

Political impartiality won the day at last Thursdays meeting of Thanet District Council.

In response to a recommendation by the leading Conservative Group that a working party of three Conservatives and two Labour councillors should review electoral matters in Thanet, Labour Deputy Leader Cllr. Clive Hart argued that complete political impartiality should be observed.

Cllr. Hart then tabled an amendment asking that the working party to examine electoral matters should consist of two Conservative members, two Labour members and two Independent members.

A short debate ensued where Conservative cabinet member Cllr. Gideon argued that Conservative members were the ones who should run both the scrutiny function and the electoral matters working party.

However, in the end common sense prevailed and the vast majority of members from all parties backed the Labour amendment, with just a small group of Tories voting against.

Cllr. Hart said
'I'm pleased our amendment was successful. It is very important that local residents have confidence in a body that will review electoral matters and the way to encourage that is to form a group that is clearly impartial'.

No Pause for Thought.  13 June

The ruling Tory Group on Thanet District Council declined the opportunity to delay finalising the Corporate Plan last night when they voted against an amendment to do so put by the Labour Group.

Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Richard Nicholson said,
"My colleagues and I are disappointed that the Tories chose to plough on and ratify what can only be described as a partly complete Corporate Plan. We tried to make it clear that we were not seeking in any way to delay this plan; in fact much of it we can agree with but it is deficient in details, targets and misses out in important policies.

In our (Labour) mind it is weak on environmental issues, which are now at the forefront of residents concerns. TDC should be leading on green issues and must become more proactive in this policy area. This is a fact picked up by the Audit Commission in the recent CPA report. Also on Housing we are extremely concerned by the lack of ambition to tackle the ever-increasing waiting list. No matter who we prioritise, if there are no homes it doesn’t matter. I am only glad in national terms housing is rightly back up in the Government’s thinking.

My Labour group were and remain willing to work with all in the Council to drive forward this plan but we were unable to support it in this partial state. Many of those voting for the Council to spend substantially more of taxpayers Council Tax did not know on what. In fact a great deal of it will now be spent on consultants and bureaucracy.

Over the coming weeks and months we will endeavour on all resident’s behalf to ensure a more beneficial and detailed corporate plan evolves. As usual the devil is in the detail and within this document there are some radical and far-reaching proposals.

Labour members will ensure everyone is properly informed."

Council ‘limps’ to improvement.  13 June

The latest CPA assessment has concluded that Thanet District Council should move up to the “fair” grade. Despite 3 years of work and valuable resources moved from other vital front line services, the Council only just made the new grade.

Cllr Richard Nicholson, Leader of the labour group said,
"I know there is some improvement and for this the staff are congratulated. However the plain fact is much more needs to be done. Whilst TDC has improved this is below the average improvement achieved by other councils nationally.
My labour colleagues and I are disappointed in several key areas:

The report clearly indicates the problems of Scrutiny but the Tories have taken this as their justification to take control of the Scrutiny function and reduce its scope. This will go nowhere in dealing with the failure of scrutiny which was down to no resources or staff and the reluctance of Tories to question their colleagues decisions in the main. The CPA report also talks about the failure of this administration to listen to the many complaints it receives from residents about many subjects. This failure to listen means no proper actions have been taken to deal with failing services. They also criticise the lack of ’robust challenge’ from members, this again is due to the administration choosing to ignore other members concerns.

Another area vital to many residents is the lack of co-ordination within the Council on anti social behaviour. Whilst others and I have raised these concerns it has been impossible to get the right people to act accordingly to end departments with the Council and even sections within departments failing to work together.

Finally it is incredible that in today’s political climate where the environment is at the top of the agenda to read the Local Agenda 21 strategy was quickly ’ignored’ after May 2003 by the Tories. TDC does not wish to deal with this matter in the words of the CPA. Time after time we hear empty rhetoric from the Tories about the environment but little or no actions or policies. Labour calls on the Council to actually step up the effort on the environment.

Labour members will seek to ensure this report is a ‘spring board’ for TDC to implement changes to address the many shortfalls found and improve the quality of life for Thanet residents. The Council have many good staff who need good political leadership, rather than the dithering and half written policies highlighted by the Audit Commission over the past four years."

HISTORIC DOCUMENT IS BACK IN CLIFTONVILLE  31 May

A 60-year-old souvenir programme for the 46th ‘annual demonstration’ of the Labour Party held at the Lido on 25th May 1947 is back in Cliftonville thanks to a generous elderly gentleman. The programme is signed by Emanuel Shinwell MP who addressed the 46th meeting along with parliamentary colleagues Harold Laski, Edith Summerskill and Herbert Morrison.

Local District and County councillor Clive Hart said:
"The gentleman who passed me the historic programme is a very private person who doesn’t want to be named, but after several wonderful conversations with him I can say he is from the North of England and that he was present at the meeting in 1947. His main concern was that the document should be kept somewhere its historical significance would be appreciated. At Cliftonville Labour we are therefore having it framed and hung in our spanking new offices in Northdown Road, just a few hundred yards from where the original meeting took place all those years ago."

Labour Group Shadow Cabinet  29 May

Cllr R Nicholson, Leader of the Labour Group on Thanet District Council announced the Shadow Cabinet for 2007/8.

Cllr Richard Nicholson - Leader of Opposition

Cllr Clive Hart - Deputy Leader of Opposition

Cllr Elizabeth Green - Commercial & Development Services

Cllr Iris Johnston - Economy & Culture

Cllr Mike Harrison - Community Safety

Cllr John Watkins - Health & Communities

Cllr David Green - Finance, Improvement & Performance

Cllr Nicholson said,
" I have an experienced and dedicated group of members who will work to ensure the emerging Corporate Plan is implemented in a way which will benefit all residents of Thanet. We will all be working to make sure everyone's views and voices are heard and listened to. We will all be working with the ruling group and officers to the benefit of all in Thanet."

THANET JTB U-TURN  20 May

In an incredible u-turn the Conservative administration at TDC has been forced to reinstate the Thanet Joint Transport Board.

The Conservatives scrapped the JTB two years ago despite robust complaints from local Labour district and county members.

At the last meeting of the Thanet JTB furious Labour members explained that it was the only forum where democratically elected district councillors had any influence over local highways issues. They argued that every other district council had a JTB to enable district and county members to come together and use their local knowledge to help with highways matters across their districts.

At that same meeting highways officers themselves confirmed that the local knowledge of district members was indeed invaluable when making their decisions on issues affecting Thanet and in assessing local priorities.

Despite these protestations Conservative members insisted that the Thanet JTB was a waste of time, money and resources.

Now, in a complete u-turn, the Conservatives have decided to reinstate the Thanet JTB.

TDC Labour Group Deputy Leader Cllr. Clive Hart said,
‘after two years we will at last have some local influence into Thanet’s highways restored to our local district members. The decision to scrap the Thanet JTB was a penny-pinching move by the Conservative administration to save a small amount of money, which left Thanet without a say on local highways issues. The irony of the situation is that some of those same Conservatives who condemned the JTB at its very last meeting were welcoming its return at last Thursdays council meeting.

Even more outrageously, one of those who verbally trashed the JTB at its last meeting will be its chairman when it finally returns’.

Not Me Guv!  23 April

At the last Full Council of the outgoing Tory administration we were treated to a display of blaming others. This was especially true in relation to the Theatre Royal and the petition presented.

When finally the Council had accepted this petition, it was presented last Thursday by one of the “locked out” and redundant staff. At the end members showed their appreciation except for the Tories who sat with folded arms and stony expressions.

In the debate that followed we were entertained by a display of ‘it’s everyone else’s fault’ and pantomime antics by the Tories who would in one sentence say this was nothing to do with us, then in the next try to take credit for taking ‘hard decisions’.

No rational explanation was given to the status of the staff and volunteers made redundant, no apology or explanation as to who locked out the departing staff even though the Council is the landlord!

The Tories ignored the fact that the Theatre Royal already had a full and successful ‘community programme’, which makes a mockery of one of the reasons given to close the theatre for most of the year.

Finally the Labour members could not get any answers on how under this new plan the Theatre Royal can survive after four or five years with so much funding coming to an end by then.

It was an evening of ‘not down to me Guv’ from this Tory shambles.

Broken Promises  6 April

The Tory administration running Thanet district Council once again ignored reason and public concerns when they agreed to extra housing being allowed at the Westwood site.

Just 6 months after adopting the new local plan the Tories are allowing developers to build extra housing above the 1000 units consulted and agreed upon previously. They also agreed the commercial development site and community facilities, if they did not go ahead, could become more housing.

Leader of the Labour group Cllr Richard Nicholson said, “This housing development has been in the public domain since the start of the decade and it is true that lately it has raised public concern. Now at this stage these concerns, many valid, are just ignored by the Tories. Also this has been the first time more than the 1000 homes have been mentioned. My labour colleagues and I tried to keep this to the previously agreed figure, there is no justification for any more but the Tories did not want to know.

We also had before us a draft section 106 agreement that had more holes in it that a piece of Swiss cheese. We asked that this agreement be firmed up before we agreed to the application before us but again this was refused. Worryingly there appears to be a new Tory policy emerging where residents are to be subjected to a “service charge” for upkeep of public open spaces. This will mean paying twice for this service already charged for by the Council, are we seeing the beginning of a Tory “privatised Council tax”?

The whole site is too dense with some buildings up to 6 floors in height and many 4 floors, this is too high. Also the pollution from the roads will be very great and detrimental to health. I also asked about provision of what is “mobility homes” which are homes built which can be easily adapted, if and when needed, in the future for the elderly or disabled to remain in their homes. Over 1000 units and not one mobility home, it is typical of the Tories to ignore the disabled again.”

The matter of the much anticipated road solutions for this general area, Labour County Councillors were advised by TDC officers not to speak at the meeting for legal reasons, but other Labour members were able to speak on their behalf. Cllrs Clive Hart and Elizabeth Green have and continue to argue for a better highway solution, which will not cut directly through a new housing development. There is concern over the safety of residents; the health of those living there and the lost opportunity to help the traffic flows around the Westwood area in general.

However KCC are making one promise another traffic master plan!

The road to traffic hell in Thanet is paved with these continual master plans. We just wish they would actually do something.

Minister Talks to Local Business Community  28 Febuary

Local MP invited Stephen Timms, MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury to meet this week with members of the local business community about future government spending.

In 2005-06 the Government spent £524 billion, accounting for 42% of the UK economy, which is an average of £8720 for every man, woman and child.

The Government is currently preparing the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, assessing what investments and reforms are needed in the UK’s public services in order to meet the challenges and opportunities of the decade ahead. Stephen Timms first met with members of the local business community at a breakfast meeting at the Atlantis Bar, Ramsgate. He later met with other members of the public at Albion House.

Stephen Ladyman said,
“I am pleased that local people have had the chance to put their views to Stephen Timms who will take them back to the Treasury. Important issues were raised about the economic future of Thanet and it is important we can feed these views in at the highest level.”

Over £8.5 million extra Government Funding to encourage business growth in the Kent  28 Febuary

Thanet has been awarded £1.3M extra funding amongst 9 Local authorities in Kent which are to be awarded more than £8.5 million for encouraging business growth, Local Government Minister Phil Woolas and Treasury Minister John Healey have announced.

The Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme (LABGI) sees councils who have encouraged business growth in their area receiving an un-ring-fenced reward from Government. This is the second year of a three year scheme

Thanet has benefited largely from the growth of Westwood Cross Shopping Centre.
LABGI ensures every local authority has a direct financial incentive and reward to do more to promote enterprise, employment and the growth of local businesses.
As in year one, LABGI grant is entirely additional to the local government finance settlement and local authorities are free to spend the grant as they wish.

Cllr David Green, Labour spokesperson for Economic Development comments:
“It is ironic that the Thanet Tory administration has benefited from this £1.3M windfall from the Government, that has largely arisen due to extra business rates paid by Westwood Cross. It was the last Labour administration that agreed the Westwood development against fierce opposition from Kent Tories.
At last weeks Thanet Budget meeting the Tories were heavily criticized for using the windfall to fill a black hole in their Council Budget, largely arising through failure to control staff costs. Labour believes this money should be reinvested to promote business growth leading to more employment.“

Breakdown by Local Authority in the South East:
Receiving authority area LABGI payment
     
Canterbury       £1,406,967
Gravesham      £40
Kent       £2,715,585
Maidstone       £1,418,174
Medway      £571,418
Swale       £92,933
Thanet       £1,342,132
Tonbridge and Malling      £197,517
Tunbridge Wells      £431,554

HOOT “Hands Off Our Tennis”  28 Febuary

“HOOT” was formed at a public meeting on the 22nd of February attended by over 100 residents angered by TDC’s plans to sell off the tennis courts and adjacent land in Montefiore Avenue for property development. The photo shows committee members at their inaugural meeting with their local councillors; Michelle Fenner and Alan Poole.



•     The plans were only revealed 6 days before the council cabinet meeting at which the decision to sell was rushed through. The hastily prepared residents’ petition containing 350 names was angrily rejected at the meeting by council leader Mr Ezekial.

•     These tennis courts have served the community for over 70 years after the land was donated to the people of Ramsgate in the 1930’s.

•     The decision to sell is seen as the culmination of a concerted series of actions by TDC to minimise the use of this site over the last few years in particular shutting the courts for over half the year and removing nets.

•     TDC have adopted a 30% lower standard of provision than is the recognised national standard to justify the claim that these courts are surplus. This is despite the fact that Tennis ranks in the top 10 of leisure activities ahead of Squash, Badminton, Rugby and Cricket in a survey conducted by the SE Sports Council.

•     The closure of this sports ground conflicts directly with Government planning policy objectives on the provision of sport and recreation facilities and undermines efforts to improve the fitness of the population and encourage healthier lifestyles.

•     The Montefiore Avenue tennis courts are the only tennis courts between the centres of Broadstairs and Ramsgate. They are well served by the new coastal cycle routes and existing public footpaths. Located in a safe green enclave close to the park and joining onto the “Birds Bees and Butterflies wildlife habitat” being created at Holy Trinity School, they serve a large and rapidly expanding area containing many new dwellings with an above average proportion of young families.

•     The decision to proceed with this sale is a blow to local schools that use this facility and a wake up call to all sports clubs in the area. This is likely to be only the first of many attempts to sell off council sports facilities for property speculation.

Residents & Councillors Win 1st Battle of King George VIth Park.

DECISION TO SELL A PART OF KING GEORGE VIth PARK, RAMSGATE IS OVERTURNED   23 Febuary

Over 100 residents from the Dumpton area of Ramsgate met with their Ward Councillors (Cllr. Michelle Fenner and Cllr. Alan Poole) last night at Albion House.

Cllr. Michelle Fenner was delighted to inform them that the campaign they had led together with the local residents had forced Cllr. Ezekiel and Cllr. Kirby to withdraw the intended sale of a part of the park.

She was dismayed that, yet again, Cllr. Ezekiel and his administration had not had the courtesy to inform the Ward Councillors (herself and Cllr. Alan Poole) of their U-turn. “I had to be informed of the decision by a phone call from the local press!”

Cllr. Alan Poole pointed out that the sale of the tennis courts and putting green area on Montefiore Avenue was still on the cards and that we needed to pursue the campaign.

An action committee was formed comprising some residents and Cllrs. Fenner and Poole. This committee will organise the campaign to save this valuable recreational facility and force the current Tory administration at TDC to reconsider their decision, which goes against public opinion, judging by the number of signatures on the petition, and against the green wedge policy in the Local Plan. At last night's meeting there was unanimous support to save these valuable leisure assets.

Cllr fenner went on to say,
"We were delighted by the levels of support for the campaign to save this piece of public open space, all in Thanet need more of these facilities not less."

The campaign is called HOOTS (Hands Off Our Tennis courts).

More Cuts to Essential Services.  23 Febuary

At Full Council the Tory administration pushed through another series of tax rises and cuts to essential services whilst still failing to deal with the underlying economic problems faced by the Council.
Despite the fact that Thanet gets the highest Revenue Support grant in Kent and has received a 30% increase in real terms under the labour Government, the continuing Tory failure to get any proper grasp on the local finances meant that at Full Council the Tory administration voted for:
•     Another reduction in the Leisure Grant.
•     A Community Warden post cut.
•     A cut in the Environmental Action programme.
•     Discretionary grants cut.
•     Fees and Charges further increased beyond the original proposals.
•     A massive reduction in the budget set for repairs and maintenance of Council property.
•     The use of the Local Authority Business growth incentive scheme (LABGI) to temporarily plug the hole in the revenue budget instead of using this extra money from the labour government to improve our island.
And these were just some of the headline cuts, there are many more hidden away deep inside the budget.
Cllr Dennis Hart, Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance said, “ I pointed out in the strongest of terms the use of the LABGI money was to build up the area’s economic prosperity with extra investment which should attract more economic development and growth in much needed jobs. It has been all too obvious that there has been a singular lack of further growth in jobs. The growth over the last four years are all the result of the economic policies of the previous Labour Administration. The overall Budget is a stop gap measure which singularly fails to deal with the core problems facing Thanet.”
Underlying all these financial failures is one central fact. The income Thanet is getting from the Revenue Support grant and thee high Council tax increase still does not even match the cost next year of the rise in staff salaries at the Council.
Cllr R Nicholson Leader of the Labour group went on to say, “I pointed out this fact but got little response except derision from an administration which cares nothing for those who struggle to pay their Council Tax. The Tories claim to be a “Cleaner, greener, safer” Council but the reality is they cut the very services held so vital to many residents whilst allowing staff numbers to keep on rising. The ‘gap’ in ability to pay the staff will continue if the Tory policy of doing nothing continues and residents will face even greater cuts to service coupled with Council Tax rises. It is now time to throw this inept bunch out of office and replace it with a labour Administration which actually cares for what people want, listens and takes notice of them and will grasp the nettle and get our local finances back on track. Then again Thanet can move forward by providing the social, economic and environmental policies we all need to prosper.”
This years council tax rise means over the last four years the average the tax payer has had to find is 50%more, at over 4.5% higher than the average 3% achieved by the previous Labour Administration.


STEPHEN LADYMAN MP WELCOMES NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR CARERS  22 Febuary

Stephen Ladyman MP today welcomed a multi-million pound package of support for carers unveiled today by Ivan Lewis, Minister for Care Services.

The Government's New Deal for Carers includes a range of measures designed to recognise the essential work that carers carry out across the country, including:

- £25 million to be spent on providing short-term home based respite care for carers in crisis or emergency situations in every council;
- £3 million towards the establishment of a national helpline for carers;
- a wide ranging review of the 1999 national carers strategy;
- £5 million to support the development of an expert carers programme.

Steve Ladyman MP said
"Millions of people in this country are hidden heroes who keep families together through their support and devotion. The carers in my South Thanet constituency often provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking on that precious role that enables a friend or family member to stay at home and live with the dignity, independence and security the rest of us take for granted. Carers are so important for South Thanet

"This army of carers who are dedicated to their families do not want to give away their responsibilities. Equally, they want Government and local services on their side ensuring the necessary care and support is available to maintain their family's quality of life. This is why I am delighted that the government is taking action to really help improve their lives.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown said:
"Every one of the carers I have met is an inspiration and refutes a wide spread cynicism that in today's society selfishness matters more than service to others. And having listened to their stories and the challenges they face, I know we must and will do more in the years to come to help. That is why today we are announcing the most far-reaching national consultation ever on the future of carers, to encourage the fullest engagement of the very people who would benefit most."


TOO EASY TO HELP YOUNGSTERS IN THANET
SO TORIES SUBSIDISE THE POSH KIDS INSTEAD  22 Febuary

It might have been 'too easy' to include Thanet as one of the three Pilot Schemes giving free travel to 11 - 16 year old students in Kent. This was an excuse given to Cabinet Scrutiny members at KCC in Maidstone yesterday.

Instead, the scheme will now be piloted in areas that include twenty private schools across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury.

When asked by Margate & Cliftonville County Councillor Clive Hart why an area like Thanet with its high indices of deprivation and very clear geographical boundaries was not used for the pilot scheme the Conservative Cabinet Member Cllr. Keith Ferrin said it would not be a good pilot if we chose easy areas to trial the scheme.

Cllr. Clive Hart worked for several months as part of the Select Committee on Home to School Transport that proposed free travel for all 11-16 year olds across Kent and he believes it to be a brilliant initiative. However, he is incensed by the crass Conservative Cabinet decision to pilot the scheme in predominantly wealthy areas of the County.

Cllr. Clive Hart said
"Since my election as a County Member I have constantly argued against past KCC decisions, which have left us with no mainstream secondary schools in my County Division. Our children here in Margate & Cliftonville, often from very poor families, have to send their children on the daily trek to schools on the other side of Thanet. As a result we suffer not just a weaker sense of community amongst our youngsters here in Margate but terrible traffic congestion at peak times across the rest of Thanet. The decision to have a two year pilot scheme giving free travel to youngsters in predominantly wealthy areas is absolutely appalling".

MARGATE TOWN COUNCIL  9 February

Margate Central councillor John Watkins will this week step-up his campaign for a Margate Town Council following his verbal request at last weeks meeting of TDC.

Broadstairs has a town council and Ramsgate has recently applied for one. Birchington, Cliffsend and Manston also have Parish councils.

Last weeks extra-ordinary meeting of TDC put forward proposals which will deprive Margate of a local influence if the changes go ahead without Margate having a town council.

Margate & Cliftonville County Councillor Clive Hart backs the campaign, he said.
"I fully support Cllr. Watkins campaign. As a county member I have seen at first hand the close working relationship that has developed between KCC and Parish/Town councils, particularly in relation to highways issues. In Margate & Cliftonville we have no town council and our influence is therefore diminished. I do everything I can as a County Member but I would welcome the support of a Town Council on many local issues".

TURNER CONTEMPORARY  5 Febuary

During a discussion on the Draft Budget for Kent County Council on Friday 2nd February, Margate & Cliftonville County Councillor Clive Hart asked the following question of Conservative Finance Portfolio Holder Cllr. Nick Chard:

"Mr. Chard, earlier in this meeting you made the very valid point that much more accurate planning of capital projects, especially in relation to timing was needed."

At a previous meeting of this Scrutiny Committee following the failure of the original Turner Contemporary scheme I asked for better local involvement with any future land based gallery for Margate. As a result of that request a public meeting was held at the Winter Gardens in Margate where the KCC leader gave a categorical assurance - over and over again, that the new Turner project would be built by 2009 and that it would be built within a £15 million budget. We have recently been informed that Turner 2 will not now be completed until 2010 but in relation to this meeting why does it say in the draft budget in front of us that the new estimate is now £17.4 million?"

In reply Cllr. Chard helpfully clarified matters saying the words "I understand Mr. Carter's actual words at that public meeting were - £15 million, not a penny more'. However, Mr. Chard then went on to explain that it was unfortunate that 'inflation' and 'some other factors' had not been taken into account."

Cllr. Hart said angrily "I'm extremely concerned for Margate where these changes and delays are having a disastrous effect on the Town. At a Thanet Local Board meeting long before the failure of the first Turner project I warned that if KCC did not get control of this scheme the very worst scenario would be abandonment of the project. Here we are a year on and the same thing is happening all over again. The people I represent desperately need assurance - so I ask you, if costs continue to spiral, at what point will KCC pull the plug on this project too?"

Cllr. Chard said he did not agree that the first project had got completely out of control using the words 'we always had an element of control' and he would not be drawn on the matter of an upper budget limit saying only that he saw no reason why the project should not be a success.

Other members of the committee asked similar questions about possible spiralling costs and in the end the KCC Director of Finance came to Cllr. Chard's rescue saying "We are relatively confident that the project can be delivered within the £17.4 million budget." When then asked how confident? She replied "we're as confident as we can be."

Conservative councillor Peter Lake then informed the committee that he was sure that progress on the project was being made and that he understood the Communities Policy Overview Committee would be meeting in Margate on 15th May where this would hopefully be outlined.

During the meeting the Scrutiny Chairman - Cllr. Mike Eddy also asked the Finance Directorate to produce a 'briefing note' for the Committee on the current situation with the Turner Contemporary project and it was agreed that this would follow shortly.

Following the meeting Cllr. Clive Hart said,
"During my past two years as a County Councillor I have had a constant battle trying to get KCC to involve local people in the Turner Contemporary project and just look at the results of their resistance.

One clear example of this is the total neglect by KCC of the Margate Central District Ward Councillor John Watkins. Despite being a locally elected representative and an experienced lifeboatman in Margate who understands Margate harbour like the back of his hand, no one at KCC has even thought to ask his opinion on any matter so far and just look at the consequences.

Conversely, the man making many of the key decisions on this project is the Conservative Cabinet Member for Communities, all the way from Tenterden.
This issue goes right to the heart of the debate on the future of local government and is yet another example of the two tier system that TDC Conservative leader Cllr. Ezekiel is so keen to keep in place for Thanet residents.

I ask you, do we want local people to decide on local issues like this or do we want to be told what's good for us by people from the other side of Kent?"

Sold out by the Tories.  25 January

Despite the best efforts and warnings from the Labour members at Full Council, the ruling Tories agreed to commit Thanet to even more control by Kent County Council.

The new Local Government White Paper makes it clear that unless local government decides to switch to either Unitary status or a Pathfinder authority then better two tier working arrangements had to be brought forward. However last night Thanet residents were, by the District Council, committed to a plan imposed by KCC. This will mean an uncertain future for accountability and political oversight.

Leader of the Labour group, Cllr Richard Nicholson said,
"We are not against closer working with our neighbours in the right policy areas when this would be to the benefit of local residents. However last night we were being dragooned into committing to a programme of which there was no idea how the current levels of political accountability would be maintained, nor was there any financial information on which to judge this matter. Also there will be little if any public consultation on this issue, the Tories labelled consultation meaningless on this issue as meaningless last night. In fact Thanet Tories are trying to have all these very important changes tied up and agreed by late Summer this year!"

Cllr Iris Johnston, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group went on to say,
"I and othe labour members reminded Council that joint working had been going on since 2001. This type of practice should continue and yes perhaps expand but in a carefully thought out way to ensure better services for local residents. But last night the recommendations in front of us went much further with commitments and the Leader of the Council being given the authority to 'formally' sign up to all this on all our behalves, this I could not support."

Labour will continue on all of Thanet's behalf to do what it can to ensure any changes are both benefical and democratic. Where this is found we will support such measures but also ensure these are done in an open and public manner. Not like the previous 'behind closed doors' meetings which led to all this on Wednesday evening

GOOD RESULTS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS  10 January

It has this week been announced that two schools in the South Thanet constituency are among the 5% most effective in the country.

The Marlowe Academy and The Sandwich Technology School have both performed to a level that has put them in the top 5% nationally by Contextual Value Added (CVA) measures.

Local MP Stephen Ladyman said,
"This announcement is great news for two local schools that have worked really hard, the CVA measures ensure that all aspects of school life and structures are taken into account and we are moving away from schools being judged purely on exam results. It's great to know that 2 such effective schools are in my patch and I want to be the first to congratulate the staff".

Value added (VA) measures were introduced into the secondary Achievement and Attainment Tables in 2002, to give a better and fairer measure of school effectiveness than raw results alone. VA allows meaningful comparisons to be made between schools with different intakes, by taking into account prior attainment, the biggest single predictor of pupil results.

However, a number of other factors which are outside a school's control, such as gender, mobility and levels of deprivation, have also been observed to impact on pupil results, even after allowing for prior attainment. CVA goes a step further than the current VA measures by taking these factors into account. This allows us to reflect more realistically and therefore more fairly, the impact each school makes considering the particular circumstances of its intake. As with existing VA, CVA produces a single measure which can be used when comparing schools against the national average, or against each other.

CONCERN FOR MARGATE HARBOUR  15 December

At their meeting on Tuesday evening, the TDC Cabinet agreed spend £50k on a consultant's Project Approval Report (PAR), which will be submitted to the Department of the Environment in order to apply for £2.5 million in government money from the flood defence and coastal protection fund. This will be for a scheme for the Repair and Strengthening of Margate's Harbour Arm. If approved, the repairs would then commence in 2009.

Margate Central Councillor John Watkins, told the meeting that local councillors and residents had been calling for this refurbishment since an earlier consultant's report in 2004 recommended the Remediation and Strengthening of the grade 2 listed stone arm.

Councillor Watkins said "the harbour arm will now have to withstand at least another three winters, whilst we all hope that there is not another major storm like the town saw in 1953, 1971, 1978 and 1987.

The harbour wall should be repaired and the sluice gate opened up as soon as possible, before the harbour silts up completely. We would then see the end of the big stink in the summer months and perhaps even have a much-needed new public toilet block built on the wall.

We have been asking for this since 2004, but now find that it will be at least another 3 years before we see some positive action to safeguard Margate Old Town from flooding, and at the same time bring some life back into our sadly neglected harbour".

Note. Margate Harbour arm was built between 1810 and 1815.
The 2004 Whitby Bird report concluded that the effects of sea level rise due to climate change, plus the isocratic subsidence of the South East of England, together with the continued deterioration of the structural integrity of the Harbour arm, significantly increases the risk of flooding to the seafront and low lying areas in the Old Town.

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