Eastcliff Matters

Boundary Park Lighting

2009-08-23T15:49:00.002+01:00

A scheme for lighting Boundary Park has been submitted to the Government's Community Cashback scheme for possible funding. To succeed, it needs as many votes on line as possible.

You can help by going to

http://cashback.cjsonline.gov.uk/cc.asp?area=19&mode=vote

and casting a vote.

Boundary Park lighting project
Project type:
Crime reduction / Community safety

Description:
The issue of the MUGA and the lighting has been on the PACT priorities in Eastcliff for sometime. The MUGA went in as part of a community project but the lighting was not done. The MUGA is a good community project aimed to divert kids into positive activities but the lack of lighting has resulted in an increase of anti social behaviour, and the facility being viewed locally as a negative project.

Lighting will encourage the right use of the facility, reduce the opportunity of being anti-social as well as assist in the detection of such behaviour. This has been a PACT Priority for some time and would be a very positive action for the Eastcliff ward. This will also be a large, visible, one off project as this is a very large and popular park.

Location:
Boundary Park, Ramsgate, Kent.

Ramsgate Town Council

2009-07-10T04:31:00.004+01:00

Ramsgate Town Council – First 30 Days - Mayor's report for June 09

It’s been a good month for Ramsgate, starting with the inaugural meeting of the new Council, and ending with a hugely successful “Ramsgate Rocks”, the two day family entertainment event, organised by the Ramsgate Town Partnership. The Council itself has been occupied with the formalities of electing working committees etc.

There has been plenty of good news for Ramsgate during the month, including the reopening of Harvey’s on Harbour Parade as the Fish Market and Oyster Bar, and the announcement that 99p Stores will be opening in the old Woolworths building in the High Street.

The reopening of Ramsgate Maritime Museum on Saturday under the stewardship of the Steam Museum Trust is very welcome. It follows much hard work and good will from the Trust, Thanet Council, District and County Councillors, and many others who supported the campaign to retain the Museum. The early announcement that work is to start immediately on the restoration of the Cervia Tug in the Marina Dry Dock is very encouraging.

During the month, I have represented the Town at:

The Annual Triangle awards ceremony, an inspirational event, held at the Winter Gardens, to recognise the many achievements of young people in Thanet and Dover.

The opening of the new Harvey’s restaurant. For those who like seafood, certainly adds to Ramsgate’s expanding range of restaurants.

Raising the standard in Margate to mark Armed Forces day. This was a national day of commemoration, Ramsgate organisations certainly turned out in force to represent the town.

A recital by Thanet Choral Society at the Marlowe Academy. An enjoyable evening with a very enthusiastic group. Was impressed by the facilities at the Marlowe.

The civic service and blessing of the fishing boats at Folkstone. Was able to meet mayors from many local towns and gain good advice concerning many aspects of creating a successful Town Council.

St Lawrence Junior School speech day.

Opening of Ramsgate Rocks, Two day family entertainment. My thanks to Ramsgate Town Partnership and main sponsor, Farleys of Chatham Street for the event,

I have had useful and interesting discussions with:

Mr Dexter, clerk to Broadstairs Town Council
Mr Wilkinson, chair of Ramsgate Town Carnival Committee
Mr List Brain. Chair of Preston Steam Museum Trust
Mr Seed, Thanet District Council Director for cleansing, parks and seashore.

Maritime Museum to Reopen this Weekend!

2009-07-02T19:08:00.001+01:00

I don’t want to be prematurely optimistic, but it looks as though Thanet Council have finally realised what an enormous and unnecessary “own goal” the closure of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum has been.
Since the closure, Ramsgate and Broadstairs residents have, through the petition organised by Ramsgate Councillors, and through letters and phone calls, let the Council know what they think of the decision.
The Council have been fortunate that the Preston Steam Trust have been able to pick up where the EKMT have failed, and promise a future for the Museum. This seems to have triggered a “save our museums” campaign in the Gazette Newspaper, perhaps motivated more by the plight of Margate Museum, future still unknown.
Most recently we were informed that Council “red tape” and protocols were frustrating an early reopening of the Ramsgate Museum in time for the Summer Season when there are visitors in the town.
Cllr John Watkins, a volunteer worker for the EKMT and skipper of the “Sundowner” vessel, has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to overcome the difficulties.
It now seems that with good will on all sides, including the Preston Steam Trust, TDC, myself as Ramsgate Mayor, and Cllr Elizabeth Green as Ramsgate County Councillor, we may well see the Museum open for Ramsgate’s own “big event” Ramsgate Rocks.
If so, I would like to thank John personally, and thank the many people of Ramsgate that have supported the campaign to keep Ramsgate’s Museum and retain the historic clock house for public use.

Garden Grabbing - Times Newspaper

2009-06-24T17:55:00.001+01:00

The Times newspaper has an interesting report on the Lilybrook Development in Pegwell (below).
I know the local Tories are desperate to blame government policy for garden grabbing, but the truth is somewhat more complicated as the article points out. We do need more housing, there is only so much purely brown field land available. Thanet Tories have been in charge of the Local Development Plan for several years now but have not tackled the issue. THere is no policy locally because of this.
A case of hypocrisy?

"Garden-grabbing has become a major policy issue in areas where homeowners are particularly susceptible to approaches. Last month a Private Members’ Bill by the Labour MP Andrew Dismore was the latest of at least four Bills in recent years aimed at banning the practice — none of the Bills have become law. The lure of cash on offer from opportunistic developers is dividing local communities — some neighbours are accepting the money, some aren’t and do not want their neighbours to either.
Related Links
What the main political parties say about housing policy
The effect of this is clear in Pegwell, near Ramsgate, Kent, where Thanet District Council identified the extensive gardens of two houses as a potential two acre-plus development site. Current policies allow land agents to approach owners of properties near designated development land asking if they would be interested in selling. The result in Kent was that four householders expressed an interest, leading to suggestions that up to 40 houses might be built on the combined site, and a row that set neighbour against neighbour.
David Pownceby, the developer of the scheme in Pegwell, is dismayed by the label of garden-grabber. He was under the impression that the local council wanted to provide higher density housing on every site to meet targets. However, proposals for high-density housing schemes are now being rejected by elected council members. His company, Lilybrook Developments, bought the designated housing site, then faced a protracted dispute about what sort of housing would be suitable.
His latest scheme, which is subject to consideration. comprises 14 three-storey £450,000 houses — a far cry from the council’s idea of providing a mixed development that would include affordable homes and far fewer than the 40 originally planned. “We were told we couldn’t go below 40 houses, then it was 30 houses, then we settled on 26, nine of them as affordable homes. Now we’re down to 14, none of them designated as low-cost,” he says. “It is an example of how planning policies need a complete overhaul.”
Simon Thomas, senior planning officer for Thanet District Council, says that the council was under pressure to identify development land: “According to the government plan, there is a requirement for 7,500 additional homes in Thanet.” However, councils are also obliged to ensure that new developments are not so dense that they are considered over-crowded. Guidelines state that builders should aim for 30 dwellings per hectare. Marion Pearce, a local resident, has led a ferocious campaign against the Lilybrook development. “These were lovely gardens, sacred little spaces that have been lost for ever,” she says. “Even now, I wouldn’t be surprised if these 14 three-storey units turn into flats.”
The Government maintains that most new developments are on former industrial sites. However, the Communities and Local Government department has embarked on an investigation to find out how much development on land that was formerly gardens is being approved.
Garden Grabbers?? Surely it is the greedy home-owners selling to developers at inflated prices that are the ones to be looked down on. Neighbours often get their heads together and approach a developer but it is always the developer that gets blamed as being the greedy one. "

Carter to speak to KIACC

2009-06-22T11:34:00.002+01:00

Leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter will be speaking to the Airport Consulative committee. This is an important opportunity to let him know abouit any concerns regarding Kent policy towards the airport. Full agenda below:

Kent International Airport Consultative Committee
Friday 26 June 2009 at 7.00pm.

Kent International Airport

AGENDA
1. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks – Paul Twyman
2. Apologies for absence: Nick Cole
Jon Garland
Richard Nicholson
Brian White
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2009
Copies of the Minutes will be available at the meeting.
4. Matters Arising
5. KIA Community Fund – feedback from grant recipients
Mr Willins, Project Manager, St. Mary the Virgin, Minster-in-Thanet will speak briefly about the project.
Herne & Broomfield Parish Council meeting clashes with this meeting and therefore they have sent a brief letter and photographs of their project to provide outdoor fitness equipment.
6. Airport Update
Report on current position by Matt Clarke.
7. Thanet District Council Update
Report(s) awaited.
8. Air Traffic Control from a Herne Bay perspective
Ms Ros Mcintyre, a resident of Broomfield, will give her views on Air Traffic
Control.
9. Kent County Council
The Leader of KCC, Paul Carter, has been invited to speak about the Policies of KCC in relation to the Airport.
10. Dates of future meetings
As previously agreed: 22 September and 17 November 2009
11 . Any Other Business

There will be an opportunity for the public to speak at the conclusion of the formal business .

Strictly Bandstand

2009-06-12T20:53:00.004+01:00

“Strictly Bandstand”

Saturday 20th June 2009
1pm - 6pm Eastcliff Bandstand

Wellington Crescent
With Shows from European Amateur Vice Champions
Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence

Come along to the bandstand for a fabulous day of dancing workshops, shows and general dancing.

1 - 1.30pm Music For Dancing - General music to get you in the dance mood.
1.30 - 2pm “Dance for Everyone” - Ballroom, Latin, R&R & Argentine Tango Demonstrations for you to watch. Old and young, beginner to experienced - everybody can dance.
2-4pm WORKSHOPS
2 - 2.30pm “Latin American” Beginners/improvers workshop with Ken & Angie
2.30 - 3pm “Ballroom” Beginners/improvers workshop with Ken & Angie
3 - 3.30pm “Strictly Salsa” Beginners workshop with Heidi
3.30 - 4pm “Spanish Fun” workshop - try out the Paso Doble & light hearted look at the history of the dances.
4-6pm TEA DANCE
4 - 4.45pm Try your new moves out, or simply enjoy practicing in the open air.
4.45 -5.15pm Tea break & Strictly Bandstand Ballroom & Latin Show
By Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence.
5.15 - 6pm Try your new moves out, or simply enjoy practicing in the open air.

Refreshments etc. available.

Granville Marina Restaurant

2009-06-11T08:48:00.004+01:00

In Feb 2008, after the demolision of the Grade II listed Granville Marina Resteurant, I emailed TDC to offer my support for the most robust action possible to achieve a full restoration of the building.

In return, Cllt Roger Latchford OBE, deputy leader of the council sent me this official statement, which I welcome:

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Culture and Economy, said:

"The council has done everything in its power to preserve this listedbuilding. However, our first concern has been ensuring that the buildingis made safe and, unfortunately, to do that, a great deal of demolition work has been needed to make it stable. Work is now underway to remove the demolition debris and the council will be keeping anything that could be used in the reconstruction of the building to the way it was previously. "The council is utterly determined to ensure that this building is re-built in its previous form and, to this end, we have already served notices on the owner of the property. One requires emergency works to be carried out immediately and, if this is not done, the Council will undertake the work in default. The other notice requires the property to be put back in its original state. This will mean that the owner will have to submit detailed information on how they will achieve this requirement."

I let it be known then, that I believed that the Council should have considered prosecution. They did not, and we are where we are this week with a planning application coming forward for the site. My position is still that complete reinstatement of what was there before is what is required.

Well Done Liz!

2009-06-07T21:42:00.004+01:00

I hope I can be forgiven for expressing my pride in Liz's personal achievement in retaining one of the Ramsgate County Council seats against an appalling background both nationally and in Kent.

There is no doubt that the expenses scandal hurt us badly, also the distraction of holding the Euro election on the same day, meant that County Council issues were almost totally obscured in the minds of the electorate.

For Liz to succeed against this background is testament to the fantastic amount of work she put in to the benefit of Ramsgate residents over the past four years as a County Councillor. She succeeded where many really good hardworking Labour Councillors in other parts of Kent did not.

I would also like to acknowledge the importance of the election campaign we ran in Ramsgate, organised by Janet Ladyman and helped by the hard work of all our helpers. I feel for Alan Poole, who lost, through no fault of his own.

Lead Members Introduced at TDC

2009-05-25T22:25:00.005+01:00

New “lead Members” have been introduced at Thanet District Council, who will, in the future, support Cabinet Members.

The idea was agreed Thursday 21 May at a full Council meeting, when it was also agreed that they would receive no additional payments for undertaking this role.

There will be ten lead members, all from the Tory Group, each supporting the whole or a specific part of a Cabinet portfolio. Their brief will be to act as an advisor to their portfolio holder, lead on policy development, and chair advisory and consultative meetings. They will also be able to substitute for cabinet members at meetings, though not vote on their behalf.

The idea of a group of Councillors helping each of the members of the Council’s Cabinet may appear innocuous but on reflection will be seen as a mistake.

Ezekiel’s original proposal was for each of these Conservative members to be paid £500 annually. When it became apparent that this would not be popular with the council taxpayer, this was watered down, first to £200, and now to no payment at least for two years. A cynic might say that having used the carrot of payment to gain his colleagues votes for his leadership bid, Cllr Ezekiel no longer needs to risk the bad publicity.

Quite apart from the waste of money this is a ill thought through measure. At full Council, I asked two questions:
One, to the Chief Executive of the Council asking if this would further distort the relationship of his paid staff with members of one political party at the expense of others. Of the 33 Tory councillors on TDC, 2 are chair or vice chair of the council, 10 are committee chairs or vice chairs, 7 are in the Cabinet and now 10 are lead members. That is 29 out 33 with some executive role in the Council.
My other question was to the Council’s monitoring officer. I asked if Lead Members, through their intimate relationship with Cabinet Members, would effectively become part of the Council’s Executive and therefore not be available for the important task of holding the executive to account through scrutiny.
The monitoring officer is considering the implications of this.

Thanet Council Meeting on Night Flights

2009-05-17T07:58:00.008+01:00

Ramsgate residents should be aware that Thanet Council Tories are preparing to cave in to the airport operators requests to ditch the "106 agreement that protects residents from night time flights at the airport.

An important step in this process will happen on tuesday, when Thanet Council's Airport Working Party is to receive views of KIAC (the Airport Consultative Committee) on Infratil's request to allow night flying. This is a public meeting, note the highly unusual venue!

Airport Working PartyTuesday, 19th May, 2009 7.00 pm
Attendance Details
Agenda Frontsheet PDF 55 KB View agenda as HTML
Agenda reports pack PDF 266 KB
Add meeting to your calendar
Venue: The Passenger Lounge, Kent International Airport

Airport Working Party – 19 May 2009
Main Portfolio Area: Regeneration & Environment
By: Brian White, Director of Regeneration
Classification: Unrestricted
Summary: The Airport Working Party is examining the subject of night-time flying before making its recommendations on the subject matter to be included in any potential future night-time flying policy regarding Kent International Airport (KIA). The purpose of the meeting is to
receive the views of Members of the Kent International Airport Consultative Committee
1.0 Introduction and background
1.1 In recent years there have been two proposals for scheduled night-time flying at KIA. The first concerned EU Jet and the introduction of a number of regular passenger services to European destinations. The second, at the beginning of this calendar year concerned the opportunity of British Airways International Cargo relocating its hub from Stansted to KIA.
1.2 On both occasions it was considered necessary and appropriate by the Council to receive and report applications for scheduled night-time flights on an exceptional basis. There not being the six month period prescribed in the S.106 Agreement for consultation to the Council available.
1.3 In both the public interest, and the business development prospects of the Airport Owner; Infratil, the Airport Working Party has been asked to investigate and report on the subject of night-time flying. It has visited other regional airports, looked at policies and procedures in place and now wishes to receive the views of the Airport’s own Consultative Committee before producing its recommendations. The intention being that Infratil be invited to submit an application for night-time flying such that the six month period of consultation with the Council can commence.
1.4 This proactive approach is clearly in the best interest of all parties. The Council will be able to let interested groups and parties have their say on the very principle of night-time flying and on the extent to which it may be acceptable. Whilst the airport owner will be in a position, once a policy is in place to compete with its regional competitors and attract business. It is already noted by the Working Party that in certain respects the S.106 Agreement regarding KIA may deter aircraft operators.

South Thanet MP puts receipts on line

2009-05-17T07:12:00.001+01:00

Stephen Ladyman MP has posted his receipts and claim forms on-line.

Stephen Ladyman, the MP for South Thanet has added his expense claim forms and receipts to his web site as well as providing unaudited data, that won't be officially released for another year. for his expense claims for 2008/9.
The MP first provided details of his expenses on his website early last year and update them in April to include the latest information. He has now expanded the information provided to allow access to the raw claim forms and receipts.
Stephen commented "People are understandably angry about what they've read in the newspapers and heard on the news in the last week but although copies of receipts and claim forms had been leaked to the Telegraph, the same information wasn't available to MPs in a form we could publish until a few days ago. In the interests of full transparancy I've now published everything I can via my website. Some information has been redacted to stop bank account details being released and to comply with data protection laws because third parties were referred to but otherwise my constituents have now got everything that I've got."
"I hope that people don't tar all MPs with the same brush. I've long advocated a reform of the expense system and greater transparency and done my best through my own web site to set an example. The vast majority of MPs are hard working and honest. If some have made mistakes they should be held to account but we should not all be blamed for their mistakes."
"On the doorsteps of Ramnsgate today and as I've met people all around the constituency in the last few days most people have said they understand that not all MPs have expolited the system, they want those who have done so punished but they don't blame us all for the errors of the few. I'm also pleased to say that they have been very kind and understanding to me personally."
The website address is www.stephenladyman.info and then follow the link in the contents column to 'Steve's Expenses'

They are not "all the same" !

2009-05-13T23:55:00.003+01:00

It's hard to overstate how shocked and annoyed Labour members I have spoken to have been over the revelations about MPs expenses in the Telegraph and other newspapers. Those of us on the ground floor, knocking on doors and doing all the donkey work should not be made to feel ashamed of being engaged and involved in politics. Our neighbours pay for it through their taxes - we do that and give up our spare time and spare cash.

MPs may bleat that "all parties are at it" or that they are underpaid compared to GPs or they are victims of the press, but none of this washes. To your average voter, MPs aren't underpaid at all. To your average party member who gives so much for free, the MPs sense of entitlement is shocking.

At stake is the reputation of the Labour party - this must come above the needs of individual MPs. In the 80's, Labour was constantly attacked over letting extremists hijack the party. It wasn't till Neil Kinnock publicly took on Derek Hatton and other Militant extremists at the party conference that the tide started to turn and the public began to see that Labour was serious about putting its house in order. By contrast, the Conservatives did not deal with Neil Hamilton in the 1997 election. They foolishly allowed him to represent them, so the story became "Conservatives back MP who receives money in brown bags". They should have protected their party and forced him to step down. Labour mustn’t make the same mistake. The MPs with the worst abuses cannot be allowed to contest the next election representing Labour.

I accept that part of the problem is the system that invites MP’s to claim an allowance for the extra expense of having to run a second home. I note, that it is an allowance, not an expenses claim. Nevertheless, the emphasis should be on the words “extra expense”. Frankly, some of the expose in the press is trivial and could be forgiven as long as the system is now changed. However some is not, and amounts to little better than fraud, especially over the, “switching “, of second home designation to maximise the amounts claimable.

I also accept that, in the Labour Party at least, it is just a few MP's that have grossly abused the system.

South Thanet MP, Steve Ladyman has issued the following:

"A personal message about expenses - as I know that strong feelings were expressed at last night's Ramsgate branch meeting. Members of the Party are right to be angry about some of the things that have been revealed but I hope you won't tar us all with the same brush.

I have never claimed for any furniture or household items or any repairs or alterations.

I have not claimed to have my moat cleared nor to have my tennis court repaired.

I certainly haven't been involved in using the allowance for 'flipping'. This year and last year my expenses have been on my website with an explanation of how they arose. Out of 650 MPs, 440 claimed more money than me in the expense table despite me having a working office in the constituency (whereas many of the others that claim less in the expense table have only a Parliamentary office and therefore pay no office rent,electricity or phone costs). My receipts are not on the website because, until they are released by the House, I don't have them in electronic form. I can assure you, however, they are beyond reproach and only include legitimate claims.The current debacle must be sorted out and if any MP (of any Party) has abused the system they should answer to their electorate and in the case of the Labour Party must answer to their GC which has every right to deselect them if it is justified.

Steve"

Dr Stephen Ladyman

MP for South Thanet

House of Commons

Same Old Tories

2009-05-09T22:54:00.002+01:00

The Employment Opportunities Bill, tabled by Senior Conservative Christopher Chope, who as a minister helped bring in the Poll Tax, is timetabled for its second reading in Parliament next Friday 15 May.
During the Bill’s first reading, Mr Chope said it will: “introduce more freedom, flexibility and opportunity for those seeking employment in the public and private sectors.”
The bill, which is supported by ten other Tory MPs, aims to:
- allow employees to opt-out of the minimum wage
- ensure all public sector jobs are advertised openly
- grant the ‘right to work’ under the Declaration of Human Rights by allowing workers to be paid less than the minimum wage

The minimum wage provides income protection and security for millions of workers. It stops unscrupulous employers from driving down wages across the board. The new Tory ‘Employment Opportunities Bill’ would allow employers to opt out of their responsibility to their staff to pay a fair days wage for a fair day’s work and effectively bring an end to the National Minimum Wage.
“This shows the Tories in their true light and is a little insight into what a Conservative Government would do. They are still fighting the battles of the 1980s and 90s when they abolished the wages councils and left millions of workers without wage protection. David Cameron talks about an age of austerity, well we now know that he means it for low-paid workers.
There is always pressure on wages and the minimum wage is needed to ensure people are paid fairly.
I urge anyone who cares about the protection of our workforce to log on to www.wageconcern.com and sign the petition to save our minimum wage.”
John Prescott, whose first job 55 years ago was working as a chef at the Patten Arms in Warrington on £2 7d a week in a job protected by the Wages Council Act, added:
“Only a Tory could suggest that not being able to work for less than minimum wage would be a denial of Human Rights. This from a party that actually wants to abolish the Human Rights Act and provide cheaper labour.
“We call on everyone who believes in fairness and social justice to join Wage Concern and help us kill this Tory Bill on May 15th.”
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“Christopher Chope and his Tory cabal want to turn the clock back to the days of poverty pay where workers are exploited by unscrupulous bosses. The sham Caring Conservatism is stripped bare by their plans. They have shown clearly that they are not on the side of ordinary hard-working people.
“The minimum wage is a symbol of a civilised society, a floor to protect workers that gives them dignity. It is needed more than ever in tough economic times. And isn’t it typical of the Tories that their response to the recession is to rob the poor to keep the rich?
We fought long and hard to establish the statutory national minimum wage, in the teeth of opposition and unfounded scaremongering about massive job losses. Any attempt to dilute or abolish it will be resisted.
Wage Concern is a grassroots campaign to stop that bill - and needs your help.
Let’s show the Tories we don’t support their ridiculous, dangerous and immoral position by:
1. Signing the petition here
2. Joining the campaign mailing list here
3. Getting your friends to join the Facebook group
4. Lobby your MP here
5. Kill this Tory Bill on Friday 15th May.
Kill This Tory Bill

Gazette Talks Sense on Museum Shock!

2009-04-30T17:18:00.000+01:00

The Gazettes web site has the following comment on the Thanet Museums, now both closed by Thanet Council Tories. I can only agree.

OF COURSE Thanet council needs to be sure that a long-term deal over Ramsgate and Margate museums is both legally watertight and the best for the towns but what good aredoes having two closed tourist attractions which are closed over the summer do anyone?
Thanet council should allow Mr List-Brain to reopen Ramsgate museum immediately, even if it is on a short-term agreement, while talks continue.
Leaders should enter in urgent discussions with other interested partners over the Margate museum, to secure its reopening at once and continue talks for the future.
Without this kind of commitment from Thanet council, Margate and Ramsgate have lost vital attractions for a summer when, because of the credit crunch, many people are planning holidays in the UK.
If tourists come and find nothing to do will they return next year when the museums might be open? Probably not.
Local authorities and swift action seldom go together but in this case time is of the essence or a vital opportunity to promote our district will have been lost.

Equality Bill

2009-04-28T07:09:00.003+01:00

Labour promised in the 2005 Manifesto that we would have an Equality Bill. So the introduction next month is keeping an election promise.
I hate discrimination in all forms, its one of the main reasons I got involved in politics. I'm proud that we are doing this even in difficult times. Nobody else would.

The Bill has 5 main points. It will:
* introduce a groundbreaking new law to help narrow the gap between rich and poor;
* shine a light on the hidden pay unfairness against women at work;
* end the last lawful discrimination which is against older people;
* allow employers – if they want to – to make their workforce more diverse by choosing for example a woman or black person who was equally suitable for the job; and
* require public authorities – like councils – to use their purchasing power to drive equality when buying goods and services from the private sector.

It was Labour governments that introduced the Race Relations Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Sex Discrimination Act, new legal rights for disabled people and changed the law to allow gay and lesbian “civil partnerships”.
Labour governments always stand up for equality.
When the Tories were in government they did nothing to press forward on equality – instead they brought in the notorious homophobic “clause 28”.

The new Equality Bill will provide a strong legal framework. It will become law – after being debated by Parliament – in about autumn 2010. But to put flesh on the bones and to make these new measures work in practice we need a Labour government. This is an important law and it’s another good reason to keep Labour in government.
Many party members, trade unionists and others have campaigned for all the things that are in the Bill.

Rocking Ramsgate

2009-04-26T19:39:00.002+01:00

What a magnificent response to Thanet Council's Tories virtual abandonment of Ramsgate's Summer event this year. After TDC loosing both the Power Boats and the waterskiers and finding their grant from TDC cut this year, the town could easily have been without a major event this year. However, Town traders in the shape of the Town Partnership have responded magnificently. And Its Free!!
Ramsgate is set to rock when two days of music and entertainment pull in the crowds this summer – and you can get involved.
In July the Ramsgate Rocks 2009 festival will be held in the picturesque setting of the town's royal harbour.
Organisers are hoping to draw crowds as high as 50,000 people, meaning the event could prove a bumper pay-day for the town's economy.The Ramsgate Town Partnership is holding the event on Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. It is free to attend and promises a wealth of activities and entertainment.
On the Saturday, the entertainment will last all day, from 9am to 11pm.
Then on Sunday it will start at the same time and last until 6pm that evening.
A spokeswoman for the event said: "Ramsgate Rocks promises to provide two days of entertainment with appeal to all ages. "There will be a multitude of attractions, including a funfair, a stage with various live bands and tribute acts, street entertainment, a Continental market and a food-and-drink village, as well as assorted commercial and craft stalls.”The Saturday night will culminate in a firework display over the harbour.Trade and craft stall-holders can still take out a pitch at the event – call event co-ordinator Kate Lipington for details on 07939 272810. Alternatively, email her at katie@urbanerrands.co.uk.
The spokeswoman said:“This event is following on from the powerboat and waterski events of previous years but is purely focusing on land- based activities.”In previous years the event has had an attendance of up to 80,000 across the two days.

Street Cleanliness in Eastcliff

2009-04-14T13:35:00.004+01:00

A long post, but I thought it worth publishing the Tories considered response to myself and Peter Campbell's concerns about the cleanliness of the streets in Central Ramsgate. THis is the text of the paper going to next weeks Council meeting.

To consider the notice of motion submitted by Cllr David Green in
relation to street cleanliness in the Eastcliff and Central Harbour
Wards, and potential action arising from this.

1.0 Introduction and Background
1.1 A notice of motion was submitted by Cllr David Green, and seconded by Councillor
Campbell, at Council on 9 October 2008 as follows:
“This Council instructs officers to bring forward a comprehensive set of measures to combat the lack of cleanliness of streets in Eastcliff and Central Harbour Wards.
These measures to include:
• A regular schedule of pavement cleaning (as opposed to litter picking).
• A scheme for the separate collection of household and recyclable waste in all
streets unsuitable for domestic wheelie bins to avoid the contamination of
pavements through ‘split bags’.
• Regular removal of weeds and chewing gum from pavements.
• Published targets for street cleanliness with regular inspections of streets by
officers and Ward Councillors.
• Rating of cleanliness on a suitable scale, and publication of the ratings
scored”.

1.2 In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.3 the notice was referred by Council
for consideration by a subsequent meeting of Cabinet.
1.3 Cabinet considered the Notice of Motion at it’s meeting held on 12 March 2009.
1.4 The Cabinet recommendation to Council was;
That the discussion section of the report at Appendix 1 is noted in relation to the five
areas set out in the Notice of Motion but that no specific action is recommended.

2.0 Background
2.1 The two wards referred to in the notice of motion contain a relatively diverse mix of
land use and housing so street cleansing is organised to reflect both the nature of the
areas and the pressure under which they operate.
2.2 The Council complies with the requirements of the national indicators in undertaking
surveying of the cleanliness of the area. On this basis under NI195 sample surveys
are undertaken on an annual basis across Thanet which measures the level of
littering and detritus on different categories of road on a random basis in every ward
in Thanet across a year. These results are collated on a national database, are
included within the Kent Agreement 2 updates, and are included in the quarterly
performance packs.
3.0 Discussion
3.1 The notice of motion as set out above proposes five areas for action and these are
addressed in turn below:
Pavement Cleaning
The current arrangements for street cleaning in the area were set out in the previous
section. The 2 wards receive a significant share of the available street cleansing
resources. Given the nature of the areas the level of resourcing is relatively high in
comparison to the average for Thanet, and with the overall limitation on this resource
it is difficult to see how this could be increased significantly without causing detriment
to another area. Because of the nature of much of the area most of the cleaning is
done by manual sweepers who combine both litter picking and the sweeping of
detritus. Some use is made of machine sweeping, but this is fairly limited.
In terms of results, setting aside the specific surveys undertaken as indicated below,
we also get feedback from PACT meetings. The feedback from local people at the
most recent event to which cleansing and waste officers were invited was that the
cleaning standards were good in the area, and the main concern was about the more
general condition of the streets, which is more a function of the condition of the
highway (being KCC’s role) and the condition of adjacent buildings.
There were issues about chewing gum which is addressed below, and the difficult
problem of cigarette ends that get caught between the joints of concrete blocks.
However, it was recognised that the Council is trying hard to keep on top of this issue,
and the local sweepers were praised for the exceptionally hard work they put in.
The management of both domestic and commercial waste remains a problem in this
area, and as indicated below it is the longer term aim to put in methods to improve
waste containment for domestic properties. Except for litter dropping by visitors to
town centres, the poor containment of waste presents one of the main sources of
littering in these areas, and adds to the workload of staff.
Waste and Recycling Collections
Following the recent roll-out of wheeled bins to a further 8,200 properties across
Thanet this has allowed the redirection of the paper collection service into new areas.
This has included adding streets within these two wards that were not covered
previously.
Paper products make up around one third of domestic refuse and contribute over
80% of the material that we collect in mixed recycling bins and bags across Thanet.
Clearly this does not include the collection of cans and plastics as in the wheeled bin
collections, although recycling bring banks are available at Staffordshire Street and
Queens Street in these two wards for paper, card, cans, glass, textiles and shoes. In
the longer term the Council would wish to find a containment system for the type of
housing in these wards that is not suitable for wheeled bins, but the current priority for
the Council is to complete the roll-out of the wheeled bin service to suitable remaining
properties, and this is affected by the overall budget position. On this basis roll-out of
alternate containment systems is problematical until the wider wheeled bin roll-out is
complete, which is in itself dependant on additional funding being available.
The containment of waste placed out for collection remains the responsibility of the
producer of the waste until the time that it is collected and loaded. Many people in
areas of these wards and other similar areas have provided their own containment,
and this remains an option for any resident concerned by this issue to manage their
own waste. Technically the Council would have the power to force residents to
provide suitable containment at their own expense, but as with other areas have
recognised the difficulty in taking this stance, especially as it has funded the
introduction of wheeled bins elsewhere.
Weeds and Chewing Gum
Although this Council undertakes a large amount of weed removal at times the work
lies within the responsibility of KCC as highway authority. KCC are responsible for
organising the annual weed spraying programmes in both urban and rural areas of
Thanet. Concern has been raised on many occasions with KCC about the efficacy of
the programme overall and the standard of work that is undertaken. This is not
assisted by the wet weather across recent summers as this is linked with significant
limitations on the type of weedkiller that can be used on the highway. Both these
issues have led to more areas of weed being unaffected by the spraying programme.
This Council removes weeds when they are dead as part of normal sweeping
operations, and on many occasions undertakes mechanical removal of weeds when
we feel it necessary to take action due to the extent of weed growth. The Council
does not as a matter of course have the resources to undertake weed removal, and
this has been exacerbated by recent reductions and pressures on the street cleansing
budget.
Despite continual use of the Schmidt Hot Wash machine across many areas of
Thanet this has had little impact on chewing gum. The hot washing cleans the
pavement effectively of staining but it has not proved effective against chewing gum
except to clean the surface of the gum and make it more obvious. A number of other
scrubbing and heating methods have been used (mainly in Margate High Street as
the test site), but progress is very slow and the results indifferent despite the claims of
the machinery manufacturers. The machines can also have an impact on the stability
of the paving especially in areas with flags or concrete blocks. Although the Council
regularly tries out different methods it has not located a system that it could afford to
operate in a way that would have any sort of impact on gum across the area, or even
just keep track of the rate at which this appears on our pavements. Due to the
widespread nature of this problem, it would not be possible or even fair merely to
concentrate activity in these 2 ward areas, as the problem is no worse here than the
other town centre areas of Thanet.
Street Cleaning Targets
The Council has signed up to enhanced cleaning targets as part of the Kent
Agreement 2 in association with all the other Kent districts and KCC in the Kent
Waste Partnership. This is measured using national indicator (NI195), and this target
is incorporated in the Council’s annual performance plan, which is monitored in the
monthly and quarterly performance packs.
Cleanliness Measurement
As indicated in section 2 the Council already complies with a national scheme of
measurement of street cleanliness as part of NI195 and these are published annually
by the Audit Commission. In addition, these are included in the quarterly performance
packs produced by the Council which are accessible by all members and residents.
4.0 Corporate Implications
4.1 Financial
4.1.1 As the discussion section contains no specific proposals to increase cleansing
resources in these wards, and the monitoring activity and results are already
in place there are no financial implications.
4.2 Legal
4.2.1 The Council has a statutory responsibility as laid out in the Code of Practice
for Litter and Refuse to undertake cleaning in public areas. The Code of
Practice defines different categories of area depending on usage and visibility,
and the standards at which these should be kept, together with the speed at
which the areas should be returned to acceptable standards. The Council
works to the Code in organising its cleaning rotas, and has hit squads who
can respond quickly to specific littering and dumping issues.
4.3 Corporate
4.3.1 Street cleansing is one of the Council’s key corporate priorities, laying both in
Theme 3 of the Corporate Plan, but also in relation to the level of funding
within the overall budget.
4.3.2 The need to set a balanced budget in the Medium Term Financial Strategy in
the context of very low RSG settlements means that even the street cleaning
budget has had to be reduced. This has necessitated changing the way of
working to improve the effective use of cleaning resources across Thanet, and
to ensure these are directed to areas of greatest need and pressure, rather
than cleaning some streets too frequently. However, this has meant that the
areas indicated in the notice of motion have in the main benefited from the
dedication of additional resources due to their nature in comparison to more
suburban locations in Thanet.
4.4 Equity and Equalities
4.4.1 Although the report contains no proposals that would have a specific
equalities impact the street cleansing system described primarily provides
extra cleaning resources into areas of greater deprivation.
5.0 Recommendation(s)
5.1 None – for information.
6.0 Decision Making Process
6.1 Notices of Motion referred by Council for consideration by Cabinet are required to be
reported back to Council under Council Procedure Rule 16 at the next available
meeting.

An Answer to Simon Moores

2009-04-11T22:53:00.003+01:00

Over on Thanet Life, Cllr Moores has posed a question to me.

"So let’s pause for thought for a second. Is Labour, in the formidable shape of Comrade Cllr Green, in favour of public sector pay rises in the present financial turmoil or does he believe that the public sector should show some level of leadership and restraint; given that the private sector is cutting pay and lacks the same pension benefits to look forward to?
My answer, is yes they should show restraint. I think there is a case for those on the lowest pay to continue to get pay rises equivalent to inflation. For those on average pay or above however the case for rises falls in proportion to their earnings.

The guidelines for local government pay increases across the country is 0.5%. KCC staff are receiving 1%. TDC, which is already hamstrung by its salary and related costs budget can apparently offer 1.75% for senior staff and 2% for all other staff, as well as massive increases for the corporate management team under the guise of regrading.

It is Dr Moores (who once told computer weekly "The efficiency of any technology or service is, I believe, inversely proportional to the size of the investment in the call centre or the chief executive’s salary." ) as "leader" of the committee that agreed this, that needs to justify the decision.

Supression of Information by TDC

2009-04-10T21:58:00.002+01:00

I've removed the question mark from my previous title, because there is now no doubt that TDC Tories are trying to supress information concerning proposed huge pay rises for the most senior staff.

I quote Cllr Moores press release:

"Following changes to the council’s senior staffing structure, a move to ensure the council continues to provide excellent value for money for its residents, the committee agreed to a number of changes to the basic salary scales of the Corporate Management Team and to the proposed new pay awards for all staff at the council. This saw an agreement to a pay award of 0% for the Corporate Management Team, 1.75% for senior staff and 2% for all other staff."
Cllr. Simon Moores, Chair of the General Purposes Committee said:
“This is a difficult and sensitive time for all pay negotiations and the decision of the General Purposes Committee is a pragmatic one, delivering the lowest pay rises in Kent. This reflects the earlier agreement with the unions and staff at all levels of the organisation."

Lowest pay rises in Kent? 0% for Corporate Management Team? Agreement with the Unions? The usual smoke and mirrors from the Council's press department.
I am prevented from giving the truely shocking increases that are proposed, through "restructuring" for the seven members of the Senior Management Team because, despite Labour members attempts to make the information public, Cllr Moore's Tory colleagues voted for secrecy.

I'm told that Cllr Moores promised that the full facts will be made public within 2 weeks. I promise you, you will be shocked by the audacity and insensitivity of what is proposed.

Easter Eggs - Travaganza

2009-04-03T17:31:00.001+01:00

Robbing Ramsgate

2009-04-01T07:32:00.003+01:00

Cliffsend residents suffered a surprise this morning to find that their cherished Viking Long Boat had been moved overnight to Clifftonville.
THis is just the latest in a long line of Ramsgate facilities being relocated to boost the regeneration efforts in Magate. It follows the beer festival, the taxi run and IOTA.

Supression of Information by TDC?

2009-03-30T22:45:00.003+01:00

The Agenda (see below) for the first meeting of the newly formed "General Purposes Committee", that Cllr Moores is already claiming to be chairing ( I just hope all his colleagues turn up to vote for him!) has just been published on the TDC website.
Only one item on the agenda "2009/10 pay negotiations proposals". What could this be that needs to be discussed in secret? Could it be the miserly 3% pay rise being offered to low paid Council staff, or could it be the increases that senior staff hope to gain from their recent "regrading" as Directors?

Either way, as shadow spokesperson for finance, you might think I would be allowed to know, even if the general public cant,what is being proposed.

If you are made chairman of this committee, Cllr Moores, this is not a very good way to begin its life.

General Purposes Committee Wednesday, 8th April, 2009 6.00 pm
Attendance Details
Agenda Frontsheet PDF 54 KB View agenda as HTML
Agenda reports pack PDF 224 KB
Add meeting to your calendar
Venue: Chairman's Room, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent
Contact: Eileen Richford
Items
No. Item
1.
Apologies for Absence
2.
Declarations of Interest
To receive any declarations of interest. Members are advised to consider the extract from the Standard Board Code of Conduct for Members, which forms part of the Declaration of Interest Form at the back of this Agenda. If a Member declares an interest, they should complete that Form and hand it to the Officer clerking the meeting.
3.
Election of Chairman
4.
Election of Vice-Chairman
5.
Exclusion of Public and Press PDF 69 KB
View item 5. as HTML 16 KB
6.
2009/10 Pay Negotiations Proposals
View the reasons why item 6. is restricted

Declaration of Interest form - back of agenda PDF 94 KB
View item undefined as HTML 14 KB

Crunch Time for Pleasurama?

2009-03-30T15:20:00.001+01:00

Many Eastcliff residents will have watched with interest and some trepidation the progress or otherwise of the Royal Sands development on the old Pleasurama site that dominates Ramsgate's Eastern Seafront.

Planning permission (F/TH/03/1200) was granted on the 28th January 2005 for a mixed use scheme comprising a 60 bedroom hotel, 107 residential apartments, 7 retail units, a health and fitness centre and the construction of a childrens play area. Variations in the approved plans were later approved as set out in leters from the Council dated 30th Sept 2005 and 12th September 2006.

The development works in addition included the erection of a clifftop stairway and highway works.

Subsequently, Council officers approved various changes to the plans under delegated authority, summarised in plans dated 28 Jan 2009.

As the landowner, Thanet Council signed (end of 2006) a development agreement with SFP Ventures (UK Limited) relating to the development and sale of land.

The detail of the development agreement state:

1. On exchange of the development agreement, the developer will pay a deposit of £55,000.

2. Following exchange of the development agreement, within 3 months, the developer will enter into a highways agreement with Kent County Council as specified in the planning permission. The works refer to a new roundabout and bus lay-by in Marine Esplanade.

3. The Site Lease Completion Date is the date 10 working days after the date of completion of the Highways Agreement.

4. On the Site Lease Completion Date:

a. The developer is to pay £550,000 to the Council which will include the deposit of £55,000.

b. The Site Leases of the hotel suite, the mixed use site and the residential premises will be granted to the Developer.

c. The developer will enter into an option agreement in favour of the Council, whereby the Council will be granted an option to aquire the Developers interest in the hotel site and the cliff stairway lease.

d. The Developer will provide a £5.6m performance bond in favour of the Council. Last time I asked, the account had been opened, but nothing paid in.

5. SFP Ventures (UK) limited is not entited to assign the Development Agreement.

To the casual observer, progress on site has been painfully slow.

The Council, with some contribution from the developer has in the last month competed the works on the cliff face costing around £1m.

The highways works are completed, in the main, with some tidying up required. These will have to be signed off by KCC highways.

So the time for SFP to pay over the £550,000 to the Council and provide the £5.6m performance bond, must be due any time now.

So decision time for the shadowy figures behind SFP Ventures Ltd?

Complaint to Standards Committee

2009-03-29T21:14:00.000+01:00

There have been various comments concerning my absence from the Thanet blogging scene. I thank those that have emailed their concern.
Those of you that guessed that I had been reported to the TDC Standards Committee over something that appeared on this blog, guessed correctly.
I don't know what the outcome will be, both I and the complainant, Cllr Mrs Tomlinson have given our "evidence" to an independent investigator and we await his report.
I have not been blogging since, as I felt I needed to reflect upon the situation.
I know that other Labour Councillors have also been reported recently, some of them many times. These "investigations" are an expensive business, and I have no wish to provoke further aggravation unnecessarily.
You will see that I have decided to continue blogging as I feel that as an elected member, I should be prepared to call things as I see them. It is for others to agree or disagree as they see fit.

Blog Suspended

2009-02-25T08:11:00.002Z

All posting to this blog are suspended until futher notice.
I have local difficulties to address once again.
Thank you for your attention and comments.