Sunday 25 February 2018

Westgate and Westbrook Residents' Association Minutes February 2018

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2018 AT 7.15PM.


PRESENT

Mick Tomlinson (chair) twenty six members, TDC Cllr Ash Ashby, and WTC Cllr Matthew Scott.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting. 

APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Vivien Osborne, KCC Cllr Emma Dawson, and KCC Warden Laura Bungard.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (8/1/18), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Don Eacott sec. by Ray Taylor, and adopted, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING
1)      Signs on Blue Hut at St Mildred's Bay.  There is no further information as yet. 

REPORTS: Councillors-KCC, TDC, WTC.  PCSOs and Wardens.

WTC Cllr Matthew Scott:
1)      Regular Surgeries will commence on Saturdays from 17th February at the library 10.00am to 11.30am.

KCC Cllr Emma Dawson: (Read out by TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee):
1)      Speeding on Local Roads.  There has  been a speed survey in Westgate Bay Avenue using a speeding tube, this showed the average speed to be 34mph.  There will also be a pedestrian survey with a possible zebra crossing in mind for the future.  New volunteers would be very welcome for speedwatch.  
2)      Westbrook Roundabout. Landscaping work is to be carried out so this will look pleasant and cared for.  There may be sponsorship help for this.
3)      Westgate Youth Club and  Brownies.  Funding may become available for these.
4)      Canterbury Road and School Pupils.  The possibility of improving bus shelter designs to reduce danger near the Ursuline College is being looked at. 

TDC Cllr Ash Ashbee:
1)      Homeless in Westbrook Shelter.  The man sleeping there has refused all help and does have a residence in Cliftonville, this renders it impossible to take action.  After reappearing it does seem that now he is gone.
2)      Barnes Car Park.  Overnight stays in vans cannot be prevented by enforcement.  Those there at the moment do not spread litter but in fact help to clear it  up, one of them works and their presence may reduce drug  dealing, mess, and protect the huts from vandalism.
3)      Manston Airport.  River Oak has completed the  final consultation in Herne Bay. The DCO will be submitted in mid March and the decision will follow after thirty days.  The local plan had been rejected by TDC councillors which would have allowed for building houses on the site.
4)      The Swan.  This local pub/restaurant has been recently refurbished, and looks very good.
5)      Newbuilds.  The council does require developers to repair pavements and verges where necessary after building.


KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Sent in and read out at the meeting).
1)      Highways.  Rowena Road – action has been taken to a new level by TDC, and hopefully the site will be cleared shortly.  The burger van in Lymington Road is being treated as abandoned as the phone numbers on it no longer exist, and it has caused traffic problems.  Reports of pot holes and blocked drains being dealt with.  Request for double yellow lines made for Gordon Grove/Cuthbert Road junction.  Ongoing with reported vehicles being checked for tax etc, the two near Westgate Bay Avenue often reported are OK and legally parked.
2)      Rubbish and Fly Tipping.  This is cleared quickly when reported.  The local officer for Westgate is Karolyn Goodall and if there is any evidence of fly tipping this should be reported to her on (01843)577065.
3)      Care Navigator Work.  Laura works on this which is a service provided for the elderly/vulnerable and includes neglect, accommodation, mental health, scam victims etc.
4)      Laura's Contact.  Tel 07969 583922 and laura.bungard@kent.gov.uk (email).


CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
1)      Local Plan.  As well as Manston other items were rejected.  Councillors are finding it difficult to contact officers.
2)      Budgets.  These were passed and the council tax will be going up by 2.99%, in band D this increase is £6 per year.  The precept for Margate Charter Trustees will increase by70-80% as there was no increase in the previous year.  Grant funding for voluntary organisations is cut to £65,000, the funds for floral enhancements in Westgate may be cut.  The budget for “Your Leisure” for work on the Winter Gardens has been taken off.  The Westbrook shelter (made famous by T.S. Elliot) will not now be refurbished.
3)      Planning.  Where there could be Government intervention is on large housing estate applications, this could be taken out of the planning committee's control.
4)      Margate Carnival.  There may be a change of heart so that the route will be completed by coming through Westbrook.
5)      Old Toilet Site by Strokes. This was originally sold for £250,000,but is now on the market for £450,000.   


CORRESPONDENCE
From the police by email: Phantom Debt Fraud.  Members of the public have received calls requesting payments for “Phantom” debts.  These are cold calls by someone purporting to be a debt collector or bailiff, and may claim to be working under instructions of a court to recover funds.  They may request payment by  bank transfer and make threats if refused.  Always make vigorous checks, and report suspicious calls to www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

PLANNING 
1)      Ales of the Unexpected, 105 Canterbury Road.  Amendment of opening hours GRANTED.
2)      14, Domneva Road.  Application for replacement of timber windows with white UPVC windows.
3)      The Knot, 20 Beach Road.  Application for variation of planning permission, change from public house to 4 one bed flats, 3 two bed flats, and 3 letting rooms with parking bin and cycle stores, with micro pub on ground floor and first floor extension and erection of 3 town houses with associated gardens and parking.  GRANTED.
4)      174, Canterbury Road.  Application for change of use of part of ground floor to 1 one bed flat with single storey rear extension.
5)      Westerly, Carlton Rise.  Application for balcony to front, side and rear elevation over existing garage, with door at first level.
6)      38 St Mildred's Road.  Application for upper floors from 2 flats to to 3 one bed flats and 2 two bed flats with rooflights.
7)      97 Sea Road.  Variation of planning consent, erection of two storey front side and rear extensions, creation of balconies and external stone and timber cladding with fenestration alterations.


TREASURER'S REPORT  
No report.  

EDITOR'S REPORT
Ray Taylor reported that preparations were in hand for the March magazine.

SUNSHINE REPORT
Mavis reported that Vivien Osborne had had an accident to her knee, and that Mavis herself had been unwell.
 
MEMBERSHIP
Christina reminded members that the new Association's year will start in April.

CIVIC REPORT
Westgate Heritage Centre:  Saturday 3rd March at 10.30am at St Saviour's Church, the AGM will be held, followed by a short talk by Dr Dawn Crouch on some of the heritage centre's interesting artefacts.

Also on Saturday 24th February, as part of Screen South's “100 Miles – 100Years” First World War Walking Trails Project, the Westgate-on-Sea Walking Trail will be launched at St Saviour;s Church at 11.15am by Sir Roger Gale MP.  The heritage Centre will be open that day from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  100Walkers are sought.

Margate Civic Society: Thursday 1st March at 7.30pm at The Walpole Bay Hotel, a talk by Rod Le Gear on Kent Underground Research Group and Archaeological Society. 


DIAMOND JUBILEE (2018)
Ray Taylor informed the meeting that the special event will take place on Saturday 23rd June at the Community Centre from 12.00noon to 5.00pm.  There will be a finger buffet with tea/coffee and seating inside and out.  No structures are to be put up on the green, which belongs to TDC. Entertainment is being arranged, from King Ethelbert School a drum band, group, and singing, also a ukulele group, and the Blend singers.  There will be a slide show of W&WRA activities and people over the years.  Tickets will be £2 adults and £1 for children.

SOCIAL
Music Quiz Friday 2nd March at the Bake House £2.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1)      Bumble Bee Project.  Tony Sykes informed the meeting that the green by the Barnes Car Park had been prepared by spraying the Alexanders, and that one hundred trees/shrubs (hawthorn, blackthorn, and dog rose) were coming and would be planted on Saturday 24th February from 10.00am by volunteers.
2)      Westgate Golf Club celebrates its 125th anniversary shortly. 
3)      The Boundary Wall of a site in Westgate Bay Avenue has not been replaced as before.
4)      Tea Staff Thursdays.  Due to Vivien's accident volunteers are urgently required to serve tea/coffee on Thursday mornings until she can resume duties.



NEXT MEETING
 Monday 12th March at The Bowls Club.

There being no other business the meeting concluded at 8.38pm.