WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 12th MARCH 2012 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, forty five members and visitors, and KCC Cllr Robert Burgess.
The chairman welcomed all attending.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Don and Maureen Eacott, Rosalind Morton, Sylvia Sykes and Cllr Simon Moores.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1) Sainsburys’ Application. This has been submitted, and in response a committee is being formed with traders, residents, and the W&WRA, to look for the best approach and very likely a public meeting will be called. A good attendance is the object, so the meeting will be fully publicised, and public opinion can be tested.
2) Tesco. This company is believed to be considering making an application to build and open a branch in Station Road adjacent to the fence and garden shed business on the railway side of the road. The chairman asked the meeting for their views. There was a general discussion, a large number present had objections on various grounds, some were in favour.
3) The Grove Area. A meeting had been held with particular reference to maintenance of the footbridge and it’s lighting and growth of vegetation in the area with Network Rail and local residents attending. A site meeting had been rescheduled by TDC for Wednesday 21st March at 2.00pm.
4) Grant Funding for Jubilee and Olympic Events. It is now a good time to plan events and put in bids for funding.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (13th February 2012), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop by Debi Day sec by Allison Moores, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Tesco/Arlington. The planning review appeal has been postponed by the inspector for legal reasons.
2) Sainsburys. It was alleged by a member that reference in the local press to a representative of Sainsburys being present at the last W&WRA general meeting was incorrect.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
KCC Cllr Robert Burgess:
1) Libraries. There are no plans for closure but KCC are developing new ways to deliver library services. Westgate library has a good footfall, and a good number of additional community events, local residents views are always vital to help keep libraries in the community.
2) Registration of Deaths. Problems of delays had been experienced with the new system, but these had now been alleviated. All the library centres concerned have separate rooms available for this purpose except for two.
3) Westgate Youth Club “Strength Youth Café”. Due to open soon details will be in the W&WRA Record magazine.
4) Members Community Grants. These will be available from April and bids should be made for community projects.
5) Joint Transportation Board Meeting. Yellow lines denoting parking restrictions are to be put down in Westbury Road and The Grove. Tom King suggested that Harold Avenue needs to be included, and that this should be proposed at the meeting on Thursday. Parking by the Nayland Rock is to be made pay and display.
From the floor a member suggested that the meeting room over the library could be advertised in order to increase use and revenue.
CORRESPONDENCE
1) Margate Football Club Application. The 125 year lease requested had been rejected by the TDC, and Travel Lodge had pulled out.
PLANNING
1) Rowena Road (North Side). Application to demolish garages and build a two storey dwelling refused, may go to appeal.
2) 35 Station Road. Conversion of upper floor to two flats.
3) 50 Station Road. Application for erection of display and illuminated sign.
4) 46 Carlton Road West. Application for single storey side and rear extension and dormer window.
5) 4A Harold Avenue. Application to change timber front door and replace with a white PVC door.
6) Westonville Avenue/Royal Esplanade Corner. Application for the now fire damaged house to be demolished and to build eight flats. It was thought that the application had been made before the fire.
7) 5A Station Road. Application for wine bar, café, and gift shop. Previously as a café the hours of opening are already permitted between 7.00am and 11.30pm, the new application is to extend the closing time to 12.30am, and licensing authorities may object to this.
8) Library Corner. Application for phone mast, Tom is checking when this may be received. It was thought that the mast on St Peters Church is not in commission.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Norman reported that income had been more than money spent, and healthy figures had been sent to the auditors in preparation for accounts for the forthcoming AGM.
EDITOR’S REPORT
No report.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Stephanie reported that cards had been sent out as appropriate, and the very sad news of the death of Sylvia Boyce’s son.
MEMBERSHIP
Rosalind had sent in a report reminding road stewards that the magazines will be ready for distribution during the first half of April. The subscriptions are due for collection, £3 single and £5 for two members at one address (no increase). There will be “Invite a Neighbour” leaflets to go with the magazines.
CIVIC REPORT
Margate Civic Society. James Brazier informed members that the next meeting is on Thursday 5th April at the Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm and there will be a talk about the Kent Air Ambulance.
CAAG. Chris Wyer hoped to arrange for their chairman to give a report to a meeting of the W&WRA. Items under consideration are: Westcliff House, (application for demolition withdrawn), and the phone mast and illuminated sign applications.
PRESS REPORT
The position of press officer is still vacant.
SOCIAL REPORT
1) St Georges Day Event. Allison reported this will be on Monday 23rd April at 7.00pm, and is a free event to which members may bring friends. Raffle prizes will be required.
2) Jubilee Celebrations. Sunday 3rd June at the Bake House, 1.00pm to 4.00pm with cream teas and drinks, followed by an invitation to join with the United Services Club.
3) Outings. These will resume as soon as it is a bit warmer, details will appear on the notice board.
4) Raffles will be held to raise funds for the Jubilee celebrations, cup cakes will be needed, see notice board nearer the time.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Committee. The chairman announced the resignation from the committee of Catherine Whitehead, who thanked all for their support and friendship during the year.
2) Remembrance Day Sunday. Geoff Shaw-Case is to coordinate the Churches Together. Last year sales of poppies in Westgate raised over £3,000, and Lorraine’s daughter had been working hard with this for many years.
3) Westgate Art Club. Tom is to judge their exhibition on 22nd May.
4) Sainsburys. Reg Bell said there has been an active petition opposing this development, and residents had come into the shops wanting to sign it. A public meeting is required to obtain a clear mandate, and implications of this application need very careful consideration. Tony Giles informed the meeting of a demonstration planned for Saturday 24th March at 10.00am, the press and Meridian News had expressed interest. In addition to the general petition individuals should also write to TDC planning dept.
5) Pictures of the Town Hall and Sea Bathing Hospital had been donated to the Bake House by Kath Bonner in memory of her late brother.
6) Westgate Surgery. The extensions were on schedule. The surgery was also requesting mobile phone numbers in order to remind patients of their appointments.
7) Unauthorised Posters. It was hoped that these were being removed from the area, and treated as graffiti.
8) Health Walks. Chris Wyer will be with the walk from the Birchington Centre on Tuesday 29th March 10.15am for 10.30am and will be giving information about the area during the war.
9) Bin near Library Grounds. A member said that a bin is required on or near the library grounds.
10) Petitions. Robert Burgess reminded the meeting that petitions should ideally have six hundred or more signatures, and should be handed in twenty five days before the appropriate meeting.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 2nd April at Westbrook Bowls Club. (Change of date to avoid Easter Monday).
WWRA MEETING 12th MARCH 2012
WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BAKE HOUSE ON MONDAY 12th MARCH 2012 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, forty five members and visitors, and KCC Cllr Robert Burgess.
The chairman welcomed all attending.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Don and Maureen Eacott, Rosalind Morton, Sylvia Sykes and Cllr Simon Moores.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1) Sainsburys’ Application. This has been submitted, and in response a committee is being formed with traders, residents, and the W&WRA, to look for the best approach and very likely a public meeting will be called. A good attendance is the object, so the meeting will be fully publicised, and public opinion can be tested.
2) Tesco. This company is believed to be considering making an application to build and open a branch in Station Road adjacent to the fence and garden shed business on the railway side of the road. The chairman asked the meeting for their views. There was a general discussion, a large number present had objections on various grounds, some were in favour.
3) The Grove Area. A meeting had been held with particular reference to maintenance of the footbridge and it’s lighting and growth of vegetation in the area with Network Rail and local residents attending. A site meeting had been rescheduled by TDC for Wednesday 21st March at 2.00pm.
4) Grant Funding for Jubilee and Olympic Events. It is now a good time to plan events and put in bids for funding.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (13th February 2012), which had been circulated, were adopted on a prop by Debi Day sec by Allison Moores, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Tesco/Arlington. The planning review appeal has been postponed by the inspector for legal reasons.
2) Sainsburys. It was alleged by a member that reference in the local press to a representative of Sainsburys being present at the last W&WRA general meeting was incorrect.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
KCC Cllr Robert Burgess:
1) Libraries. There are no plans for closure but KCC are developing new ways to deliver library services. Westgate library has a good footfall, and a good number of additional community events, local residents views are always vital to help keep libraries in the community.
2) Registration of Deaths. Problems of delays had been experienced with the new system, but these had now been alleviated. All the library centres concerned have separate rooms available for this purpose except for two.
3) Westgate Youth Club “Strength Youth Café”. Due to open soon details will be in the W&WRA Record magazine.
4) Members Community Grants. These will be available from April and bids should be made for community projects.
5) Joint Transportation Board Meeting. Yellow lines denoting parking restrictions are to be put down in Westbury Road and The Grove. Tom King suggested that Harold Avenue needs to be included, and that this should be proposed at the meeting on Thursday. Parking by the Nayland Rock is to be made pay and display.
From the floor a member suggested that the meeting room over the library could be advertised in order to increase use and revenue.
CORRESPONDENCE
1) Margate Football Club Application. The 125 year lease requested had been rejected by the TDC, and Travel Lodge had pulled out.
PLANNING
1) Rowena Road (North Side). Application to demolish garages and build a two storey dwelling refused, may go to appeal.
2) 35 Station Road. Conversion of upper floor to two flats.
3) 50 Station Road. Application for erection of display and illuminated sign.
4) 46 Carlton Road West. Application for single storey side and rear extension and dormer window.
5) 4A Harold Avenue. Application to change timber front door and replace with a white PVC door.
6) Westonville Avenue/Royal Esplanade Corner. Application for the now fire damaged house to be demolished and to build eight flats. It was thought that the application had been made before the fire.
7) 5A Station Road. Application for wine bar, café, and gift shop. Previously as a café the hours of opening are already permitted between 7.00am and 11.30pm, the new application is to extend the closing time to 12.30am, and licensing authorities may object to this.
8) Library Corner. Application for phone mast, Tom is checking when this may be received. It was thought that the mast on St Peters Church is not in commission.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Norman reported that income had been more than money spent, and healthy figures had been sent to the auditors in preparation for accounts for the forthcoming AGM.
EDITOR’S REPORT
No report.
SUNSHINE REPORT
Stephanie reported that cards had been sent out as appropriate, and the very sad news of the death of Sylvia Boyce’s son.
MEMBERSHIP
Rosalind had sent in a report reminding road stewards that the magazines will be ready for distribution during the first half of April. The subscriptions are due for collection, £3 single and £5 for two members at one address (no increase). There will be “Invite a Neighbour” leaflets to go with the magazines.
CIVIC REPORT
Margate Civic Society. James Brazier informed members that the next meeting is on Thursday 5th April at the Walpole Bay Hotel at 7.30pm and there will be a talk about the Kent Air Ambulance.
CAAG. Chris Wyer hoped to arrange for their chairman to give a report to a meeting of the W&WRA. Items under consideration are: Westcliff House, (application for demolition withdrawn), and the phone mast and illuminated sign applications.
PRESS REPORT
The position of press officer is still vacant.
SOCIAL REPORT
1) St Georges Day Event. Allison reported this will be on Monday 23rd April at 7.00pm, and is a free event to which members may bring friends. Raffle prizes will be required.
2) Jubilee Celebrations. Sunday 3rd June at the Bake House, 1.00pm to 4.00pm with cream teas and drinks, followed by an invitation to join with the United Services Club.
3) Outings. These will resume as soon as it is a bit warmer, details will appear on the notice board.
4) Raffles will be held to raise funds for the Jubilee celebrations, cup cakes will be needed, see notice board nearer the time.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Committee. The chairman announced the resignation from the committee of Catherine Whitehead, who thanked all for their support and friendship during the year.
2) Remembrance Day Sunday. Geoff Shaw-Case is to coordinate the Churches Together. Last year sales of poppies in Westgate raised over £3,000, and Lorraine’s daughter had been working hard with this for many years.
3) Westgate Art Club. Tom is to judge their exhibition on 22nd May.
4) Sainsburys. Reg Bell said there has been an active petition opposing this development, and residents had come into the shops wanting to sign it. A public meeting is required to obtain a clear mandate, and implications of this application need very careful consideration. Tony Giles informed the meeting of a demonstration planned for Saturday 24th March at 10.00am, the press and Meridian News had expressed interest. In addition to the general petition individuals should also write to TDC planning dept.
5) Pictures of the Town Hall and Sea Bathing Hospital had been donated to the Bake House by Kath Bonner in memory of her late brother.
6) Westgate Surgery. The extensions were on schedule. The surgery was also requesting mobile phone numbers in order to remind patients of their appointments.
7) Unauthorised Posters. It was hoped that these were being removed from the area, and treated as graffiti.
8) Health Walks. Chris Wyer will be with the walk from the Birchington Centre on Tuesday 29th March 10.15am for 10.30am and will be giving information about the area during the war.
9) Bin near Library Grounds. A member said that a bin is required on or near the library grounds.
10) Petitions. Robert Burgess reminded the meeting that petitions should ideally have six hundred or more signatures, and should be handed in twenty five days before the appropriate meeting.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 2nd April at Westbrook Bowls Club. (Change of date to avoid Easter Monday).