MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE UNITED SERVICES CLUB ON MONDAY 9TH JULY 2012 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, sixty members including a few visitors from Garlinge RA, KCC Cllr Robert Burgess Cllr Jodie Hibbert and Cllr Simon Moores, and Mr David Brown planning consultant for Express Tescos.
The chairman welcomed all attending.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Allison Moores, Jennifer Sawney, Ron Wellingham and Cllr Neil Hornus.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Tom King introduced David Brown representing Tesco and Darren Ellis who owns the land concerned. Darren informed the meeting that three to five years ago planning permission had been obtained for three to four retail units, but with the changing situation the proposed application is for the Tesco store. Due to constraints of the site there will not be space for expansion. David Brown then invited questions.
1) Dimensions of the Building were requested. ANS This will go to the dimensions of the plot, (which is about half the size of the proposed Sainsburys).
2) Parking Problems with customers and delivery vehicles. ANS As a local catchment area some of the customers will not be using cars. There will be a loading bay which will be used for deliveries, averaging one and a half per day which will be controlled by the council under a traffic restriction order. Concern was expressed by some residents with problems that had arisen at the recently opened Tesco at Westbrook.
3) Will all undertakings given be honoured. ANS These will be in writing and be enforceable.
4) ATM Installation. Is Tesco prepared to install this? ANS Yes.
5) Community Project Donations? ANS For this size of development there is not a 106 agreement, but there may be goodwill gestures.
6) How many staff will be employed? ANS About twenty to twenty five usually from the local area.
7) Will there be flats included as in the Westbrook store? ANS It is not in the plans, and there is no room for residential development.
8) Alcohol Licence application? ANS Yes.
9) Christmas Lights. These were formally on the site, so what will happen? ANS This will be taken into account and hopefully the store will participate.
10) What will be the opening times? ANS 7.00am to 11.00pm.
11) Why does Westgate need this store? ANS The site is in a distinct centre, and will increase the footfall. Most items will be prepacked and different to the other retail stores. There will be a “bake off”, but not a bakery.
David Brown said that any further questions can be forwarded to him, which he will be pleased to answer.
Tom then welcomed new Cllr Jodie Hibbert to the Westgate ward, and then continued with the chairman’s report:
1) Flag Post and Annual Remembrance Service. It was hoped to reinstate this and dedicate it on 4th August on the ninetieth anniversary of the war memorial. Vice-Chairman Lorraine Hambidge went on to say that the allotments and play area in Lymington Road were also a parish war memorial for the people, and it was hoped to put up a plaque to that effect.
2) Memorial to Dick Hambidge. This is to be unveiled on 22nd July in the United Services Club, all welcome.
3) St Mildred’s Bay Putting Green. The fencing had been vandalised and this public land should be available for use by local residents, and Tom will be seeing the portfolio holder and other councillors to this effect.
4) Alcohol Licence. An application for a new retail licence has been received. The police are of the opinion that this will not help the problem of antisocial behaviour problems in Westgate.
Comments and Questions:
Cllr Simon Moores said the putting green should be available to local residents, and that he has tried to look after the tennis courts, any help from other councillors would be very welcome.
Cllr Iris Johnston has met with Reg Bell and Cllr Nicholson re alcohol licences.
Bridge Road. Some residents reported weeds two foot high. KCC Cllr Robert Burgess said it has been a very difficult year with weeds growing faster than usual and rain preventing the spray treatment. There is a priority policy for safety for certain verges and hedges. Jacqui Agnew asked if this might be work suitable for community service squads, and Robert said to contact Cllr Caroline Baker TDC. Raisa Hambidge suggested voluntary work in the community as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (11th June 2012), which had been circulated, were amended and adopted on a prop by Lorraine Hambidge sec by Debi Day, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Compensation following the Beach Contamination. Cllr Iris Johnston said she is following up the matter of compensation for traders and the council.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Simon Moores:
1) Cannabis Factory. A large factory had been discovered and dealt with in Ethelbert Terrace the previous Friday afternoon.
2) Antisocial Behaviour. Youths hanging about by the station had been observed and the police informed in case drugs were involved.
KCC Cllr Robert Burgess:
1) Olympic Torch. This will be in Thanet for five hours and be well worth seeing.
2) Sainsburys. A revised application has been received, showing slight modifications to the traffic issues but did not improve the bad situation.
3) Social Services Minnis Road Centre. These are difficult times with money short and prices had been put up, residents were not happy. There is to be a morning meeting on 20th July.
4) Strength Youth Café. This is going very well, a laptop is required.
Cllr Jodie Hibbert:
Cllr Hibbert introduced herself and thanked the chairman and residents for their welcome and looked forward to working in the ward.
PLANNING
1) 3, Lymington Road. Application for change of use to Micro Pub, (was a hair dressers).
TREASURER’S REPORT
Tom thanked Norman for his hard work as treasurer over many years and has now asked to stand down. Tom asked if there were any nominations to fill this vacancy, and Allison Moores had indicated at the recent committee meeting that she was willing to stand and was proposed by Lorraine Hambidge and seconded by Debi Day and duly elected.
EDITOR’S REPORT
The next magazine had gone for printing, and should be delivered on 18th July, and distributed shortly after this.
Brian had requested pictures of Westbrook, for future issues.
SUNSHINE REPORT
It was reported with regret that Judy Wright had died, she and her husband had always been good supporters of the association.
However Debi had sent three “get well” cards to members who had now all recovered well.
MEMBERSHIP
Rosalind thanked the road stewards for their good work, and reported that the invite a neighbour flyers had been quite successful, there had been sixty new members. The response to the flyers in local papers was being watched and assessed. More road stewards are required, and Rosalind had in mind informal meetings for road stewards over tea when ideas could be exchanged.
CIVIC REPORT
Iris Johnston pointed out that the civic society’s latest magazine featured quite a lot on Westgate.
SOCIAL REPORT
1) Party. A party is to be held to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of W&WRA president Eileen Cunnew in the Community Centre on Saturday 25th August 3.00pm to 7.00pm.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Bench for Westbrook Undercliff Area. Tony Sykes reported that the old bench had disintegrated and a replacement was required. Any help in this aim would be greatly appreciated.
2) Garlinge Residents Association. Diane Alger from the GRA thanked everyone for the warm welcome to the meeting which she had enjoyed and gave an invitation for anyone who would like to join the GRA at their next meeting in Victoria Villas on 16th July.
3) Youth Café. It was announced that any additional volunteers to help would be most welcome, and as the club thrives antisocial behaviour should reduce.
4) Libraries. In answer to a question KCC Cllr Robert Burgess confirmed that there were no plans to close Westgate library. Ideas were sought from local residents for different ways to increase the use of the libraries.
5) CAAG. Chris Wyer reported that part of the Victorian railings had been replaced in Salmstone Road, a local historic house is looking to have surrounding ground developed, and at Summerlands two protected trees had been felled, and Sainsburys had declared the trees on their site are not of any value. All would be carefully looked at by the CAAG.
6) Police Messages. Reports of recent problems with aggressive callers and fraudulent scam parcels were given so that local residents can be on their guard.
7) Emails. Vice-chairman Lorraine invited members to leave their email addresses so that this channel of communication can be used. Also requested were local businesses’ email addresses.
8) Olympic Torch Procession. Flags and bunting would be going up and a drumming band would be playing near the library, all were encouraged to join in. Routes and times are in the local press.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 13th August at the Westbrook Bowls Club.
There being no other business the meeting concluded at 9.02pm.
WWRA MINUTES
MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE UNITED SERVICES CLUB ON MONDAY 9TH JULY 2012 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Tom King, chairman and councillor, sixty members including a few visitors from Garlinge RA, KCC Cllr Robert Burgess Cllr Jodie Hibbert and Cllr Simon Moores, and Mr David Brown planning consultant for Express Tescos.
The chairman welcomed all attending.
APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Allison Moores, Jennifer Sawney, Ron Wellingham and Cllr Neil Hornus.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Tom King introduced David Brown representing Tesco and Darren Ellis who owns the land concerned. Darren informed the meeting that three to five years ago planning permission had been obtained for three to four retail units, but with the changing situation the proposed application is for the Tesco store. Due to constraints of the site there will not be space for expansion. David Brown then invited questions.
1) Dimensions of the Building were requested. ANS This will go to the dimensions of the plot, (which is about half the size of the proposed Sainsburys).
2) Parking Problems with customers and delivery vehicles. ANS As a local catchment area some of the customers will not be using cars. There will be a loading bay which will be used for deliveries, averaging one and a half per day which will be controlled by the council under a traffic restriction order. Concern was expressed by some residents with problems that had arisen at the recently opened Tesco at Westbrook.
3) Will all undertakings given be honoured. ANS These will be in writing and be enforceable.
4) ATM Installation. Is Tesco prepared to install this? ANS Yes.
5) Community Project Donations? ANS For this size of development there is not a 106 agreement, but there may be goodwill gestures.
6) How many staff will be employed? ANS About twenty to twenty five usually from the local area.
7) Will there be flats included as in the Westbrook store? ANS It is not in the plans, and there is no room for residential development.
8) Alcohol Licence application? ANS Yes.
9) Christmas Lights. These were formally on the site, so what will happen? ANS This will be taken into account and hopefully the store will participate.
10) What will be the opening times? ANS 7.00am to 11.00pm.
11) Why does Westgate need this store? ANS The site is in a distinct centre, and will increase the footfall. Most items will be prepacked and different to the other retail stores. There will be a “bake off”, but not a bakery.
David Brown said that any further questions can be forwarded to him, which he will be pleased to answer.
Tom then welcomed new Cllr Jodie Hibbert to the Westgate ward, and then continued with the chairman’s report:
1) Flag Post and Annual Remembrance Service. It was hoped to reinstate this and dedicate it on 4th August on the ninetieth anniversary of the war memorial. Vice-Chairman Lorraine Hambidge went on to say that the allotments and play area in Lymington Road were also a parish war memorial for the people, and it was hoped to put up a plaque to that effect.
2) Memorial to Dick Hambidge. This is to be unveiled on 22nd July in the United Services Club, all welcome.
3) St Mildred’s Bay Putting Green. The fencing had been vandalised and this public land should be available for use by local residents, and Tom will be seeing the portfolio holder and other councillors to this effect.
4) Alcohol Licence. An application for a new retail licence has been received. The police are of the opinion that this will not help the problem of antisocial behaviour problems in Westgate.
Comments and Questions:
Cllr Simon Moores said the putting green should be available to local residents, and that he has tried to look after the tennis courts, any help from other councillors would be very welcome.
Cllr Iris Johnston has met with Reg Bell and Cllr Nicholson re alcohol licences.
Bridge Road. Some residents reported weeds two foot high. KCC Cllr Robert Burgess said it has been a very difficult year with weeds growing faster than usual and rain preventing the spray treatment. There is a priority policy for safety for certain verges and hedges. Jacqui Agnew asked if this might be work suitable for community service squads, and Robert said to contact Cllr Caroline Baker TDC. Raisa Hambidge suggested voluntary work in the community as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (11th June 2012), which had been circulated, were amended and adopted on a prop by Lorraine Hambidge sec by Debi Day, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
1) Compensation following the Beach Contamination. Cllr Iris Johnston said she is following up the matter of compensation for traders and the council.
COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Simon Moores:
1) Cannabis Factory. A large factory had been discovered and dealt with in Ethelbert Terrace the previous Friday afternoon.
2) Antisocial Behaviour. Youths hanging about by the station had been observed and the police informed in case drugs were involved.
KCC Cllr Robert Burgess:
1) Olympic Torch. This will be in Thanet for five hours and be well worth seeing.
2) Sainsburys. A revised application has been received, showing slight modifications to the traffic issues but did not improve the bad situation.
3) Social Services Minnis Road Centre. These are difficult times with money short and prices had been put up, residents were not happy. There is to be a morning meeting on 20th July.
4) Strength Youth Café. This is going very well, a laptop is required.
Cllr Jodie Hibbert:
Cllr Hibbert introduced herself and thanked the chairman and residents for their welcome and looked forward to working in the ward.
PLANNING
1) 3, Lymington Road. Application for change of use to Micro Pub, (was a hair dressers).
TREASURER’S REPORT
Tom thanked Norman for his hard work as treasurer over many years and has now asked to stand down. Tom asked if there were any nominations to fill this vacancy, and Allison Moores had indicated at the recent committee meeting that she was willing to stand and was proposed by Lorraine Hambidge and seconded by Debi Day and duly elected.
EDITOR’S REPORT
The next magazine had gone for printing, and should be delivered on 18th July, and distributed shortly after this.
Brian had requested pictures of Westbrook, for future issues.
SUNSHINE REPORT
It was reported with regret that Judy Wright had died, she and her husband had always been good supporters of the association.
However Debi had sent three “get well” cards to members who had now all recovered well.
MEMBERSHIP
Rosalind thanked the road stewards for their good work, and reported that the invite a neighbour flyers had been quite successful, there had been sixty new members. The response to the flyers in local papers was being watched and assessed. More road stewards are required, and Rosalind had in mind informal meetings for road stewards over tea when ideas could be exchanged.
CIVIC REPORT
Iris Johnston pointed out that the civic society’s latest magazine featured quite a lot on Westgate.
SOCIAL REPORT
1) Party. A party is to be held to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of W&WRA president Eileen Cunnew in the Community Centre on Saturday 25th August 3.00pm to 7.00pm.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Bench for Westbrook Undercliff Area. Tony Sykes reported that the old bench had disintegrated and a replacement was required. Any help in this aim would be greatly appreciated.
2) Garlinge Residents Association. Diane Alger from the GRA thanked everyone for the warm welcome to the meeting which she had enjoyed and gave an invitation for anyone who would like to join the GRA at their next meeting in Victoria Villas on 16th July.
3) Youth Café. It was announced that any additional volunteers to help would be most welcome, and as the club thrives antisocial behaviour should reduce.
4) Libraries. In answer to a question KCC Cllr Robert Burgess confirmed that there were no plans to close Westgate library. Ideas were sought from local residents for different ways to increase the use of the libraries.
5) CAAG. Chris Wyer reported that part of the Victorian railings had been replaced in Salmstone Road, a local historic house is looking to have surrounding ground developed, and at Summerlands two protected trees had been felled, and Sainsburys had declared the trees on their site are not of any value. All would be carefully looked at by the CAAG.
6) Police Messages. Reports of recent problems with aggressive callers and fraudulent scam parcels were given so that local residents can be on their guard.
7) Emails. Vice-chairman Lorraine invited members to leave their email addresses so that this channel of communication can be used. Also requested were local businesses’ email addresses.
8) Olympic Torch Procession. Flags and bunting would be going up and a drumming band would be playing near the library, all were encouraged to join in. Routes and times are in the local press.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 13th August at the Westbrook Bowls Club.
There being no other business the meeting concluded at 9.02pm.