Secret Festival?

It appears that leaflets for our imminent and marvellous Festival were accidentally printed on thin sheets of Unobtainium. Our own dedicated Tourist Information Service seems to be rationing them. Presumably they've been cleaned out by people swarming to a quiet corner of the off-the-main-drag Council Offices.

To: customer.services@canterbury.gov.uk
Subject: HERNE BAY FESTIVAL NO LEAFLETS AVAILABLE
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:17:20 +0100

COMPLAINT

There are no brochures available in the Town for the Herne Bay Festival.

Having been to the HB Council Offices I could find nothing, not even a poster. I went to the Benefits Counter and had to ask for a brochure, given begrudgingly. No promotion of the Festival or Herne Bay just a hand over of the leaflet. Is this not OUR NEW VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE WE WERE PROMISED WOULD BE A VAST IMPROVEMENT ON OUR PREVIOUS VIBRANT AND INFORMATION DEDICATED VIC??

I went to the Library and the Museum who both advised they did not stock the Herne Bay Festival Brochure or had run out. They were not sure which was the case. They did however send the woman asking in front of me to the Council Offices saying "they should have some there" (well unless she had the foresight or premonition to go the benefits counter she will not have secured what must be considered the elusive and very limited editions of the festival Brochure).

I even went to the Canterbury VIC and guess what NO HERNE BAY FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES NOR A POSTER, NOT EVEN A HINT THAT CANTERBURY DISTRICT ARE CELEBRATING HERNE BAY. This is not the first time I have reported this problem It is the third year, possibly the fourth year I have reported the complete lack of effort of the Council. I believe that it is time you put Tourism for Herne Bay into the hands of a competent Tourism Agency.

I would ASK FOR YOUR WRITTEN REPLY WITHIN 14 DAYS

Kim Hennelly

CCC's Notable Achievements in Herne Bay

Marks out of ten for achievement? Here's what CCC proudly list on their site as their achievements in Herne Bay since 2005. I'm not churlish by nature, but it doesn't seem like a lot.

Notable Achievements in the Regeneration of Herne Bay

1. In 2009, Parklife, a new Youth and Children's Centre opened in Memorial Park. The new facility has proved very popular with local residents and includes a health clinic, youth activities and IT suite. The project, delivered by Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council demonstrates a successful example of partnership working and achievement.
2. The Council agreed a lease with a local business for the let of a vacant unit in the Herne Bay Bandstand. The unit has since become a thriving ice cream parlour with a corner allocated to tourist information with two large notice boards, a stand, a desk and computer.
3. In 2008, a successful community workshop was held to discuss the issues and opportunities for the regeneration of Herne Bay. Feedback enabled a greater focus on the preparation of preferred options for recreation, leisure and community, local economy and tourism, image and environment. The majority of proposals received overwhelming support in the public consultation prior to the drafting of the Area Action Plan.
4. The Council has identified the bus depot on the High Street as one of four potential opportunity sites that form a Central Development Area. Stagecoach has agreed to move, releasing the land for redevelopment. The site is now to be marketed to potential development partners as an exciting opportunity for a new mixed-use development in Herne Bay.
5. In 2007, the decision was taken to move the Pier Sports Centre from the end of the existing pier to the Herne Bay High School as part of the Building Schools for the Future scheme and to an extended herons centre. This proposal will enable the pier to once again be a unique attraction for the town and has led to the formation of the Herne Bay Pier Trust Herne Bay Pier Trust; a local community organisation to promote the future of the pier.
6. The Council working alongside both Sustrans and East Kent Partnership secured the necessary funding to complete the missing coastal section of the National Cycle Route link. The first section of this new cycle path was completed in March 2008, with the completion of the second stage due in 2009.
7. A partnership led by Canterbury City Council has delivered environmental improvements to both Beach Street Alley and William Street. These have enhanced the character, appearance and use of the pedestrian routes that link the High Street to the seafront.
8. In 2006, the Herne Bay Town Centre Partnership was established. The partnership is a voluntary organisation made up of local businesses and community groups, whose aims are to help regenerate the town through better joined up marketing and promotion.

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• Item 2 is, of course, CCC's slippery gloss on the dismal loss of our Visitor Information Centre. Cheek!
• Item 3 refers, I think, to the one-day HB Regeneration exhibition at the King's Hall.
• Item 4 is in limbo.
• Item 5 is now starting.

Town Development - consultation

Roll up, roll up! This is probably your last chance to influence the Master Plan, so have a look and then have your say. Not only can you have a close look at the William Street development plans, if you choose the day carefully, there will be someone to explain it all.

Herne Bay Central Development Area, Draft Master Plan Consultation

The council is committed to regenerating the Herne Bay Central Development Area as the main way of driving a stronger economy for Herne Bay as a whole. The Central Development Area encompasses the King's Road and William Street car parks, extending north to the High Street. It also includes parts of Beach Street and Hanover Street, as well as William Street and Queen Street. The result will be a thriving mixed use development.

The council has been working with our partners Coplan and Denne to draw together all of the previous consultation comments to produce a Draft Master Plan. We now wish to consult on this to ensure that we have accurately captured the views of local residents and businesses. When we have considered all of the comments we will look to finalise the Master Plan and hopefully consider a planning application for the central development area in early 2011.

You can view the draft Master Plan at Christ Church, William Street, Herne Bay at an exhibition lasting each day from 10am to 4pm, from Monday August 16th until Sunday September 26th 2010 (except Wednesday mornings and Sundays). You can also view the Draft Master Plan at Herne Bay Divisional Office, Herne Bay Library; and the main city council offices. A summary of the Draft Master Plan, which you can take away with you, is also available at all of these locations. We have produced a questionnaire but do feel free to write in or email your comments to janet.davies@canterbury.gov.uk if you prefer.

The council and Coplan will be holding two sets of Question and Answer days at Christ Church, William Street. These will be from 10am to 4pm on Monday 16th August, Tuesday 17th August, Wednesday 18th August; and Wednesday 1st September, Thursday 2nd September and Friday 3rd of September. We will also be available from 10am until 8pm on Wednesday 1st September and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 11th September. I hope you will find time to drop in and view the exhibition or indeed to come along on one of the Question and Answer days. If not do please have a look at this website where you will be able to gain all of the information: www.canterbury.gov.uk/hernebayprojects

Comments can also be left at the Corporate Trailer which will be based by the Clock Tower, Herne Bay on Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August. The Trailer will have be staffed and have copies of the Draft Master Plan available for reference. I look forward to receiving your comments on the proposals for the Central Development Area at: janet.davies@canterbury.gov.uk

Blacksole Bridge solution?

Here's a thought: our beloved Council might be able to pluck victory from the jaws of self-inflicted defeat by the careful use of some of its special powers. Not super-hero special powers, you understand, but good old-fashioned statutory powers.

Applying some judicious pressure to our friends at Kitewood (masters of Altira) might just encourage them to get cracking on their promised bridgework. It could be argued that it would be perfectly reasonable of CCC to set about resolving this knotty problem by slapping a compulsory purchase order on a strip of land running from the end of Mickleburgh Hill through to the roundabout in the middle of Altira Tumbleweed Park.

click it to big itThis 200 yard new road (and bridge) would provide a clear run through for traffic to and from the Thanet Way, and provide the option of making the existing Blacksole Bridge and the curve of Margate Road pedestrian only (or pedestrian and bicycles). Smooth-flowing traffic, and safe passage for people - what's not to like?

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Visit www.SaveHillborough.info for more