Councillors handing out our money

Herne Bay councillors could give away the rest of their community budget at next week's meeting

Councillors could allocate the rest of their budget for community projects at their next meeting. Members of Herne Bay Area Panel will discuss two applications for their opportunities fund at their meeting on Tuesday. If both are approved, it will take up the remaining £8,000 and leave no cash spare until April next year.

The schemes under consideration are allotments for Broomfield, from Herne and Broomfield Parish Council, and promotion for the Duchamps festival this summer, from Bayguide Community Interest Company.

The panel has already given Herne and Broomfield Parish Council £1,200 for mural painting on the Mill Lane underpass, and £186 to Herne Bay Historical Records Society for commemorative medallions for schoolchildren.

An application from the BayPromoTeam for money to fund workshops for children and other free events was refused.

Councillors will make the decision at their next meeting, at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 21st May in the Salvation Army Hall in Richmond Street. It is open to the public.

thisiskent 14th May 2013

Free parking - is it worth the money?

It's hard to tell whether this scheme is gibberish or not.​The money to pay for this free parking experiment is coming from the "Opportunity Fund" - £10k set aside by CCC for the Herne Bay councillors to spend on local projects.

I had fondly imagined that this would cover stuff that wouldn't easily be funded from any other part of the Council structure - the Christmas grotto at the Bandstand, a grant for the Umbrella Centre, that sort of thing.​

It appears, however, that it can be used for things that I would have thought came under the Highways budget (the new barrier in Mortimer Street) or CCC's traffic budget (this proposal). It looks and feels to me like the Council simply recycling the same money - CCC gives Herne Bay money which is then returned to CCC to cover the revenue that CCC loses through Herne Bay’s free parking experiment.​

Andrew Cook gave us a breakdown of where the money will be spent: £400 for advertising, £250 for recalibrating the machines, leaving £800 for the parking. I think his maths is a little out - £750 would be left to cover the cost of lost parking revenue.

One of the councillors, I think it was Peter Lee, revealed that the horrid little parking meters scattered across town are cleverer than I ever expected. They are linked in to some evil central parking brain, and chatter away all day long, boasting about how much money they’re taking.

Surely this takes all the guesswork out of estimating how much parking is making the Council, and how much free parking would cost them. Nonetheless, Andrew Cook says in the press article that it will give them "a clear idea of what it costs to do free parking". Peter Lee says the money being asked for is "a fair estimate of the income lost". CCC already know what the experiment is likely to cost - the parking meters have told them.

What they haven’t explained is how they will know if the experiment has succeeded, or what their criteria for success might be.

How is this going to be assessed? If someone arrives at 9:15am and leaves at 10:30am, how will anyone (or the parking meters) know they were ever there? Will there be a Council officer standing there every April morning, counting the cars in and counting them out again?

Peter Lee refers to the possibility of free parking being “self-funding” - what on earth does that mean? Presumably, he thinks that the £800 of lost parking revenue might pop up somewhere, somehow.

So what’s actually happening here - is our Council simply using some rather unsubtle money-shuffling to give the appearance of trying to help our town?

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Free parking trial for Herne Bay town centre approved by councillors

Shoppers will be offered free parking on weekday mornings next month in a bid to tempt them into Herne Bay. Councillors agreed to spend £1,400 on a trial of free parking between 9am and 11am, Monday to Friday, in the Kings Road car park where the market is held on Saturdays.

The money comes from Herne Bay Area Member Panel’s opportunities fund - a pot of £10,000 a year for community projects that benefit the town. It will pay for advertising, changes to parking meters and for any lost revenue from car parking charges.

Dylan Hampshire, of Cockett’s Mattresses, suggested changing the time and copying other town’s ‘free after 3pm’ schemes. Andrew Lawrence, who runs the Speciality Food Store in Mortimer Street, said both mornings and afternoons were difficult for traders:

“From 9-11am is a dead zone, as is the last part of the day. After 2.30pm, Herne Bay is dead. We are suffering then. We could probably open from 11am to 2.30pm and then close our shops and go home because we have so few customers.”

He said local people refused to pay anything for parking, and seafront charges also put holidaymakers off.

But West Bay councillor Peter Lee said parking was free for most of the year in Central Parade. Heron councillor Andrew Cook added:

“This is an excellent project that both residents and businesses have been pushing for. It will give us an accurate idea of what it actually costs to do free parking.”

Critics argued that the money was effectively going back into the council’s pockets, to replace the income lost from parking charges during the trial. But Cllr Lee, who is responsible for finance on the council, said it was important to be able to tell how much revenue was lost. He added:

“We can repeat it in the future if we can prove it can be self-funding. This is a fair estimate of the income lost.”

Officials also vowed to investigate another suggestion of extending the free parking in town centre streets from one hour to two. The Kings Road car park scheme will start in April.

thisiskent 12th Mar 2013

Town Councillors

On Tues 15th, our councillors will PUBLICLY discuss issues that matter to our town. This happens rarely, so don't miss it - the Salvation Army Hall in Richmond Street, starting at 6:30pm.

They only do this half a dozen times a year, so it's almost a special occasion. If you're quick about it, you can put your own questions to the councillors about issues that you think matter to our town - details are here, in the "Public Question and Answer" section.

On the Agenda:

• the increase in parking charges in Herne Bay and across the district
• turning Herne Bay Library into a "gateway"
• the traffic problems around the new Tesco in Sea Street
  
• KCC's Flood and Drainage strategy
  
• funding for a barrier across Mortimer Street, and for the Umbrella Centre
• the Town Centre Manager's report on the state of the town

Their next meeting will be on 12th March.

The "never apologise, never explain" approach to democracy

Here's a councillor who thinks he was elected to speak his mind. What do you think - did you vote for representation, or a brain dump?

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Battling Bay councillor Peter Vickery-Jones and campaigner Phil Rose have clashed over a campaign to get the Downs registered as a village green. At a recent council meeting, Mr Vickery-Jones blasted Mr Rose as "pious and lamentable".

The 51-year-old has hit back in an official complaint describing the councillor's comments as "slanderous and abusive". A copy, which was leaked to the Times, lays bare the bad feeling. Mr Rose said:

"Cllr Vickery-Jones has made a series of inaccurate and abusive statements about me and my work to protect the Downs. These culminated in his most recent allegations at Herne Bay Area Member Panel. He repeatedly claims I deliberately misinform the public. Cllr Vickery-Jones' behaviour is slanderous, abusive and disrespectful."

He demanded written evidence from Cllr Vickery-Jones, or a full apology and a promise to never repeat the allegations. But the councillor said:

"I was elected to speak my mind and that's what I do. I have no intention of apologising for doing so."

HB Times 2nd Feb 2012

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"I was elected to speak my mind"? No, councillor - you were elected to represent the interests of your constituency.

Being elected doesn't give you the right to speak as you please, it gives you the duty to speak on behalf of others.

Best of a bad bunch?

As predicted, some time ago...

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

Ban on fishing in Memorial Park pond

There's no plaice for fishing in the Memorial Park pond, according to council bosses. Officials have reeled in permission for people to enjoy the popular pastime after deciding to enforce an ancient byelaw.

New signs were put up around the pond but the move has angered many, including campaigner Andy Newell. He told councillors at a meeting of Herne Bay Area Member Panel that he was dubious the byelaw was valid. He said:

"I have always fished in the park pond and I know other people who have done for years as well. Are you going to ban the activity and not even look at the feeling of the general public?"

Outdoor leisure manager for Canterbury City Council, Richard Griffiths, said:

"We recognised that the byelaws were not being enforced. It's the legal view that these laws mean no fishing in the pond. The byelaw actually says no taking, injuring or disturbing of fish."

Taxi driver Adrian Bennett supported the council's stance. He said:

"You'd see waterfowl caught up in people's lines and being dragged across the pond. People would be jumping onto the island – not just one or two kids but a lot of people and a lot of adults. If you want to protect wildlife you can't have that going on."

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

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HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Herne Bay to be colonised by time machines

Two Dr Who Tardises could be installed on the seafront and at the library in the hope that Dr Who fans will be drawn to the town. And enthusiasts could find they are bigger than they look, as the plan is for them to be working police boxes to allow people to contact emergency services.

Furniture maker Jason Onion revealed his sci-fi vision at a meeting of Herne Bay councillors on Tuesday and was rewarded with a round of applause. The 35-year-old moved back to Herne Bay from Cornwall and is eager to make a positive contribution for the community. He said:

"This seemed like a brilliant opportunity to tie in with the programme's 50th anniversary and do something good for the town."

His unusual idea would also be a celebration of Anthony Coburn, the first writer of the show who lived in Herne Bay. Jason hopes to incorporate internet wi-fi connection and a 360 degree CCTV camera in the top light to deter vandals. Councillors voted unanimously to refer the plans to city council's ruling executive committee. Andrew Cook, councillor for Heron said:

"This is a great idea. We should seize this opportunity for Herne Bay."

Jason plans to build the Tardis himself and suggests that reclaimed wood from the pier could be used. Ultimately the police box would be auctioned off in 2013 on the show's 50th anniversary and proceeds would be donated to charity.

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

Host of opportunities to put town on the map

A town on the up – that was the message from town manager Chris West for councillors. Mr West said Herne Bay was enjoying notable retail successes, including the opening of independent shop Berries Cake-Away and the arrival of clothing chain Peacocks.

At a meeting of the town's area member panel last week he also reported that the Bay had one of Kent's lowest numbers of empty shops at 5.4 per cent. This is in stark contrast to Margate with 37 per cent. Peter Lee, councillor for West Bay, spoke about the recent departure of Currys from the town centre. He said:

"I understand that Currys moved out even earlier than their lease required as Peacocks were so eager to get in. I think that's encouraging for the town."

Herne Bay in Bloom was also on the agenda. Councillor for Heron, Ron Flaherty suggested that tall weeds being allowed to grow in the town detracted from the Herne Bay in Bloom effort. He said:

"What are the judges going to think when they turn up and see huge weeds all over the place."

Mr West responded by saying that weed spraying would take place before judging of the competition took place. Volunteers for the Big Clean in Herne Bay were thanked for their efforts. Many gave up their lunch to collect litter, pull out weeds and generally clean up the town. Mr West also outlined plans for a marketing campaign to promote the Bay as a tourist destination. He said:

"We've got a great opportunity, with the Turner in Margate people can be drawn to Herne Bay as well."

An advertising campaign involving train station billboards within an hour radius, bus adverts and social networking aims to encourage day trippers and tourists on longer breaks. It will start at the beginning of July and continue until mid August.

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

Council says beach hut demand is outstripping supply

City councillors have found 11 potential sites to build more beach huts on. A full report was being discussed by members of the Herne Bay area members panel on Tuesday and by Whitstable members last night (Wednesday). The council's ruling executive will discuss the comments on July 28.

Members of the Herne Bay Beach Hut Association, Tankerton Bay Beach Hut Association, Herne Bay Residents Association, Whitstable Society and Whitstable Harbour Board took part in the review of all sites from Seasalter to Reculver.

Thirty-one sites have been ruled out for expansion including land near Seasalter Sailing Club, central Tankerton Slopes, the green gap at Swalecliffe, Studd Hill in Herne Bay, Herne Bay's Central Parade and Bishopstone Glen to Reculver.

Community groups have been invited to comment on the report by July 4. It is available on the council website. Reculver councillor Gillian Reuby said:

"I have no problem with more beach huts in principle, but when it comes to Herne Bay we need to be very careful. I divide the town into three parts: the western part is beach huts and family areas; the middle is day-trippers and shoppers and is very lively; the eastern part is tranquil, undisturbed and for those looking for peace and quiet and nice walks."

The city council's head of community development and outdoor leisure, Suzi Wakeham, said:

"Demand for beach huts in Herne Bay and Whitstable is outstripping supply. Beach hut associations have waiting lists and huts sell quickly on the market. They are also good for the local economy and have an important role to play in the regeneration of Herne Bay."

The report is available at council offices in Herne Bay, Whitstable Improvement Trust and Whitstable library. Do we need more beach huts? Email newsdesk.times@KRNmedia.co.uk or leave a message on our Facebook site.

HB Times 17th Jun 2011

Future of shelter to be decided

A long-running battle over where to place a Victorian shelter looked set to come to a head this week. Councillors were voting on where to put the historic Green Shelter as the Times went to press, after failing to come to a decision at a meeting in March. At the moment the shelter is in storage after having been taken down and repainted.

The three options for where to put it are back where it was, near Herne Bay pier; to move it to one side, on to the slopes of the Spa Esplanade – the option favoured by councillors – which would require the shelter to be supported by stilts; and to put it onto Herne Bay Pier itself. The head of Herne Bay Residents Association Dick Eburne said:

" I think it is highly likely the money will be used to put the Green Shelter on stilts on western slopes of the Spa Esplanade."

Councillors had asked officer Malcolm Burgess to hire someone to work out costs for placing the shelter back on the site where it was. That option had been rejected by council engineers as unsafe and expensive because of an underground drain. Mr Burgess said putting the shelter on the site councillors wanted would cost around £14,000. That's on top of the £8,000 facelift the shelter had after being taken down in February last year.

HB Times 17th Jun 2011

Post mortem and the afterlife

May's election is done and dusted, the rosettes stored away, the leaflets recycled, and the manifesto promises are just fading memories.

What are we left with for the next four years, here in sunny Herne Bay? Well, we've got eight of the old guard (one re-badged) and five newbies - a decent rate of turnover, by the look of it. Twelve of them are Conservative, one Liberal Democrat. And this is where our problems start.

In Herne & Broomfield, there was no change: Bisset, Sonnex and Vickery-Jones sailed in. In the papers the next week, Sharron Sonnex wrote about continuing to "robustly represent" her constituents. I laughed till I stopped. After attending HBAMP meetings on and off for a couple of years, plus the occasional Council meeting, I had never heard Sharon Sonnex speak (or Evelyn Bisset, come to that). When the Herne & Broomfield blarney fairy was handing out the gift of the gab, I think Peter Vickery-Jones must have cornered the market.

Over in West Bay, old hand Peter Lee topped the poll, closely followed by Sebastien Byford. Who? Well, Sebastien is one of the new foundling councillors, magicked out of nowhere by Conservative High Command and dropped neatly into the gap left by Vince McMahan. As you can tell from the number of votes - nearly as many as the experienced financial wizard Peter Lee - he is clearly top-class councillor material.

In my home Ward of Reculver (where I was beaten into fourth place, but still ahead of Labour and LibDems), we hung on to Cllrs Reuby and Taylor, and acquired Jennie Edwards. Putting her glamorous past behind her, Jennie works in the local Conservative office in Birchington, where she was sprinkled with fairy dust and became - tadah! - another foundling councillor.

Heron Ward in central Herne Bay is home to our lone remaining LibDem, Ron Flaherty, and two more newbies - Andrew Cook (King of the Beach Huts) and Joe Howes, about whom I know nothing, other than Andrew apparently met him whilst out dog-walking.

Greenhill & Eddington was all surprises - Robert Bright (once a Conservative, then a LibDem, now a Conservative again) topped the poll, closely followed by David Hirst (already a busy Kent County Councillor for Herne Bay). Councillor Bright is said by his (current) leader John Gilbey to have "ratted and re-ratted" - and there the similarity with Winston Churchill ends, completely. He had not been reselected by the LibDems due to his poor performance as a constituency councillor. For me, his election lends the lie to the idea that the Conservative party has a formidable election machine - you can pin a blue rosette on a rat and it will get votes.

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So, what are we to make of all this, and what's going to happen next?

Dear Reader, I must confess I'm worried for our town. All of the retorgrade steps in recent years have, by definition, happened under and because of the Conservative majority in Canterbury. We now have an overwhelming Conservative majority in Herne Bay - anything and everything that is suggested or ordered by Canterbury High Command will go through on the nod. I forecast poor attendance, and worse debate, at HBAMP (the meeting of our local councillors) as the unchallengable majority become increasingly lazy and arrogant.

Our local democracy is already in poor shape - the Central Development Plan gets a mixed reaction from 119 people, and goes ahead; the village green application gets solid support from ten times as many (1,181) and is fiercely opposed by the Council. Over the last couple of decades, we have seen blue and red landslide victories in national politics, and both have turned sour. I fear this local landslide will follow the same pattern.

And what of HBAMP itself?

We're at the stage in the game of political musical chairs when everyone changes place. The chairmanship alternates annually between Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council, as does the vice-chairmanship. Last year we had David Hirst (chair, KCC) and Vince McMahan (vice-chair, CCC), so this year we must have a CCC Chair, and a KCC vice-chair.

The vice-chairmanship is easy enough to forecast - there are two possible candidates, David Hirst and Jean Law. As David has just had a year of chairing, it will fall to Jean Law to be vice-chair. The chairmanship is a little trickier.

Traditionally, members of the Executive are ruled out - they don't want to give the impression that the Executive runs everything. Perish the thought! So that rules out Lee, Taylor and Vickery-Jones. The newbies are out of the running for a whole host of good reasons, not least inexperience - so that rules out Cook, Howes, Edwards and Byford. Cllr Reuby was chair recently, and there is not a chance in hell that LoneDem Ron Flaherty would be made chair.

Which leave us with the Silent Sisters Sonnex and Bisset, and Blue Rat Bright. Tough call! The word on the street is that Bright wins by a whisker, much to the annoyance of local Tories, some of whom refused to stand in the same Ward as Bright, and even threatened to resign rather than be too close to him. Bright managed to rile people, councillors and public alike, sitting as a councillor on HBAMP. As chair, he promises to be insufferable. He may turn out to be the only significant problem the Herne Bay Conservatives have.

Our Chosen Few

Here's what they said about themselves in the papers before the election.

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Greenhill & Eddington

Robert Bright, Conservative

Occupation: Businessman. Rob has been a city councillor for eight years. His priorities have been to champion the cause of the people with the constituency work he does in the area of housing and social issues. His son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren live in Greenhill.

David Hirst, Conservative

Occupation: None stated. David has represented you at Kent County Council since 2001. In today's world it is clear that membership of both Kent and the city councils enables more to be achieved locally. His priorities are providing the cost-effective services you need, safeguarding our pensioners and improving the environment and quality of life.

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Herne & Broomfield

Evelyn Bisset, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. My one joy has been living in Herne, a lovely village and people. I am also lucky to live near Herne Bay. I just love Mortimer Street and the private shops and even the larger stores. The future looks inspiring.

Sharron Sonnex, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. Since being elected I have gained a wealth of knowledge both from the training I have received and practical experience. I have a Citizens Advice Bureau background which enables me to work with the public resolving benefit and housing issues.

Peter Vickery-Jones, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. I am proud to represent Herne and Broomfield. I have always tried my best to resolve local issues and if re-elected I am determined to continue working on them. I can be a nuisance and I know I get it wrong sometimes but no one can ever accuse me of not being fully committed to representing you. I am active with my support for the family fun day, carnival float and for Santa's float every Christmas. I apply commonsense to any issue and will not promise something I know I cannot deliver.

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Heron

Andrew Cook, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. Andrew moved to Herne Bay in 1986 having had fond memories of the town from his childhood. He went on to bring up his three children with his wife Alison (who is a local school teacher) in Heron Ward and is currently celebrating 20 years of business in the town. He is the founder member of the Beach Hut Association and has key roles with the Friends of the Museum and the Friends of the Memorial Park. Many will know him for fighting to keep the visitors information centre and museum and getting domestic waste sacks removed from the streets.

Joe Howes, Conservative.

Occupation: Education officer. Former secondary school teacher Joe spent his childhood here but returned 13 years ago after university. He is married and has three children all at Dane Court Grammar School. He works at the Parish Church of St Mary of Charity, Faversham. Education is an issue that he feels passionate about and he sits on the Independent Appeals Panels for Schools.

Ron Flaherty, Liberal Democrat.

Occupation: Magistrate. Ron has lived in the town for 25 years and has been a Heron Ward councillor since 1991. He worked at the University of Kent until 2001 and now concentrates on city council work including licensing and personnel. He is also a magistrate.

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Reculver

Ann Taylor, Conservative.

Occupation: Housewife. I am married with two grown- up children and four grandchildren. I have lived in Herne Bay, on and off. for over 60 years and have seen the town develop from a seaside resort that attracted many caravan owners to a town that attracts day—trippers from surrounding towns. I attend St Andrew's Church in Hampton. I help at a club for primary school children run by the Family Work from Christchurch. I enjoy taking the family dog Alfie for walks.

Jennie Edwards, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. I am 25 and have lived all of my life in Herne Bay. I am passionate about the town and heritage. The regeneration project is the way forward. I have been an active member of the carnival committee for five years and support several animal welfare charities.

Gillian Reuby, Conservative.

Occupation: None stated. I have lived in Reculver Ward for over 35 years and have had the honour to represent the ward on Canterbury City Council for 20 years. Public open space is very precious and I will continue to fight for this. I am chairman of the Friends of the Downs Group. I have helped provide the Bishopstone Glen steps and bridge; upgrading of the Burton Downs Play area: the coastal footpath resurfacing; the Shopmobility Scheme for the town and new bus shelters. I supported residents in their fight against night flights into Manston.

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West Bay

Sebastien Byford, Conservative

Occupation: Quantity Surveyor. Sebastien has lived in Herne Bay for almost 30 years and studied at Canterbury College. He believes Herne Bay is a lovely coastal town and supports its regeneration.

Peter Lee, Conservative.

Occupation: IT consultant. I would like to continue to represent the people of West Bay and drive forward the Herne Bay regeneration plans on which we have made a great start. I would like to be able to see the project through to completion.

The town's councillors

Tuesday 15th March 6:30pm

Salvation Army Hall, 33 Richmond Street, Herne Bay

Rejoice, dear reader - a special day approaches! Half a dozen or so times a year the chosen few gather together to discuss and vote on things that matter to Herne Bay. On Tuesday, our town councillors will assemble at the Salvation Army Hall, eager to answer your questions. Someone from the Royal Mail will be there to "discuss the concerns" about the experimental system that was inflicted on us before Christmas (and before the snow). The councillors will be deciding where to reinstate the Red Shelter, AKA the Threepenny Bit Shelter; they'll also be neglecting public gardens to save money; considering parish grant applications; discussing No Fishing signs and road re-surfacing; and hearing from the Coastal Towns Manager.

It's an open public meeting.

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1. Apologies for absence

2. Disclosures by members and officers

Members and officers are invited to declare any interests and whether the nature of them is prejudicial or personal.

3. Public Question and answer session PDF 54 KB

A written question has been received from Dick Eburne on the existing powers of Parish Councils and the cost to the taxpayer of these Councils. His questions and the officers responses are attached to the agenda.

Additional documents:

• Questions from Dick Eburne, item 3. PDF 64 KB
• eburne appendix, item 3. PDF 1 MB

4. Public participation

Provided that notification has been given to the Chief Executive by 12.30pm on Monday 14 March 2011, members of the public may speak on any item on the agenda for a maximum of three minutes. The Chairman to report any notification received.

5. Minutes - 1 February 2011 PDF 75 KB

To confirm as a true record.

6. Actions arising from the last meeting not dealt with by separate reports

7. Royal Mail

At the last meeting the Panel AGREED that a representative of Royal Mail be invited to attend the next meeting of the Panel to discuss the concerns regarding the experimental system for postal deliveries in Herne Bay.

Heulyn Davies, Senior External Relations Manager, Andrew Mills, Head of Deliveries for Kent and Martin Woods, Delivery Lead Kent Project will be attending the meeting as Royal Mail's representatives.

8. Forthcoming decision list - 1 March to 30 June 2011 PDF 73 KB

TO REVIEW the list and consider if the Panel should be consulted on any of the decision topics.

9. Kent County Council's Forward Plan

At the present time there are no relevant decisions on Kent County Council's Forward Plan that will affect the Herne Bay area.

10 Green Shelter relocation PDF 81 KB

Jeffrey Hall, the City Councils Asset Inspector, will attend.

11. Parish Councils Capital Grant Applications PDF 87 KB

TO CONSIDER the report of the Head of Community Development and Outdoor Leisure

Additional documents:

• APPENDIX 1 Overall CIFT Totals All Parishes 2011-12, item 11. PDF 58 KB

12. Changes to planting and maintenance arrangements

Further to the discussions at the last meeting, officers have advised that the specification for some shrubs will be reduced from "ornamental" to "amenity" throughout the district. In practice all this means is that the shrubs will be pruned less frequently and the weeding done less often.

The areas affected are: 

• Dane John
• The Three Cemeteries
• War Memorial Park
• Tower and Waltrop Gardens

Three years ago substantial savings were made on bedding plants and the amount of bedding throughout the district was reduced in the less sensitive areas. Officers received very few comments about this and the changes went largely unnoticed. It is thought the same will be true of the changes in shrub maintenance.  TO NOTE

13. No fishing signs at the pond , memorial park, Herne Bay

TO DISCUSS, at the request of Councillor Ron Flaherty, the appearance of the above signs. The City Council's Outdoor Leisure Manager has advised that fishing in the boating lake is illegal due to the following byelaw.  10 (iii) "take, injury or destroy, or attempt to take, injury or destroy any fish in any such water, or willfully disturb or worry any waterfowl".  Every so often people start fishing in the boating lake and the police / PCSO's and staff ask people to stop due to the byelaw.  A review of the open space byelaws was discussed at a Members briefing on 5^th January 2011 and it was agreed to defer a review so that the implications of the Localism Bill could be considered.

14. Resurfacing of roads in Herne Bay

To DISCUSS, at the request of Councillor Matthews, the following questions:  Can KCC advise why newly re-laid roads are breaking up?  Is a lower standard of surfacing being used than in the past?  Is there any national standard on resurfacing roads?

15. Progress report of the Coastal Towns Manager PDF 56 KB

TO NOTE the report of the Head of Culture and Enterprise

16. Date of next meeting

It is anticipated that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 June 2011 at 6.30pm in the Salvation Army Hall, 33 Richmond Street, Herne Bay, subject to the annual Council meeting approving this date. Future panel dates, also subject to annual Council meeting approval are as follows

• 19 July 2011
• 13 September 2011
•  8 November 2011
• 3 January 2012
• 13 March 2012

All at 6.30pm in the Salvation Army Hall.

17. Any other urgent business to be dealt with in public

18. Any other urgent business which falls under the exempt provisions of the local government act 1972 or the freedom of information act 2000 or both.

It will be necessary to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public for any business under this item.

Central Development Area

£35m plan for shops, hotel and homes go step closer

HB Gazette 30th Sep 2010

Speak no evil

HB Gazette 23rd Sep 2010