---

Multimedia message Local Government members come to Dover

ccc members enjoying dover hospitality.

memebers fromaround England  including Copeland, Nottingham,Derbyshire and Northumberland came to Dover to discuss coalfield issues. The Chairman of the council Cllr Pat Heath welcomed them with a reception in the town hall. Afterwards some members adjourned to a local bar to network in a more informal manner.

-
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Cool


Dover North Neighbourhood Forum

dover north local board first public meeting

Tonight was the first meeting of the Dover North Neighbourhhood forum

thisis an exciting partnership between the county, dover district and the parishes

tonight we discussed traffic issues

there is much concern in the parishes about traffic as many believe that traffic drives too quiclkly through the villages.

The rat run from deal to Whitfiled which runs through many of the parishes involved was high on many members interests

 

Cllr Birkett from KCC also was worried about speed around schools

i share his concern and would like to see a system similar to the Australian model where there is a lower limit around schools between 8.00am and 9.30 am and the again between 2.30pmand 4.00pm.

to me this would be a common sense approach to this problem.

there  was also concern that the forum would become another talking shop unless there could be demonstrated real progress on common issues. Cllr smith from DDC  made this point which seemed to be shared by many of those present.

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Sceptical

Multimedia message

dover north neighbourhood forum first public meeting in aylesham
lic meeting in aylesham

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

feedback

i contacted my cabinet colleague cllr Collor about the pay and display machine which is obscured from view

he shares my concerns and has spoken to the car park owners about this and about other issues to do with car park security.

i await to see if the owners take theesse concerns on board.

Current mood: Sceptical


Display and Pay

display and pay?

this latest siting of the pay and dispaly machine in a well known car park in Deal raises questions

One of the other machines was out of order with tape across the coin slot so why then is this machine placed behind the trolly park?

im sure you all had no problems spotting it

 

perhaps it is an attempt to hide the machine from vandals!

dia Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Mad


parking

at last week's Towns and parishes meeting, one of the issues raised was about parking problems, specifically people who park on areas like double yellow lines and parking on footpaths. I mention this purely becuase today inoticed many people parking around Canada road in Deal in this way.

Are peopleso lazy that they cannot park even 5 minutes walk from their destination?

Perhaps this is leading to the lealth crisis facing western civilization?

Current mood: Sad


cabinet papers

and just in case that residents thought that councillors have fun, i am spending this weekend reading the acbinet papers for the meeting on 4th of December. 180 pages of detailed reports on matters such as purchase of software, waste services, the Gambling act 2005 and the recent local government white paper.

i know that most if not all of my cabinet colleagues will be spending the weekend the same way.

at least it makes a change from hearing about the cricket!

 

Current mood: Cool


Multimedia message

annual towns and parishes meeting at the district council offices
district council offices

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Connaught - where now

tonight i received an email from a resident concerned over future home office plans for Dover.

 

is there still an agenda for our town?

Current mood: Sceptical


Cherry Lane Problems

This morning i had a telephone call from a resident who was concerned over the delay in collecting recycling from Cherry Lane in my village.

I contacted the appropriate people at the council and they informed me of the problems assocaited with collecting in this road. apparently overhanging trees are an obstruction to the collection vehicle so kenmt highways are investigating the problems. The waste officer at Dover DC will contact the contractor on the next friday before the Monday collection to ensure that this street is not missed again.

i will update when i receive further news

Current mood: Sceptical


Multimedia message

Tilmanstone parish council was on tonight

there was an discussion on the local development framework with mixed views from the council.

there is much disinformation going round about this process and the likely outcomes for the district.

there was also discussion about highways issues and the councils precept for the next financial year.

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Sceptical


Multimedia message

Today at lunch a resident was talking about traffic concerns in deal. Park st has become a nightmare for those living there
ut traffic concerns in deal. Park st has become a nightmare for those living there

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Multimedia message

Today at lunch a resident was talking about traffic concerns in deal. Park st has become a nightmare for those living there
ut traffic concerns in deal. Park st has become a nightmare for those living there

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Customer sevice

we live in a society where many businesses exist to serve the customer but is this message getting through to all of the workforce. Today i went to a large superstore in canterbury and was dismayed to be held up by a youth who was stacking empty trays in the middle of the aisle happily blocking the way to any customers trying to get through. I dont know whether he found the situation to his amusement but the customers trying to get past were clearly annoyed.

 

i would be aghast if any of my children behaved in such a manner

If i was that persons line manager i would also be horrified eyt of course there was no such person available to speak to

 

perhaps that store has enough customers already

 

 

Current mood: Mad


Eastry Drop in

This morning i visited the eastry drop in.

Among the concermns of residents was how to complain about police services as soemn residents are concerned over recent developments and also feel that policing in east kent is very sub standard.

i have the police line that in fact they are recruiting a number of new officers for Kent however there still seems to be a drain away from East Kent. Perhaps this refllects the growth in population in places like Ashford and the Thames Gateway.

With the decision on the prison, people are also interested in positive uses of the land such as for housing and educational use . Some early indications would be welcomed.

 

Current mood: Sceptical


Multimedia message

frances morgan talks about cadaver brasses to the great mongeham society
These are monuments to the deceased dating from the 14th to 16 centuries and are found in the south east and east of England

it may be a macabre topic but she showed enthusiasm and undoubted knowledge about the topic

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

 

Ok for such a topic and with the list available there can only be one smiley icon that is suitable

Current mood: Dead

Multimedia message

great mongeham society annual meeting

 

Brian Knight was voted in for yet another year as chairman

 

well done brian

This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Happy

Multimedia message

paul tipple and dorothy thom at the launch of the enterprise gateway

The organisation is run to assist entrepreneurs to start up in East Kent.

a number of businesses were able to showcase their ideas including entertainers, personal shoppers, and artists.

Paul tipple from East Kent Partnerships praised the flexibilty iof the east Kent workforce

while Doroty Thom also highlighted the innovation and enterprise in the local area.
--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Cool


Not all councillors are budding Bill Gates

we are in the process of upgrading our secure connections so that members can better access the Dover DC systems from home or even remotely

This is a relatively simple process and our chairman described the process as simple yet still most of our members are having trouble

i have made it my goal to try to resolve these problems by the end of the month

 

 

Current mood: Sceptical


Technology Enterprise for Kent

Tonight i attended the Enterprise and Tarining awards for Kent held at Dover Town Hall.

 

There were many examples of innovation and entrerprise which were acknowledged tonight from across the county

It was pleasing to see that in East Kent a number of businesses picked up awards for varoius categories.

it was also a chance to speak to colleagues from across the county

 

although my one reservation is that are many enterprises diligently doing their work who will not gain awards yet perform a vital role in the economy. Perhaps even more laudable are those who are prepared to try and fail. We need them as much as the success stories. we need risk takers as they help us to grow and expand into new areas.

Current mood: Cool


Multimedia message Neighbourhood Forum

Dover North neighbourhood forum was held this morning at aylesham. This is an attempt to involve parish councils.

9 parishes sent representatives and i was involved as both a parish representative as well as the district council representative.

This is a new innvovation for the district in partnership with the County.

It gives a chance for common issues such as highways to be brought forward for public discussion at the Public meeting at Aylesham on the 29th of November.

 

To day i wish i had a Hopeful icon!
--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Remembrance Sunday

This afternoon i represented Great Mongeham Parish Council at the Annual service at Deal Hospital.

I am pleased to represent the council in this manner although i missed having cllr Joan Flynn there who has also often represented the council at this event.

 

It was pleasing to see so many young people there to represent their organisations such as beavers, Cubs, scouts, Guides, the Regatta queens and Princesses as well as other Youth Organisations.

 

In this time of conflict i feel that we need to acknowledge the contributions of the armed services

 

i would like an icon to say i am in thoughtful mood but there isn't one yet!

Kent Maths Problem Solving Competition

this morning i took my youngest son to a problem solving contest in canterbury

After the contest we had a fascinating talk on number tiangles with Charles Monk descibing some of the work of Pascal

it may not be a typical saturday but i think most of those attending found it highly entertaining and informative

 

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Cool


Good news

well

we can make a difference

it was heartening to hear the news from the Home Office today that they have abandoned their plans to convert the Connaught Barracks in Dover to an open Prison.

this has been a hard fought campaign with cross party support which shows that if we all move together we can get a better deal for our community.

 

i would like to pay a personal tribute to all those who have helped to bring this about

 

on a smaller scale i had another win today with regards to our Dover District council IT policies.

recently i was using a terminal at the council offices which tried to to limit my use of an anglican church website.

the monitoring software said that it was a traditional religious site and imposed a 60 minute time limit.

today i have had word that this restriction has been lifted

 

i am glad to bring some common sense to such monitoring

 

Current mood: Big-Smiley


Northbourne Parish Council

After village design group i journeyed over to Northbourne.

I gather that members of the Whitfield action group (wag) had visited so i was able to present some of the statistical data which they tend to omit. With a projected shrinkage of the districts population if the WAG's proposals are accepted, one wonders why they want to stifle the development of the district as a whole. Is it just a case of nimbyism.

There is cross party support for the Local development proposals for housing growth to not only cater for the existing popluation but also room for attracting new people in. In this way we can divesify the commercail basis of the local economy rather than the current reliance on a small number of large employers.

There was aslo discussion of water shortages in the south east  and i was also able to update the council on some of the work of the district council.

The Dover prison was also discussed.

Current mood: Sceptical

Great Mongeham Village design Group

Tonight i attended the monthly meeting of the village design group.  The work to produce this supplementary planning document is proceeding apace.

The review of the character areas is nearing completion so we can now consider the final document.

 

There is considerable interest about this document from around the parish and i welcome the support we have received from other agencies.

Current mood: Happy


rapid response from Kent Highways

Last week i was asked about highways concerns around Northbourne so i sent in an email to Kent Highwyas.

I have been told by residents that some of the work has alreday been done so congratulations for the swift response.

There is sometimes a worry that these web based systems are not as efficient but in this case i feel that they have proved their worth.

Current mood: Happy


Sutton Parish Council

Tonight i aslo attended a meeting of the sutton Parish Council.

My colleague and i believe that it is of paramount importance to keep the parishes involved in what is happening at a district level.

we can also take on board their concerns and try to help or point them in the right direction of someone else who can help.

Current mood: Happy

Deal Society

Tonight i attended a meeting of the Deal Society

I was there with a colleague, Cllr Anne Denne to make a presentation about the Betteshanger regeneration project. There is still a lot of interest about this exciting project.

Current mood: Happy

Eastry Parish Council

last night i attended eastry parish Council

It was a full agenda and the meeting did not finish till after 10.00pm.

there was much discussion on highways issues such as speeding and visibility.

the loacla warden Bob Priestly came by to give his report on goings on within the parish.

Nick kenton my colleague and i gave reprtys on what the district council is doing.

Eastry Parish is the largest in our ward and we are keen to establish strong linkages with all the parishes in our ward.

 

at the end of the meeting Cllr Mollart described the frustration at being constantly  asked to fix problems which shiould have been reprted directly to the District Council such as Missed waste collections and street lighting faults.

She said that the clerk was having to address a growing number of these complaints which was distracting the clerk from her other duties.

I would encourage residents to either call the councils customer service centre (01304 821 199) or report such matters online. Dover.gov.uk

 

 

Current mood: Sceptical


cabinet meeting

Today i attended  a cabinet meeting of the council.

there was discussion on the Dover Pride project. This is the mechanism for getting funding for regeneration of Dover from such partners as Kent conty Council and SEEDA as well as the dostrict council.

 

There is much work to be done around the town and the Dover Pride board is trying to coordinate this work.

 

the cabinet also discussed the latest performance report. The budget is still on track for the year.

 

The status of the quality bus partnership was revciewed and we also looked at a Housing PFI which is in partnership with the kent county Council.

Current mood: Cool


ASBO

There has much much in the press recently about anti social behaviour orders. I note a colleague has asserted that most ASBOs are given to adults. Does Tony Blair think that these too are a badge of honour?

Current mood: Sceptical


On Your Bike

 bikes can be an eco friendly way of getting about but if you cannot be seen then it can be dangerous

This evening some colleagues and i noticed a cyclist riding after dark with lighting.

They may be able to see traffic but traffic will find it hard to spot them 

--
This Orange Multi Media Message was sent wirefree from an Orange MMS
phone. If you would like to reply, please either text, phone or send
a photo message to the sender directly by using the phone number listed
in the sender's address. To learn more about Orange's Multi Media
Messaging Service, find us on the Web at http://www.orange.co.uk/mms

Current mood: Angry


Great Mongeham parish council

Last night i attended the great mongeham parish council meeting.

i was ablle to update them on the lobbying trip to Westminster as well as the work of project Delta which benefits part of our village. 

There was also discussion of the finaces of the parish as well as highways issues around the parish.

 

the parish council  is committed to the well being of the parish and does this voluntary work with little recognition from the residents.

 

I am proud to work with such committed people

 

I feel that many parish councils are equally of note and that perhaps we need to recognize their contribution to our communities

Current mood: Happy


what's in a name

this  morning i attended the great Mongeham drop in and some people asked about my title on the cabinet - member for finance and ICT.

so they came up with these meanings for ICT

 

Idiot Corporate Trust

Inuit Canadian Canadian Transfers

Ivory Coast Tinkers

I Can Talk

Internet Communicator Trainer

In Charge of Trouble

Internatioanl Cat Trainer

Institute of Computer Technology

I Can't Talk

Imaginary Council Troupe

 

your comments are welcome

Current mood: Cool


Project Delta Assessment Day

today i attended the project delta assessment day. This is looking at health related community projects in areas at need within the district. There were presentations by a number of organisations including the local community leisure trust, drug and alcohol service and the Aylesham Neighbourhood project.

The session gives agencies a chance to get a wider view of what is happening in this vital area as well as networking with colleagues.

So much more needs to be done however there are limits to funding.

Current mood: Happy