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Great Mongeham - Have your say!

Today is the last day for the consultation on the draft village design statement.

Residents have been encouraged to have their say on this document which seeks to give villlagers a greater say in the way planning applications are determined.

The VDS group has been working on this document for a number of years and am confident that the outcome will be of great benefit for our community.

Any last comments can be left on this site and I will forward them to the community

Current mood: Cool


E Democracy

This morning I am at a conference on community involvement and the workshop I am attending is on types of E Democracy including blogs, social networking and e petitions . these technologies can help members keep their coomunities informed of their activities.

Current mood: Cool


Governors meeting

This evening I went to a meeting of the full govering board at Northbourne CEP school. We discussed a number of issues including policies relating to Lettings, Freedom of Information, governor expenses and school visits.

The borad also considered the minutes of the meetings of the resources committee and the pupil and staff committee.

LDF meeting

This morning I went to a meeting of the LDF committee.

I was pleased to be able to be involved in the work of this group as it seeks to move the process onwards. The district has had the Growth Point announcement which should go a long way to meeting some resident's concerns over the provision of infrastructure to support housing growth in the district.

The issues over global warming and the need for an appropriate information infrastructure were also discussed.

Current mood: Cool


full council meeting

This evening we had a full council meeting

there was discussion on a number of issues such as member exp0enses and village design documents.

The new recycling service was also discussed

The Talented community in Great Mongeham

Last night i accompanied m wife to a musical festival at our local church St Martins. There was a number of musical offerings as well as a couple of humourous offerings from our local minister The Rev Peter Hambrook.

The eveing was topped of by a light supper provded by members of the congregation.

The event helped to raise funds for the church as feel that everyone enjoyed the evening as much as I did. Congratulations to both the performers and the organisers.

Current mood: amazed


civic function

Last night I accompanied my wife to a performance of Women which was put on bt the Dover Youth Theatre. It was an enjoyable perofmance from a group of talented young ladies (there were no male lines ) .

While there we also met the dupty mayor of Dover Cllr Sue Jones with her escort who also seemed to enjoy the event.

After the show we felt hungry and decided to sample the night time economy in Dover and were lucky to discover the delights of the 888 Buffet restaurant. The manger Tony greetd us warmly and the food was the prefect end to our night out.

Current mood: Happy


Eastry Coffee Break

This morning I went to the coffee break

while there I was able to update residents on the latest on recycling as well as give feedback on issues that arose form last week.

While there I was also quizzed about parish councils and whether they are relevant in today's society. My reply is that parish councils provide a firm base for local government and work in a totally voluntary capoacity to help provide services necessary for our communities.  I believe that the work of the Eastry Parish council was instrumental in their achievement in being village of the year several years ago.

Current mood: Cool


Joint Neighbourhood Forum

This eveing i attended the forum which was a joint meeting between the Dover North and the Neighbourhood west forums. The event was discussing the streetscene project. This is looking at those services which impact the way our neighbourhoods look such as litter, Flytipping, road cleansing, street cleansing, dog fouling etc.

The issue of speeding traffic was also raised so i was able to highlight the particular problems in Great Mongeham.

clearly there is much work to be done and the parishes have an important role to play and I feel that the officers have taken on board the role and motivation that exists in the parishes.

There was commitment from the officers to try to improve the situation in the coming 12 months!

Current mood: hopeful

Great Mongeham Drop In

This morning I went to the drop in. The local PCSO and Community Warden were also there to answer residents questions.

There was a lot of discussion about the new recycling provision and I will try to supply answers by next week.

There was also questions about traffic caling in the village and I was able to explain the steps that the Parish council is taking to engage with Kent Highways and target trouble spots in the village

Current mood: Cool


Full council meeting

The agenda for next weeks full council meeting has been published on the council's website.

I know the motion on Village design statements will be closely followed by many on the parishes .

There has been much work put in by the groups involved with the drafting of these statements and they want to see this work given the correct recognition by the council in planning decisions.

Current mood: Cool


HAVE YOUR SAY AT NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUMS

Local residents are invited to come along and talk about ‘Street Scene: Making our Neighbourhoods Cleaner, Greener and Safer' at a joint meeting of the Dover North and Dover West Neighbourhood Forums. The meeting is on Thursday 20 November at the Elvington Community Centre from 6.30pm. Doors open from half an hour before the start of the meeting with light refreshments, and an opportunity to meet your local County, District and Parish Councillors, and other Forum members.

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure high quality streets and public spaces, DDC is consulting Neighbourhood Forums on a new way of delivering street scene to help coordinate the work of a range of partners in the community, proposals for which are currently being researched. A brief overview and feedback from earlier consultation will be followed by in-depth discussions with members of the Street Scene Team to find out what matters to you, what the priorities should be, and how it should be delivered.

I will be there so why not come along and say "Hi"

Current mood: Cool


Tilmanstone Parish Council

This evening i wentr to a meeting of Tilmanstone Parish Council. Due to Ilnness the council was not quorate but i was able to address the residents who had turned up for the meeting. I was able to talk to them about the new recycling arrangements within the district and where this fitted in with longer term plans. I was also talking to them about the effects of the recession and how the District council could help residents during this time.

One issue which residents told me about was the proposed road closures in the parish and there was a lot of discussion about this. I will take forward their views to the relevant authorities. 

Current mood: Happy


Trip To London

today I took members of my family to London.

We took a flight on the London eye.

the views are spectacular

after a late lunch we strolled back along the river.

Current mood: Happy


Elevenses

This morning I was fortunate to be able to sample the food at Bluebirds Tea Rooms, Granville Road, St Margaret's Bay. 

The tearooms are in a spectacular location with amazing views of the English Channel towards Calais. I counted no less than fifty ships using this busy waterway.

The new management is able to provide a delightful atmosphere with the food to match.

Current mood: Happy


A busy day

This morning i went to the coffee break in Eastry. I met a number of residents and chatted to them on issue such as the new recycling provision and problems associated with that from missed blue bag deliveries (since rectified) to the training of new crews to ensure litter is not left lying in the street after collection.

I was also pointed in the direction of the Kent International airport website. This has the 25 year plan for the airport which local residents may find useful

After  Eastry it was off to the council offices in Whitfield to relay concerns from the coffeee break and to let officers know the response of residents. The officers are keen to get such direct feedback to help improve the service.

I was also able to collect some additional blue bags for residents who had been missed from the initial delivery.

After lunch I dropped in on those I knew who had been missed to ensure they got their blue recycling bag and in some cases it was a matter of going to door to door to ensure complete coverage. This also gives me an opportunity to chat to residents about other concerns they may have and I feel that they appreciate such care.

Current mood: Happy


Great Mongeham Drop In

This morning i went to the drop in and spoke to a number of residents. Peopel were interested in the new recycling service. The looming recession was also very much on people's minds.

There is widespread unease about this and how it will affect people especially the retired ones.

People were also discussing the reliance that our society has on motor vehicles and how the recession will affect this part of society.

Current mood: Cool


new recycling service

Today was the first collection for my neighbours of the expanded kerbside recycling scheme. This has been a long while coming but i feel the wait was worthwhile. Many residents have expressed satisfaction with this new arrangement as we now collect both cardboard and plastic bottles.

I know the officers at the council too have been working hard and have been well led by my colleague Nick Kenton.

I will be interested to see how this impacts on our overalll recycling figures.

Current mood: Happy


Frustrated with NHS paperwork

at a time when we should be trying to make efficiency savings our local hospital trust seems intent on sending out incorrect paperwork. I made an appiontmennt for one of my children through choose and book online appiontments. so far fine last week someone rang up to change the appointment . again not unreasonable. today after lunch I received details of a new appiontment so I rang to find out why another change and was told that the letter was not needed and that the new appointment did not exist and that I had stil had the first ammended one. which wsa this affternoon. of course this took 2. minutes on phone so then it was mad dash to dover to keep appointment. I am sure the chancellor approves of such waste during this recession as it helps keep hospital administrators in employment

Current mood: Mad


Facebook scams

 A recent story on an australian website discusses the new threats to web users from social networking sites. The Nigerian criminals are getting more sophisticated and we need to be aware of the types of technologies they use to infect our systems with viruses and other malware. 

Dealing with such scams is going to require a  joined up approach by enforecement agencies across the globe as these criminals use "safe havens" from which to launch their attacks.

Current mood: Sad


Mongeham Art Show

The church at Great Mongeham is being used for an Art Show from Saturday 8th to Thursday 13th November.

The church is open 11.00am till 4.00pm each day

Why not come along and look at the talents of the local Artists?

Current mood: Happy


Gwyn's campaigns against Ghurkas

Currently there has been much talk in the medai about Britain's treatment of Ghurkas so I was surprised to see this comment from our own Gwyn Prosser in Parliament.

"May I provide my hon. Friend with a more up-to-date example, in that a dispute is brewing in the port of Dover? About 200 of the work force are about to be laid off or hived off to the private sector, and we heard yesterday that Dover harbour board is considering taking in Gurkhas to fill the gap. Is that not precisely the sort of loophole that we need to close to stop that sort of thing happening again?"

One wonders of Mr Prosser feels that somehow Ghurkas having put their lives on the line in the defence of this country are somehow still to be considered as inferior to British workers?

 

Current mood: Sad

rainy saturday

today i braved the wet weather to go to a meeting of people interested in providing allotmets for young people in the Deal area. They have created a facebook group about this.

Due to the rain not many turned up. My colleague Cllr Trevor Bond, who is ward member for Middle Deal and Sholden did turn up and as he is also a member of Deal Town council, I am hopeful that he will also be able to assist the group.

It is great to see motivated individuals such as the lady who is leading this campaign and I am only too pleased to see what assistance the district council along with its partners can make. Our communities need people who want to make a difference and local authorities should be there to lend support.

Current mood: Happy


Poppy Appeal misinformation

a local newspaper ran its headline story this week "Veterans' anger over poppy 'ban'"

today i received this email clarifying the council's position.

"

Good afternoon Members

 

As you may be aware, the East Kent Mercury ran a story on its front page this week under the heading "Veterans' anger over poppy 'ban' - Volunteers told they could not collect for the Royal British Legion on busy Saturday".

 

I am conscious that many Members will be attending Remembrance Day services on Sunday and may be approached in respect of this issue.  In the circumstances I felt it may be useful for Members to be in possession of the facts.  The story states that:

 

           "Angry veterans have condemned the decision to halt Saturday's town centre Poppy collection in Deal, which could hit this year's takings.

           The district council move was described as mean, crazy and thoughtless by Royal British Legion supporters."

 

The Royal British Legion applies nationally for the dates during which they wish to conduct the Poppy Appeal.  In 2006 the Royal British Legion requested the dates it required up to 2010.

 

The dates for 2008 were Monday 3 November to Saturday 9 November.

 

The originator of the story, Mrs Eames, contacted the Licensing Team last month to request the permit commence on Saturday 1 November 2008.

 

Mrs Eames was advised by Tony Bartlett that, provided the Royal British Legion authorise collectors, there was no need for an individual permit for collections under their banner.  He also advised her of the dates that the Royal British Legion has applied for.

 

Tony Bartlett suggested she contact the local collection organiser and supplied the contact details.

 

We received no request from the Royal British Legion to vary the dates.  The permit relates to street collections only and would not impact on collections in shops and offices etc."

Current mood: Sceptical


Light relief

If you find politics a bot too dull and boring try this link

Current mood: amused

Great Mongeham Drop In

This morning I went to the drop in. I spoke to a number of residents as well as the community Warden Mt Dave Bish.

One topic that was raised was how can ex service personnel get their local doctors to get access to their service health records.

This was an issue which I have not had previuos experience. I told them that I would see what I could find out for them.

This afternoon i googled the topic and came across a very helpful Scottish executive website which seemd to give the answers needed so I printed it off and delivered it to the resident concerned who seemed pleased with the response.

Current mood: Cool


full council meeting

This evening we had an additional council meeting. This was to discuss the sea change bid which is an exciting new phase in the regeneration of Dover.

The agenda and report for council is available on the council's website. There is cross party support for this initiative which will allow some of Dovers heritage assets to be more fully utilised for tourism purposes.

Current mood: Cool


Great Mongeham Parish Council

it may have got lost with the hype about the US elections but tonight we had a meeting of the Parish council. The meeting was moved to a Tuesday night as we were having presentations from the village design group. The council considered a full agenda. I was able to update the council on the expanded recycling service and also on the Joint Councils meeting and the Kent Highways liaison meeting. I was also able to raise the issue of allotments as there are no allotments in the parish at the moment.

The council was very interested in the work of the village design group and offered a number of comments.

I was also able to introduce a resident who was campaining about allotments for children in the Deal area. There is more information on Facebook about this campaign. This campaign has several advantages such as heathy eating, knowledge of the food chain and healthy living.

Current mood: Happy


New York Marathon

Congratulations to headteacher at Northbourne CEP school Frances Chiverton for completing the New York Marathon

The results are available on the New York Marathon website.

It is good to see her enthusiasm and courage inspiring teh children to take on the world.

Current mood: Happy


Deal 5 Mile event

This morning i was able to attend the final stages of the Deal 5 Mile running race. I was there to cheer my son who was again competing in this event. The weather had cleared somewhat after yesterday's rain and there seemed to be a large field taking part in this event.

Congratulations to all who took part in this event and to the organisers for running such a successful event.

Current mood: Happy


Fireworks

Despite the inclement weather we had a party with fireworks tonight.

some of my loyal blog audience came along to share in the fun

Currently playing: song for guy
Current mood: Happy