Ramsgate Town Council – First 30 Days - Mayor's report for June 09
It’s been a good month for Ramsgate, starting with the inaugural meeting of the new Council, and ending with a hugely successful “Ramsgate Rocks”, the two day family entertainment event, organised by the Ramsgate Town Partnership. The Council itself has been occupied with the formalities of electing working committees etc.
There has been plenty of good news for Ramsgate during the month, including the reopening of Harvey’s on Harbour Parade as the Fish Market and Oyster Bar, and the announcement that 99p Stores will be opening in the old Woolworths building in the High Street.
The reopening of Ramsgate Maritime Museum on Saturday under the stewardship of the Steam Museum Trust is very welcome. It follows much hard work and good will from the Trust, Thanet Council, District and County Councillors, and many others who supported the campaign to retain the Museum. The early announcement that work is to start immediately on the restoration of the Cervia Tug in the Marina Dry Dock is very encouraging.
During the month, I have represented the Town at:
The Annual Triangle awards ceremony, an inspirational event, held at the Winter Gardens, to recognise the many achievements of young people in Thanet and Dover.
The opening of the new Harvey’s restaurant. For those who like seafood, certainly adds to Ramsgate’s expanding range of restaurants.
Raising the standard in Margate to mark Armed Forces day. This was a national day of commemoration, Ramsgate organisations certainly turned out in force to represent the town.
A recital by Thanet Choral Society at the Marlowe Academy. An enjoyable evening with a very enthusiastic group. Was impressed by the facilities at the Marlowe.
The civic service and blessing of the fishing boats at Folkstone. Was able to meet mayors from many local towns and gain good advice concerning many aspects of creating a successful Town Council.
St Lawrence Junior School speech day.
Opening of Ramsgate Rocks, Two day family entertainment. My thanks to Ramsgate Town Partnership and main sponsor, Farleys of Chatham Street for the event,
I have had useful and interesting discussions with:
Mr Dexter, clerk to Broadstairs Town Council
Mr Wilkinson, chair of Ramsgate Town Carnival Committee
Mr List Brain. Chair of Preston Steam Museum Trust
Mr Seed, Thanet District Council Director for cleansing, parks and seashore.
It’s been a good month for Ramsgate, starting with the inaugural meeting of the new Council, and ending with a hugely successful “Ramsgate Rocks”, the two day family entertainment event, organised by the Ramsgate Town Partnership. The Council itself has been occupied with the formalities of electing working committees etc.
There has been plenty of good news for Ramsgate during the month, including the reopening of Harvey’s on Harbour Parade as the Fish Market and Oyster Bar, and the announcement that 99p Stores will be opening in the old Woolworths building in the High Street.
The reopening of Ramsgate Maritime Museum on Saturday under the stewardship of the Steam Museum Trust is very welcome. It follows much hard work and good will from the Trust, Thanet Council, District and County Councillors, and many others who supported the campaign to retain the Museum. The early announcement that work is to start immediately on the restoration of the Cervia Tug in the Marina Dry Dock is very encouraging.
During the month, I have represented the Town at:
The Annual Triangle awards ceremony, an inspirational event, held at the Winter Gardens, to recognise the many achievements of young people in Thanet and Dover.
The opening of the new Harvey’s restaurant. For those who like seafood, certainly adds to Ramsgate’s expanding range of restaurants.
Raising the standard in Margate to mark Armed Forces day. This was a national day of commemoration, Ramsgate organisations certainly turned out in force to represent the town.
A recital by Thanet Choral Society at the Marlowe Academy. An enjoyable evening with a very enthusiastic group. Was impressed by the facilities at the Marlowe.
The civic service and blessing of the fishing boats at Folkstone. Was able to meet mayors from many local towns and gain good advice concerning many aspects of creating a successful Town Council.
St Lawrence Junior School speech day.
Opening of Ramsgate Rocks, Two day family entertainment. My thanks to Ramsgate Town Partnership and main sponsor, Farleys of Chatham Street for the event,
I have had useful and interesting discussions with:
Mr Dexter, clerk to Broadstairs Town Council
Mr Wilkinson, chair of Ramsgate Town Carnival Committee
Mr List Brain. Chair of Preston Steam Museum Trust
Mr Seed, Thanet District Council Director for cleansing, parks and seashore.
14 comments:
Is it true that RTP funding is in jeopardy by the existence of RTC? If so, do you have plans to help RTP survive or to step in and take over Ramsgate Rocks and other RTP initiatives?
It is no secret that TDC have cut their core funding to the RTP, and that this has resulted in their having to make their paid staff redundant. It is also true that RTP's role in bringing together the "business voice" of the town is an important one. Their contribution to the town through "Ramsgate Rocks" and the Christmas activities would be a great loss. I have suggested that they bid to the Town Council's Ramsgate Fund for a contribution to suport these. With regard to possible core funding, their case will have to be considered along with other pressures when the town council sets next years precept.
I think it is a good idea to put your monthly report on the blog as so few people attended the second Ramsgate Town council meeting. Can you also publish a timetable of dates of council meetings so those in blogland know when they are. Thanks!
Dave some sort of web presence For RTC would be helpful I don’t know what the rules are but I would be happy to convert anything to html and publish it as a subdirectory of http://www.thanetonline.com/ for free, it would also be possible to embed a blog there to allow council members to update information directly.
A web presence for RTC is in the list of priorities Michael. At the moment though, employing a town clerk, and getting the committees working is top priority.
Timetable of dates will follow.
Why is the labour government hiding the truth about swine flu ?
Young healthy people are dieing from this dangerous disease and yet they encourage to mingle and spread the disease.
I talked to a medic today who reckoned 1 in 10 of us would be dead by the end of the autumn and essex is a neighbouring county.
A vaccine has been produced and yet only select government officials are receiving it.
My advice keep your kids close to you and avoid public transport.
Your statement "It is no secret that TDC have cut their core funding to the RTP, and that this has resulted in their having to make their paid staff redundant" is a little off the mark Cllr.Green.
As you well know the Partnerships were set up initially as part of a government scheme to help regenerate the towns, and that it was part of their remit for the staff employed to secure alternate funding for the Partnership when the scheme ended. They singulary failed to do so and TDC stepped in to ensure continuation of some of the positive aspects of the Partnership. £30,000 still goes to each of the Partnerships in Margate and Ramsgate and I know that Cllr.Wise has fought hard to ensure that this is continued even in very difficult times for the council's finances. Although why he should continue to do so now that Ramsgate has it's own town council is a matter for him to justify. As a Broadstairs resident I would certainly object to paying for Ramsgate's Partnership as I have had to do in the past.
Your willingness, even in your exalted position of mayor of the town, to tell untruths to cast aspertions on TDC is not becoming of your office. But then you are already the subject of a Standards Board complaint about your behaviour, so why should we be surprised?
I note that Margate Charter Trustees have raised their tax on residents by 2 pounds each years to pay for events, flowers and music at the Oval Bandstand on Sundays, and that they will also be paying for music on the Piazza on every Saturday in July and August if there is not already an event taking place in the town.
So it seems that Ramsgate Town Council is a very long way behind, and that for the privilege of having exactly the same as Margate they are having to go to the expense of employing staff at the "town hall" on top of everything else. But then as GOD has said, the residents can afford an extra 20 quid. I am sure they are delighted.
Anonymous 13.44. Why do you not have the guts to publish your name? So you as a Broadstairs resident and object to paying for the Ramsgate Town Partnership? I thought we were all in the same area Thanet? You are petty and vindictive. You are obviously a fan of TDC probably because you are are in with the ruling crowd. In my opinion the ruling elite could not run a bath!
Sorry pressed the key to quickly my name is Laurence Davies
OK Mr.Davies - so respond to the point instead of trading insults.
Ramsgate TC councillors are all talk and no trousers - debate.
I'm not sure where I have told untruths or cast aspersions concerning TDC. That they did cut the grant to Ramsgate Town partnership is a matter of fact, as is the information that RTP has cut its paid staff. I do not comment upon whether either of these actions were justified, that is for the bodies concerned. My comment was concerned with the situation we find and whether RTC can contribute to improve the situation.
Dave a few thoughts occur here with the few publicly funded organisations left in Ramsgate, RTC, RTP, Tourist information office and TDC offices, would it be possible to house them all in one building and let them share resources?
With the website I am very much hoping that RTC won’t go down the road that TDC has, but will take full advantage of all of the free and user friendly internet hosting and other services that are available now.
I am very happy to offer any help I can here, to illustrate my point, just by commenting here I am publishing directly to the internet and it requires no specially trained IT staff to do it for me.
As far as the funding of RTC goes I like the majority of Ramsgate residents that voted to pay for a town council, hope you will be able to get on with resolving some of the important Ramsgate issues.
Is there any chance of getting the Pleasurama site cleared for the school holidays? It is really appalling that our main leisure site is such a hideous mess, I know you managed to pull it off one year and you weren’t even mayor then.
Dear David
Why not sign up to kentparishes.gov.uk sponsored by KCC and all absolutely free. Most parishes and Town Councils in Kent are members. Take a look at Folkestone Town Council and more locally, Manston, Monkton or St Nicholas at wade & Sarre Parish Councils - all examples of good practice - just log on kentparishes.gov.uk and select a parish from the long list. It won't cost the Town Council a penny.
Thanks for that Arthur.
In fact I have just received the paperwork for the Council to do just what you advise!
It just seem to provide for what we need in the short term at least.
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