Please make sure you have read through the guidance below before submitting your question.
A question can also be posted to: the Committee Services Manager, Council Offices, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT10 1XZ
Members of the press and residents of Thanet can ask questions at ordinary meetings of Council; the exceptions being the annual council meeting, the annual budget-setting meeting (usually at the beginning of February) and extraordinary meetings.
A question must be submitted by the person who will ask the question at the Council meeting and not someone else on the questioner’s behalf. You can submit a question by clicking on the date of the meeting in the table below.
The Committee Services Manager must receive your question at least five full working days before the date of the meeting. Saturdays and Sundays and bank holidays do not count as ‘working days’.
| Date of ordinary meeting of council | Time by which your question should be received |
|---|---|
| Thursday 9th October 2025 | Wednesday 1st October – 17:30pm |
| Thursday 11th December 2025 | Wednesday 3rd December – 17:30pm |
“There is much and growing concern locally about developers failing to honour s.106 agreements, claiming increased costs have affected their project’s viability. Given that increases in costs to businesses are invariably passed on to the consumer in the cost of the end product, how is this argument in any way valid, and what measures can TDC take to minimise and mitigate this issue going forward, given the uncertain state of the economy?”
Response:
To follow.
“Will the Leader outline what steps TDC is taking to bid for a portion of the £360million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to support Thanet fisherman.”
Response:
To follow.
Response:
To follow.
It is my understanding that Thanet District Council plays a key role in the management and protection of the Minster Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and as the local planning authority has responsibility for ensuring that development and other activities in and around the SSSI do not negatively impact its significant ecological value. When was the last full assessment of the Minster Marshes SSSI, what is the schedule for this assessment/management and where can all documents relating to this be found by anyone who is interested in the Minster Marshes SSSI?
Response:
To follow.
Integrating renewable energy sources such as solar panels and heat pumps into our social housing is an avenue for both reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the sustainability of our housing stock. Could you tell me what TDC has done up to now in this area and what future plans exist?
Response:
To follow.
Does the portfolio holder agree that Thanet’s ecology – especially its coastline and biodiverse open spaces like Foreness Point – present opportunities to better develop our visitor economy? Can a working group be set up to report to Cabinet on ideas and means to promote Thanet as an ecotourism destination?
Response:
To follow.
As the recent floods in Thanet and more widely have highlighted volume rainwater runoff is not a passing fad but, very likely a future norm. As well as having impacts throughout the UK it is impacting residents and businesses in Thanet as well as rivers and coastline. Please could the cabinet consider sending a letter to LGA and the government to urge mandatory rainwater catchment systems on all new builds which will help mitigate the degree of volume runoff
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Kup to Cllr Albon:
“Many residents have raised their concerns about the new and large bins that have been placed along the promenades. These new shells, that hold smaller bins inside, are unfortunately not working. One of the main issues we are seeing is that these bins are causing litter to spread across the beaches. Whilst I fully appreciate and support initiatives to keep our beaches clean, it is also right to recognise when we have got certain initiatives wrong. Before we see these issues exacerbated during the summer season, with hundreds of people coming down to use our brilliant beaches, can Cllr Albon please tell me what the council will do to fix these issues?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Towning to Cllr K.Bright:
The summer months see a large number of visitors to our beaches.
Parking is a major problem across Thanet.
“What plan have you put in place with TDC to alleviate the inconvenience suffered by our communities?
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Fellows to Cllr Everitt:
As the father of two teenage daughters who undoubtedly will want to attend events at Dreamland. What is this council going to do to make sure my children make it home safely?
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Rogers to Cllr Albon:
With this hot weather, people are flocking to Thanet, unfortunately once again, our beaches are strewn with litter and not just at weekends as social media photos particularly of Margate beach and Viking Bay show. I thought measures were put in place to deal with this. How is the beach PSPO being enforced? This is only the beginning of summer. Unless this is dealt with there will be worse to come.
Response:
To follow.
“At present I have gathered a petition of just below 5000 signatures for the weekend opening of the lift in autumn and winter so will TDC consider opening the lift at Viking Bay at weekends so disabled (as disability is not seasonal) , elderly and those as members of our community and visitors who cannot manager the slope access Harbour street and Louisa Bay have the same access to the beach and promenade as their peers?”
Reponse:
To follow.
“This Council has a substantive stake in Your Leisure (registered address: Discovery Park).
It’s been reported Discovery Park are claiming 60 of their units as places of worship, to claim business rate relief. We understand Dover District Council are pursuing Discovery Park for upwards of £1 million in unpaid rates.
Furthermore, Discovery Park is home to Instro Precision, who make equipment for use by Israel as part of their assault on the Palestinian people.
This Council unanimously agreed a fair tax motion, saying “Where councils hold substantive stakes in private enterprises, influence should be wielded to ensure that such businesses are exemplars of tax transparency and tax avoidance is shunned.”
Will the Leader work to relocate Your Leisure premises and lobby to relocate all public leases including NHS away from Discovery Park?”
Response:
To follow.
“Harbour Towers leaseholders have received a Notice of Estimates, dated 31 March 2025, for the Tower Block and retrofit and refurbishment project. The NOE estimates costs that will be due from leaseholders, currently in the region of £25,000.00 for a two bedroom property, although individual amounts vary.
Nearly all of the works are funded by government grants or capped at £3,300 per leaseholder for SHDF works. Previous requests for clarity have not been forthcoming. My lease says “The Lessee shall on request be supplied with details and figures showing how the service charge and the amount of the reserve fund have been computed”.
My question is:
“When can individual Leaseholders expect to receive a detailed breakdown of costings and works that they will be invoiced for that are not covered by any grants?”
Response:
To follow.
“I am Administrator for RSPB Thanet Local Group, with 160 members. I am very concerned to hear that recent expansion work at the battery storage facility in the Pegwell/Minster area has had a significant impact on the birds using the adjacent SSSI site. I have had reliable reports from some of our expert ornithological members that not only has the number of nesting nightingales dropped (from 7 last year to possibly 3) but the heronry, which has been present for at least 10 years, is completely absent this year. There were no nesting turtle doves, which have used the site in previous years, nor long eared owls. Sound pollution is causing significant disturbance.
I would like to ask the leader of council who is monitoring the impact of the land use adjacent to the SSSI and the cumulative impact of the industrialization of the land surrounding this SSSI site?”
Response:
To follow.
“What is the process / procedure for gaining permission and/or funding for cycle parking / storage on private land, TDC land and KCC land?”
Response:
To follow.
“Local people are deeply concerned at the sheer scale of housing developments currently underway here in Thanet. Many of these houses are NOT meeting local needs, and despite the 30% affordable housing stated as a requirement in the Local Plan, developers are consistently failing to meet this requirement. Many homes being built are beyond the pocket of locals already and not enough properties are being proposed to meet local need.
The current Planning Reform Working Paper aims to limit the voices of residents, and those of planning committee members, with one of its aims being to “best deliver for communities and support much needed development.” When our Local Plan specifically states 30% affordable housing, WHO will be left with a voice to STOP these unnecessary buildings, which are NOT for local people; many remain unsold.
Does the leader of this council agree with the proposed changes in this paper?”
Response:
To follow.
“Our business is being unacceptably disrupted due to lack of public toilet provision at Botany. I understand refurbishment of the current and inadequate facilities is underway by Southern Water. As well as yet unfulfilled promises of additional facilities at Botany Road. Whilst welcome, even forgiving the unacceptably slow delivery of these two projects, this will still mean inadequate toilet provision given the numbers of visitors.The Percy Road entrance to the beach requires at least double the promised provision. What additional provision is TDC willing to offer? This is a public health issue and demonstrates a failure by the Council to support local residents, businesses and the wider visitor economy. I respectfully urge Council to give its immediate attention to this matter. Thank you.”
Response:
To follow.
Response:
To follow.
“Water is fundamental to life. Thanet is one of the principle chalk aquifers of England, and a significant source of water locally, Thanet is designated a water stressed area. Thanet’s aquifer is extremely vulnerable, with natural filtration processes being recklessly impacted by overdevelopment.
After recent heavy rain, a couple in their 90s, living in Watchester Lane, Minster, endured serious flooding, with water contaminated with sewage, coming through both front and back doors, the patio doors and up through their toilet. Agencies were contacted including the water company and TDC, no support was forthcoming. After 40 years with no issues, they are now in temporary accommodation. The drains were blocked, the sewers couldn’t cope. Many suspect the Sunningdale development played a significant role, contributing to overwhelming the systems. SUDS are supposed to prevent issues like this.
TDC agreed to the Sunningdale development, who signed it off, and who is responsible?”
Response:
To follow.
“Included in the works proposed for Harbour Towers is a charge for the complete replacement of all balcony’s frame-work and surrounds. I am told this is necessary due to the presence of ‘combustible materials’ The balconies are constructed of concrete and steel. The only combustible material is therefore the unsightly, yellowing plastic panels that contain the balconies on all three sides. Why therefore not simply replace these with ‘Safety glass’? The benefits over the proposal for removing the existing metalwork and fitting sheet metal panels are clear. Cost saving, improved ‘views’ and wind protection. If ‘privacy’ is an issue the side panels could be frosted.”
Response:
To follow.
“Please can I submit the following question regarding the bins on Cornhill
Is there an intention to improve the rubbish situation on Cornhill. If so please can we see a clear action plan with timescales?
if there is no action plan by the council is there funding to support local residents in their efforts at cleaning up the mess on a regular basis?”
Response:
To follow.
“Given the proliferation of new house builds on Thanet,concerns are arising over poor or bad practice from developers.This being the case is there a clear pathway for making a complaint process available to residents prior to a development commencing in their locality?It is vital local residents feel that their voices are being heard and taken seriously, otherwise Thanet District Council will continue to lose residents respect and trust.Would it be feasible to have clear and transparent information about a complaints procedure available at all future presentations?”
Response:
To follow.
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| Date of past ordinary meeting of council | Questions asked at council meeting |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 10 December 2020 | |
| Thursday, 25 February 2021 | |
| Thursday, 25 March 2021 | |
| Thursday, 3 June 2021 | |
| Thursday, 15 July 2021 | |
| Thursday, 9 September 2021 | |
| Thursday, 14 October 2021 | |
| Wednesday, 12 January 2022 | |
| Thursday, 24 February 2022 | |
| Thursday, 31 March 2022 | |
| Thursday, 14 July 2022 | |
| Thursday, 8 September and Thursday 13 October 2022 | |
| Thursday, 8 December 2022 | |
| Thursday, 23 February 2023 | |
| Thursday, 22 February 2024 | |
| Thursday, 28 March 2024 | |
| Thursday, 11 July 2024 |
Questions from earlier Council meetings can be found in our archive.
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