Summary of Questions and Responses at the Council meeting of 28 March 2024
Questions from Councillors
Question from Councillor W.Scobie to Cllr Albon
“Would the Cabinet member please provide an update on planned improvements at Jacky Bakers and the proposed Master Plan for this site?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Munns to Cllr Albon
“Last year we learned in answer to my question to Council that no FPNs were issued under the Council’s PSPO – only interventions.
Despite TDC officers’ assurances to me and fellow Councillors, we did not deploy employ warranted officers.
This season, how many enforcement officers will be patrolling Thanet beaches, and crucially, will they be warranted to issue penalty notices and will senior TDC officers direct them to do so?
TDC has a duty of care to visitors. Last year on Botany Bay beach a child suffered serious burns from a buried disposable BBQ. Issuing fines and publicising the fact would help deter breaches of the PSPO and protect visitors.
What level of operational cooperation will TDC enforcement officers have with local police? Please outline what, if any, formal process exists between senior TDC officers and Thanet police to ensure cooperation and operational effectiveness and how is this monitored?“
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Rogers to Cllr Albon
“Since my question put to the last full council meeting, I have received many written and verbal complaints regarding the huge waste of public money spent on removing green waste at the Dane Park Depot. I have since found out that officers were concerned about this issue three years ago but were ignored. A local farmer estimated that the cost of disposing 2,200 tonnes of usable compostable material could have cost the council £30,000 not £275,000. My question is are the council considering managing this waste to produce a profitable income stream?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Rattigan to Cllr Duckworth
“Can I please have an update on the winter gardens, how many expression of interests have there been, are any of these expressions being taken forward to further discussion , if so do we have any target dates. ”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Fellows to Cllr Everitt
“Following cabinets full agreement to the recommendations in the Review from Overview and Scrutiny on ‘Collaboration between TDC and Town/Parish councils’;
Can Cllr Everett confirm when the first Full Parish Forum will take place.?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Bambridge to Cllr Albon
“Labour promised to clean the streets but I see litter everywhere. Can you please confirm how many fines have been issued for littering in the past 12 months?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Pugh to Cllr Everitt
“Can the Leader provide an update to councillors on any meetings he has had with Riveroak Strategic Partners in relation to the reopening of Manston Airport?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Towning to Cllr Keen
“Can you confirm how many full time parking enforcement officers are currently employed by the council?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr K. Bright to Cllr Everitt
“
“I welcome the forthcoming public consultation on the provision of a site and facilities for the Gypsy & Traveller community. This is the right thing to do for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
However – at January’s O&S Panel and subsequent cabinet meeting, the history of the decision making process for choosing this site was unclear.
Can the leader confirm:
- Whether any work was done to explore the suitability of land at Shottendane Road for use as a potential Gypsy and Traveller site between June 2021 and May 2023
- Whether officers and cabinet members visited the site and if so – when
- Whether the site was then discounted for such use or whether it was considered thereafter as a viable option.”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Packman to Cllr Everitt
“I welcome the change made earlier this month by the Cabinet to reallocate £4m to invest in the Winter Gardens and Labour’s commitment to reopening this iconic Margate venue, but I am concerned about a public comment on social media from a Conservative Councillor for Cliftonville that they think the Winter Gardens should be demolished. Would the Leader please reiterate to all members the importance of the Winter Gardens for Thanet and the folly of any calls to demolish it?”
Response:
To follow.
Question from Cllr Davis to Cllr Everitt
“This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Danish government’s gift of the Viking ship Hugin to mark 1500 years following the arrival of Hengist and Horsa at Ebbsfleet. Is Thanet District Council planning to celebrate this in any way, and if not, will it give positive support to Cliffsend Parish Council’s plans to do so?”
Response:
To follow.
Questions from Members of the Public
From Mr Fisher to Cllr Whitehead:
On March 23rd last year before the Thanet Council Elections, you actively posted on the Helen for Thanet Facebook site that you were against the development of agricultural Land and Farmland.
What has changed and why? You now single mindedly pursuing a farming site and closing off any suggestions from the public, it seems inconsistent do you not think?
From Mr Lane to Cllr Whitehead:
We asked for feedback on the current status of all sites identified in all reviews conducted by all political parties from 2019 to2024. You have evaded this question. Why is that?
We asked for the contamination report for Port, you’d ideally not provide this. I believe there are potential sites at the Port, Highfield Rd the Conservative preferred option and also Dane Park Depot, it seems like you have single mindedly decided upon Shottendane Rd site as its the “easy option” given its owned by TDC. Therefore you a pursuing a less than transparent agenda without full debate on all potential sites.
Will you now answer the question and confirm the status publically on all sites that have been discussed in previous reviews,& further detail all land that TDC owns that may be considered for a traveller site.
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