Public speaking at Council meetings

Questions from Councillors

Question from Councillor Pugh to Councillor Everitt:

“Can the Leader tell us the outcome of the Council’s call for Brownfield sites, how many sites have been identified, how many are suitable and an estimate of how many homes could be delivered using these new sites?”

Response to follow.

Question from Councillor Kup to Councillor Duckworth:

“I would like to reaffirm my delight that Westwood One has been selected as the preferred partner for the Winter Gardens and I fully support their ambition to bring the venue back to life as a vibrant venue for our residents and visitors. However, the building has now been closed for over two years and residents are increasingly frustrated by the lack of a clear reopening date. Can the Cllr Duckworth tell us exactly when the building will reopen to the public, or explain why no target date has been set?”

Response to follow.

Question from Councillor Bayford to Councillor Whitehead:

“The Council does not currently provide shared ownership properties itself, but facilitates the provision through housing associations. This means that rent and service charge increases are often making this provision unviable for people wishing to work towards home ownership. Also, the Council does not have control over the sustainability of these properties. We are working hard to increase the number of social homes available for rental. Would it not be both fair, and beneficial in allowing more people to become self-sufficient, for TDC to consider taking back the provision of home ownership, so that it has further control over the initiative’s success?”

Response to follow.

Question from Councillor Munns to Councillor Albon:

“Last year, Cllr Everitt invited residents of Kingsgate to discuss the antisocial behaviour across the various beaches, Roads and Public spaces in Kingsgate. Various issues from Parking, Camping and Illegal raves, during the 2024 summer season.. I asked during the meeting whether private security could be utilised to help reduce these issues. I followed this up again with a question at full council. I was pleased to see that private security had indeed been contracted and trained to enforce the PSPO for the 2025 season. I can confirm the significant improvement this made to the residents and businesses in Kingsgate. With the infamous rave being stopped within hours of being set up, many PSPO infringements were dealt with swiftly including assisting police with disturbances on the main beaches. Will the council ensure the same approach is taken next season and how many fines were issued by the private security team?”

Response to follow.

Question from Councillor Manners to Councillor Duckworth:

“I was pleased to see a small number of new seafront concessions pop up over the Summer as part of the Council’s initiative to increase trading licences. Can the portfolio holder confirm the number of licences that were originally available and the number of successful applications that completed the Council’s processes and are now able to trade? What are the Council’s plans to offer licences for the 2026 season and where can interested applicants find out which sites are available and the requirements to apply?”

Response to follow.

Question from Councillor Pressland to Councillor Whitehead:

“We understand experts in insulation addressed a TDC meeting some months ago and highlighted that natural insulation is a better option.

Polyurethane based house insulations often used are inherently toxic

Effective alternative natural insulations like wool, hemp achieve

High Insulation ability

Natural Flame-Retardant properties

Breathing ability reducing mould development

They are entirely compostable after use.

We urge the council to use only genuine natural insulations in TDC owned buildings and all other TDC involvement in property acquisitions for the social housing portfolio. We would also urge when TDC advises any people on retrofitting their properties that they are guided to natural insulation and why.

The external consequential costs of insulation products should be a defining factor in purchase and use as this is crucial to achieving healthy environments for everyone and everything short term and long term.

Please can TDC enact such a policy with a timeline for implementation?”

Response to follow.

Questions from Press and Public:

Question from Ms Sabin-Dawson to Councillor Everitt:

“In the light of National Grid’s update to the SeaLink DCO application, in which they claim a further extension to the Draft Order limits at the Hoverport in Pegwell Bay, can the council please confirm that they are still opposed to this, having refused the use of this land for the SeaLink proposal? Furthermore, if TDC’s position on the use of the Hoverport has changed, when was this discussed and agreed by councillors? Thank you”

Response to follow.

• You must give your name and address. Your address will only be used to identify that you are a Thanet resident entitled to ask a question at a council meeting.
• Your question must not be more than one hundred and fifty words.
• You must give the name of the Cabinet Member your question is for. To find out which Cabinet Member you should ask, please click on cabinet posts.
• Please check the summary of questions asked at past meetings via the link below to make sure your question or a similar question has not been asked within the last 6 months.
• Please view  Speaking at Council meetings – Frequently Asked Questions for more information.