Charter success is good news for Kent

I'm pleased to be part of the new charter awarded to Kent County Council, awarded today.

Kent County Council has been awarded the South East Charter for Elected Member Development.  The charter recognises the authority's efforts to make sure its Members are well-equipped to deliver KCC's priorities and deal with the tough challenges currently facing local government. 

The Charter was officially presented at County Council today (Thursday) by South East Employers Chairman, Councillor Rory Love. Acknowledging the achievement, Kent County Council Deputy Leader, Alex King said:"Our organisation is facing some very big challenges and difficult decisions. 

We have an excellent group of very capable, skilled Members and it is crucial that they are given access to the high standard of development opportunities, support and information they need to drive forward the authority's goals, deliver services and meet the needs of Kent residents in the best possible way." Councillor Love, who is also the Deputy Leader of Shepway District Council, congratulated the authority. 

He said:"This charter is recognition of the investment and value that Kent County Council places in member development.  The authority recognises that development of all members is critical to the successful achievement and delivery of strategic priorities on behalf of the people they represent and serve in the community. 

"The development and support that Kent County Council provides for all members will become even more important to be able to respond to the challenges and opportunities of localism, decentralisation and making the 'Big Society' a reality. "It has therefore never been more important to ensure that all Members are provided with the skills and support to carry out that evolving role and the charter assessment team were impressed with the profile and importance attached to member development across this council." The Charter has been developed by South East Employers and Local Government Improvement and Development (LGID). 

It aims to bring a high standard to the way elected Members are supported to carry out their roles.  It requires that an authority is fully committed to developing its Members, that a learning and development plan is in place for them and that learning and development is effective in building their capacity.  KCC carried out a self-assessment when it initially signed-up for the charter in 2007 and developed an improvement plan from that, which was then put into practice.  A final assessment was carried out by South East Employers, which showed that the required standards had been reached and the charter was awarded on 22 September 2010. Elected Members at

KCC have access to learning, development and information in a variety of ways, so there is flexibility and all Members can participate.  These include a dedicated Member's hand book, webinars, web portals, e-learning, and IT training sessions, as well as a regular update of information in a format that allows Members to quickly access what is relevant to their specific role. A range of training and learning programmes are available including community development and finance, and programmes from other councils.  As part of the charter commitment, interviews are carried out with individual
Members to accurately identify needs and make the whole development programme as productive as possible. The Charter lasts for three years after which the authority will need to show how it has maintained the required standard.
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Grease is the word!

Artwise Youth and Community centre.

I have just been treated to a superb evening of entertainment watching the young people of Artwise reliving their recent exchange visit to France. A group of YPs and Kent Youth service staff made the 4 day trip to the "Confluent english club from mjc conflans " near Paris to learn, produce and perform, their unique version of the hit musical "Grease in a week".

We were treated to an evening of live performances, and the exclusive premier of the DVD of the final stage production.

Some superlative character acting, excellent choreography, and a little unplanned comedy, made it a very watchable show.

Erin and her team of young people and staff should be very proud. "Tickaboo".

Once again the young people of Thanet, and in particular, young people of Artwise make me proud to be associated with KCC and it's Youth Service.

Well done all concerned, yoop yoop !
Looking forward to the next one.




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Lark in the Park

Ramsgate Government Acre. I'm just at 'lark in the park 2010' . It's raining but everyone is having fun.

My son is in the Art tent enjoying painting a plate in acrylics. There is the Fun Factory for 0-5 , Boot Camp for 5-10 , Vibe for 11-18, Art tent for under 10s (and me!) Park life for everyone.

IT'S ALL FREE!

In the evenings are a range of activities and events for adults and children.

I really don't want to hear anybody say that there is nothing to do in Thanet!

As chairman of Thanet Youth Advisory, I see all the good work put on by both Kent County Council and the voluntary sector. I'm looking forward to helping the two to continue to work closely together.
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Kent ready for lights, camera, action as Law is passed.

Kent ready for lights, camera, action as Law is passed 
Kent has landed a leading part in the film industry after its Parliamentary bill to assist filming in the county received Royal Assent and became law today (Tuesday). 

Kent County Council asked Government to push through the bill that has made Kent the only authority in the UK outside London to have legal powers enabling it to temporarily close roads for filming.  

The bill was the result of Kent County Council's passion to support local business and Kent's economy by maximising the multi-million pound benefits from the industry. 

It became an Act of Parliament much earlier than expected after passing through without objection. 

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said:"This is fantastic news.  Filming brings a serious income into the Kent economy, so we're absolutely committed to nurturing the industry and making Kent a national and international contender for filming. 

"Our wonderfully diverse county has everything from dramatic landscapes and historical settings to modern, urban backdrops and the new law means we can offer filmmakers an even better package." 

The Kent Film Office, run by Kent County Council, has generated more than £14million for the county's economy in the four years since set up and has attracted projects including BBC drama 'Emma' featuring Michael Gambon and 'Is Anybody There?' starring Michael Caine. 

Other Hollywood names to have filmed on location in Kent include Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana for the Other Boleyn Girl, Reese Witherspoon for Vanity Fair and Daniel Craig for The Golden Compass.   

The new law aims to attract even more filmmakers to Kent, bringing benefits to Kent businesses, tourism and residents.  Although the new law gives legal powers to close roads, the Kent Film Office will continue to work closely with local residents and businesses and take their needs into account.  

Tanya Oliver, Director of Strategic Development and Public Access added:"This is really exciting for Kent.  We can now offer filmmakers a real flexibility to meet their needs and that's going to make us an even more attractive prospect. I think our county is set for stardom that will benefit everyone." Kent County Council unanimously approved promotion of the bill across all three political parties when it was voted on at Full County Council.

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Government scraps new school at Hartsdown.

Firstly let me say that I know tough decisions are having to be made and it will effect everyone.

I am angry that the incompetence of the last government has forced the new coalition government to have to even think about some of the cuts there are proposing.

The announcement of the complete halt to all BSF projects , including the next wave 4 came as a complete shock to many including myself. Ten schools in Thanet have been left in the lurch, including Hartsdown, Foreland and the Ursuline.

In Thanet we will have half and half now, with no apparent consideration for the void that is left in the community, the disappointment the pupils and staff alike have.

Hartsdown Technology College , a good school with many outstanding features, prides itself in , not just working with, but being a part of the community. It is top 2% of similar schools and 2nd most improved school in Kent. All this in spite of the condition of the fabric of the building.

In 1964 the school opened to the newspaper headline "buildings inadequate for the future". As one sixth former said to me today." It's like we have been pushed to one side, and we will feel like second class Citizens".

We, at minimum, need a guaranteed investment from the Government and Kent County Council, to bring the school building up to an acceptable standard to enable Hartsdown TC to compete on a level playing field with other local schools.

I will be taking this stance when I see the Leader of Kent about this later this month. I hope we will take this to government to be looked at again.

Three years of planning, designing, an using the existing budget to carry out a careful maintenance programme. This must be compensated.

Hartsdown Tech will pick itself up from this and will continue being a excellent school in an excellent community.

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Councillor in Hartsdown

I had a really good morning today talking to members of Hartsdown school council. Discussing the issue of safety outside the school. Very intelligent ideas put forward to tackle the issues. I am looking forward to next week.
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Stunning images change the way we see Kent

As huge posters are unveiled in London to capture the imagination of Londoners and entice them to Kent, Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council and Kevin Lynes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development revealed the stunning images outside County Hall.

Surprising and alluring images of Botany Bay in Broadstairs, The Goods Shed in Canterbury and Hever Castle in Edenbridge capture the passion and energy of Kent as a 21^st century Garden of England.

Over 150, giant posters are adorning commuter train stations and core London underground stations in zones one and two and will encourage passengers to ‘Exercise’, ‘Enjoy the fruits of’ and ‘Rediscover’ Kent. It is the creative concept of top London creative agency M&C Saatchi, which has been commissioned to roll-out the campaign.

Visit Kent, the county’s award winning tourism partnership delivery organisation is co-ordinating the three year campaign, which is being supported by £400,000 investment from Kent County Council.

Kevin Lynes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at Kent County Council comments:

“Through the campaign images, award winning photographer Jean - Luc Bénard has changed our perception of Kent as a tourist destination. I look at his shot of Botany Bay and it could be the Algarve. His Hever Castle imagery could have been shot in India. My hope is that this campaign will encourage other people to see this stunning county of ours in a new contemporary light, just as I have."

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive, Visit Kent comments “We’re so excited about this fresh approach to our marketing - and of course it’s more important than ever that we stay innovative and creative, and keep ahead of the competition. The timing is perfect, with continued concerns about flying and the strength of the Euro still making the traditional European haunts of the British expensive, this campaign is positioned to remind Londoners and commuters what is on their doorstep.”

The posters campaign will be supplemented with a three week press campaign in the Evening Standard and Time Out, also starting today. Visit Kent investors have helped extend the reach of the campaign with an additional £400,000 of in-kind support.

Bill Butler's retirement

Bill Butler, Dover and Thanet area Youth manager, is retiring after over 20 years in East Kent.
Bill started his time at Concorde , Ramsgate, so it was only fitting to hold a retirement thanks back at where it all began.

I have had the pleasure of working with Bill four the last five years, the last one as Chairman of Thanet YAG, it has been a pleasure to learn from him and enjoy the never ending enthusiasm he radiates.

There are an awful lot of young people who's live's have been touched, for the good, by Bill and his team.
Good luck in your retirement - Enjoy.
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The Building Schools for the Future project is put under review.

Children, Families & Education

The new Government has put the Building Schools for the Future project under review, freezing plans for hundreds of new secondary schools in England. 

As news of the review became public, schools and local authorities were urgently seeking guarantees but the
Department for Education insisted that no decision had been taken. 

However, sources close to the project said there would be a concerted drive to make savings from the £8.5bn annual budget for new schools, redirecting some of that money to help start the Swedish-style free schools the Conservative party have promised. 

The Guardian argues that the scheme includes more than £480m allocated in the last weeks of the Labour Government, but secondary schools in authorities that have been approved to enter the Building Schools for the Future project but have not yet named their contractors may now lose their funding.

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Councils to get general competence power

Ministers look set to include plans to hand a much-anticipated legal power to give councils a free hand to pursue the best interests of their local areas. This will appear in the early legislative programme of the new parliament, according to a Cabinet Office briefing setting out policy areas that had been agreed by the coalition government:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100518-news-big-society-launch.aspx

The briefing note says the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government has come together with a "driving ambition to put more power and opportunity into people's hands" and as part of its programme will give councils a "general power of competence" – a long-awaited legal power that enables councils to act as they see fit in the best interests of their communities.

The coalition parties have also agreed on measures to "radically reform the planning system", which will include scrapping regional spatial strategies and returning decision making powers on housing and planning to councils.

The note also says the government will give communities the right to bid to take over local state-run services as well as new powers to help communities "save local facilities and services threatened with closure". It also reiterates the pledge made in the initial coalition deal to launch a full review of local government finance. There was, however, no mention of abolishing regional development agencies or of referenda for directly elected mayors .

What does this mean for the people of Kent? Or the people of Margate? Localism and more say in what your council does, can only be a good thing.
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Academy FM part 2

Just had a chance to look around the studio and try out as a DJ.
I think I'll stick to the day job . David Atkey (pictured) has work really hard to get this off the ground.
Take a listen.
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Academy FM 107.8 official launch

Absolutely superb evening of entertainment at the Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate. Young talented students of the school gave superlative performances of various musical talents. I am full of admiration for the work that is going that has made the Marlowe an all inclusive community school.

You can listen to Academy FM on 107.8FM and their new web site is www.academyfmthanet.com

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Kent celebrates Youth Achievement

As I stand hear listening to a rendition of "your sex is on fire" I am proud to be involved with the event happening today. Hundreds of people , young and old showing the achievements of clubs and organisations in Kent and Medway. Lots of things to do , please don't let me hear anybody say "nufink to do" .

As Chairman of Thanet Youth Advisory and a parent I'm as keen as anyone to promote the activities going on , particularly in Thanet. If you have anything to advertise then go to websites like "togogo" and "Whatson" .
Next event is Ballet by Riverside.
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Bill Hayton Elected Chairman of Kent County council

At the AGM of Kent County Council today, Bill Hayton was elected Chairman of KCC. The outgoing Chairman , John Davies thanked everyone for an enjoyable year.

"It is a pleasure and an honour to have been elected Chairman and I look forward to the forthcoming year"

Well done Bill.
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Thanet wins most Blue Flags in the UK

More Blue Flags, the sign of Europe's top coastal destinations, will be flying over Thanet's beaches this summer than any other council area in the UK.

 A total of nine Blue Flags have been awarded to the area. Minnis Bay, St. Mildred's Bay and West Bay in Westgate, Botany Bay and Joss Bay in Broadstairs and Ramsgate Main Sands have all kept the awards that they received last summer. Minnis Bay has held a Blue Flag since 2002, while West Bay has been awarded one for the sixth year running and St. Mildred's retains its flag for the fifth year running.

 Westbrook Bay, Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay in Broadstairs have also won back the accolade that they were last awarded in 2008.

 Blue Flags are only handed out to those beaches which have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

 Viking Bay received the Quality Coast Award for the fourth year running. To achieve this award, beaches have to meet strict criteria, including clean sands, being free of litter and dog fouling, have good access with good facilities and with guideline water quality.

 Director of Environmental Services, Mark Seed, said: "This year, Thanet has continued its enviable success with Blue Flag awards. We're delighted to have more Blue Flags this year than any other council area across the UK, which shows just how seriously we take the condition of our beautiful beaches. It's a great boost to our tourism and a wonderful way to start another summer season. Once again, the message is clear – if you want to find beautiful and unique sandy beaches, head to Thanet."

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Gordon Brown forced to ditch new holiday tax

Labour’s plans to hike taxes on holiday lettings stopped – for the moment

I have always been one for the “staycation” rather that spending two weeks in the sun trying not to get burnt. Saturday I was looking at a mobile home to purchase and maybe use for letting when I wasn’t using it.
This would have been pointless if the proposed tax on tourism and furnished holiday letting had gone ahead. I am pleased to welcome the news that a determined stand by Conservatives has forced Gordon Brown to back down over a planned tax hike on local tourism.
Labour Ministers had been planning to scrap the tax relief on furnished holiday lettings. The result would have been a massive tax hike on the tourism industry and self-catering accommodation across towns such as Ramsgate and Margate. According to the Tourism Alliance, the proposed tax rises would have damaged 120,000 businesses, led to the loss of 4,500 jobs and cost the economy as a whole £200 million.
Conservatives forced the Labour Government to drop these proposals as a condition of Ministers rushing their Finance Bill through Parliament before the general election. But the Labour Party has said it will seek to re-introduce this tax rise if Gordon Brown remains in office after the general election.
The Federation of Small Businesses has warned that the Government’s proposals could leave eight in ten small businesses in the holiday sector at risk of closure. A poll of 166 FSB members that run self-catering accommodation found that more than half (52 per cent) said that they would have to make staff redundant if the tax rules were changed, and 81 per cent said changing the rules on their tax status would affect their financial viability. Another 43 per cent said the tax rules would put them off expanding their business and eight in ten said they would not be able take on any new staff (Federation of Small Businesses Press Release, 25 November 2009).

Well the nation will soon be deciding who governs the country.

Monopoly

I came across this piece of interesting Factual history and couldn't resist sharing it with my follower.

Starting in 1941, an increasing number of British Airmen found themselves as the involuntary guests of the Third Reich, and the Crown was casting about for ways and means to facilitate their escape... Now obviously, one of the most helpful aids to that end is a useful and accurate map, one showing not only where stuff was, but also showing the locations of 'safe houses' where a POW on-the-lam could go for food and shelter.

Paper maps had some real drawbacks -- they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear out rapidly, and if they get wet, they turn into mush.

Someone in MI5 got the idea of printing escape maps on silk. It's durable, can be scrunched-up into tiny wads, and unfolded as many times as needed, and makes no noise whatsoever.
At that time, there was only one manufacturer in Great Britain that had perfected the technology of printing on silk, and that was John Waddington, Ltd. When approached by the government, the firm was only too happy to do its bit for the war effort.
By pure coincidence, Waddington was also the U.K. Licensee for the popular American board game, Monopoly. As it happened, 'games and pastimes' was a category of item qualified for insertion into ' CARE packages', dispatched by the International Red Cross to prisoners of war.
Under the strictest of secrecy, in a securely guarded and inaccessible old workshop on the grounds of Waddington's, a group of sworn-to-secrecy employees began mass-producing escape maps, keyed to each region of Germany or Italy where Allied POW camps were regional system). When processed, these maps could be folded into such tiny dots that they would actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece.

As long as they were at it, the clever workmen at Waddington's also managed to add: 1. A playing token, containing a small magnetic compass 2. A two-part metal file that could easily be screwed together 3. Useful amounts of genuine high-denomination German, Italian, and French currency, hidden within the piles of Monopoly money!
British and American air crews were advised, before taking off on their first mission, how to identify a 'rigged' Monopoly set -- by means of a tiny red dot, one cleverly rigged to look like an ordinary printing glitch, located in the corner of the Free Parking square.
Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POW's who successfully escaped, an estimated one-third were aided in their flight by the rigged Monopoly sets.. Everyone who did so was sworn to secrecy indefinitely, since the British Government might want to use this highly successful ruse in still another, future war. The story wasn't declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from Waddington's, as well as the firm itself, were finally honored in a public ceremony.

Hilary Lister awarded Kent Invicta award

Full council meeting today. Proud to see Hilary Lister awarded the Kent Invicta award. She is the first disabled woman to sail single handed around Britain. I was very humbled by her acceptance speech. The award comes with a cheque for £5000 which will go to the "Hilary Lister Dream charity"
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Kent fills in a WHOPPING 31,000 potholes

  Kent's road repair crews have fixed a WHOPPING 31,000 potholes since the start of the year. And from Monday 8 March, Kent Highway Services further increased the number of gangs fixing potholes to 70 after diverting more crews from non-emergency work to tackle the unprecedented workload on a 'find and fix' basis. This means that all potholes on a stretch of road are filled at the same time. The high rate of repairs – in February they filled more than 20,500 potholes, compared with 8,400 in February 2009 – follows the harshest winter for three decades. But they still have plenty more to do. Kent Highway Services is urging drivers to adjust their driving habits due to the number of potholes on the roads. During this cold weather, potholes are continuing to develop and drivers need to become more aware of their surroundings, slow down and anticipate the unexpected. Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste Nick Chard said: "We are focusing all our efforts on repairing potholes, but while we are fixing the damage left by the snow and ice there are still a lot of potholes on the roads – and drivers need to be prepared for this and drive with extra care. "We have pushed even more resources into tackling potholes by diverting more crews from non-emergency work to boost our campaign. We are doing this so that we can respond directly to what Kent's residents are telling us is their number one priority." At the moment Kent County Council is also recruiting small and medium-sized road repair firms so that from April, when the weather is milder, potholes can be fixed even more quickly. As expected, the severe weather spell has been followed by a rise in compensation claims for damaged caused by potholes. Since Christmas more than 1,600 claims have been submitted to the council. Nick Chard added: "We will look at these claims and assess them in a firm and fair way. We also want residents and drivers to report potholes to us, so that we can get the best possible picture of where the problems are."  

To report a fault, contact Kent Highway Services on 08458 247 800 or go online to www.kent.gov.uk/highways While Kent Highway Services is concentrating on tackling potholes, other non-urgent highway maintenance will be scheduled to a later date. This will not affect the maintenance of street lights, drainage and response to urgent safety issues.
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RB Burgess Quality Kitchens

If you would like a new kitchen , like this one maybe, then give me a call. Struggled to finish this with my bad back but doesn't it look good.
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Renewable energy - Have your say

Have your say on renewable energy .  Kent County Council is taking an in-depth look at provision for renewable energy in the county over the next few months. 

During spring and early summer 2010 the council's Renewable Energy Select Committee will investigate the effect on Kent of current government and local policy. They will assess the pros and cons of various types of renewable energy technology, and the role it could play in providing us with a secure and affordable energy supply in the future. 

Renewable Energy Select Committee Chairman Keith Ferrin said: "This review will explore ways to support Kent's transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future. In particular, we will consider what the council can do through its own operations or influence to enhance Kent's role. We will also look at the benefits to residents and businesses from the development of renewable energy. In order to conduct the review we will be hearing from a number of experts, regulators, energy suppliers and consumers. We also want to find out what you think about energy efficiency, renewable energy – in fact, all matters energy!" 

Hearings are scheduled for early summer time, with a final report initially timetabled for the autumn. To make sure your views are heard email comments, concerns or questions to: renewable.energy@kent.gov.uk by 5 March 2010. 
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Blood Donors wanted.

In this time of severe weather and general unwell from flu , blood donors are still needed for all types of blood. I went yesterday to St Peter's Hall. Yet again the nurses and staff were absolutely brilliant in making a very needle phobic , wimp , relaxed and special .

Do something wonderful - save a life - give blood. www.blood.org.uk
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Salting crews battle blizzards

After spending a "snow day" with my son. I found

out why he wanted to borrow my hat ! In the meantime I have a news release from Kent Highways. I saw the Gritters out yesterday, and I must say well done.

Latest News from County Hall

Gritting crews have been working round the clock to tackle exceptionally high snowfall in eastern parts of the county.

Overnight between Wednesday 10 February and Thursday 11 February, some areas, such as Hythe, received up to 20cm of snow – more than double the amount predicted by the Met Office.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste Nick Chard said:

“Crews launched a pre-emptive strike before the Wednesday evening rush hour and were out again in the early hours of Thursday morning salting primary and secondary routes. They were supported by farmers who ploughed rural routes early Thursday morning.

“In the meantime we diverted salting crews from the north west of the county in order to concentrate our efforts in the affected areas – Thanet, Dover, Canterbury and Shepway.

“Throughout Thursday morning crews have been ploughing and working hard to improve the conditions on the primary routes.”

East Kent gets the snow!

As the Chairman Designate for a really important and exciting Select Committee on Extended Services, I have an important meeting today with Rosalind Turner , Head of CFE at Kent County Council. I can't get out of my road let alone Ramsgate. Be sensible out there Kent Highways are gritting 24/7 but it is difficult to have effect whilst it is still snowing .
My advice take care on the roads, don't travel unless absolutely necessary , for Police tips on driving safely http://ow.ly/TeeY
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Kent Health Watch - coming to a Gateway near you

Kent Health Watch is on the road this month to talk health and social care, and will film what people have to say. The dates have been set for when people can visit each of the seven Gateways, to learn more about Kent Health Watch and to share their opinions. Visitors will have the chance to be interviewed to talk about local issues on health and social care for a video diary. The completed film will show the highlights from all seven visits and will be broadcast on Kent.gov.uk in March. 

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health Alan Marsh will be joining the events. He said: "The aim of Kent Health Watch is to improve standards in health and social care by listening to what people have to say. "By travelling around the county, we will be able to talk face to face with people to see what issues are important and where. This is another way of finding out what is affecting the people of Kent."

"Kent Health Watch is open 24/7 and there is a caring person at the end of the phone every day of the year, including Christmas Day. In February we will be able to listen to your comments and complaints in person. So come along and tell me how we can make a change for the better."  

The dates are
• Monday 8 February – Maidstone. Gateway from 1pm to 5pm
• Thursday 11 February – Ashford Gateway from 1pm to 5pm
• Friday 12 February – Thanet Gateway from 10am to 1pm
• Tuesday 16 February – Tenterden Gateway from 1pm to 5pm
• Thursday 18 February – Tonbridge Gateway from 1pm to 5pm
• Tuesday 23 February – Tunbridge Wells Gateway from 1pm to 5pm
• Thursday 25 February – Dover Gateway from 1pm to 5pm   

Kent Health Watch is run by Kent County Council in partnership with the NHS. The number to call is 08458 247 103 or log on to www.kent.gov.uk/healthwatch.

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National conference "Fire Sprinklers around the world"

I'm up at the Houses of Parliament today attending this seminar on behalf of Kent Fire and Rescue Authority.
Ann Jones from the Welsh Assembly has achieved ground breaking legislation - all new houses to be built in Wales will now have to be fitted with Fire suppression (sprinklers) Good news for Wales , now let's get this for England too.
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Have you seen the Kent Fire and Rescue Service advert on buses in Kent?

Did it make you think about road safety either as a driver or a passenger?

Let me know your views.

Kent County Council - We're tackling pot holes

                                                                  05 February 2010
We're tackling pot holes. Road repair crews have already fixed 10,000 potholes on Kent's roads this year. The repairs have been carried out ahead of more permanent work which Kent County Council is preparing to spend an extra £1million on from March. Kent Highway Services has 60 crews working, 20 more than usual at this time – and in one week alone in January they fixed about 6,000 potholes. Each week since they have been fixing double the amount they were repairing this time last year. They are taking a 'find and fix' approach, which means that as faults are reported the crews work in areas of greatest need. Kent County Council cabinet member for highways Nick Chard said:"We are getting on with the job of tackling potholes now that the winter weather has cleared. "Many holes appeared during 'freeze thaw' conditions in the exceptionally long, cold winter. We couldn't repair them while there was snow on the ground."Since the snow has cleared, we are getting to grips with the repairs. Repairing the damage will continue for as long as it takes and we are appealing for residents' help."To report a fault, contact Kent Highway Services on 08458 247 800, go online to www.kent.gov.uk/highways or email kenthighwayservices@kent.gov.uk

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Already have a lot of events happening in Margate West. www.margatewest.ning.com

Good to see events being added . Please tell your friends about the community website www.margatewest.ning.com . Get you event advertised for free.
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Garlinge Allotment project

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with some brave community members of Garlinge. Very cold but great fun. We are building a clay oven at the moment. I'm looking forward to baking pizza in it.
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