Kent calls for lorry charge to be spent on roads.

Latest press release from KCC on the proposed foreign lorry levy.

25 January, 2012
 
Background: New government proposals, announced today by the Department for Transport, will include a lorry road user charge ensuring hauliers who use UK roads contribute to their cost. The government is aiming to charge the maximum permitted by the European Union (EU), about £10 per day. Britain is one of the only countries in the EU which does not charge HGV drivers to use its roads. British logistics companies will be compensated for the charge in the UK.
 
Kent calls on government to spend lorry charge money on roads
 
The country's largest shire authority today called for cast-iron guarantees that the money raised by Government's proposed £10-a-day charge on lorries will be ploughed back into the councils that are responsible for improving roads.
 
Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter, also urged ministers to remove the burden of charging UK lorry drivers - who, under Government plans, would be able to claim back their costs - calling for a "more pragmatic, less bureaucratic" system that doesn't place financial pressure on UK freight firms.
 
Mr Carter - whose council has been the key lobbyist on the policy since 1992 when it first called for a levy on foreign lorries coming into the county through Dover - said he welcomed the proposal, but warned the system "could place unnecessary burdens" on the UK freight industry if the changes aren't made.
 
Mr Carter said: "It's great to see the Government putting a firm plan on the table - we've spent 20 years asking for this sort of system. Its good news for the UK freight industry and good news for taxpayers, who are currently footing the bill for damage caused to our roads by foreign lorries.
 
"A significant amount of money can now be raised. But if we can't get a cast-iron guarantee that money will be given back to the councils that pay to fix the damage caused by foreign trucks, then it achieves nothing.
 
"I'd also urge a more pragmatic, less bureaucratic approach for UK lorry drivers. If hauliers can claim the charge back, why make them pay in the first place? In a recession, the haulage industry will not welcome this element. Surely a simpler system can be found that levies a charge on entry to the UK?"
 
Kent has been lobbying since 1992 for a charge to lorries that can be invested in road schemes. In December 2010 KCC launched Growth without Gridlock - a landmark transport delivery plan for Kent. It identifies key infrastructure improvements that need to be carried out to ensure that new jobs are unlocked, economic growth is boosted and that the county can sustain long-term growth. The plan includes: A long-term solution to Operation Stack, a third Thames Crossing and dualling of the A21.
 
Mr Carter said schemes in Kent he wanted to see funded included a lorry park near the M20 to cut congestion caused by Operation Stack, which turns part of the motorway into a lorry park when cross-Channel traffic is halted following bad weather or industrial action. 
 
Delays caused by Stack cost the UK haulage industry £1 million a day and significantly reduce the attractiveness of East Kent as a place to do business. The management of Operation Stack already costs Kent Police and the Highways Agency some £3million. KCC is determined to avert this scenario and has identified a suitable site for a lorry park between Junctions 10 and 11 of the M20.
 
 Mr Carter added:  "We have the inconvenience of being the transport corridor. We will be lobbying very hard with the Department of Transport and Mike Penning to make sure Operation Stack Park, improvements to the M2 and M20 are made over the medium term." 
 

Thanet Local Board: Learn more about the Olympic Torch relay in Thanet

Thanet residents are being invited to learn more about the 2012 Olympic Torch relay through the area at next week's Thanet Local Board Meeting.
 
The meeting on Tuesday 24 January, at Garlinge Primary School, Margate, will also have presentations on Kent Youth County Council and The Big Society Fund – a new fund providing £3million of loans for new and existing social enterprises in Kent that is being run by Kent County Council in partnership with the Kent Community Foundation.
 
Updates will be given on Kent County Council Member Highway Funds projects – these are local road improvement projects funded from a £25,000 annual budget controlled by each KCC Member.
 
Thanet Local Board
 
DATE:                        Tuesday 24 January
 
TIME:              Doors open 6.30pm for 7.00pm start
 
ADDRESS:   Garlinge Primary School, Westfield Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5PA,
 
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Kent gives Diamond Jubilee street parties a boost

 
I was two residents meetings earlier this week, Westgate and Westbrook , and Garlinge. Both would like to organise events for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I said I hoped that KCC would make it easier for road closures for street parties.

Kent County Council listens to public.
 
Communities across Kent are being invited to start planning street parties for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this summer.
 
Kent was one of the top local authorities in the country last year for street parties held to mark the Royal Wedding.
 
Kent County Council is planning to build on this success, so that thousands of residents will be able to celebrate the historic occasion with their neighbours.
 
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Bryan Sweetland, said:
 
"We are once again waiving charges for street parties on quiet residential roads and cul-de-sacs. This 'can do' relaxed approach will allow people to organise a Diamond Jubilee celebration with neighbours in a traffic-free street, giving children the chance to play freely for a change.
 
"We are aiming to repeat the success of Kent's Royal Wedding street party scheme, when we were one of the top local authorities in the country for the numbers of residential street parties.
 
"This was achieved by making the application process very easy. Organisers only have to complete a simple online form. In addition, there is no charge for processing applications, or for road closure signs that we will provide. This means parties in quiet residential roads and cul-de-sacs can be held for free.
 
"We wish Her Majesty every happiness and hope residents in Kent will seize the opportunity to celebrate this historic occasion."
 
Party organisers can apply for a road closure over any day during the extended four day holiday from Saturday 2 – Tuesday 5 June. The deadline for street party applications is Friday 18 May.
 
Organisers can request an application form online by visiting www.kent.gov.uk/streetparty, or by calling 08458 247 800.
 
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Designing out risk - Building in Safety.

Kent Design Initiative Forum has launched the consultation for the new guide for design. I have been member of Kent and Medway Fire Authority for 5 years now and member champion for domestic sprinklers for 2 years.

If at the beginning of the design stage you put in these safety measures, there is very little additional cost. The cost of a fire is far more than just repairing the damage. 90% of SMEs that have a major fire don't start up again.

I urge all specifiers and influencers to look at water suppression systems (sprinklers) at the design stage. Kent Fire Service has grants available for some new builds.

Have your say in the consultation, go to the web site or contact me.

Steve Griffiths (pictured with me above) Kent Fire's Director of Community Safety, has been working tirelessly on this project and it would be great to think that a few people have become more aware of this because of this publicity.
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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.