Kent County Council announces changes to improve Household Waste Recycling Centre service

Another issue which is causing some worry locally is anything to do with the Recycling centres.

New operational changes are coming into effect in October. These introductions have been brought in to stop trade waste being dump in household centres. Most people will not be effected. See the press release below.

Kent County Council is introducing a few minor operational changes to the Household Waste Recycling Centres from 1 October 2012, following a service review and a county-wide public consultation.  These changes will not affect the great majority of householders.
 
The disposal of business, trade or commercial waste at a Household Waste Recycling Centre is illegal and public opinion supports further measures to ensure the exclusion of these materials. There will also be small changes to the volumes of certain types of waste that householders can dispose of.
 
One of householders' main concerns in the consultation was queuing and congestion at centres – these changes will improve access for householders to dispose of their waste by reducing the number of unauthorised vehicles and trailers using the facilities.
 
The changes will improve the operational and financial efficiency of the recycling service Kent County Council provides for householders, and enable it to continue investing in expanding and modernising existing recycling centres, and increasing provision in mid Kent.
 
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Bryan Sweetland, said:
 
"The majority of Kent businesses dispose of their waste responsibly, however a very small minority are illegally using the Household Waste Recycling Centres. This equates to an estimated 25,000 tonnes of waste every year, which is a financial and environmental burden to the Kent council tax payer.
 
"Our approach contributes to a level playing field within the private sector, requiring all companies to pay for their waste disposal through licensed operators, which KCC will be actively signposting for businesses."
 
Information is available for householders through various channels from 3 September 2012, to detail the changes that may affect some of the Household Waste Recycling Centre customers. Full details can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/hwrc
 
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Budget Consultation - KCC proposes council tax freeze for the third year running

Its a difficult time at County hall, and in most councils setting their budget. £60 million to be saved. We are launching an eight week consultation on the budget. Below is the press release issued to announce the start. Please do have your say.
 
Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter is determined to freeze Kent residents' council tax bill for the third year running despite enormous pressure from national spending cuts and rising demand for services.
 
Launching an eight week public consultation on the county council's 2013 budget proposals, Paul Carter set out the principles that have guided next year's financial proposals:
 
"It would be the easiest thing to bow to political pressure to leave services unchanged or spend 'more on this and more on that' but that only leads to soaring council tax and poorer services. Time and again, we have demonstrated that if you bring fresh, innovative thinking to how we go about delivering our business – with elected councillors working alongside our experienced staff – you can find new ways to protect services and keep bills low."
 
The budget proposals launched today place vulnerable people, the young and boosting the Kent economy at the heart of council priorities for the year ahead.
 
For schools – KCC continues to focus on the wishes of parents and employers to see motivated young people set on the right course for a successful future. Today, we educate more children, and with more success, than ever before. We are committed to delivering the education service that parents want for their children - from investing in new grammar school sites to delivering special needs education in every community.
 
For employment - we will continue to expand our apprenticeship scheme, driven by £3m of investment, to create real jobs for Kent's young people. These proposals deliver new business loans to create 5,000 jobs and the release of further cash from the Big Society Fund is helping voluntary groups establish new enterprises.
 
For the vulnerable – Kent is proud to remain one of a dwindling number of local authorities to maintain the eligibility criteria at moderate for adult social care – providing security and stability for thousands of people in need.
 
For roads and transport – Kent's groundbreaking Freedom Pass will be maintained, enabling young people, aged 11-16, to travel the county's bus network for free. A new scheme for post-16 students will subsidise the cost of travel. Safeguarded too, is Kent's commitment to public transport and the subsidy of bus routes across the county. KCC is proposing to protect the highways maintenance budget and direct more of this money into resurfacing, cutting the need for 'patch' repairs to potholes. (This builds on an extra £6m extra spent on road repairs this year).
 
Taken together, Paul Carter insists that these proposals are defying the pressure on councils to cut and cut again by setting out on a path of genuine transformation of services:
 
"It is pointless to pretend that the money will keep rolling in from taxpayers to see the same old services in the same old way. It won't. In almost every area of life people are working differently or using new technology to make things easier. Councils must do that too and I'm proud that Kent is leading the way. Every penny we can save is a penny that remains in the pockets of the people of Kent."
 
Mr Carter fully admits that tough decisions have to be taken and has set out in clear terms where the council plans to make savings.
 
"Of course some tough decisions have to be taken. All councils are facing unprecedented cuts to their funding as the Government tackles the national deficit, and that situation isn't going to change in coming years. If we did nothing to tackle our spending, in four years time KCC would require a 42% rise in council tax to keep services running."
 
Residents across Kent have eight weeks (from Thursday 6 September to Thursday 1 November) to give their views on the proposals, before Members take the final decision on the budget in early 2013.
 
Anyone can get involved by reading the consultation document 'Framing the budget', which identifies the significant savings that are to be delivered to avoid the need to raise council tax. That document and a response form are available at www.kent.gov.uk/budgetviews
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Bright future for East Kent as council unveils marketing campaign

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of a new marketing campaign for promoting East Kent. A really good presentation. East Kent is defiantly a great place to set up business, we just need to let the rest of the country know this.

I raised concerns about a skills shortage for professionals ie Engineers but also the fact that SME's will normally empoy family and friends first.
Apprenticeships are also key to successful growth .

Below is the press release of the launch
Bright future for East Kent as council unveils marketing campaign
 
Campaign plans warmly received by County stakeholders and business leaders
 
An ambitious new marketing campaign to drive investment into East Kent was unveiled this week by County Council Leader Paul Carter, receiving positive feedback from an audience of over 100 business leaders and stakeholders.
 
"Grow For It" – designed to promote the benefits of locating businesses into the coastal districts of Shepway, Thanet, Dover and Canterbury – is being launched in support of Kent County Council's Expansion East Kent project, which offers £35m in loans to businesses who want to expand in the area or move there.
 
Among the guests invited to the preview event was Roger Gale MP, who voiced his commitment for the project and welcomed the plans as "very impressive".
 
The campaign, which is a three-year project, will be developed into a full programme of events, focusing on an intensive period of activity over the next ten months, as the council continues to prioritise economic growth in the wake of the recession.
 
Focussing on targeted industries – among them green technologies, tourism, and scientific research – "Grow For It" aims to showcase the east of the county as a prime location to do business, with great connectivity to London without the hectic city lifestyle.
 
Mr Carter, who commissioned the campaign, said:
 
"Everybody in East Kent is passionate about driving more investment and business into the area, and this campaign will not only help achieve that, but will showcase the very real benefits firms can expect if they come here.
 
"Our list of business-friendly initiatives in the area is long and growing every year – and we want to tell people about the terrific opportunities these districts have to offer.
 
"We have launched the £35m Expansion East Kent fund to make loans available to businesses coming to the area and create 5,000 jobs. We have already helped the creation of Discovery Park, which allowed us to maintain an economic future after the departure of Pfizer. And we worked incredibly hard to deliver better connectivity to London through the high Speed train service, which will put the capital within an hours' reach."
 
The campaign – being delivered by Seven Hills communications agency – stemmed from an intensive research project, interviewing key stakeholders in the region, such as district councils, partner organisations, investors, entrepreneurs, media and external audiences from across the UK in a series of focus groups and one-on-one interviews.
 
Mr Carter added:
 
"East Kent is unique and has vast potential to grow its economy. Seven Hills' campaign will wake up the world."
 
The project also examined successful national destinations through extensive best practice research.
 
The marketing campaign has been based on the key findings of the research phase, and includes a brand identity and timeline of focused events throughout the course of the next ten months within the region.
 
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New improved high speed train service announced by Kent County Council

As the new Chairman of the Thanet Joint Transportation committee I said I would be fighting for a better train service to Margate, Ramsgate and Sandwich. I did expect to accomplish it so quickly but the lobbying of KCC's Thanet Conservative members helped.

Below is the official press release for the announcement. KCC is investing in East Kent for everyone's benefit.

25 April 2012
 
Kent rail passengers benefit from more high speed services
 
Train passengers in Kent are set to benefit from a series of improvements that were announced at the 4th Kent Rail Summit on Wednesday 25 April.
 
The new, improved and planned services include:
 
Faster services from Thanet following a £10 million investment programme  by Network Rail in partnership with Kent County Council, due to begin in the new franchise after 2014
An extra extended late night high speed Southeastern service to Sandwich, Deal and Ramsgate leaving London St Pancras International at 23.12, from September 2012
Continued funding by Kent County Council for high speed services from Sandwich and Deal, slashing journey times between to capital to just 90 minutes
 
The extra high speed services are being funded by Kent County Council to boost business confidence and support new employment opportunities in East Kent following Pfizer's announcement last year to exit their site in Sandwich, and will provide further incentive for new business and job growth in the Discovery Park Enterprise Zone.
 
Demand for Southeastern's high speed service to and from Deal and Sandwich has grown steadily since they were launched in September last year. The high speed peak services cut the journey time from Deal to London to approximately 90 minutes, compared to the Mainline service, which is 135 minutes.
 
The extended, late night high speed service from London St Pancras to Ramsgate, will be welcomed by those working late or enjoying a night out in London.
 
Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, who chaired the 4th Kent Rail Summit, at County Hall, Maidstone, said:
 
"The launch of late night high speed services to East Kent is great news for the area, providing a further boost to business. It will significantly benefit tourism, building on the tremendous success of the Turner Centre and resulting increase in visitor numbers.
 
"This comes as part of our continued support of high speed services to Sandwich and Deal following their successful launch. We aimed to pump-prime the service to boost business and job prospects in the area with a move that was called for by local residents. This is good news for the local people and businesses.
 
"We worked closely with Southeastern and local MPs to secure high speed rail services at the lowest possible cost, initially on a trial basis for one year. As a result of strong passenger figures we have been able to reduce the level of our revenue support considerably.
 
"As service use grows the potential to extend it to provide a full timetable throughout the day will be a real possibility, which will boost local business prospects still further."
 
Vince Lucas, service delivery director for Southeastern said:
 
"We have been working more closely with Kent County Council than ever before to deliver real improvements for passengers using our services, and we're seeing a growth in passenger numbers and satisfaction is at an all time high.
 
"We're delighted to continue the partnership with Kent County Council to provide high speed services to Sandwich and Deal. The service is a key transport link between the coast and London. From September we will be extending the evening service departing 23:12 from St Pancras to also include stops at Sandwich, Deal and Ramsgate. This means passengers have another transport option to get home following a night out in London."
 
Speaking about Kent's continued support for high speed services, Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said:
 
"This has been a fantastic start for high speed rail and the benefits to the local community can only increase as the service continues. It is vital for more jobs and money that Deal has better links making it a more viable business option." 
 
Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet, said:
 
"The decision to continue the high speed train to Sandwich, Deal and the Stour Villages shows how successful the service has proven for passengers. With 45 minutes sliced off the average journey into the capital, East Kent is no longer left at the end of the line.
 
"Over the next year, I am hopeful that businesses considering setting up in the region – particularly on the Pfizer site – will recognise that East Kent is not only a superb place for their employees to live but also within easy reach of London."
 
Tom Rowland, a spokesperson for rail user group Trains4Deal, said:
 
"This is very welcome news. We campaigned for high speed services to run to and from Deal and were delighted by Kent County Council's decision to support faster rail services. The increase in passenger figures shows that there is strong local support for our high speed connections to the capital."
 
Kent County Council was awarded £5 million in last year's Regional Growth Fund announcement to improve journey times along the Thanet-Ashford line. This will partner investment by Network Rail with the aim to cutting high speed journey times to the capital to under an hour.
 
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail's route managing director for Kent, said:
 
"Recognising the current and future economic and social importance of rail to the county, we are committed to continuing our collaborative working partnership with Southeastern and Kent County Council to further improve the rail network in Kent, providing passengers with faster and more reliable journeys."
 
December 2012 timetable consultation:
Also announced at the summit were the proposed changes to the December 2012 timetable, which is now open to stakeholder consultation ahead of any changes being given final approval by the Department for Transport. The draft proposals include:
 
Introduction of a 'fast' off-peak Mainline service between Ramsgate and London Victoria via Chatham, calling only at Broadstairs, Margate, Birchington-on-Sea, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Faversham, Sittingbourne, Rainham, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Bromley South, and
extra capacity to meet growing demand on the high speed service.
 
Vince Lucas, Southeastern's service delivery director explained:
 
"The proposed changes to the December 2012 timetable follow feedback from our stakeholders and passengers. The proposed changes are aimed at delivering even more improvements to journey times and extra capacity on the high speed service. We will be commencing formal consultation with a range of stakeholders and passengers over the next month where we will be seeking feedback on the draft changes ahead of seeking approval from the DfT."
 

John Warnett

BBC Radio Kent presenter John Warnett has been awarded Kent Invicta award.

"Most people here today have woken up with John at one time or another" KCC Leader Paul Carter.

John considered it a privilege and honour to receive and has donated the award money to Demelza House in Sittingbourne.

Richborough Towers Date of demolition announced

It will be a sad day when the three Iconic cooling towers say goodbye to the east kent landscape.

I, like thousands of other motorists, use the majestic sight of Richborough Towers to signal 'nearly home'. They're like an anxious mother waiting at the garden gate of England to welcome her child home safely. I will be sorry to see them go.

Below is the traffic order to close the road.

Temporary Road Closure – A256 Ramsgate Road, Sandwich and Sandwich Road & Richborough Way, Ramsgate – Sunday 11 March 2012

It will be necessary to close sections of the A256 Ramsgate Road, Sandwich and Sandwich Road & Richborough Way, Ramsgate on Sunday 11 March 2012

It is planned the closure will be for up to 1 hour during the morning, sometime from 8.00 am onwards, as signposted on site.

The closure will be in the vicinity of Richborough Port.

It is suggested that drivers should consider alternative routes as long delays are expected in the area on the morning that these works go ahead.

A contingency alternative route will be brought in to use and signposted, if required on the day.

This will be via the A2 to Brenley Corner then via the A299 Thanet Way (to avoid the closure of the A28 in Canterbury, at Sturry Level Crossing).

There will be no access for through traffic between the north junction with A256 Sandwich By-pass and the new Sevenscore Roundabout, whilst the road is closed.

Public Footpath EE42 will be closed where it meets the exclusion zone around the works, as indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The closure is for the safety of the public during demolition works, being carried out by DDS Demolition.

These works are weather dependent, and the timing may be affected by adverse conditions.

If conditions prevent the works going ahead on 11 March, they will be deferred until one of the following two Sundays.

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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