News

Shepway Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Prater has hit back at reports in 'This is Shepway' that "Cliff lift repairs could cost £1 million".
 

Cllr Prater said: "This figure is drawn from a Shepway Council draft report in 2004 which was discussing placing a Lottery funding for that amount - to renovate, renew, redevelop enhance the Leas Lift.

"That's the nature of funding Lottery bids - to make things better. To suggest that the Council would have to spend that much to simply keep the lift running is deceptive - the real figure would be fractions of that amount: and what's more, the Council know it. To even suggest the cost to the Council could be £1 million is scaremongering and irresponsible."

The decision of the Shepway Council Cabinet on 18th March was to "To cease the operation of the Leas Lift with immediate effect." This decision was referred back by the Council's Scrutiny Committee on 31st March.

The Scrutiny Committee "urged the Cabinet to continue to seek the continuing operation of the Leas Lift for this year and beyond." The reference back forced the Council to keep the Lift running until at least Cabinet reconsiders the issue at their 15th April meeting.

Tim Prater is working with other campaigners who are pushing Shepway Council to ensure the lift is kept running.

Cllr Prater said: "The overwhelming view of local people is that want to keep the Leas Lift running, and to see it properly promoted and a well used part of our town.

"It's public information that Shepway Council terminated its lease on the lift on 1st April, giving the required three months notice to the owner, the Radnor Estate. Shepway Council therefore continue to hold the lease on the lift until the end of June.

"There is absolutely no reason that the lift cannot be kept running during that period - Shepway will still hold the lease until that time and will be paying rent for it. The running costs to do so are in the budget.

"After that, Shepway could agree with the Radnor Estate to run the lift on licence for a period of time.

"Shepway running the lift even for a few months under licence would give other operators a chance to look at taking the lift operation. Shepway could offer to other potential operators at least some funding for the first few years to take on the responsibility of running the lift - and removing running costs long term from the Council."