News

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

22 March 2007

Last week was British Tourism Week.

Tourism is Britain’s 5th largest industry. It is worth £74 billion and employs an estimated 2.1 million people in the UK – more jobs than construction or transport. Last year the industry generated over £15 billion in export earnings from over 31 million overseas visitors. And overseas and domestic visitors paid £12.7 billion in tax to the Exchequer in 2005 – enough to pay for 30,000 nurses.

Tourism is obviously important for Shepway. Although the one or two week bucket and spade holiday is in steep decline there are many other tourism opportunities which we can exploit. We have a wonderful coastline, magnificent scenery, the very special character of Romney Marsh and a rich heritage.

So I am delighted to take advantage of British Tourism Week to visit some of the tourist businesses in the constituency.

Together with Damian Collins I started at Coxell House in Lydd where Robin Francis and Maggie Brown run a very successful bed and breakfast operation. Their Grade II listed 17th Century house is a very convenient base from which to explore and enjoy all Romney Marsh has to offer.

We then drove to the other end of the constituency to Great Field Farm at Misling Lane, Stelling Minnis where Malcolm and Lewana Castle offer a variety of accommodation in their very spacious farmhouse and its new annexe.

Next stop was Garden Lodge, Densole. Sue Cooper’s guesthouse has space and facilities, including a large solar heated swimming pool, which are far more extensive than might be expected at first sight.

Finally we visited the Black Horse Farm Caravan Club site which is large and obviously extremely popular and well used.

Tourism in Shepway is not without its challenges. But there are clearly many enterprises, large and small, which are rising to those challenges and taking full advantage of the opportunities that are available. I wish them every success in their endeavours.

The Hawkinge Parish Council clerk, Beryl Hardy is to retire at the end of March after serving the council for 20years.

Mrs Hardy who lives in Hythe will be handing over to Tina Wiles.

Mrs Wiles, who comes to the parish council with 21 years of experience with Shepway District Council is currently clerk to the neighbouring parish council of Swingfield; a post she will retain.

She is due to take over in Hawkinge at the beginning of April.
 

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

15 March 2007

Last week Damian Green and I contributed to an Adjournment Debate at the House of Commons on the future of Eurostar Services from Ashford. 

Despite strength of representatives from Members of Parliament, local authorities and many others, Eurostar have so far remained obdurate in their determination to discontinue direct services from Ashford to Brussels and to reduce the service from Ashford to Paris. Eurostar say that most people who use the Brussels service will prefer to use the new station at Ebbsfleet and that the trains cannot stop at both Ashford and Ebbsfleet. 

During the debate last week we asked the Government to intervene. So far, despite the fact that the high speed track was paid for with taxpayers’ money, ministers have refused to do so. But at the end of the debate the Minister did agree to meet us to discuss the matter further. I am not very optimistic but hope that wiser counsels may prevail. 

On Friday I visited Harcourt Primary School, the first time I have been back to the school since last year’s campaign to keep it open. I was pleased to see that it is obviously flourishing with an excellent team of teachers under Head Teacher Ali Dakin. The long and determined campaign we fought eventually paid off, the children are benefiting and the results will soon speak for themselves. 

The national media have, quite rightly, been devoting much attention to the Government’s failure to take proper care of soldiers who return wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan. This is quite inexcusable. Ministers, from the Prime Minister down, are quick to pay lip service to the courage and skill of our armed forces. They must put arrangements in place to look after them when they return. 

I am currently taking up the case of a local soldier who was injured in Iraq in 2004, left the Army last October and, despite repeated promises of immediate action, has still not received the pension to which he is clearly entitled. 

If ever there was a case for people putting their money where their mouth is, this is it. The Government must act to take proper care of our soldiers without delay.

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

8 March 2007

Last Thursday I obtained an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on the subject on sprinkler systems in schools. 

My concern arose out of the fire in Lympne Church of England Primary School last September. On that day, in a very short period of time, the school’s buildings were gutted by the fire. In the words on the Chief Fire Officer for Kent: “......it was mainly due to the prompt actions of staff and pupils that casualties were avoided.” 

We do indeed owe a great debt to the professionalism and prompt actions of staff and the alertness of the child who first spotted the signs of fire. But we cannot presume that this will happen every time. 

Yet there is one simple step that could be taken which could make a huge difference where fires occur in schools. 

Again, as the Chief Fire Officer said about Lympne: “If the school had been fitted with a properly designed and installed sprinkler system the fire may have been controlled if not extinguished in its early stages thus preventing the total loss of the school.” 

And, of course, making it much easier to save lives. 

It seems to me that the case for the installation of sprinklers, particularly for new and extensively refurbished schools, is overwhelming. They have proved very successful in the United States and, because of the reduction in insurance premiums, would actually save money over time, quite apart from the obvious saving of the cost of replacing schools like Lympne. 

To their credit, Kent County Council has said that the replacement of the school buildings at Lympne will incorporate a sprinkler system. 

The County Council and Kent Fire Service are also in discussions with the aim of fitting sprinklers in all new and refurbished schools in the county in future. 

But that forward-thinking approach is not the norm amongst other Local Education Authorities. 

So it was very disappointing that the Minister, in replying to the debate last Thursday, refused to give any assurances that sprinklers will be made compulsory in future. Instead a complicated risk assessment procedure is to be introduced which might well mean that schools like Lympne would still not have sprinklers installed. 

I shall continue the campaign and hope the Government will think again.

Dear Ed,

North Downs East Ward Conservative Party candidates for Shepway District Council.

The Local Conservative Party will field three local candidates to represent North Downs East Ward at the forthcoming Shepway District Council elections on 3rd May.

Brief details are given below. Full details will be given in our campaign mail which will be arriving soon. The candidates are:

David Godfrey - Hawkinge resident for 6 years . Married with 3 adult sons,2 adult step daughters and 9 grandchildren. Grew up on Romney Marsh and attended Folkestone Harvey Grammar school. Resident Board member Hawkinge Partnership, Chair North Downs East Ward Conservative committee and of Meadows Residents Association

Stuart Peall - Hawkinge resident for 5 years. Grew up in Cheriton. Married with two young children. Willing to give up time from his busy family and work life in order to help ensure the area remains a pleasant place to live.

Roger Hill - resident of Pay Street, Hawkinge for 15 years, married with 5 step children and 5 grandchildren. Keen to ensure that residents in outlying areas of the Ward are equally represented.

We all believe that the Shepway District has a bright and exciting future and we wish to ensure that the residents of North Downs East Ward are able to enjoy their share of the benefits of that future whilst maintaining a rural village community spirit.

David Godfrey

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

1 March 2007

Last week I promised to let you know my views on the proposed expansion of Lydd Airport – both my opinion on whether it should proceed and on who should actually make the decision. 

Since then I have completed my review of the Environmental Impact Statement, submitted with the planning applications for an extension of the runway and a new terminal building. I have also experienced, at first hand, from Dunes Road, Greatstone, one of the worst affected areas, the impact of a plane that has missed its approach and one that has successfully landed. The opportunity for this experience arose as a result of the test flight last Saturday, arranged at my request. 

I have no doubt that the expansion of the airport will have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of some of my constituents, the residents of Dunes Road among them. I have great sympathy with them. I hope that, if the expansion scheme does go ahead, and they wish to move, compensation arrangements can be put in place so that they will not be financially disadvantaged in doing so. Of course I appreciate that compensation will not solve all problems and many local residents in Dunes Road and elsewhere, may not wish to move. But I do believe that a proper compensation scheme, along the lines of the scheme I negotiated when the Channel Tunnel was under consideration, could help to mitigate the consequences of airport expansion on many local residents. 

I know that any opinion I express will anger many of you. That is inevitable. But I have tried to weigh up the various relevant factors and think about what is best for our local community as a whole. I have reached the view that the adverse consequences for a number of my constituents do not outweigh the wider benefits which airport expansion would bring. This is particularly the case if an acceptable compensation agreement can be concluded. So, assuming we can conclude such an agreement, the decision should, instead, be called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and decided by her. This procedure would have the advantage of permitting a Public Inquiry to take place at which the arguments for and against the plans could be vigorously tested. 

I agree with those who have agreed that this should take place. Although, as I have said, any decision is going to leave many people unhappy. I believe that that process would go some way to gaining acceptance of the decision, whatever it might be. 

One of the disadvantages of Public Inquiries is the time they take. We saw that when the last Public Inquiry into the airport took place over a decade ago. I think we could avoid that this time around by conducting the Public Inquiry so that it refrained from going over old ground. If it focussed on new issues, on the things that have changed in the intervening years, I believe we could have a relatively quick Public Inquiry which would not cause a long delay and which would bring to an end the uncertainty which we are all currently suffering. 

So there are my views. In a nutshell if the decision were mine, I would decide in favour of the proposals, subject to concluding an acceptable agreement on compensation. But the decision is not mine and I do not think it should be made by Shepway District Council. I think it should be called in by the Secretary of State and I have written to her asking her to do so.

Dear Ed,

I've just stopped laughing at the Independents' flyer which popped through my letterbox today.

At first glance, the list of Shepway 'failures' looks quite impressive doesn't it? 

All those awful things which have apparently been happening, or not happening, these past few years, all of which, if these three likely lads are to be believed, will be magically solved if we vote for them in May! 

But wait a minute, where has Mr Callaghan been for the last 4 years - yes, you've guessed it - serving as a Lib Dem district councillor on this self same 'failing' council! 

And what about Mr Tearle. Well, after being thrown out at the last elections as a Conservative councillor - having served during many of these 'failing' years, and polling the least number of votes out of the 3 Conservative candidates, he has been frantically trying at every opportunity to get re-selected - as a Conservative! 

And now, when he knows for sure that the local Conservatives will have nothing of him, he decides to save us all as an Independent! 

I don't know anything about Mr Godden, but the idea that the other 2 can actually do something for us as councillors - PURLEESE!!!!!

Jayjay

Dear Ed,

This is an example of the type of question potential new Parish Councillors will have to answer before selection. Question and answer shown here from last election.

Question

There is a common English word that is nine letters long. Each time you remove a letter from it, it still remains an English word - from nine letters right down to a single letter. What is the original word, and what are the words that it becomes after removing one letter at a time?

Answer

The base word is startling - starting - staring - string - sting - sing - sin - in - I


This comprises some of the training given to Parish Councillors when newly elected so that they can read (internal) correspondence 

Question

It's Prttey fnuny how we can raed tihs einrte snetnece wtih all tehse ltters all out of palce, and we can cnotniue to keep raednig and sitll mekas snece of waht we are raeding. No mttar how mnay tmies you raed tihs oevr and oevr you can sitll mkae snece of it. 
How is taht pssoible?

Answer

As long as the first and last letter of the word is in its correct position, you can position the middle letters in any order and still make sence of it. Our eyes just glance at he first and last letters of a word.

Peter Hogben

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

22 February 2007

During the last few months I have received many more letters about the proposal to expand the use of Lydd Airport than on any other single subject. This is not surprising. The future of the airport is one of the most important issues facing the district. 

The letters are not all one-way. Of course many people are, understandably, concerned about the possible effect of more air traffic on their own amenities and quality of life. Others raise more widespread environmental concerns. These are all entirely legitimate factors which must be weighed in the balance when decisions come to be made. 

But there are legitimate factors to be taken into account on the other side of the scale, too. Many people are concerned about the dearth of job opportunities on Romney Marsh, particularly now that Dungeness A is no longer operational. And even the environmental factors are not all one-way. There is an argument that because Lydd is closer to the Continent than other airports the effect on carbon emissions if people fly from Lydd as opposed to Stansted or Luton could actually be beneficial. 

One thing is clear. Whatever decision is taken, and whoever takes it, not everyone will be content. 

I have been studying the documentation that accompanied the planning applications that were submitted to Shepway District Council shortly before Christmas. And I have made 2 requests of the operators of the airport. 

First I asked for a test flight to be carried out, along the designated flight path, by the kind of aircraft that is most likely to use the airport if it does expand. That will now take place this coming Saturday and I hope it will give people some idea of what we can expect if the expansion goes ahead. 

Secondly I have asked for a compensation scheme to be drawn up, similar to that which I negotiated on behalf of the villages of Newington, Peene and Frogholt when the Channel Tunnel was under consideration. So far the response of the airport operators to this request has been disappointing. While they agreed in principle the details put forward fall far short of what I think appropriate. But discussions are continuing and I still hope that a satisfactory arrangement can be reached. 

Although I shall take the decision myself, I owe it to my constituents to give them the benefit, if such it be, of my judgement. And I hope to do so next week – after Saturday’s flight. 

I shall then give my view on two questions. First, do I think the planning application should be granted? Secondly, who should make the decision? 

For although the applications have been submitted to Shepway District Council there is always the possibility that the decision might be called in by the Secretary of State. This could have the advantage of a Public Inquiry at which all the arguments on both sides could be tested. On the other hand we had an Inquiry more than a decade ago and another Inquiry would certainly cause delay. 

These are all serious issues and I hope to give you the benefit of my views next week.

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held on 10th January 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall 


Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)

Cllrs. Avery, Heasman, Hodgson, Hogben, Punnett, Smith and Trice 


In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk) 


Apologies: Cllr. Ms Brisley (indisposed) 


OPEN MEETING

A resident complained that land off Spitfire Way opposite the Mayfly PH used by people to walk their dogs had been fenced off so that only one third of the area is now accessible to the public. The Chairman advised that SDC is aware there is a problem. The PC will inquire who owns the stretch of land referred to.

There were two questions about the Council’s policy to dispose of the Leisuredrome. The Chairman stated that a Local Authority is obliged to obtain as much money as possible when selling its property. Outline planning permission had been applied for but the purchaser could keep the Leisuredrome building if he/she wished to do so.

A resident mentioned the increase in the precept for 2007/08 and requested a copy of the Council’s accounts for last year.

END OF OPEN MEETING 


391 Councillors expressed their concern that Joan Brisley was too ill to attend the meeting. 

The Clerk was asked to send flowers to her on their behalf. 


392 Declarations of Interest

Cllrs. Callahan and Smith declared an interest in planning matters (members of Development Control Committee SDC) they reserved the right to make a decision at District level when they were in possession of all the facts relating to an application. Cllr. Heasman declared an interest in matters concerning the Community Centre and Village Hall (Chairman of the Executive Committee, Community Centre and Chairman of Village Hall Management Committee) Cllr. Hodgson declared an interest in the Community Centre (Trustee) Cllr. Trice declared an interest in the Sports Association (Secretary). 


393 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th December 2006 were confirmed and signed (prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Trice) 


394 Matters arising out of the Minutes

The petition entitled “Save the Spitfire Leisuredrome and Memorial” handed to the Chairman at the last meeting was received and its content noted (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes: all in favour 


395 Reports

(a) Community Liaison

Cllr. Smith said Fun Day this year will be held on Saturday 8th September.

(b) Planning and Development

Cllr. Callahan had attended an SDC/PC Users Group meeting. PCs were asked to comment on planning applications solely on planning terms and to advise the votes recorded at the meeting. Cllr. Callahan had asked how it is the Chief Executive, SDC, is able to issue instructions to the Planning Officer servicing the Development Control Committee that is a quasi judicial committee. 

(c) Public Rights of Way

Cllr. Punnett had met James Bowen, Operations Engineer, Kent Highway Services, to inspect the pathway outside the shops in Canterbury Road. Mr Bowen is now aware of the problem caused by cars and delivery vans using the same pathway as pedestrians; he stated that Kent Highways will mark the footpath with white lines and mark out some areas for no parking.

(d) Finance – no meeting 


396 Other Bodies

(a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership 

Hawkinge Partnership 2007/08 Action Plan and Five-Year Strategy

The Council received one copy of the draft plan. Cllrs. Callahan, Smith and Hodgson serve on the Hawkinge Partnership Board. 

The Clerk will ask HNP to send printed copies of documents to all councillors in future.

(b) Community Centre

The Report by 2amase on the Community Centre commissioned by the Parish Council (funded by the Partnership) is under review. Referred to the confidential section.

(c) Village Hall – no meeting 


397 Projects Group

(a) The Football Project 

Cllr. Trice had contacted the Football Association and it had been agreed that the Group attend a workshop in February to show the FA how far the project has advanced. He is now preparing the development plan and the business plan for presentation at the meeting.

(b) Multi Sport Complex 

The Group are planning to visit some multi sport complexes built in this area to look at their design and usage. 


398 Workshop Day -Youth and Sports Facilities [min.386(d)]

Cllr. Trice said there are several groups in Hawkinge working for young people that should be talking to each other so that an overall 5-year plan can be made for the village that will benefit everyone. The Sports Association, HY&CSC, the Youth Worker and officers from SDC will be asked to contribute to the plan. 

Cllr. Trice proposed that a Workshop Day be held in the Community Centre that will provide stalls for clubs to show their particular interest and activities and will provide an opportunity for people to come forward with their own ideas and hopes for the future. 

The proposal was referred to the Project Group who will produce a programme, with costs for a Workshop Day to be held in June, for the Council to consider.

399 Village Hall Car Park – construction of footpath [min.383]

Mr Jeff Stack, Corporate Director – Planning and Environment and Mr Steve Holley, Property Manager, SDC, had attended a meeting on 9th January at the Partnership Office. Cllrs. Callahan, Heasman, Hogben, Punnett and Smith and the Clerk were present. Mr Stack had outlined the District Council’s proposals to continue the footpath from Haven Drive to Canterbury Road by the most direct route. Fencing to protect the hedge on the boundary with 85 Canterbury Road, and a design to prevent pedestrians from walking diagonally across the car park were discussed, and the cost and maintenance that would be met by SDC.

The Neighbourhood Partnership had offered to initiate a technical survey of the car park area prior to work taking place. 

The Chairman reported that Mr Stack would write to the Parish Council with the District Council’s proposals in due course.

Cllr. Smith was asked to discuss with the Partnership their offer of a survey and report back to the Council. 


400 Finance 

(a) Recruitment of new Clerk 

The Clerk reported that there had been over twenty requests for application forms and to date four had been returned. She had asked Mr Martyn Harris, Democratic Services Manager, SDC, for advice regarding the interviews and hoped that someone with HR experience could assist councillors. There should not be more than four people on the panel. 

It was Resolved that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Clerk and Cllr. Avery prepare a short list of candidates and interview them.

(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: For 7 Against 0 Abstention 1

(b) Payments

The following accounts were approved for payment (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes: all in favour

£ 
Victim Support Kent (donation) 10.01.07 100.00 
Mrs B.M.Hardy (salary) 747.94 
Mrs B.M.Hardy (expenses) 14.37 
CRC (Tasktron Ltd.) p.copier 91.06 
SDC rates (football ground) DD 21.00 
SDC rates (SL) DD 99.00 
NatWest EBS DD 10.00 



401 Correspondence

(a) The following correspondence was received and noted:

Kent & Medway Structure Plan 2006 – one copy received 

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority’s Integrated Risk Management 

Plan 2007/08 – 3 copies received

Shepway Local Board - Notice of local meeting to discuss Kent Fire and Rescue

Service 9th January 6.30 pm in Assembly Rooms, New Romney. 

Area Youth Officer, KCC – Youth Advisory Groups: dates of meetings 

Zurich Municipal – letter dated 22nd December that enclosed a copy of a letter written by Cllr. Peter Hogben and their reply regarding the cover provided to individual councillors under the Public Liability section of the Council’s policy. 

(b) Mrs Belson, Scouter-in-Charge, 3rd Hawkinge Scout Group: to celebrate the 

centenary of scouting the Group asked if the Council would agree to a tree being planted in Hawkinge and could councillors suggest a suitable site.

Cllr. Trice proposed that the tree should be planted on Parish Council land and suggested a corner of the football ground next to Incinerator Road. It was agreed that the Council ask the Tree Warden to look at the site and recommend a suitable species.

(c) Mr Martyn Harris, Democratic Services Manager, SDC, advised that the 

Standards Committee had agreed to provide training to all HPC councillors on the Code of Conduct. He suggested some alternative dates. The session will be held on Tuesday, 23rd January at 7 pm in the Civic Centre. 


402 Sub Station outside 85 Canterbury Road

Cllr. Punnett said the sub station had been erected on the grass verge in Canterbury Road outside his property. He complained that it was unsightly and the company should have given him notice. The Council agreed to advise EDF Energy that there had been complaints about the location chosen for the sub station. 


403 Annual Parish Meeting 2007

The Council agreed that the meeting would be held on Wednesday, 30th May 2007 at 7.30 pm in the village hall (subject to availability). 


404 Plans

The following planning applications had been received:

Y06/1324/SH 4 Widgeon Walk: erection of a rear conservatory.

No objections

Y06/1538/SH Gas Governor Station, Elvington Lane: erection of two permanent kiosks and one temporary kiosk to contain gas regulation equipment together with alterations to access gates, security fence and access road.

No objections

Y06/1545/SH 34 Proctor Walk: non-compliance with condition 3 of planning permission 99/1143/SH to allow continued use of garage as living accommodation together with retention of conservatory to rear.

Comment: The use of the garage as living accommodation limits the car parking space to below the minimum for this type of property. No objections to conservatory.

Y06/1571/SH 4 Angel Heights: non-compliance with condition 10 of planning permission Y05/0359/SH for the installation of a velux window to the rear elevation of the existing garage. No objections

The comments sent by the Planning Group were approved. 


405 CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

It was resolved that because publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by 

Reason of the confidential nature of business to be transacted the public (including the Press) be excluded from the meeting pursuant to the provision of sub section 100 & 102 of the Local Government Act, 1972. 


406 Hawkinge Community Centre

The Council decided to wait until 2amase publish the final document; the Business Plan can then be discussed in open session at the next meeting or an extraordinary meeting, if necessary. 


407 Sale of the Spitfire Leisuredrome

The Council’s Agent had been advised that the Development Control Committee, SDC, had refused outline permission for residential development following demolition of the Leisuredrome (21st November 2006) contrary to the recommendation of Planning Officers. 

The Chairman had spoken to the Agent, and he reported the options open to the Council namely (1) launch an Appeal against the decision (2) put the SL out to tender without planning permission, with or without a covenant to protect the Council’s longer term interest in an Appeal (3) re-apply for planning permission (no charge for submission). 


Cllr. Avery proposed that the Council meet the costs to launch an Appeal and at the same time re-apply for outline planning permission (sec. Cllr. Hodgson) 


At this point Cllr. Hogben left the meeting 


Cllr. Punnett proposed an amendment - that a decision be deferred until the next meeting (sec. Cllr. Smith)

The amendment was put: Votes: For 2 Against 5 Abstention 0

The motion was not carried 


At this point Cllr. Punnett left the meeting 


It was Resolved that the Council meet the costs to launch an Appeal against the decision of the Development Control Committee, SDC, on 21st November 2006 to refuse planning permission on application number Y06/0497/SH Spitfire Leisuredrome, Aerodrome Road: outline application for residential development following demolition of the Leisuredrome. The Council will instruct its Agent to re-apply for planning permission. (prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: For 5 Against 1 Abstention 0

Cllr. Smith voted against the motion and asked to be named. 


The meeting closed at 9.40 pm