Traffic Management Act

Well its here now, we as a council can 'do' you for illegal parking by remote control. Well actually we can't, because our cameras are not modern enough 'Yet'!

But we can start to get tough on the services who dig our roads up, and cause problems for people who want to get from 'A' to 'B'.

Let me know and I will attempt to get an answer to your road excavation problems

Turner Contemporary

According to the Times, the Russians are to be loaned a selection of Turner's works in a cultural exchange.

As is well known, I do not like his art much, but I do feel, that if the Russians can view it first hand, perhaps the people of East Kent could get a loan of some of his originals!

Me, I will stick with the most well known 'Turner'

Joint Transportation Board

Last night was the latest in the series. Matters discussed ranged from the new planned extension of the Thanet Way, via St Lukes Avenue in Ramsgate, to Hartsdown Road in Margate.

There is so much on the horizon, I just wish it would come yesterday!

If any of you need to know more, just ask myself or your ward councillor, I may not be able to get you an answer straight away, but it will come.

Terminal 5

Seems that BAA's luggage problems have emerged again at the new Heathrow Terminal. Are they ever going to get it right?

Rate Rises

Having just received my rates bill, (yes us councillors do have to pay them!) I notice that the Police/Fire/County,and District managed to keep their rises to the 5% or below region.

However, my illustrious parish council came in with a huge 14.1% rise. What do they spend their money on? I should know as I used to be a parish councillor, but was booted out in 1999. Back then we kept our rises to inflation.

I hasten to add I have no urge to again become a Parish Councillor, 8years was enough.

Planning Committee

A sudden outbreak of unity seemed to happen at Planning last evening, Lots of good debate, and common sense.

Seriously, the Planning Department at Thanet has been slated for being slow and unresponsive in the past, now the figures finally prove that it is quick and dealing with more applications than anywhere else in Kent (I think).

A new staff structure should speed things up even more, and if members continue to behave as they did last night, I think we will have something to be proud of.

Of course , in any planning matter there will be someone who is unhappy, but I do feel, that in Thanet, a fair hearing is available.

Local Youth

Today I became a victim of our local 'YOOF'

Driving along I was startled to be 'distracted' by a lump of 'Something' appearing on my windscreen.

Suddenly I associated this with the two 10 year olds on the pavement with a catapult type instrument.

Upon giving chase I saw two local kids busy wetting themselves because someone had caught them.

Upon speaking to their parents, I was pleased to see that they were going to get some parental discipline.

Should more of us be confronting these minor indiscretions, thus stopping greater problems in the future

The Budget

No, only a joke, everyone will be blogging about this!

Really, what should be done about the lad we are going to send back to Iran. You know, the one who is gay. Certain death awaits him at the hands of the government there. Should we send him back, or should we give him a safe haven?

Queen and Country

Should our kids swear their support to the queen, or should they just promise to be good citizens?

Troops In Uniform

Disgusting news today about the members of OUR ARMED FORCES being abused by members of the public because they were wearing uniform.

In my view, any complaint should be expressed at the ballot box, not at the brave people who carry out the wishes of our government, (which, of course, we can change every 5 years or less)

Europe

Ok, straight question, do we want a referendum on the treaty, or not?

School Places

Well did you get the place you wanted for your children,? If not what will you be doing? Is it fair? I'm too old to be part of this, but as a councillor I would like to help, but the government say that people with a political involvement cannot attend appeals!

Kent Freedom Pass

I was at a meeting of the Kent Transport Board yesterday, where the issue of the above pass was discussed.
This scheme has been trialed in Canterbury and Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells. 5,000 passes have been issued and over 100,000 trips per month have been made.

27% of users stated that the car was their previous form of transport to school.

The planned expansion of the scheme is as follows,

Scheme to be spread to Malling, Maidstone, Dover and Shepway in June 2008.

Thanet and Swale in January 2009.

Countywide in June 2009.

It is also planned to include companions for disabled young people and to waive the fee for low income families.