Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
The local paper reported today on a plan that I was aware of being worked on by Charlie Elphicke as a compromise over the Port sale.
Putting it simply - a local community Trust would be set up to act, if you like, as a freeholder over the Port. Charlie's idea is that it would really be a local trust, not some Whitehall appointed body.
The Port would be run through an operating lease to an operator without an actual sale.
This would mitigate a lot of the objections to the Port sale proposals, such as the possibility of it being sold to foreigners, it would create funds for Dover regeneration and, through the operating lease, would provide funds for the government. Over the long term it would probably realise more dosh for HMG than a straight sale would, though, I suspect, less in the short term. Local people would have a real voice in the Port affairs rather than a token one.
The boss of DHB considers it worth looking at and the Minister of Transport is also considering it.
Read the local paper for full details of the plan.
This is what happens when you get a MP with brains, instead of acting as a mere conduit for objection and protest, he finds an alternative compromise that meets most concerns. So well done Charlie.
What next?
Lets face reality, the status quo is not tenable and to merely keep objecting to any kind of privatisation is just whistling into the wind.
This compromise of Charlie's is worth backing and is good for Dover.
He needs the support of the local community in order to get this scheme accepted. He needs and deserves that support.
'Lets face reality, the status quo is not tenable and to merely keep objecting to any kind of privatisation is just whistling into the wind.'
Wise words Barry.
As Talleyrand put it 'The art of statesmanship is to foresee the inevitable and to expedite its occurrence.'
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I have just seen the Mercury and they do not have the story, only the Express have it, just in case some people are wondering...
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
Like DHB says any idea is worth looking at.
but its also about how much control will the local people have.
but always worth looking at ideas
wikll read report later tonight and report bk with my opinion
Hmm, I suspect it begs the question: "do I want DHB run by small minded politicos (bcause it won't be Joe Public getting a real say) or big minded business people?"
Like Keith I will read the report first though.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
If a compromise is the most pragmatic solution, then so be it. Interesting to note that just over a month after an election in which he stood on a 'No Sale' ticket, Charlie Elphicke has come up with a plan to , er...... sell off the port.
Plus ca change.
True friends stab you in the front.
Erm, no Andy. What is proposed is a lease arrangement with ownership remaining firmly in UK PLC hands.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Window dressing, in my book. I'd still like to know why this idea has surfaced after the election and not before it.
True friends stab you in the front.
Different question Andy. After 13 years of being forcefed spin and lies we've all become very suspicious of politicians.
Maybe it just worked out that way, I doubt it, but it is possible.
The important question surely is, "is this the right thing for Dover"? I for one, Keith another, want to read the report first before deciding.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Me too, Sid........and I take your comments as being a cynic as probably 100% accurate.
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Get a grip people!!!!
The fact is Charlie has produced a compromise that would result in the following key objectives being achieved:
1/ The ownership of the Port remaining in British hands, not only British but in local hands with a much greater input from local people.
2/ A regeneration fund for Dover - something that we desperately need particularly in these difficult financial times.
3/ A means by which the Port management (seperated from the Port ownership) can go to the markets to raise the finance for its vital development without impacting of the Public Sector Borrowing Requirement.
4/ The Port operation, being under contract, needs to abide by the terms laid down in the contract determined by the locally controlled trust. This operating contract would be for a term of years (I suspect a fairly longish term would be necessary, so they can raise commercial money, maybe 10 years or perhaps 15).
5/ The Port Operation company could be any company with the right experience and knowall, including the current Board.
I was urging before the election that Charlie (or Gwyn) should be looking at a route that offers the best possible deal for Dover rather than just act like King Canute trying to hold back the waves.
Charlie has done this, applying his financial expertese and experience to the problem in order to get a compromise. The alternative was only before this the DHB plan - this is much better and it does not involve the selling of the Port.
If you dont get behind Charlie then the result would be exactly what few of you want, the outright sale of the Port.
As for why nothing was mentioned before the election.
I know Charlie was focussed on fighting against privatisation, we had enough debates on the matter, but he also did not forget the need to find an alternative that would be more palatable locally as a fall back position. In his newly elected position as MP he has clearly now had the clout to do two things: get key people like the new Transport Minister and the boss of DHB to look at his idea seriously and also to work it up to a viable proposition, instead of going off half-cocked. He would not have had that before and also, do you really think that his idea would have been viewed seriously and calmly enough during an election? This is too important a matter to be played with. Cynisism does you no credit.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Sorry Barry, I thought you`d just discovered a nice vintage mate.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the election has long gone but still the sniping goes on.
having read the brief report in the "express" it appears that charlie has been very busy thinking up this scheme. therefore it should be given full consideration.
my initial reaction is "where does the money come from to make the purchase before it is leased out"?
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
Despite Barry's extremely patronising and downright nasty 'Get A Grip, people' comment the fact remains that some are opposed to the sale of the port, whatever format that may take. There are people out there who voted for Charlie precisely because he stood on a 'No Sale' ticket, yet here we are just a month down the road with a compromise. A sensible compromise at first glance, but still selling the people who voted for 'No Sale' short.
Is it too much to expect honesty from politicians?
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
Charlie should be applauded and encouraged for this view to ensure Dover will be able to benefit and receive long-term income. Did anyone else come up with such an idea? I don't believe they did.
I don't have any of Charlie's election leaflets and remember reading what he said about the port sell-off. I thought it was a brilliant exercise in copywriting ie cleverly worded and covered this circumstance.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Patronising and nasty? no, it was if anything a light hearted bit of exasperation....
The fact is Charlie is not proposing a sale of the Port, on the contrary.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
I agree with Barry. Charlie's People's Port idea is a good step forward. I hope it comes off. Well done, Charlie.
Andy
I voted for a "no sale" and don't feel the slightest bit cheated. A leasing idea is a good compromise and, the benefits to the town could potentially be enormous.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and the the 3 major ferry companys are really peed of with the harbour board,they are on about high court action to get there dosh back circa 60 million quid,acording to the bbc lunch time news.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
quite right too, they were told that the money was going towards the building of the new terminal when it was used to prop up the pension fund.