Parking Meters
- 19 June 2008 10:143016John - you know I have been against these car-parking increases since they were first discussed - last year.
You also know that it went through Scrutiny and Cabinet so the Councillors didn't get the opportunity to vote - for or against.
If you were there, you would also remember I made a speech and started it, but was shouted down because the Labour Group caved in, or rather, the person who moved a motion, caved in, so I couldn't speak (against it).
If we'd had had the vote, I would have voted against it too.
I don't know anything about removal of seats, but there must have a been a good reason for it.
Roger - 19 June 2008 10:323017Im bemused what seats ?There are plenty in Pencester,outside Marks,in Market Square and in Bench street.Where are you all talking about?/Im going to The Roman Festival at the Musuem tomorrow will have a count.Just remebered those outside DTC offices. also Masion Dieu Gardens .
- 19 June 2008 20:403034why was there not a vote on the matter of parking charges?
is it only a select band of councillors that control things? - 19 June 2008 21:023038Plenty is a relative amount........fit as a fiddle, or in pain with mobility challenges........young legs, legs that have been around a while.......legs that vote, legs that don't vote........
- 19 June 2008 21:203041No one has answered the question.Where are they missing??Im not the ward Councillor for the town try Cllr Collor.
- 19 June 2008 21:223043I thought Edward was the last well known person to abdicate.................
- 19 June 2008 21:473046edward knew a photo opportunity .
always had a new hat ready. - 20 June 2008 06:593056District Councils as with Government, have a Cabinet system.
Both have Scrutiny Committees who make recommendations to Cabinet..
This then is decided by Cabinet - in both instances, so the Councillors don't get to vote on it.
Not all businesses is conducted in this way, there are lots of opportunities to discuss and decide at full council meetings.
Come along and see for yourself - you'll be a lot wiser too and won't need to ask these questions which are raised purely through lack of knowledge (or is it mischief-making ?)
Roger - 20 June 2008 07:173058Merely a wish to witness what underpins our local democracy, Roger......a desire to see how the people we trust to do the work that we elect them and pay them for actually do it. Lack of knowledge? I don't expect to have to have a degree in medicine to employ a doctor, or a diploma in plumbing to call a plumber......so I don't expect to have to understand all the machinations of government to elect or pay for local govenors.....but I do expect them to be accountable.
- 20 June 2008 10:523063Which seats??The Town Council have lots of money maybe they will buy a couple?
- 20 June 2008 13:333068Roger we did vote on it and we keep bringing it up in Questions to the Portfolio holder (Nigel) each time we are told the same thing that the new parking charges are fairer and then compared to other Towns,yet we have many signatures e-mails and letters complaining about them,when this was brought up at Full Council Paul Watkins obviously didn't believe it and asked Ben Bano the Labour Leader for copies even suggesting that they could be fiddled as he would check the dates,I am trying to remember why you weren't alowed to speak,I'm on nights and had 2 Council meetings yesterday so my brain is a bit slow,but I am sure that Sue will remember when we voted.I recall that some Cllrs had to leave the meeting as it affected any Cllr who owned or worked in a shop,and we on our side all voted against but we lost.If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
- 20 June 2008 19:493074i think that anyone that has witnessed town and district council meetings in our locality, will make alternative arrangements next time they are invited.
even the local press ignore them for the most part. - 21 June 2008 05:543089Actually that's not true Howard, the Press are there most times.
Did Ben send copies of them to Paul ? I accept that people will have written to Ben, people (businesses) have told me of their problems.
The reason it wasn't discussed at full Council was because it went through Scrutiny and they made recommndations to Cabinet, who accepted one or two minor recommendations, then when the minutes came up, those who had a "conflict of interest" had to go out of the Chamber.
One of your Councillors came up with a motion, and I had written a piece I wanted to say, but couldn't bcause when spoken to, he said O.K. (not sure what was said to him) and that invalidated what I wanted to say.
Are you going to let us know what seats you're talking about being taken away, Howard ?
Roger - 21 June 2008 11:193100Getting this thread back to the parking meters, I e-mailed Dianne Hopper the Parking Services and CCTV Manager about the parking meter in Castle Street and the Stembrook car park meters and I received on the same day e-mails in return.
Ist e-mail
Dear Mr Reid
Thank you for your e-mail.
I am as frustrated as you are about the length of time that the pay and display machine has been out of order in Castle Street.
The problem here is a power problem, and we are in the hands of EDF- it is my understanding that they were requested by our engineer to do the work necessary last August. We are completely in their hands, and unfortunately there is absolutely nothing that I can do to make this happen any quicker.
I am not aware of a problem with the machines in Stembrook car park. I do know that no parking machine is 100% compatible with lighter coins, such as 5p pieces, as, if they are inserted too quickly, they do not register. I will however, get our pay and display engineer to look at these machines.
Regarding your last paragraph, we do actually give additional time in respect of overpayments. Linear charging was introduced into all our car parks from 31 January 2008, following a successful pilot scheme for a period of eighteen months. Very few pay and display machines give change- I do not know of any amongst Kent Local Authorities. However, I am investigating the possibility of paying for parking by mobile telephone, which will negate the need for our customers to carry any change at all.
Thank you for bringing these points to my attention, and I trust I have answered your queries satisfactorily. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Dianne Hopper
Parking Services and CCTV Manager
Dover District Council
I then sent Dianne Hooper the following e-mail
Dear Ms Hopper
Thank you for your prompt reply and I fully accept what you have said except in part the Stembrook car park machines. In that car park the machine nearest to St Mary's church appears to hate 20p 10ps and 5ps even the odd 50p.
This machine has been like this for at least two years, some time last year a warden said to me when I complained to him "Rub your coins on the top of the machine they will go in then" I did and yes most coins did go in after that and if you look on top of the machine you will see the marks where people do just that.
Thanks again for your reply it is good to get an quick and honest reply.
Yours sincerely
Mr Harry Reid
to which Dianne Hooper has replied.
Dear Mr Reid,
I have an engineer coming down to look at the machines in Castle Street (with a view to running on battery power) and Stembrook next week. I will pass on to you his findings, as I am intrigued by the rubbing of coins on the top of the machine to make them register.
Two very prompt and positive replies, it is so good when heads of departments take their responsibilities seriously and act on a complaint no matter how trivial it may appear.
Message ----- - 21 June 2008 12:133104Well done Harry and well done Dianne.
Roger - 21 June 2008 12:513106I second that! Result.
- 21 June 2008 14:203108Harry
Well done. I always rub the coins on the machine before inserting them otherwise you can stand there for ages ploughing the coins in and out before getting a ticket.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,302
21 June 2008 15:593109It might be a good idea for DDC to consider replacing the meters with solar powered ones!
TerryQuis custodiet ipsos custodes? - 22 June 2008 19:113120i will post again on the missing seats.
the main ones, most recently removed surrounded a large tree on the edge of pencester gardens near to the bus stops.they were mostly used by the old and infirm and young mums with kids and shopping.
the tree served two purposes, shelter from rain when in leaf and shelter from the hot sun when it came out.
our drunken friends never used the facility as it was too close to the main road. - 22 June 2008 19:533122I remember them! Anathema to people who had a few too many because of their tendency to fall into the road.........and the laughter was all too painful!