Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
23 November 2009
17:1433741A DDC Press Release.....
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HANDING OVER KEYS TO THE QUAY -
COUNCILS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP FOR SERVICES
Dover District Council has handed the keys to the Quay Public Conveniences to Sandwich Town Council - as part of ongoing partnership work between Dover District Council and Town/Parish Councils, and work to see how communities can have more involvement in services for their areas for the future. The facilities have been extensively refurbished by DDC with part funding from Sandwich Town Council.
The major refurbishment project, which includes new shower facilities, will be maintained and managed by the Town Council who will be employing attendants and charging 20p to use the toilets. The opening times are 10am-4pm October to March, and 8am-7pm April to September.
Cllr Nigel Collor, Dover District Council Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management said: "We continue to work with partners in Town and Parish Councils to look at how communities can have a greater involvement in maintaining and providing facilities in their areas."
Cllr Joe Trussler, Sandwich Town Mayor, said: "It is good that Dover District Council and Sandwich Town Council have worked together on this project. These major improvements will have a huge impact on the ambience and visual aspect of the Quay and we hope that local residents and visitors will welcome the new facilities."
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 November 2009
17:5533745i am waiting for the first comment referring to sandwich "flushed with success" or "going down the pan".
we may have to wait for brian to get his computer fixed first.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
23 November 2009
18:0433749Being an ex Sandwich Boy,I am afraid that if you want to spend a penny anywhere in the district,you had better hope you have a good Town Council,because you have already paid your rates for public toilets when they are flogged off your council tax will not go down,in fact your Town Council precept will go up,meaning you are paying twice through your rates to have a pee.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Unregistered User
23 November 2009
19:0633763Not correct JHG. If Towns or Parishes take on public toilets those sums will be removed from DDC budgets. As has been publicised before local government nationally has had grant removed over many years. Which means the public have had to pick up the tab via council tax.
As council tax levels are capped the shortfall can't be made up by constant increased charges. Therefore as Towns and Parishes are not capped they have the ability to take over these services if they consider the community they represent would want them to do so.
The public pay the same amount whether charged by District or Towns and Parishes. You only get no council tax bill. Frankly I don't think the public care who provides the service provided they get the service.
None of the above is a political statement, just fact.
As the saying goes "We are all in this together". We can all work together to overcome a major national crisis or shout the political slogans and analysis how we got there. Not particularly productive when common sense decisions should be the norm.
The public won't thank us.
Watty
23 November 2009
19:3833768It would be easier to work together if we all had the same information, delivered in a timely and comprehensible way. I have no doubt lots of business is being negotiated out of our sight, but I think it is understandable if the public get a little restive and disillusioned when nothing happens for long periods of time, and that when it does we have little information or inclusion.
Unregistered User
23 November 2009
20:1433773Nothing is happening that has not been reported to date. Paul B has adequately covered the press releases giving the general direction of travel.
Watty
Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
23 November 2009
21:4133782Quite right John, we will pay twice, if Dover Town take over the toilets the precept will have to go up, we are hoping for a nil precept, if we take on the loos this precept will go out the window, the money has to come from somewhere, and we the tax payer will have to pay it.
Sheila
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
23 November 2009
21:4833784PAULW
You can fool the people some of the time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
23 November 2009
23:2933790I should not bother to answer that Paul It was like the HRA years ago certain councillors never understood how it worked .Have a drink and watch the TV.There was good programme on tonight about woman being sexy at 70 .Im changing my image .
24 November 2009
07:4733791Hello - accountable local reps!! I agree some info is posted on these websites, but I guess I am referring to the mostly woeful communication cascades here. So many events and decisions are missed by us plebs because the info is not cascaded or shared effectively by local authorities. Nobody is perfect, but you have to admit communication is not this authorities strength!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
24 November 2009
08:1533796Keith
PaulW has never tried to dupe the public, that's your game.
He explained after JohnG said people would pay twice, that that is NOT the case.
Sheila the people will not pay twice, Paul Watkins has already explained that.
I do understand that the Town Council are working hard to produce a nil increase on their precept and I commend them very highly for that; not being a Town Councillor, I don't know what impact it will have on your budget and precept-setting, that taking over the responsibility for some town-toilets will have.
Will it include the public toilets on the seafront, by Harbour House - they should be listed and kept in use.
Bern, I agree about lack of communication and news stories coming out of DDC, but they do issue lots of news stories for the Press, but many times they don't print them. PaulB does publish them - most of them any way, maybe all.
Roger
Roger
24 November 2009
08:2333798Ok, Roger, but it is still the responsibility of them local reps to press the press (I like that!!) for publication. It isn't any use to say "we sent them out" - they need to ensure publicity, follow up. You of all people know about never giving up and ploughing on!!!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
24 November 2009
08:4133800I agree Bern, but even DDC can't force the local papers to print the stuff DDC send them.
Roger
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
24 November 2009
09:1733801This has been in the local papers quite a bit over the last 6 months....
Been nice knowing you :)
24 November 2009
09:4033802I posted here the following 2 weeks ago
"At last nights Finance meeting we debated next years budget. We had prepared one which resulted in a zero increase. However the District has asked if we could take up some of the headings that because of cutbacks they have already announced in the press that they will be reducing. Some of these we consider are essential to maintain and have in close discussion offered to get involved in.
The difficulty arises when larger sums are involved over the loss of toilets for example and we are faced with having to consider an increase if we are to swallow some of the larger budgets.
The DTC have been negotiating to bring the Tourist Information to the Market Square and to provide small business support and these negotiations ( in conjunction with DDC) will be discussed on 24th nov at Town and environment Committee. Last night a lively debate moved matters on and we would be pleased to have public comment on these matters.
Of course we are in close discussion with PW and his team and many matters are still not settled but in order to set budgets and move forward the DTC wants as much as possible to be in the public domain. "
As other parishes have been told that the services will be cut if they are not taken up by them DTC is discussing these issues tonight at T&E and on thursday at full town council.
The rate will be set on 14th Dec By DTC so by then we will know.
Please make representation to your councillors or to me ( I will be at all meetings of course).
It isnt double rating if the district isnt bound to do it so that is not a true statement.
I repeat that I and many other councillors do not want to see toilets closed nor lack of planting, maintenance or tourist reductions. It is up to the whole TC to vote - that is democracy. I do not know which way it will go. If the TC is to replace the functions the rate must go up.
Other parishes and towns have already taken up the challenge but Dovers involvement is a little more complicated.
What we all must grasp is that devolution will take place and the effects can be mitigated if we act early rather than allow closure and have to open up later at twice the cost and having lost the skills and knowledge.
DH
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
24 November 2009
12:2333807It seems to me that DDC is selling of the family jewels (sorry about that) why because of over spending.The Council knew 2 years ago what money they were going to get and after the Deal Pier fiasco and Bleriot now the answer give it to the parishes.If they and if they can't or won't keep them open then we know who will get the blame not DDC.
Lets say I live in a village of 300 people and we have a local public toilet,that DDC can't keep open and it costs £15,000 to keep open a year.£15,000 divided by 150 houses and that is put on my Parish Council rates.Will I get a refund next year from DDC for what I would have paid for them ,of course not the Council tax will still be 4.9% as ususal,so I would have paid for it under DDC,now I am not ,no refund,now I am paying for it under my Parish Council precept.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 November 2009
18:4933813surely john, at the end of the day, the bogs will still be available, and the bill that drops onto our doormats will not be affected?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
25 November 2009
08:2833853We all talk of bringing control down to as local a level as possible and the most local level in our case, has to be the Town Council.
I commend the Town Council for their very sensible, pragmatic approach to this, whether tourism, toilets or TIC.
As time goes by, surely we want more things to pass to the Town Council don't we ? Things that the Town Council do take over from the District, won't mean that the District will still charge you for them.
I say well done the Town Council.
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
25 November 2009
12:4233863The 3 toilets in Walmer that DDC want Walmer Parish Council to take over will push up thier rates up over 45%,Roger will the people of Walmer get a refund of thier Council Tax.NO!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Unregistered User
25 November 2009
14:5833869JHG,I wonder if you believe Dover is not part of the UK economy?
Difficult times brings difficult choices . Towns & Parishes are being asked whether they believe local people would want them to contribute/take over the services. Very simple. Very open. As for Walmer ,surely that is for them to decide, nothing to do with you,if you are not a Walmer resident.This process is taking place across the county & country.
Watty
