A Message from the Mayor of Ramsgate - March 2021

2020 was a year that tested us all. The effects of COVID-19 on our community and economy have been shared across the whole of Britain. Yet, despite the pandemic, so many of you have stepped up to ensure that we continue to look after our most vulnerable.

Firstly, I was honoured to be asked to open the Thanet branch of 'Our Shop', 'Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet', which will help so many of our residents who have seen their incomes fall. Along with other volunteers, Ramsgate Tandoori has supplied free dinners to guests and volunteers of Thanet Winter Shelter. I also worked alongside the Salvation Army to deliver Christmas meals to our vulnerable residents on Christmas day. Without the care and tireless devotion of our local community groups and volunteers, many people would be without food or shelter. A massive thank you to all our community volunteers, Ramsgate Town Council and the Technicians for their ongoing support for our community.

I was privileged to be the Mayor of Ramsgate during 2020, as your Mayor and Councillor for Ramsgate Town Council (RTC) and Thanet District Council (TDC), I was able to continue working throughout the pandemic as usual. (whilst observing safety regulations)

On behalf of the people of Ramsgate, along with other dignitaries, I attended this years' VJ Day (Victory over Japan) and Remembrance Services at Albion Gardens and at Ramsgate Cemetery. I also attended a virtual Remembrance Service, organised by 'The Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK', where around 170 dignitaries of different races and religions, attended.

Despite the obstacles of social distancing, I was able to continue my duties as Mayor thanks to the internet, and attended a virtual award ceremony for the students at the Royal Harbour Academy school.

As your TDC Councillor, I continue to be available to my residents and assist in any way that I can. One of the issues many face during the economic downturn, is home security, and I have been able to work with Cabinet members and council officers to help residents secure accommodation. TDC continues to help the most vulnerable with housing, and I am grateful for their assistance.

As your RTC Councillor, I have listened to your concerns about unsafe bike riding in our town centre, outside shops and on the pavements, a cycling ban will now be introduced in the town centre.

Those of you who have written to me concerning the safety tests at the harbour, I can now confirm that the risk assessment has shown that barriers on the other side of the harbour are essential, and the work will now take place in the near future.

I was able to negotiate free Saturday parking for the Christmas period which helped boost the number of shoppers.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the people who nominated me for the 2020 Heroes of Thanet award, organised by the Isle of Thanet News. I was touched by the gesture and it made me even more determined to work harder for all the residents of Ramsgate. I wish you all a safe and prosperous 2021, and together we will see the end of these troubling times.

Written by:
Councillor Raushan Ara,
Mayor of Ramsgate