East Cliff Bandstand Lighting
Approximately 10-15 years ago there was a significant fundraising project to install a sound and lighting system at the East Cliff Bandstand. At the time, these lights were on constantly every evening, which created an antisocial behaviour problem, and eventually the lights were switched off. Subject to getting Thanet District Council's (TDC) permission (as landowner) the town council has approved the cost of getting an electrician and a sound and lighting engineer to explore the current condition of the lighting system and report back to the council.
There is a growing interest from the local community in improving the Bandstand and the surrounding area and using it again for events and activities. Taking stock of what is currently available is a good place to start to get this ball rolling. An initial idea is that periodic use of the lights wouldn’t attract the anti-social problems that resulted from the lights being on daily.
Improvement to Public Spaces
Ramsgate Town Council notes that many of our public spaces, particularly the gardens along the upper and lower promenades of the East and West cliffs, do not receive sufficient levels of gardening maintenance, leaving those areas looking and feeling neglected. Whilst much of this space is the responsibility of Thanet District Council, we have been advised that TDC does not have the resources to look after these assets in a way local residents would wish. Much of the good work that is currently undertaken, is by local volunteers.
Ramsgate Town Council is now going to consider a strategy to co-ordinate and support existing volunteer gardening groups and undertake public spaces gardening works throughout Ramsgate, not only of the East and West cliff promenades, but also the town centre flower beds and through the creation of pocket parks elsewhere in Ramsgate.
The Town Promotion Committee is going to take this plan forward. The strategy will take into consideration the Neighbourhood Plan and Ramsgate Future’s Town Investment Plan, recognising the role of TDC as primary stakeholder and landowner.
Improving road safety by reducing speed:
The Town Council has already taken steps to support more 20mph roads, to underline the council’s resolve to improve road safety in the town and move towards Ramsgate returning to being a town for people, not cars. The Council notes:
- That speed limits on Britain's residential roads are 60% higher than those in comparable European nations;
- That more than half of all road accidents occur on roads with 30mph limits;
- That reducing speed limits on residential roads has been found to lower the incidence of accidents and the number of fatalities and serious accidents that result from them;
- That a 20mph limit could make a considerable contribution to improving air quality in Ramsgate, thereby both improving our health and contributing positively on climate change;
- That new Department of Transport guidelines make it easier for local authorities to adopt a 20mph default speed limit on residential roads;
- That both members of this Council and members of the public have consistently shown strong support for 20mph limits in Ramsgate.
And to:
- press Kent County Council to reconsider its existing policies on speed limits and to support a town-wide 20 mph speed limit on residential roads;
- continue to press for more pedestrian crossings at key crossing points;
- continue to work with the District and County Councils to make Ramsgate a safe and pedestrian-friendly town.
Co-option of the new Town Councillor
Following the resignation of Tony Knight from the Council there is currently one vacancy for the Sir Moses Montefiore Ward. The electorate were asked if they wished to have a by-election, but this was not requested. The Council can now co-opt to fill the vacancy (vote on the matter). There are twelve interested candidates, and everyone has been asked to attend the Council meeting on the 28th September 2022 at 7pm to give a short presentation on why they would make a good councillor, a decision will then be made on the night by the Councillors. Viewing the meeting remotely will be possible via our normal YouTube channel.
***Update*** Tony Ovenden has been co-opted as a councillor for the Sir Moses Montefiore Ward.
Community Grants
Funding has recently been awarded for the following organisations:
- £3,225.16 to Residents Association of Paradise to reinstate heritage lighting on the street.
- £2,892.00 to Ramsgate Arts Barge for the purchase of power tools, site safety equipment and PPE equipment.
- £3,500.00 to the “Banned” – Freedom Road Project for a 12 week education programme given in the local schools.
- £3,000.00 to the Ramsgate Skatepark Project for the purchase of portable skatepark kit.
For information about what the Council can fund please see
www.ramsgatetown.org/town-council/funding
Consultation on Short-Term Holiday Lets
The Council has responded to the Department for Culture, Media and Sports consultation into short term holiday lets. The Council believes that unregulated short term holiday lets:
- Are detrimental to the labour supply; there is insufficient affordable housing in the area (to buy/rent) to support the local workforce.
- Negatively affect community cohesion, increase litter and lead to a loss of revenue (rates) for the district and county council (the town council doesn’t get it’s precept from businesses).
The Council supports a licencing scheme with physical checks of the premises; the landlord/business should have to fund this licence and pay rates on the property.
A letter will be written from the Chair to Craig Mackinlay MP asking for this matter to be raised in Parliament – there needs to be legislative change to regulate short term holiday lets and improve the availability of affordable housing.