Delighted to go back to running his business

Martyn Jackson of Landu Sports was one of the first to mobilize pen and tongue to fight Shepway’s parking charging proposals for Folkestone.

 

Martyn put in a huge amount of time and effort to organize opposition to disastrous parking plans for Folkestone town centre.

 

Time he could ill afford away from running his business, so when Shepway announced they were dropping most of the charging proposals he said “I’m delighted, now I can forget about parking and get on with running my business”.

 

That’s where SERP comes in by making sure the voice of business is heard concerning anything affecting the Shepway business community and its commercial success and sustainability.

 

Shepway have said they will liaise and listen more closely with the businesses in Shepway, and your SERP team will ensure that happens.

 

Many of you were mobilized over this issue and said you wanted to be more involved in advising Shepway and other bodies of the needs of your business.

 

Two way information flow is vital, hence this newsletter, because the power to influence strategies and policy is by strength of numbers!

 

Numbers, people power, counts!

Local Sandgate resident gives his views!

Dear Councilors
I note the increasing furore in the press over the outsourciing of services and increasing parking charges.
Outsourcing – This would produce a drastic loss of income to SDC since the new firm would either keep 1/2 or all the fine or make charges, either way it’s a direct loss of income. Far worse is the effect it could have on the existing wardens. SDC cannot make these redundant because the job is still there. You would be unfairly dismissing them and would be taken to Tribunal with probable drastic consequences. It is not possible to move them to other work since this is not allowed to create new positions at this time. But even if they agreed to move, in a months time they could demand their old job back or g et compensation. Do not bring in the Wheel Clampers Brigade this would give you more trouble than you could imagine. I sincerely hope that as Leader of Council you will not allow this perilous path to be taken.
Parking the current system is unsatisfactory for everyone. One hour parking is not long enough to do some shopping and partake a light lunch in Town. I always pay to park for two hours, currently £2.40. If you were to increase the number parking spaces by decreasing the excessive number of taxi and disabled bays around the old main Post Office, this would start to assist residents. There are other areas where you could increase number of bays. I believe if you show that you are tryying to assist the shoppers by this type of action and creating a bit of good will you could start to put in meters, charging a straight £1 an hour, a slight drop yes but many more fees. At the same time talk to Chamber of Commerce and ask whether they would support a scheme where the stores restaurants would givve a £1 or even £2 back when shown a 2hour or more park ticket and have spent £10 or more in shop etc. Schemes such as this would create better understanding of each others problems and show that SDC is taking a more gentle co-operational approach.
Roy B Sandgate

Our MP Damian says: Keep free on street parking for our town centres

29 Oct, 2011

Keep free on street parking for our town centres

Posted by: Damian

Parking should continue to be free for those who want to visit and shop in our town centres.

Free time-limited on street parking in the centre of Folkestone, Sandgate, Hythe and New Romney – as it is now – encourages people to use and support local businesses at a time when they are recovering from the economic downturn.

That’s my response to Shepway District Council’s proposed parking strategy, which sets out plans to introduce varying levels of charges to free up spaces and encourage greater use of off-street car parks by lowering the costs of using them. Over the last week I have discussed my concerns in detail with the Leader, Cllr Robert Bliss and other members of Shepway council and they have assured me that they will be given full and serious consideration as part of the consultation.

I believe it is vitally important for our local economy for people to be able to drive into and park freely on the street in the centre of our towns, without having to worry about charges and the inconvenience of getting a ticket.

The council does need to address the issue of residents being unable to park close to their homes and to encourage greater turnover of vehicles in the town centres, but this should not be at the expense of our high street shops.

If you need to go into town to quickly pick up some shopping and run a few errands, then that should be encouraged.

People are understandably concerned about what some of the unintended consequences of these proposals might be and I would encourage everyone to respond by taking part in the public consultation.

Shepway District Council will be rolling out their public consultation programme from January, details of which will be announced. If approved the scheme would be launched in three phases, with the first in Folkestone from April 2012.

You can find out more and have your say by visiting http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/201282/235/

Local residents who regularly use Shepway’s car parks should also take advantage of the parking permit that lets you park for up to three hours a day every day of only £1 per week. Again you can find out more about this in the parking section of the council’s website.

YOUR SHOUT! SHEPWAY LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – CORE STRATEGY John Ainsworth takes a look.

Its like the Irishman said to the traveller, “Well Sir! If your looking to go to Cork, I wouldn’t
start from here!”

Local Development Framework Core Strategy has the same ring about it; and if you were looking to discover what Shepway will be like in 2026, then you probably wouldn’t start from here.

But hold on! This is not a joke or a cheap shot at our hard pressed Council Planning staff, this is a genuine comment about the form and process that these documents are force to follow.

True! The Local Development Framework Core Strategy is an almost impenetrable agglomeration of Regulations, National policies, political directives and Acts of Parliament, but it is laid, like a delicate veneer, over the fragile physical environment that we currently know as Shepway.

If you do manage to work your way through all the relevant documents, somewhere in this mammoth exercise emerges a blueprint that spells-out how the District Council think Shepway should look in 2026.

Covering an area stretching from Hawkinge to the farthest extremities of the Romney Marsh, this vastly differentiated environment constrained by hills to the North and the sea to the South, offers limited opportunity for any grandiose development. What emerges in the Shepway LDF Core Strategy, is a genuine effort to use what we have – the land and the environment – to improve the lot of existing residents by encouraging new people to come and live in this unique part of the world, bringing with them their money, skills and enthusiasm.

And no! It is not an open invitation to desecrate the landscape with vast housing estates. The NIMBY mob need to know that the LDF Core Strategy deals with future development sympathetically; with a degree of realism that is so sadly lacking amongst the ancient, knee-jerk reactionaries that spring to attention whenever anyone wants to do anything in “their” Shepway.

But please be in no doubt, something needs to be done in Shepway. The LDF Core Strategy sets down a needs analysis that is brutal and frank in its description of demographic disparity, poor educational achievement, low disposable income, limited work prospects and plain hopelessness that affects a disproportionate amount of our fellow residents. Dealing with these issues alone would be a significant achievement but the LDF Cores Strategy goes beyond these pressing matters and takes into account the entire community and maps out a future that would see this little corner of Kent become a modern version of the desirable world that our Victorian forefathers once created.

Of course, capitalising on the fact that we have the only real Motorway to London and the new HS1 seems obvious – transport improvement have long been associated with community development – but the Shepway planners have been cleverer than that and have presented a gentle and sympathetic growth plan that will preserve all those features that make our district unique, whilst using the disused brownfield sites to maximum advantage

But what’s in it for business? The message is simple and direct. Attract a better paid, higher educated, more mobile population to an attractive seaside location, not an hours journey from London and their greater disposable income gets spent in your businesses.
It’s not rocket science!

Thank goodness our Council colleagues think the same way and have resisted any temptation to develop flights of political fancy that would have us looking like a monument to T. Dan Smith, for those of you who remember Washington New Town.

What we need to do now, is get behind the Local Development Framework and it Core Strategy and make sure that it actually gets implemented.

There is a lot yet to delve into and no doubt some bits of the Core Strategy will irritate someone or other – future articles will try to flesh out the detail – but in the meantime have a look on the Shepway website and pop a comment on the LDF Core Strategy Public Consultation document – if only to show our planning colleagues that they are not alone!

Business groups wade into National Trust NPPF row. And so they should!

The National Trust has been accused of using ‘hyperbole and scare tactics’ over its claims that the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will lead to ‘unchecked and damaging’ development.
Earlier this week, National Trust director-general Dame Fiona Reynolds claimed that the proposals in the draft NPPF would lead to “unchecked and damaging development in the undesignated countryside on a scale not seen since the 1930s”.

Both the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have already hit back against the comments, with the DCLG describing them as “plain wrong”.

However, the National Trust has refused to retract the claims.

Industry groups the British Property Federation (BPF) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have today stepped into the row through a letter to the Daily Telegraph.

The joint letter, from BPF chief executive Liz Peace and BCC director of policy and external affairs Adam Marshall, reads:

“We are bewildered by some of the reaction to the Government’s plans to simplify and speed up the planning system.

“A number of organisations, including the National Trust, have resorted to hyperbole and scare tactics – suggesting that the new national planning framework will lead to the despoliation of the countryside and to Los Angeles-style urban sprawl. No wonder ministers are reported to be concerned at this response to what seems to us to be a wholly reasonable document.

“The reality is very different. The new planning framework simplifies and improves the existing rules, and encourages responsible growth through a new ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. It does not diminish the ability to protect green belt.

“Few realise that built-up land in England represents under 10 per cent of the total. It will still be less than 10 per cent under the new framework. What will be different, however, is the ability of our worthy but painfully slow planning system to support the growth that our economy so desperately needs and is currently failing to achieve. Job creation, affordable housing, and the businesses of the future are what’s really at stake here – not the concreting-over of the countryside.

“We urge the Government to stand firm on its proposals for planning – and ensure they are followed through on the ground in the months and years to come”.

Speak now OR forever hold thy peace! Shepway Local Development Framework consultation goes live.

Dear Sir/Madam

Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 as amended – Regulations 27 and 28

Shepway Local Development Framework:
Representations on the Core Strategy proposed submission document.

Shepway District Council is writing to notify you of commencement of the period in which you can make formal representations on the above document: 29th July 2011 to 23rd September 2011 (17.00 hrs).

In order to view the proposed submission documents/supporting evidence and to make representations pleas see:
http://consult.shepway.gov.uk/portal/core_strategy/cspropsubdocconsult
Any representations that are made on the document must relate to its soundness, meaning comments must focus on whether it is justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

After submission of representations and the Core Strategy to the Secretary of State, an Examination in Public will be held by the Planning Inspectorate in early 2012 to determine the soundness of the Shepway LDF Core Strategy.

Representations must be sent in writing will be made public. Further information on the Proposed Submission process and documents is available on: http://www.shepway.gov.uk/currentconsultation. For additional assistance, please email planning.policy@Shepway.gov.uk.

Please note we will not be able to accept representations after 23rd September 2011, 17.00hrs.

Yours faithfully

D.Shore

Dave Shore
Planning Policy & Economic Development Manager
Shepway District Council

Should Shepway adopt Ashford BC aproach, especially over planning not being regarded as an esoteric art form?

Cabinet – 9th June 2011

Our Manifesto

Turning now to our election manifesto; I know it’s almost fashionable to decry election promises as being mere ‘spin’. Well I have a surprise to unveil – and that is that this Conservative administration intends trying it’s utmost to fulfil its promises.

Our manifesto promised that we would refocus the Council’s priorities and place greater emphasis on:

• Job creation
• Economic development
• Enhanced shopping facilities, and
• Better recreational and leisure opportunities.

The manifesto also included the promise that we would continue to be leaders in social housing and that our focus would be housing to meet local demand.

Several of those promises are reflected in the papers before us tonight. For example, the new build programme in item 7, the Conningbrook Park in item 9 and the Greenov project in item 8.

But delivering on promises isn’t about a few isolated papers and examples – the reality is that is that it requires a willing mind set and the appropriate tools. To that end, I have specifically instructed the Chief Executive to ensure that all Officers assist Members in developing, and bringing forward for implementation, initiatives and policies that deliver our election pledges.

In terms of tools, the Council’s planning policies, and the Council’s attitude towards planning issues, are of critical importance – especially so given the harsh economic climate that we currently face. Consequently, I declare here and now that while planning may be regarded as an esoteric art form in some Council, were it ever so in Ashford, then that is certainly no longer the case. Henceforth, in Ashford planning and planning policies are merely tools that serve the prosperity of Ashford Borough and the wellbeing of its residents. To that end we will adopt flexible, pragmatic and, above all, sane policies that serve that objective.

Unfortunately, we have inherited a legacy from previous governments that includes many policies and attitudes that conflict with this, what I would term, rational view of life. For example:

• in the interests of “Sustainability” our planning policies can prevent the conversion of a rural redundant agricultural building into holiday accommodation simply because the building is not on a bus route. To me that is mad. The facts of life are that (a) Ashford needs to encourage more tourism, (b) the bus services in rural Ashford are poor and unlikely to improve significantly, (c) cars are a fact of life irrespective of their lack of green credentials.

• Again in the interests of sustainability, under our policies a perfectly sensible site for rural local needs affordable housing can be rejected because a site is not within walking distance of local shops or because it’s not on a bus route.

There are many examples were the diktat of previous governments or their quangos have resulted in policies or guidelines that possess intellectual soundness, but are totally lacking in common sense.

Given the new Coalition government’s priorities, ethos of localism and our own election mandate the time is now ripe for a sea change.

To that end the former LDF (Local Development Framework) Task Group will have a much wider mandate and will become the Planning Policy Group (“PPG”). As well as dealing with LDF matters, the PPG will be specifically charged with speedily bringing forward for adoption new policies that overcome any conflicts between existing adopted policies and our corporate objectives. The PPG will also facilitate the adoption of pragmatic guidelines that ensure that the interpretation and/or implementation of adopted policies accords with our corporate objectives.

In addition, we will adopt a far more pragmatic approach in our dealings with planning applicants and in our dealings with local communities. For example, if a developer can make a site viable by providing an off-site or innovative developer contribution then we’ll listen with great interest. If a community prefers to see a developer contribution in the form of, for example, a new roof for the village hall rather than 35% affordable housing then we’ll work with them to make this happen.

In both examples what matters is not the rigid application of red tape, but the furtherance of the prosperity and wellbeing of the Borough.

Finally, on this topic some might claim it its fortuitous that Gerry review of planning feeds in very well with this refreshed view of planning, but Gerry and I naturally consider the review to be great foresight on our part. Whatever the truth, the reality is that review will greatly assist the new PPG.

Cllr Peter Wood
Leader
Ashford Borough Council

Read the long awaited Core Strategy. It’s a must read!

Dear Sir/Madam

Shepway Core Strategy Proposed Submission Document July 2011 will be available for you to view and comment between the following dates:

Start date: 27/07/11 00:01

End date: 23/09/11 17:00

Please select the following link to view this event:

http://consult.shepway.gov.uk/portal/core_strategy/cspropsubdocconsult

If the link appears to be broken, please try copying the entire link into the address bar on your web browser.

This e-mail has been automatically generated by the Consultation software.

Who does what? Get to know NEW Shepway cabinet and who to contact!

CABINET PORTFOLIOS

Councillor Robert Bliss
Leader with responsibility for Overall
Strategy and Leadership
Democratic Services & Policy
•Public Relations
•Communications
•Partnership & Collaboration
•Corporate Policy
•Electoral Registration & Elections
•Member services
•Towns & Parishes
•Performance Management
•Risk Management
•Complaint Handling & FOI
• Corporate Services
•Corporate Property Management
•Asset Management
•Commercial Property

Councillor Rory Love
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member
for Strategic Services
Lead Member:
Councillor Michael Lyons
Environmental Services
•Recycling & Waste
•Street Cleansing
•Toilet Cleaning
•Beach Management
•Parks & Open Spaces
•Climate Change
Corporate Services
•Coastal Management
•Flood Alleviation
•Engineers

Councillor Hugh Barker
Cabinet Member for Planning
Lead Member:
Councillor David Johnson
Planning Services
•Development Control
•Planning Policy
•Conservation
•Building Control

Councillor Stuart Peall
Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Community Safety
Lead Member:
Councillor Phillip Martin
Community Development &
Engagement
•Leisure & Sport
•Arts & Culture
•Children & Young People
•Community Safety Unit
•CCTV
•Lifeline
•Emergency Planning

Councillor Mrs Keren Belcourt
Cabinet Member for Health and
Housing
Lead Member:
Councillor Alan Ewart-James
Health and Housing
•Residual Landlord
•Strategic Housing
•Environmental Health

Councillor David Monk
Cabinet Member for Finance
Lead Member:
Councillor Alan North
Financial Services
•Finance
•Creditors
•Treasury Management
•Insurance
•Audit

Councillor Alan Clifton-Holt
Cabinet Member for the Economy
and Alternative Service Delivery
Lead Member:
Councillor Terry Mullard
Corporate Services
•Strategic Procurement
Financial Services
•Client Unit
Corporate Management Team
•Alternative methods of service
delivery
Planning Services
•Economic Development
•Business Partnerships
•Tourism

Councillor Malcolm Dearden
Cabinet Member for Traffic
Management and Parking
Lead Member:
Councillor Anthony Dunning
Health and Housing
•On & off street parking

Councillor Russell Tillson
Cabinet Member for Customer
Contact
Lead Member:
Councillor Tristan Allen
Customer Contact
•Local Taxation
•Benefits
•NDR
•Fraud
•Debtors
•Front of House
•Customer Contact
•Office Management

HCA outlines affordable homes targets —– SERP needs to have this on its radar.

Housing and regeneration quango the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) has committed to deliver more than 160,000 new affordable homes over the next four years, according to its new corporate plan.

by Michael Donnelly, 25 July 2011, 03:18PM

Housing and regeneration quango the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) has committed to deliver more than 160,000 new affordable homes over the next four years, according to its new corporate plan.