Agenda and minutes

Mr Christie declared an interest in the item on the Angel of the South as his house is within 200 yards of the proposed Ebbsfleet landmark.

The notes of the meeting held on 2 April 2008 were agreed.

Grants with declared members interests from Maureen Newell:

Passed: Kent Association for Spina Bifida, Marling Cross, West Court Community Forum.

£2 million private sector funding on gifted land. No public money involved. Some sculptures will be landscaped in park i.e dish and wing, temple,. Selection panel meets early September, comments and lobbying a part of that process along with representations from schools. The winning artist will then be announced followed by planning application costing, build analysis and so on.

Questions

John: few personal opinions – did not like horse, liked the disc and wing. Need to take into account wishes of people living in the immediate vicinity.

Vernon McCarthy: what happens if no planning permission is granted? MF: if turned down by district council, there can be an appeal. If unsuccessful could not go ahead. Could only be decided on land use issues, not what the actual sculpture looks like.

Dennis Llewellyn: Local people should have had more say. Should be something spectacular “jumping out” at you.

Mark D: wanted to announce competition and then get response. Originally did not appreciate size and scale of project. See it as catalyst for the area rather than just sculpture on a hill.

MF: thought exhibition would go from Bluewater to both civic centres.

Mr. Babstone: What was the psychology of all this? Why is this happening? Is it cosmetic response to loss of identity? Are the proposals supported by public support?

Mark D: No precedents so far except Angel of the North, all others have fallen by the wayside.

Unknown: Why is it not a Kent Invicta horse? That is the epitomy of Kent

Mark D: it is an artists idea, not a giant Kent logo.

Unknown: whatever goes there will be a landmark for North Kent, whatever sculpture it is. Also, worried that if whole site was not managed it would become a sad site with no interaction.

Mark D: It will be managed as part of the linear park.

Les Christie: It is an exciting concept. Does not think it should be Invicta horse or logo for Kent, it needs to represent Ebbsfleet and Northfleet.

Ray Parker: How was panel for shortlist brought together, as it looks as if no one local is part of this process? Why was no-one local consulted?

Mark D: Wanted people who knew what suitable art was, how would anyone local have been chosen? And just what was local? Local ideas and artists put forward to the panel. The three patrons decided on the composition of the panel.

£2.5 million project to generally improve the exterior, replace heating and lighting, redecorate and refurbish keeping the original features, but some of the library (the old bookshop bought in 1982) was unsafe and held up by internal supports preventing the use of space. They want to demolish this part and rebuild a building to serve the entire district of Gravesham.

Timetable:      Autumn 2008- planning application with consultation before

                        Winter 2008/09 demolition

                        2009/10 business as usual during construction

                        Summer 2010- library temporarily moves

                        Autumn/Winter 2010 works completed

Questions

Kath Anley: Head of Library Services.  Any thought given to whether the new unit would be there in 100 years time like the original library- answer, working towards minimum guidelines as set out by KCC.  Looking at all sorts of ideas.

Les Christie: Is there any provision for the Gravesend Museum?

Kath Anley: Probably not, as limit to how far the money would stretch.

Sandra Soda: Gravesend historical society – need somewhere? Two members of the public suggested the old police station and the disused courts that adjoined the library.

Tony Larkin of Albion Road: Is this road the responsibility of KCC or the Borough council? The drains did not work.

It was said that drains were the responsibility of KCC.

Action – to pass this on to KHS

Communication with KCC: Jennifer Smith: Wanted to find out about this meeting, tried to contact Will Farmer, tried four times.  Could not get in to this meeting at 6.45, the doors were looked.

Unknown: No one at the public display at Bluewater knew anything about this meeting.

Various others said there were problems getting in building and perhaps that is why there were not more people at the meeting.