Agenda and draft minutes

Present:

Chris Capon (KCC Chair)

Allison Allan (notes)

Cleo Drury (Age Concern)

Dick Bushell (resident – east ward)

Ian Wilkinson (resident- north ward)

Martin Ross (resident – south ward)

Rev Colin Datchler – (west ward and faith rep)

Sue Dinsdale (school rep)

Wendy Peacock (HTC)

Joanna Ames (HCCT)

Sally Chesters (Hythe Civic Society)

Anne Tidmarsh (KCC)

Speakers:

Toby Howe KCC KHS

Chris Maw KCC KHS

Sergeant Jasmine Bloomfield

Sarah Rothwell KYS

Apologies:

Shaun Taylor SDC,

Bryan Sweeland KCC Cabinet member for Environment Highways and Waste

The Terms of reference – were adopted by the forum members

Proposed – Wendy Peacock (HTC)

Seconded – Dick Bushell (resident)

·        Results of the consultation regarding the new bus stop on Dymchurch Road

·        Update on problems relating to School Road Hythe/Saltwood

·        Speeding Traffic – Horn Street – (D Bushell)

·        The High Street – issues relating to the gate

·        Update on the resurfacing of Chapel Street

·        Drainage issues

Free parking being considered by SDC – after 6, for the benefit of restaurant users etc in the evening who would normally park in the high street.

The County member, HTC, SDC, the Chamber and Civic Society, to set up and be involved with any meeting with Morrisons

The SDC Cabinet member Cllr Malcolm Dearden has within his gift to over rule the parking restrictions - residents are encouraged to talk to Cllr Dearden

More consultation is to come, the Chamber are to lobby SDC for reduced rates for parking.

Drainage – investigating short term measures – will coordinate with Morrisons so gas and drainage to be done at same time

Find and fix – £6.5 million secured from central government- £2.5 million to be spent on pot holes remaining monies to be spent on sealing work previously done. Issues raised re St Leonards – Toby to take this back

A report from Hythe Town Council re numbers on waiting list and to explain covenants relating to Eaton Lands.

80% of Eaton Land is meadow

Wendy to report back to HTC to see if any more of the Eaton Land can be used for allotments over the meadow.

A report from Ben Gearing, Shepway District Council including:

·        Improvements to the High Street

·        Updating the position of funding of Christmas Lights

£200k has been allocated for the benefit of Hythe – town centre purposes – administered by HTC and SDC. The Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and KHS to work together to put to SDC/106 committee then consultation to people

Improvements of Xmas lights been put forward – cost of lights are £500 per light 1/2 way across high street. Chris to commit money from Member’s funds

Chris Maw to meet with Ben Gearing SDC and will report back

Hythe Civic Society – put forward project – involves improvements to red lion square and landscaping which was declined – to be resubmitted

A meeting to be arranged with Hythe Civic Society, SDC, KHS, HTC and Chamber of Commerce and Tourism with the 106 working group

A report from Chief Inspector Martin Bradley, Kent Police

No decision has been made yet to close the police premises in Hythe, it will be open as follows:

10-4 open every day in May except Thurs

2-4 Mon-Fri in June

A decision will be made after June re the future

The forum wanted to pass on their thanks for all Tony Ralph has done in Hythe.

Chris thanked Hythe Youth Centre for providing the venue for free

Sarah has been in post since April – working to improve attendance at the centre, which has been without ft youth worker for long time. Slowly getting to meet people in community, going into Brockhill School this week – Please contact Sarah if you would like to work on projects with her:

01303 268588 -

sarah.rothwell@kent.gov.uk

All members of the Forum will be asked to give an update for their area/organisation

DB – issues in Seabrook – to take forward

IW – lamp Chapel Street – Chris to look into and chase up

CD – focus on 3 churches – live and work in Palmarsh – Holy Cross Church – working to support school/nursery/church – baby unit been built due to local need, appointing new head, local issues – Palmarsh site natural place for youth to congregate to play football, older people with dementia, nickels quarry – the forum to take on board and work together on issues

JA – represent business community, main priority to increase footfall for Hythe, Hythe visitor guide is produced – only list members

AT – gave info on her role, working with senior forum in shepway, Broadmeadow – nearly completed unit for people with dementia, day care and respite, linked to main unit for intermediate support, want more links older and younger people – Anne to work with Sarah.

Please contact Anne direct with any ideas from forum on what would like to see re older people and young people with disabilities

03003336169

Anne.Tidmarsh@kent.gov.uk

SC- Chris thanked sally for work on Hythe Street, they currently have 800 members at the Civic Society, they look at planning applications and keep an eye on what happening in Hythe – there are 2 issues the wall in church hill, and St Leonard’s church yard need to be addressed, SC feels disappointed no SDC reps – to answer these questions

SD – works with all schools in Shepway, sadly the team has been cut in the restructure and Sue will going end Aug

CD – age concern have merged with Lyminge, they provide services such as laundry service, home meal service looking at – A service forum is being set up. Cleo to liaise with Sarah re intergenerational projects

MR – reiterated his disappointed re SDC and, thanked the civic society and chamber for what they do

Irene Wilson local resident – issue: mobile scooters, accidents already, spoken to the MP – Norfolk ran a course which she would like this to be offered here, chief of police for kent is one from Norfolk – maintenance is also an issue – some scooters are not roadworthy – HTC and police – explained unfortunately they are not subject to tests and are outside the law, the police can only look at if causing a hazard – The issue with the course is funding Chris Capon to take matter up with mp and see what intentions are and feedback next meeting a letter on the Forum’s behalf to Damian Collins MP

Cllr Paul Peacock – was asked to take back disappointment to HTC and SDC in particular re lack of attendance

Chris – sent thanks to town clerk for her cooperation for arranging reports etc for the meeting

It was proposed is sent to leader of SDC it would appear SDC hold Hythe in contempt – proposed and seconded by the public – who request they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

TBC – Week commencing 12 September 2011 – venue – Age Concern