Minutes:
Portfolio for Regeneration and Supporting Independence
Port of Ramsgate/London Array Windfarm
(1) Mr Lynes advised that there had been progress with the construction of the Thanet Offshore Windfarm. The dredging works and the installation of the offshore cables were due to be completed by November 2009. The full programme of works would be completed at the end of 2013.
Manston Eurokent
(2) The Committee noted that the East Kent Opportunities Board had received and agreed upon an overall strategy to encourage regeneration at Manston and the pursuit of the planning application at Eurokent. Mr D Evans would be heading this project.
“No Use Empty”
(3) Mr Lynes advised that this initiative continued to receive media attention especially in Thanet. The Committee noted that the media attention included discussions around a pilot TV programme on empty homes for the BBC as well as ITV’s “Tonight with Trevor McDonald” being on location in Thanet in late February filming for a potential showing in March 2009 as part of their programme focusing on empty homes.
(4) Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments which included the following:-
(5) Mr Lynes in response to Mr Harrison agreed to report back to him outside the meeting on windfarms that appeared to have ceased working near Ramsgate.
Portfolio for Environment, Highways and Waste
(6) Mr Ferrin explained that a decision had been reached corporately to advertise Mr Austerberry’s interim post as a permanent post of Executive Director, Environment, Highways and Waste, which would be open for competition prior to the County Council elections. The post would be responsible for environment highways, waste and the county planning function including housing. Mr Austerberry in his interim appointment would be responsible for these functions. The Director post would be advertised both externally and internally and would be interviewed by a cross-party Member panel.
Highways
(7) Mr Ferrin advised that the number of calls on highways issues had gone through the roof in February 2009. There had been 1800 separate jobs scheduled due to the amount of water on the road surface that produced cracks and became holes. This increase in calls did not seem to be easing despite the weather conditions improving. Members noted that more gangs had been appointed to carry out the work, 73 compared to 22 in 2008. Additional gangs could not be managed sensibly.
(8) Members were given the opportunity to make comments and ask questions which included the following:-
(9) In response to a question from Mr Parker, Mr Ferrin said that he did not have statistics to hand on the number of potholes that came apart and needed to be refilled. He explained that the permanence of the pothole repairs was doubtful. The options at the time were to either leave the holes in the road or carry out temporary repairs.
(10) In response to a question by Mr Harrison, Mr Ferrin advised that the nature of the problems on the road surfaces was due to water going into the cracks, many were due to various works not by Utilities alone undertaken throughout the year.
(11) RESOLVED that the updates be noted.