tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post2583645343186955509..comments2024-03-13T10:32:22.656+00:00Comments on thanetonline: Day off ramble, Tracey Emin, Westwood Cross, Ramsgate Town Centre.Michael Childhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-12878199324673283492011-12-21T14:23:56.805+00:002011-12-21T14:23:56.805+00:00The one thing that the woman cannot do is draw. Go...The one thing that the woman cannot do is draw. God help her fee paying students and those of the professor of painting one Gary Hume - they should sue the RA for downright barefaced fraud!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-3815605381673880982011-12-20T17:51:34.636+00:002011-12-20T17:51:34.636+00:00Tracey Emin is vastly over-rated IMHO, can't d...Tracey Emin is vastly over-rated IMHO, can't draw, can't paint, can't make her bed either!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-47608537705569957772011-12-18T20:57:38.045+00:002011-12-18T20:57:38.045+00:00Chris you did follow the two links
http://www.mi...Chris you did follow the two links <br /><br /><a href="http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/ea" rel="nofollow">http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/ea</a>/ <br /><br /><a href="http://thanetonline.com/cliff" rel="nofollow">http://thanetonline.com/cliff</a>/<br /><br />and appreciate that they weren’t written by me but by the EA’s costal engineer and Cardys, didn’t yoMichael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-41403766402708757832011-12-18T20:35:54.760+00:002011-12-18T20:35:54.760+00:00Michael
I would have read whatever was presented ...Michael<br /><br />I would have read whatever was presented to council; not necessarily pink papers for cabinet in the same detail; and listened to whatever was presented to the group at the time.<br /><br />I am not sure I am supposed to comment on what was - and may still be - on pink; even if you have seen it.<br /><br />I am a layman in structural engineering terms, and have to put a degree of failth in what others who are professionals tell me.<br /><br />i am afraid I do not put you in that group, if only because you have been grinding away at this axe for a long time, and are not a paid and insured professional. If the paid and insured professionals are wrong, they have indemnity cover we can use - as happened with Turner Mk l. If I back your judgement over theirs I am rather more exposed, as an individual, should you turn out to be wrong. Which you have been gracious enough to acknowledge happens sometimes!Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-89909465911991494192011-12-18T18:41:59.201+00:002011-12-18T18:41:59.201+00:00Chris I assumed like me you had seen the cabinet p...Chris I assumed like me you had seen the cabinet pinks recommending that the cabinet determine the development agreement on financial grounds. <br /><br />The real problem with Pleasurama is that we seem to be going ahead with a large development, hotel 100 flats that could easily have the better part of 1,000 people sleeping inside, my guess is that a fair proportion of these could be Conservative voters.<br /><br />The EA say that it is in high risk flood zone and that a site specific flood assessment needs to be made to determine if these people will be safe in the event of a combined exceptionally high tide and severe storm.<br /><br />On the other side of this development is a 70 foot high cliff par of which is structurally suspect. I guess you read the documents I linked to in my previous comment, one a report of an investigation made by Cardy whose judgment you say you trust and the other made by the EA. <br /><br />As an experienced councillor do you have any recommendations based on this information? Do you think there is any way of getting the most basic of safety precautions implemented?Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-49011812516319906572011-12-18T12:40:03.991+00:002011-12-18T12:40:03.991+00:00Chris, thanks for that explanation. When you try a...Chris, thanks for that explanation. When you try and keep the sniping out you actually get your message across.<br />2212. Anonymous because Mummy doesn't like you being up that late? You north coast conservatives need to lighten up - a lot more cheery in the STCATim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360638835659673415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-22953540588356842422011-12-18T09:14:34.968+00:002011-12-18T09:14:34.968+00:00Gentlemen you make a couple of fundamental errors....Gentlemen you make a couple of fundamental errors. Firstly that Cabinet members know all about every subject; we may have a working knowledge on the major issues but will trust our relevant portfolio holders on the detail. Secondly, most of the decisions you are referring to were made before I joined the Cabinet anyway.<br /><br />My memory, as a backbencher, at the last decision debate in full council re pleasurama is that I made the points about the selection of contracter, which drew a furious response from Richard Nicholson, the leader at the time of the selection; I also made the point that the business plan submitted by the developer was wanting - I think I descibed it as about the level that my ten year old could manage; my reason to support was the involvement of Cardy, a reputable local firm whose judgement I trust.<br /><br />It is easy with hindsight to see the flaws. Many councillors asked searching questions about the bond, and were given answers.<br /><br />We may not be perfect as you require, but as a rule, we all try and do the job of asking the questions and seeking the relevant answers - whichever political party is in power/in opposition.Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-49548876364829772922011-12-17T22:12:06.901+00:002011-12-17T22:12:06.901+00:00Oh, and I forgot Tim Clark. What a seriously obse...Oh, and I forgot Tim Clark. What a seriously observant smartarse you are Timothy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-85684958394764267702011-12-17T22:10:41.726+00:002011-12-17T22:10:41.726+00:00I am surprised Chris Wells even bothers to comment...I am surprised Chris Wells even bothers to comment for most of you are simply involved in ambush the Tory games. Well you have your Labour administration now so just sit back and enjoy it.<br /><br />I am sure Readit, Michael & co plus the Gazette will all find your dreams will come true. That is, of course, if the new team don't spend the whole time sniping at KCC, our MPs and the coalition government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-74721423479919654842011-12-17T19:28:31.084+00:002011-12-17T19:28:31.084+00:00Notice that Mr Wells hasn't answered Michael&#...Notice that Mr Wells hasn't answered Michael's 1322 commentTim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360638835659673415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-24369704410618289022011-12-17T17:57:58.440+00:002011-12-17T17:57:58.440+00:00Tim Clark mentions that Chris Wells uses polician&...Tim Clark mentions that Chris Wells uses polician's tricks. Here is another example from his 12.26 post.<br /><br />"I can answer some of the Pleasurama questions, though I am sure not the answer you want."<br /><br />But he didn't apart from blaming what Labour did at least 8 years ago.<br /><br />For instance who signed the contract with a developer who had no track record of developing anything like the Ramsgate project? Why was the bond condition wavered? TDC may be reducing their debt but potentially they will take an almighty hit without this bond should the project fail. The development is not expect to have any properties ready until 2014. Who allowed such a long timeframe with Ramsgate Sand looking like a building site for more than 5 years?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-91761739167809042032011-12-17T17:18:10.123+00:002011-12-17T17:18:10.123+00:00The only complaint in Broadstairs that I know abou...The only complaint in Broadstairs that I know about is the forcing through of the totally unnecessary new Community Centre. Hasn't any of our Council seen inside the Baptist Hall in Queens Road? The rest of Chris Wells' answer at 1226 is just the usual politician's tricks of either answering a question with another question or slagging off the original questioner. A shame really because his factual answer to John at 1053 was an excellent example of the sort of communication that we should be getting and deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. Maybe if it had been then the local Conservatives wouldn't be in Opposition now.Tim Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360638835659673415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-77294349851888890082011-12-17T16:48:05.356+00:002011-12-17T16:48:05.356+00:00Chris I have been busy with the bookshop and didn’...Chris I have been busy with the bookshop and didn’t get a Gazette this week, but I eventually found the article in their interesting website, here is the link for anyone who wants to know what you are eluding to at 15.38 <a href="http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/New-Thanet-council-leader-Clive-Hart-vows-work/story-14154053-detail/story.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/New-Thanet-council-leader-Clive-Hart-vows-work/story-14154053-detail/story.html </a>Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-28721967669623875292011-12-17T16:12:33.434+00:002011-12-17T16:12:33.434+00:00Chris at 15.37, is this a sort of Conservative gro...Chris at 15.37, is this a sort of Conservative group announcement along the lines of: “Do not adjust your mind reality is at fault”?Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-19411663587947413892011-12-17T15:38:06.469+00:002011-12-17T15:38:06.469+00:00And has Clive Hart not just told us all in the new...And has Clive Hart not just told us all in the newspaper on friday your problems in the harbour and port of Ramsgate are over now he's in charge?Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-52241810209203293792011-12-17T15:37:09.804+00:002011-12-17T15:37:09.804+00:00Ah but like yours and Michael's Readit, is it ...Ah but like yours and Michael's Readit, is it not the case that they may be more a perception than a reality problem?Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-71404944685825311802011-12-17T13:51:20.929+00:002011-12-17T13:51:20.929+00:00I am astounded at the last sentence of Cllr Chris ...I am astounded at the last sentence of Cllr Chris Wells' comment that Broadstairs, Margate and Birchington have a similar list of complaints as Ramsgate.<br /><br />If that is truly the case then perhaps it is time for an alternative administration.Readithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04343086161535755495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-88941030118826335932011-12-17T13:22:22.476+00:002011-12-17T13:22:22.476+00:00Chris I will admit that I made a complete ass of m...Chris I will admit that I made a complete ass of my self over the arched part of cliff wall, I though it was dangerous to cut away near the bottom as the foundations were shallow and the infills blocks.<br /><br /><br />I was wrong on that count and apologised, this was due to the council sending me wrong drawing, the one for another bit of cliff façade down where Nero’s used to be.<br /><br /><br />Cardys the contractor were also sent the wrong sheets and requested the right ones from me, this was after they had dug exploratory holes and wasted quite a bit of money based on the info on the wrong sheet.<br /><br /><br />The council’s advisers, Jacobs, and the council obviously used the same wrong sheet, in all their reports this arched section is described as having a brick infill.<br /><br />My flood risk concerns were confirmed by the EA <a href="http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/ea/" rel="nofollow">http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/ea/ </a><br /><br />My concerns about the part of the cliff on the Broadstairs end past the arched bit were confirmed when a lump fell off and the council put up the safety barriers I had been asking for.<br /><br />My concerns about the part on the harbour side of the arched bit have been confirmed by the council spending , I think it was £22,000 mending the bulge I pointed out to them and when Cardys examined this area see <a href="http://thanetonline.com/cliff/" rel="nofollow">http://thanetonline.com/cliff/</a> their picture really does show no foundation under that pillar, as far as I know the others up that end haven’t been investigated. <br /><br />With the Labour developer, the developer they selected I think were Whitbread combined with SFP unless you are suggesting Whitbread were a bad choice the question here is why didn’t the council pull out of the project like Whitbread did? <br /><br />You have had several years to rectify what I am happy to concede was a Labour mistake?<br /><br />I would appreciate your list of council assets that are derelict, empty, ten year building sites for the other Thanet towns, I will pursue the problems vigorously new Labour administration.<br /><br />Oh and yes I concede my self centred argument totally undermined.Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-40651525425691610822011-12-17T12:51:22.229+00:002011-12-17T12:51:22.229+00:00Nice to see some balanced comments for once on thi...Nice to see some balanced comments for once on this blog, well done Chris!<br /><br />It`s a shame Michael lives in such a sad world where his glass is always half empty glass, cheer up Michael it's nearly Christmas. Maybe over the festive period you could commment on the good things we have in Thanet, you never know you might even end up with a full glass!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-62062265632519976662011-12-17T12:26:18.507+00:002011-12-17T12:26:18.507+00:00Michael
To take your entry para by para.
You may...Michael<br /><br />To take your entry para by para.<br /><br />You may have a problem with the way you see assets in Ramsgate have been managed; but that does not automatically mean the conclusions you draw from it are right, or indeed balanced.<br /><br />Have you tried reversing your assertions? That a predominantly Labour held area was prepared to do things which damaged the town in their political positioning in their single minded effort to get control of the council? A brilliant example of this is David Green’s fantasy letters concerning the story of Age Concern Ramsgate, about which he had been briefed but chose only to present the outrageous alternative scenarios.<br /><br />I cant answer questions about business I have not been involved in. This includes historic pontoons and the café question. I have never held any responsibility for land management so only have general views. Simon is your man for leases.<br /><br />I can answer some of the Pleasurama questions, though I am sure not the answer you want. The chief difficulties with Pleasurama date back to the previous Labour council’s selection of a developer – a process which I believe led to them losing a Chief Executive. I have often read your brilliant engineering calculations – although I notice some of more recent predictions of raod collapse do not seem to have been shared by other experts.<br /><br />You draw your usual conclusion, of a perception of unfairness. I could list a similar list of complaint for Broadstairs, Margate, and even Birchington; which rather undermines your somewhat self centred argument does it not?Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-25017722215128943622011-12-17T12:06:01.980+00:002011-12-17T12:06:01.980+00:00Chris the problem for me is with the whole of the ...Chris the problem for me is with the whole of the TDC asset management under the Conservative administration is the way Thanet District Council owned assets in Ramsgate have been managed.<br /><br />Perhaps this is about perception, but here in Ramsgate it just looked more and more like spite directed at a town with predominantly Labour councillors, from a Conservative administration that had developed personal feelings for the Labour group that went beyond mere logic and into the realms of fantasy. <br /><br />So can you answer some of the questions that I have put to you and Simon in recent posts about this?<br /><br />How do you explain the historic ship pontoon, evicting the historic vessels that reduced the council’s income?<br /><br />Pleasurama where the Conservative group issues a 199 year lease against the financial advice of the councils head of finance? The council have now spent £1m on furthering a project that is proceeding without the basic safety precautions recommended by the EA, with the council having the liability for all of the long term problems, the 60 year old cliff wall that the councils own advisors describe having a short serviceable life, the 1860 council owned sea defence, does this make sense? <br /><br />The Harbour Lights café, where the tendering process failed and a well known local chef came forward just wanting an ordinary lease from the council, how many months has it been now?Michael Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499435016469020417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-4101914734916728632011-12-17T11:20:45.697+00:002011-12-17T11:20:45.697+00:00MIPP:
'punting' should read 'putting...MIPP:<br /><br /> 'punting' should read 'putting'.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-51902820320304756972011-12-17T11:18:19.653+00:002011-12-17T11:18:19.653+00:00To Chris Wells
Chris,
Thank you for punting me s...To Chris Wells<br /><br />Chris,<br /><br />Thank you for punting me straight and so politely too. I knew none of this. It is good news.<br /><br />All I seem to hear about is the petty political squabbling which irritates me. You have told me about the good things and cheered me in the process.John Holyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284672912775316883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-5036438780981049312011-12-17T10:53:03.219+00:002011-12-17T10:53:03.219+00:00John
Your Hammersmith and Fulham example is an in...John<br /><br />Your Hammersmith and Fulham example is an interesting one.<br /><br />TDC have taken action to reduce debt, using reserves earning a pittnace as cash flow rather than borrowing more at higher rates of interest. TDC also avoided losing money in Iceland.<br /><br />TDc has moved to sell assets and put empty property back into use: many of thses schemes were opposed by residents nearby, and the Labour party when in opposition.<br /><br />TDC has moved to share services and management costs with other councils - something opposed by the Labour party when in opposition.<br /><br />We left a parking scheme in place which froze charges till at least next June and planned to open some free town centre car parking every saturday across the island.<br /><br />Sometimes, we all, as locals, simply miss the good things going on that we then see elsewhere as exemplars.Chris Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022576946890382047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3575321478441277410.post-23796585353237767772011-12-17T09:15:12.806+00:002011-12-17T09:15:12.806+00:00Michael,
Perhaps you better stick to blogging rat...Michael,<br /><br />Perhaps you better stick to blogging rather than what you describe as art!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com