Thanet district Council Press Release
A working group, set up to consider the draft masterplan for Kent International Airport at Manston, will be visiting more airports in the new year, as they help to draw up the council’s response to the document.
The Manston Airport Working Party was set up in May 2008 to help prepare the council for Infratil’s draft masterplan for the future development of the airport, which was published in October.
Since the working party was established, it has carried out a series of visits to other airports around the country, including Prestwick Airport, which is also owned by Infratil, the owners of Kent International Airport. In January, they will be visiting more airports, including Bristol and Bournemouth, to speak to airport operators and local councils.
The Chief Executive of Kent International Airport, Matt Clarke, will also be speaking to the Working Party at their next meeting, with the Chairman of the Kent International Airport Consultative Committee, Paul Twyman due to be invited to a future meeting.
Cllr. Mike Harrison is chairing the Manston Airport Working Party. He said: “The work we’re doing is giving us some really useful background information, which will undoubtedly help when the council responds to the draft master plan. It’s important that we look at how other airports around the country of a similar size to Manston operate and how they relate to their communities. There are always lessons you can learn from others and that’s why we’re carrying out these visits.”
Another working party is looking at the council’s approach to developing its budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy and how the council’s priorities have been determined. Their suggestions have already been incorporated into the budget survey, which is currently out to consultation until Friday 19 December.
A watching brief is also being kept by the Asset Management Working Party, who are overseeing the disposal process of council properties and land, which is currently at the consultation stage.
Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “Looking at the big issues, such as the future of the airport, the council’s budget, which affects everyone, and the process of disposing of council property, is exactly what scrutiny should be doing. We’re pulling together information that will help to inform the council when it considers the airport master plan. It’s all about ensuring that we provide a robust challenge to those in charge and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
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