'Housing Prosecution'

Thanet district Council press release,

A Broadstairs landlord has been fined £1,000 for operating a house in multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence in what’s believed to be one of the first cases of its kind in Kent.

Since April 2006, HMOs that are three or more storeys and are occupied by five or more persons must be licensed under laws introduced by the government to improve the physical conditions and management standards of HMOs. Failure to licence such premises without reasonable excuse is an offence, punishable by a fine of up to £20,000.

The prosecution, by Thanet District Council, came after the council discovered in early 2008 that 45 West Cliff Road in Broadstairs was a licensable HMO. An HMO is a property occupied by more than one household. Examples include properties used as bedsits and shared houses.

Following the discovery, the owner and manager of the premises, Alan Chamberlain (58) of Pierremont Avenue was asked by the council to make an HMO licence application. By July 2008, the council had not heard from him, so demanded that a valid licence application be made within 21 days.

This deadline was not met, so officers from the council’s Housing Improvement Team visited the premises in August 2008 to check whether they were still operating as a licensable HMO. The inspection revealed that Mr. Chamberlain had ignored the council's advice and the operation was continuing.

In a case heard at Thanet Magistrates Court last week (Thursday 21 May), Mr. Chamberlain pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £1000, to which a £15 victim surcharge was added. He was also ordered to pay a contribution of £100 towards the Council's prosecution costs.

Brendan Ryan, Director of Community Services, said: "HMOs are often linked to bad management and anti-social behaviour. This is why HMO licensing is so important, as it helps us to ensure that tenants are kept safe and neighbours are not unduly disturbed. The council's Housing Improvement Team has been helping landlords to get to grips with the legislation over the last three years, but now it is time to get tough. Those landlords willing to flout the law will be prosecuted. Not only do we have a duty to safeguard tenants and neighbourhoods, but we also have a duty to good landlords to make sure we deal with the rogues. Otherwise, it is not a fair playing field. Thanet has many good landlords and the Council actively works with many of them through its Landlord Focus Group and Landlord Events. So, Good landlords must be supported and encouraged, as the private rented sector is a key component of the housing market. If anyone has an HMO that they think might be licensable, they should contact the Council for advice as soon as possible."
Further information and application packs are available from the Housing Improvement Team, who can be contacted on 01843 577437

CLEAN SWEEP TACKLES PROBLEMS ACROSS THANET

Thanet district Council press release,

The latest Operation Clean Sweep has uncovered a series of issues at properties across Thanet.

The council led operation also involves officers from Kent Police, the UK Border Agency, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent County Council.

Last week (week beginning Monday 18 May), for the first time, the operation targeted properties across Thanet that are of interest to the various organisations involved in Clean Sweep.

Five suspected illegal immigrants were found by the UK Border Agency in Ramsgate, Westbrook and Margate. Planning and housing officers from the council have uncovered an unauthorised House in Multiple Occupation in Margate, with another suspected unauthorised HMO discovered in Cliftonville at a property that had been visited on a previous Clean Sweep operation.

Further planning concerns have been raised about a property in Ramsgate, where unauthorised car sales were taking place, with the building used for unauthorised storage, while an unauthorised car wash was found in Birchington.

In Westbrook, a take away voluntarily shut for 24 hours to clean up their kitchen, following a visit from the Clean Sweep team, while in Westgate, another takeaway was found to be open for breakfast, even though a condition of the planning approval was that it should open from 11am. Two properties are now also under investigation amid suspicion that they fraudulently obtained electricity. A man was also arrested for indecent exposure in Cliftonville.

Principal Enforcement Officer, Steve Albon, said: "Once again, Operation Clean Sweep has proved to be a great way of identifying problems that we can tackle. This new approach has allowed us to visit properties across Thanet, some of which were checked on previous operations, and we've had some excellent results. It's been a high profile operation, allowing people to see us out and about tackling the issues that matter to them."

CUTTING CRIME IN DANE VALLEY

Thanet district Council press release,

A major new initiative to improve life in Dane Valley has seen overall crime levels in the area cut by 6.5%, compared to the previous year.

The work has been led by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership, with representatives from Kent Police, Thanet District Council's housing, sports development and waste and recycling teams, Kent Trading Standards, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Probation Service and local youth groups. In response to complaints from local residents, the group came together to work jointly on improvements in the area.

Those have already included graffiti removal by community payback teams and regular litter picks by the Hang 10 youth group, helping to improve the appearance of the area.

As part of their Safer Spring initiative, the police have also been focusing their resources into the area, particularly on weekend evenings, with high visibility patrols, carrying out 70 stop and searches. These resulted in four seizures of alcohol, two seizures of cannabis and five arrests.

Feedback from residents that more was needed for young people on the estate to do has led to activities on every weekday night, with Pie Factory Music Youth Club using SureStart on Monday evenings with sessions for eight to 13 year olds between 6pm and 7.30pm and a Young Persons Group at SureStart on Tuesday evenings between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Wednesday nights are football with the local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Ross Meek and Nick Underwood, while Charton Athletic bring their coaching to the area on a Thursday night. There's a final opportunity to enjoy more football on Friday nights between 4pm and 6pm with Sport 4NRG, followed by bowling with the PCSOs.
Details of these activities are being displayed on new notice boards that have been put up by Thanet District Council housing in the area.

A street party, to celebrate D-Day and to bring people in Millmead together, is also being held next week (Wednesday 3 June) on the green next to SureStart Millmead between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Community Safety Officer Tiffany Hall said: "The work that's been going on in Dane Valley over the past few weeks has made a huge difference. This initiative has brought together a huge number of organisations, all working together to improve the area and it's also had a great impact on starting to bring the community together as well. The Community Safety Partnership is here to respond to people's concerns and that's what we've done in this case.

She added: "Anyone who wants to have their say on what we're doing can get involved with PACT meetings - partners and communities together. The community action group meets on a regular basis and is a great way to make your voice heard. To find out more, call SureStart on 280666."

INTERIM ASBOS EXTENDED

Thanet district Council press release

Nine interim ASBOs against people believed to be responsible for numerous acts of anti-social behaviour in Newington have been extended until August.

It comes after the case against the nine, who all live in Ramsgate, was adjourned until August, due to one of the nine having their GCSE exams on the final two days of the original planned court case. The new dates for the trial, which will take place in Folkestone, have been fixed as Monday 10, Friday 14, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August.

The interim ASBOs were first granted in December 2008, following a civil case brought by Thanet District Council and supported by Kent Police, on behalf of the Thanet Community Safety Partnership. These orders, which carry the same weight as full orders, remain in force until Friday 21 August and will become a criminal offence if they are breached.

The orders mean that they cannot congregate together in groups of more than three in a public place anywhere in Thanet or go near any of the witnesses in the case. Insulting or offensive behaviour, throwing items or behaviour likely to cause harassment are also covered by the interim orders.

Community Safety Coordinator Jessica Bailey said: "Although it's frustrating that the court case has been adjourned until August, we have at last seen interim ASBOs against all nine extended until the end of the court case. These restrictions apply anywhere in the district and not just in the Centre, Harbour Street or Ramsgate town centre and, if there are any breaches, then we can act on that. This extra time also gives us the opportunity to get any other statements about incidents that may have occurred more recently. I would strongly urge anyone with information about anti-social behaviour by these individuals or anything that may be a breach of these interim orders to get in touch with us."

If anyone has any concerns about anti-social behaviour in the Newington area, they can contact their local PCs, who are Mel Geeves and Chris Wiltshire on either 07870 252880 or 07980 770678, while the ward PC for Central Harbour is Phil Morley, who can be contacted on 07800 675388. The local PCSOs are Nathan Prentice and Gareth Foreman and they can be contacted on 07772 226199 or 07772 226130.

WATCHDOG HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS

Thanet district Council press release

The watchdog body of Thanet District Council has been highlighting its achievements over the last year, which have made a "major impact" on the council's activities.

The Overview and Scrutiny annual report was presented last night (Thursday 21 May) to the Annual Council meeting. It describes one of the Panel's major highlights as the role played by their Asset Management Working Party in developing and implementing a transparent and accountable system for disposing of council assets.

Also highlighted is the "significant work" carried out by the Airport Working Party, who developed the council's response to Kent International Airport's Draft Master Plan. The Working Party are described as laying "the firm foundation for developing a balanced plan" and are praised for their part in the initial consultation process over the document.

Other working parties have undertaken reviews of the council's budget, vision and its Medium Term Financial Strategy, which sets out the council's financial plans over the next xx years. It is hoped that this group will be able to play a part in budget setting for 2010/11.

Other plans for the forthcoming year include the possibility of undertaking scrutiny of issues outside of the council. In other areas of the country, this has included scrutinising the work of partner organisations, including the NHS and police.

“LEAD MEMBERS” INTRODUCED

Thanet district Council press release

New "lead Members" have been introduced at Thanet District Council, who will, in the future, support Cabinet Members.

The idea was agreed last night (Thursday 21 May) at a full Council meeting, when it was also agreed that they would receive no additional payments for undertaking this role.

Originally, proposals had been put forward that they would each receive either £500 or £200, but members decided, in view of the current economic situation, that the role would get no extra payments.

There will be ten lead members in total each supporting the whole or a specific part of a Cabinet portfolio. Their brief will be to act as an advisor to their portfolio holder, lead on policy development, and chair advisory and consultative meetings.

They will also be able to substitute for Cabinet Members at meetings, although they will not be able to vote on their behalf.

NEW COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

Thanet district Council press release

Ed this press release contains a table.

Blogger doesn’t accept the complicated computer language necessary to publish a table online so you need to click here to view the press release, as it should look.


Thanet Council's new Cabinet, Shadow Cabinet and Committee Chairmen for the forthcoming year have been formally announced.

Last night's (Thursday 21 May) Annual Council meeting saw Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel re-elected as the Leader of the Council for the seventh year. Cllr. Roger Latchford was re-elected as the Deputy Leader for the third year. The Leader of the Opposition is Cllr. Clive Hart and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is Cllr. Peter Campbell.

The Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet details for the Council year 2009/10 are:

Portfolio
Cabinet Member
Shadow Cabinet Member
Regeneration and Economic Development (includes the Margate Renewal Partnership, asset management, strategic planning and the Port of Ramsgate
Cllr. Roger Latchford
Cllr. Peter Campbell
Finance (also includes human resources, policy and performance, procurement and audit)
Cllr. Martin Wise
Cllr. David Green
Customer Services (includes IT services , revenues and benefits)
Cllr. Simon Moores
Cllr. Linda Aldred
Community Services (includes council housing, strategic housing, housing need and homelessness, housing renewal, private sector housing, community safety and environmental health)
Cllr. Zita Wiltshire
Cllr. Iris Johnston
Environmental Services (includes waste collection, recycling, street cleaning, public toilets, parking, parks, allotments, cemeteries and crematorium, sports development, Sport 4NRG, arts development, museums, foreshores, Thanet Coast Project, indoor and outdoor leisure, play services, tourism, events and Environmental Action Programme)
Cllr. Shirley Tomlinson
Cllr. Michelle Fenner
Regulatory Services and Ramsgate Marina (includes planning enforcement and applications, licensing, land charges and general estate management)
Cllr. John Kirby
Cllr. John Watkins

The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Council's Committees and Boards for 2009/10 were also appointed at the Annual Council meeting:

Planning Committee Chairman Cllr. Ken Gregory
Planning Committee Vice-Chairman Cllr. Simon Day
Scrutiny Chairman Cllr. Bob Bayford
Scrutiny Vice-Chairman Cllr. Mike Harrison
Licensing Board Chairman Cllr. Mick Tomlinson
Licensing Board Vice-Chairman Cllr. Ted Watt-Ruffell
Governance and Audit Committee Chairman Cllr. Jo Gideon
Governance and Audit Committee Vice-Chairman Cllr. Jason Savage
Joint Transportation Board Chairman Cllr. Brian Sullivan





Ed will sort this one into html so you can read it properly later

COUNCIL CHAIRMAN TO CONTINUE WITH WORK

Thanet District Council's new Chairman has pledged to "promote and support" Thanet over the next year.

Cllr. Margaret Sheldrick, who was elected to the role of Council Chairman in February, was formally elected to continue her role for 2009/10.

Cllr. Sheldrick said: "I'm thrilled and delighted to have the confidence of the councillors who re-elected me for a full year. Over the next year, along with my Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Roberts, we intend to promote and support Thanet. We're very conscious about the current economic climate and, for that reason, we'll be supporting the three town mayors and the efforts of the villages in their charity fund raising efforts, rather than trying to do our own fund raising. As part of that work, we're very keen to support small local charity events. If anyone feels that either myself or the Vice-Chairman can assist in any way, all they have to do is ask."

She added: "I'm also very keen to promote Thanet outside of the area, as I want to ensure that we are noticed and known as a magical place to live, work and play."

During her year in office, Cllr. Sheldrick will be escorted by her husband Ray Sheldrick. Cllr. Michael Roberts was elected as the Vice-Chairman of Thanet District Council.

CLIFTONVILLE PLANNING POLICY IN FINAL STAGES

Thanet district Council press release

Following extensive consultation with local people, the Council is finalising a new planning policy document for Cliftonville West.

It comes after the Cliftonville Development Plan was agreed at a meeting of full Council last night (Thursday 21 May). Following a six week representation period, it will be submitted to the Secretary of State who will appoint a Planning Inspector to examine the document.

It contains policies to tackle issues that were initially raised during previous public consultations on the planning policy restricting one bedroom flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation in the area.

The document has been developed following significant involvement with local people over the last two and a half years, which included a resident led walking tour of the area by council officers.

A number of policies are covered in the development plan which include:
Restrictions on one bedroom flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation, a policy which was first adopted in 2006.
Retaining existing family housing in the area and requiring the provision of family homes in new developments.
Support for proposals to upgrade existing tourist accommodation or the provision of new tourist accommodation.
Strategic Planning Manager, Colin Fitt, said: "Much of the development of this plan has come from local residents in Cliftonville West and we hope that we've been able to incorporate policies into the document that we know are of concern to them. During the consultation process, we've worked closely with people in the area and they've been really helpful with suggesting changes. It's been a really positive process, and we hope we will get a positive response from the Independent Inspector."

The six week period to submit representations will begin in mid June.

CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE FOR BENEFIT FRAUD

Thanet district Council press release

A former Ramsgate man has received an 18 month conditional discharge, after being found guilty of benefit fraud.

Neil Peter Marshall (43), formerly from Ellington Road, Ramsgate and now from Iwade, Sittingbourne, was in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for himself and his wife. He failed to notify Thanet District Council that his wife had found work for South East Kent Ambulance Service in August 2006 and that he had found employment with Service Innovation Group in October 2006.

During the hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, it was established that Mr. Marshall had informed the Department for Work and Pensions that his wife had started work and that there was no dishonesty element here and the charge relating to this was dropped. The full overpayment for both periods of employment was £5,072.11.

Mr. Marshall was then charged with failing to promptly declare a change in his circumstances in relation to his employment and he pleaded guilty to this offence. The overpayment in relation to this was £728.65.

Judge Sullivan sentenced Mr. Marshall to an 18 month conditional discharge. He was also given a compensation order for £728.65 and ordered to pay £400 towards the prosecution costs, to be paid back at a rate of £5 per week.

Judge Sullivan stated that the case highlighted the fact that Thanet District Council was fair in its approach to the case in requesting the charges to be altered to the lesser offence, due to further information coming to light. He also said that it is the customer's responsibility to inform all agencies administering benefits of any changes which could potentially affect their award.

Although Mr. Marshall was only charged with one offence, the full overpayment of £5,072.11 is recoverable.

SSCF MONEY HELPING TO IMPROVE AREA

Thanet district Council press release

A team of workers offering advice, services and support to residents, businesses and community groups in Margate Central and Cliftonville West are being funded by more than £200,000 from the Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF).

For the second year running, the SSCF is focusing on funding these workers, who in the last year have helped to put on a number of events in the area, including the Cliftonville Games, the Big Sky jazz and kite festivals and quad bike events. The CASE Kent team has also helped local groups with successful funding bids, totaling almost £20,000.

In the past year, a team of four SSCF funded workers have worked with young people, members of the community and people with learning difficulties. The SSCF has funded three workers to provide welfare advice and a worker to provide support to those in a domestic abuse situation. As a result of the funding, several projects have obtained further money, with the hope that they can then continue once the SSCF programme ends in March 2010.

Two community group advisors have been funded to continue to provide advice, support and help with fund raising. A community warden and two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have worked with the community to provide a safer environment in the two wards and have supported parents and students at Hartsdown Technical College. The workers have worked with the community to hold events and set up new clubs for school children, youths and adults.

The community warden has issued 126 Fixed Penalty Notices for littering or to people who put their black sacks of rubbish out for collection on the wrong day. The SSCF funded Waste and Recycling Enforcement Officer has issued around 20 enforcement notices per month over the last year and this work is continuing. From June 2009, an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer will also be added to the team.

SSCF Programme Board Chair, Colin Maclean, said: "Our team of SSCF workers has achieved a huge amount over the last year and has made a real difference to people's lives in both Margate Central and Cliftonville West. We look forward to seeing their work continue over the final year of the SSCF programme and hopefully beyond then."

In total, the SSCF has put £213,007 into supporting this team this year, by part-funding these roles, along with other partners. This makes it more likely that the roles can continue once the SSCF programme ends in March 2010. For more details, contact the SSCF team at Thanet District Council on 01843 577534 or visit www.thanet.gov.uk/sscf or email sscf@thanet.gov.uk

CLIFTONVILLE FIRE LATEST

Thanet district Council press release,

A set of terraced buildings, badly damaged by fire in Cliftonville, have been made safe, but road closures in the area are set to remain in place until tomorrow. (Wednesday 20 May).

The fire, at properties in Northdown Road, broke out late on Saturday night with 80 firefighters tackling it throughout Sunday and into Monday.

The council's building control team have been on site since then. Today (Tuesday 19 May), work to put additional scaffolding in place around the building has been completed, with the building made safe.

Nearby businesses, which were not affected by the fire, have now been able to re-open, but Northdown Road remains closed between Prices Avenue and Crawford Gardens.

It had been hoped to re-open the road by midday today (Tuesday 19 May), but this has not proved possible. Work is continuing and it is hoped that the road will re-open by early tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday 20 May).

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation. Anyone with any information about the fire can contact Margate police station on 01843 231055 or talk to one of the police's Cliftonville neighbourhood officers.

UPDATE ON CLIFTONVILLE FIRE

Thanet district Council press release

Work is continuing to make safe a set of terraced buildings, badly damaged by fire in Cliftonville.

The fire broke out late on Saturday night at the properties in Northdown Road and saw 80 firefighters tackling it throughout Sunday and into Monday. Six people were re-housed in emergency accommodation by Thanet District Council, but all have now made their own arrangements. There have been no reports of anyone being hurt.

Building Control officers from the council have been on the scene throughout today (Monday 18 May), assessing the damage to the building. Work is being undertaken this afternoon to put additional scaffolding in place around the building to make it safe.

It is hoped that Northdown Road, which is currently closed between Prices Avenue and Crawford Gardens will be open by tomorrow (Tuesday 19 May) afternoon, with shops and businesses that have been affected by the fire in that area able to re-open at that time. Work is continuing to re-connect gas and electricity supplies to affected properties and it is expected that the work will be completed by midday tomorrow.

Deputy Chief Executive, John Bunnett, said: "This has had an excellent response from everyone involved, both inside the council and from our partners at Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Our officers have once again excelled themselves and have been working around the clock to try and return the area to normal as quickly as possible. That's our priority at the moment. We want to see businesses in the area that have been affected able to trade again as soon as the building is made safe and we're doing everything we can to ensure that happens."

Chief Superintendent John Molloy said: "I would like to thank the residents, shop owners and staff and visitors in Cliftonville for their understanding and support over the past few days. It is quite evident just what an extensive fire this was and our first priority has been to ensure everyone's safety, followed by working to get the community's life back to business as usual. The structure is too dangerous at the moment to start our investigations on site. However, we would welcome anyone with any information to contact Margate police station on 01843 231055 or to talk to one of our Cliftonville neighbourhood officers as soon as possible."

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation

CLEAN SWEEP ACROSS THANET

Thanet district Council press release

Operation Clean Sweep has gone back into action this week (Monday 18 May - Friday 22 May), but this time it's targeting properties across the whole of Thanet.

The Thanet District Council led operation, which aims to tackle a range of anti-social issues, usually focuses on specific parts of the area, with previous operations taking place in Margate, Cliftonville, Newington and the Eastcliff and Central Ramsgate areas.

This time however, a different approach is being taken, with the team targeting properties across Thanet that are of interest to the various organisations involved in Clean Sweep.

Operation Clean Sweep involves officers from Thanet District Council, Kent Police, the UK Border Agency, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent County Council and aims to tackle a range of problems. This includes planning and housing issues and checking for suspected illegal immigrants or potential fire hazards.

Street Scene Manager, Bob Spicer, said: "Operation Clean Sweep has achieved some excellent results when we've taken it into specific parts of Thanet, but now we're changing the way it works. We said when we started this series of operations that we would constantly adapt them to ensure that they tackled the problems that matter to residents and that's what we're doing now. The organisations involved in Clean Sweep have properties that they're interested in targeting and they could be anywhere in Thanet. Taking this new approach allows us the chance to perhaps target just one property in a road, a village or a town to see if there are issues that we need to be dealing with."

During the week long operation, there will also be clean-ups at litter hot spots around the area.

RESEARCHING OYSTERS IN THANET

Thanet district Council press release

The first phase of research into Pacific oysters along the Thanet coastline has been completed.

Thanet Coastal Warden Willie McKnight has been working with the Thanet Coast Project and Natural England to map the distribution and density of Pacific oysters.

The Pacific oyster is native to south east Asia and Japan, but was introduced to the UK in the 1960s by the government. Under quarantine, hatchery techniques were developed, followed by cultivation trials. The purpose was to find an alternative species to supplement the shellfish industry, following the decline of the native oyster and the ending of imported American and Portuguese oysters. Commercial hatcheries and cultivation sites now operate around the UK, including one which has been operating at Reculver since 1974. <>

In March 2007, a Shoresearch Event, held by the Kent Wildlife Trust, highlighted the spread of Pacific oysters throughout the European marine sites. This concern was passed on to the Scientific Coastal Advisory Group of the North East Kent European Marine Sites in April 2007, where a commitment was made to investigate further the impacts that the oysters may be having on the designated sites.

In recognition of the importance of this issue, Natural England has commissioned a second phase of the project to look at the monitoring of priority sites around the coast, recruitment and impacts on other animals and habitats within the designated sites. This phase of the project began in February 2009.

Information from these studies will be used to inform the future management of Pacific oysters around the Thanet Coast and within the NEKEMS Management Scheme. The full results will be produced later this year in a Natural England Research Report.

For further information contact the Thanet Coast Project, or view details about the current Management Scheme at http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/

MINI OP CLEANS UP IN CLIFTONVILLE

Thanet district Council press release

A second mini Operation Clean Sweep has been held in a Cliftonville road, which has uncovered a number of housing problems.

The one day operation, held last week (Thursday 14 May) in Harold Road, involved council officers from the Renewal Area team, waste and recycling, housing and community safety, with help from Kent Police, the UK Border Agency and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

During their investigations, the group found some flats which had no heating, others which were overcrowded and some illegal occupation.

Renewal Area Officer, Dave Farmer, said: "Our second mini Clean Sweep proved to be exceptionally useful. As well as uncovering a number of problems that we can now deal with, it also provided all the organisations involved with some good intelligence that they can use in the future. It's something that we intend to continue with, with the next mini Clean Sweep due to take place somewhere in the Cliftonville area in the next few weeks."

HALF TERM ACTIVITIES OUT ON THANET’S COAST

Thanet district Council press release

Cycling, seaweed and rockpool rambles are amongst the great range of bookable coastal activities on offer from the Thanet Coast Project during the May half term.

You can 'cycle to the Vikings' on a gentle cycle ride, suitable for the whole family, that takes place on Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) at 2pm. Lasting two and a half hours, it heads out of Broadstairs harbour and follows the clifftops to visit the Hugin Viking Ship at Pegwell Bay five miles away.

'Smugglers and Serpents' are the topic of Emily Parrish's stories from the sea on Wednesday 27 May at 10am. Meeting outside the Fayreness Hotel, five to 14 year olds can hunt for the smugglers' lost treasure.

There are more opportunities for the whole family to get out and about with the "all ability" rockpool rambles. The first, on Thursday 28 May, at 10.30am, is suitable for five to 11 year olds, while the session on Friday 29 May at 10.30am is suitable to 11 to 18 year olds. Meet at the disability beach hut on Margate Main Sands.

There's a chance to volunteer your help to spruce up Ramsgate's Sea Garden on Saturday 23 May from 10am to 1pm. The following day, you can explore with 'Seaweeds and their secrets' on a guided tour by seaweed expert Ian Tittley from the Natural History Museum at Dumpton Gap on Sunday 24 May at 6.30pm.

Later in the week, the BBC Natural History Unit film "Message in the Waves", that kick-started plastic bag free campaigns, will be screened at the Margate Media Centre at 7pm on Tuesday 26 May. The next day, Wednesday 27 May, at 11am, there's a 'Rock Doc walk' in Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend, a youth surfer taster session with the Joss Bay Surf School and the week finishes with the chance to book a trip out to see the seals. Costing £22.50 per person, the "Wildlife Sailing" open yacht sails out on Saturday 30 May at 9am from Minnis Bay, Birchington.

Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Manager, said: "There's something for everyone coming up over the half term holidays. From seals to seaweed and cycling to smuggling, our events cover a huge range of activities, with many open to the whole family. It's a great way of getting outside and having fun along our beautiful coastline."

All these events are free, except for the seal trips. As places are limited, you need to book online at http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/ or call into a Visitor Information Centre, who can book for you.

MARGATE STARS IN THE APPRENTICE

Thanet district Council press release

Margate has taken a starring role on national TV, with the remaining contestants on the Apprentice last night (Wednesday 13 May) asked to re-brand the town.

Each of the teams on the show took a different approach to the challenge, with one aiming at the family market and the other targeting the gay market.

They spent two days in Margate, tackling Sir Alan's challenge of producing leaflets and posters to promote the town, before unveiling the results to an invited audience, including Margate's mayor and council officers, in Margate's Media Centre.

Chief Executive Richard Samuel said: "Having the Apprentice in Margate has been a great opportunity and it's given Margate primetime national TV coverage that's been seen by millions. The contestants quickly picked up on many of Margate's major selling points, such as our beautiful beach and the outstanding architecture.

"It was also really pleasing to hear all the positive comments that they made about the community here and that they picked up from local people that Margate is changing. That's definitely the case, with plenty of projects underway, including Turner Contemporary and the funding bid in for the Dreamland site and it's encouraging that the contestants got that message strongly from everyone they met."

He added: "They certainly came up with some interesting ideas, although, as a council, we'll be continuing with our regeneration plans for Margate to ensure that it builds on its unique coastal and cultural heritage."

SEA CHANGE BID SUBMITTED

Thanet district Council press release

A funding bid to help create the world’s first amusement park of historic rides in Margate has been submitted to the Sea Change fund.

The ground-breaking project brings together the Margate Renewal Partnership, The Dreamland Trust (Save Dreamland Campaign), site owners the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company and Thanet District Council, who submitted the application. The feasibility work to develop the bid was also supported by Kent County Council, SEEDA, English Heritage and the Arts Council England.

The bid is for phase one of the project, which aims to create a thrilling theme park from the past on the Dreamland site, focusing on preserving, interpreting and giving people the chance to enjoy spectacular historic amusement park rides. Many of these rides, which have been rescued from amusement parks across the UK over the past few years, are now the last surviving examples of their type. Some of the money would be used to help restore them to full working order. The centrepiece of the park will be the Scenic Railway, fully restored and operational. It is the UK’s oldest surviving wooden roller coaster, and fourth oldest in the world and is a grade II listed structure.

If the bid is successful, Phase 1 would also include the initial stages of the restoration of the grade II* listed Dreamland cinema building.

The park will create considerable employment opportunities and the supporting business plan estimates that it will attract around 700,000 visits each year, of which about half would pay to go on one or more rides. Importantly though, the public will be able to enter the park and landscaped gardens free of charge with wristbands being sold for those who want to enjoy the rides.

Chief Executive of Thanet District Council, Richard Samuel, said: “Dreamland is an absolutely key site for Margate and regenerating it is vital for the town’s future. This bid is exceptionally strong, setting out a unique proposal for the site that would help to put Margate back on the map again. If this application is successful, then we will be able to start work on a second major visitor attraction to complement the work already underway on Turner Contemporary. I know everyone involved in this bid, including the Save Dreamland Campaign and the site owners, believes this bid has an excellent chance of success and we look forward to being able to take this unique idea forward.”

Chair of The Dreamland Trust, Nick Laister, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the extent to which residents, businesses and key stakeholders in the area have backed this project, which we believe will create a genuinely compelling new visitor attraction at Dreamland Margate. I think this shared vision comes across in the bid and puts us in a very strong position in what I know is going to be a very competitive process. The Dreamland Trust strongly believes that this is the best way to secure the future of the listed Scenic Railway and Dreamland Cinema and for the distinguished history of the park to be recognised and a successful outcome to this bid will enable this shared vision to be implemented. We look forward to taking a central role in the project’s implementation.”

Peter Beck, Construction Manager at MTCRC, said: "We at MTCRC are fully supportive of the proposals for the amusement park and the cinema complex and would like to take the opportunity to thank the team for the dedication and hard work that has created this unique opportunity. We look forward to continuing our work with the team and assisting, where possible, to secure funding and the implementation of the proposals. This is an important scheme both for Margate and our cultural heritage."

The Sea Change programme aims to place culture at the heart of regenerating England’s seaside resorts by investing in arts, public space, cultural assets and heritage projects. It is run by CABE, the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. A decision on whether the bid has been successful is expected in July.

Ed. Click here for more information.

YOUNG PEOPLE GET NOISY

Thanet district Council press release

Youngsters can be seen and heard later this month (May), as Noise Action Day is celebrated in Broadstairs.

Thanet District Council’s Environmental Protection Team will be in Asda on Wednesday 20 May, between 9.30am and 4pm, getting children to shout into a noise monitor, as loudly as they can. The loudest will then win a slimline MP3 player, which holds up to 500 songs, donated by Asda.

The team will also be handing out information about what people can do if they have a problem with noisy neighbours and will be explaining about the other issues they deal with, including air pollution, high garden hedges and light pollution.

Environmental Protection Manager Penny Button said: “This is fun way to highlight a serious issue. Many people suffer from problems with noise, perhaps from their neighbours or nearby businesses and Noise Action Day aims to draw attention to that and show people where they can go to get help with the problem. But Environmental Health is about much more than just noise.

We deal with many things that affect people’s lives, including air quality, pest infestations and blocked drains.”