district life 38 final.qxp - Canterbury City Council

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4 Leader’s column Council Leader Cllr John Gilbey gives the latest news on the council’s budget and urges people to get involved in the Local Development Framework process. In recent editions of District Life, I have explained some of the proposals my administration has put forward to help the council save £3 million over two years. Faced with an unprecedented financial situation, this has undoubtedly been the hardest budget this council has ever had to set. By the time you read this, the full council will have met to finalise the budget and set the level of council tax you will pay over the next year, and I expect you will have seen a lot of coverage in the local press of what happened at that meeting. We had an incredible response to the public consultation on the proposals, with more than 1,200 people filling in the questionnaire or submitting individual comments, a number of petitions and even Facebook campaigns. As I write, ahead of the budget meeting, most of my administration’s proposals will be recommended to the full council meeting. Our priority is to remain financially strong in the current climate, and the medium term financial position is so difficult that we have been left with very little room for manoeuvre. Our aim is to keep council tax rises to a minimum and protect frontline services where possible, and this is why we looked for the savings to come mainly from discretionary services that we can choose to provide. We are also continuing to look at longer term approaches to delivering services more efficiently, including working jointly with neighbouring councils to achieve savings. You may also have seen stories in the local papers over the last few weeks about the council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) – the planning blueprint for how Canterbury district will develop up to 2026. The LDF guides the planning and development of our towns, villages and countryside, and ensures that we have affordable housing and access to other facilities and employment opportunities. The process also takes into account other plans covering health, education and the environment that all have a role to play in shaping where we live. An important part of the LDF is making sure that everyone has an opportunity to get involved and have their say. Public consultation continues until Friday 12 March and I would urge everyone to visit the website at www.canterbury.gov.uk/ldf and see what we are proposing for the district over the next 16 years. Global fame for Roman pots Mysterious Roman pots dredged from the seabed off Whitstable and Herne Bay by local fishermen, and on display in Whitstable Museum, have been chosen for a prestigious national project that tells the story of the world through museum objects. The ‘History of the The pottery (Samian ware) was imported from Roman Gaul. The shiny red pottery dishes, many complete and in an excellent state of preservation, were recovered from the seabed by local fishermen and became prized items in their homes. In Whitstable, they were used to World’ project – an make a special kind exciting collaboration of pudding – so the between the BBC, the pots and the place British Museum and where they were more than 350 found offshore museums across the were given the country – will run name Pudding Pan. throughout 2010. To see the pots It is receiving high on display, pop profile coverage on into Whitstable national and regional Museum in Oxford BBC television and Street – open radio. between 10am and Canterbury City Council’s museums 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Admission is service is leading the project in Kent and free. has been co-ordinating the county’s In addition to the exhibition at contribution in partnership with BBC Whitstable Museum, there will also be a South East. small display of Samian ware and The pots are from at least two Roman information on the project at Herne Bay cargo ships that were either wrecked or Museum, the Roman Museum and the the cargoes jettisoned at sea in a storm. Museum of Canterbury. Housing grant leads to new council homes The city council has successfully bid for £779,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency for a Social Housing Grant to build 13 new council homes. Last month’s announcement means, subject to planning permission, Canterbury district will get new council properties for the first time in around 10 years. The remainder of the construction cost – £1,458,349 – will be met by borrowing, which will be repaid over time from rental income. The grant has been awarded for two sites: five large family houses in St Andrew’s Close, Whitstable, and eight two-bedroom flats for older people in Warwick Road, Canterbury. These properties will make a significant contribution to meeting identified housing need in the district and achieving the council’s strategic objectives. Strategic Policy Manager Gary Peskett said: “This is a great opportunity to provide some desperately needed affordable housing for local people. We put together a strong bid and are delighted we have been chosen as one of the councils to receive this grant. Without it, the schemes would not be able to go ahead.” This is the first time local authorities have been given the opportunity to bid for a Social Housing Grant from the Homes and Communities Agency. In what is a high profile national initiative, the bidding process attracted stiff competition, and there were successful bids from 72 other local authorities, including three more in Kent.
Fancy a nice day at the beach hut? Sun, sea and guaranteed relaxation are on offer to anyone who rents a beach hut at Whitstable Harbour. There is currently a front row and a rear row hut available to rent with a minimum rental period of a year. The rate for a front row hut is £1,766 and a rear row hut £1,237. The ‘staycation’ has become more and more popular in the current financial climate, and a beach hut is an ideal way of getting good all-yearround value for money. Anyone interested in renting a beach hut at Whitstable Harbour should call Margaret Simpson on 01227 862 087 or email property.services@ canterbury.gov.uk. Important changes to free bus pass eligibility From 6 April 2010, the age that residents can receive a free bus pass is to change. The age of eligibility for the concessionary bus pass for both men and women will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This change is in line with the new state pension age that is being introduced over the next few years. Currently, both men and women become eligible for a free bus pass on their 60th birthday. The new plans mean that by April 2020 the age of eligibility will have increased to 65. The age of eligibility will rise by two months every one month. This means the earliest date you can get your free bus pass will depend on which month and which year you were born. Anyone born on or after 6 April 1955 will have to wait until they are 65 to claim their free bus pass. Please see the table for an example. Period within which date of birth falls Day eligible for concessionary bus pass Before and including 5 April 1950 Date of 60th birthday 6 April 1950 to 5 May 1950 6 May 2010 6 May 1950 to 5 June 1950 6 July 2010 6 June 1950 to 5 July 1950 6 September 2010 6 July 1950 to 5 August 1950 6 November 2010 6 August 1950 to 5 September 1950 6 January 2011 ……and so on The changes to the age of eligibility will not affect anyone who has turned 60 on or before 5 April 2010. For more information and to view the full table, please visit www.canterbury.gov.uk/buspasses or call the council’s contact centre on 01227 862 343. Policy sets out environmental commitment Canterbury City Council has now approved and published its Environment Policy and copies are available. The extensive policy covers a wide range of topics, including recycling, waste reduction, tackling pollution, sustainable transport, reducing travel, saving energy, reducing carbon emissions and adapting to the changing climate. Other aims include improving public open space, safeguarding the quality of the natural and built environment, improving biodiversity and using local suppliers wherever possible. Director of Environment David Reed said: “The council is already doing a lot to address environmental issues, and we also have to meet a number of targets set by the government. The approved policy draws these together and sets out our commitment to put the environment at the centre of everything we do.” Copies can be requested by emailing david.reed@canterbury.gov.uk or calling 01227 862 468. Alternatively, read it online at www.canterbury.gov.uk/environmentpolicy. Dinner tickets now on sale This year’s Lord Mayor’s Dinner in aid of the Lady Mayoress’ Charity takes place on Saturday 17 April, and tickets are available now. The event, which starts with a reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm, is at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Augustine House. Tickets cost £45 to include half a bottle of wine. Tables accommodate up to 12 guests. For more details or to request a booking form, contact the Lord Mayor’s office on 01227 862 080. 5
Page 1: Issue 38 Spring 2010 This is a tria
Page 7: Put a spring in your step! Canterbu
Page 10 and 11: Webcam images reveal Marlowe progre
Page 13: Turn your garden into a wildlife ha
Page 17: the fight and relay accurate inform
Page 21: into new youth night The first excl
Page 24: Chance to comment on Canterbury con
Page 31: Christmas safety campaign Snow was

district life 38 final.qxp - Canterbury City Council

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