Dover News - March 2009

Dover District Council has confirmed Council Tax for the district at its meeting last night (5 March). The average total bill for a Band D property in the district is going up by 3%.

Two men from Liverpool have pleaded not guilty at Folkestone Magistrate court today after officers from the UK Border agency (UKBA) seized 100 kilos of amphetamine worth an estimated £1 million at Dover Eastern Docks.

Dover District Council's work to support equalities for residents and staff has been recognised by the national Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), which has improved the Council's equality standards rating following a recent inspection.

An opportunity to explore buried treasures, to uncover the stories behind your own finds, and enjoy a fun day out for all the family can be discovered at Dover Museum on Saturday 21 March - with the Archaeological Finds Day and Hands On History Event.

Dover Museum is one of the first organisations in Kent to be awarded the new Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. The Quality Badge is a brand new scheme, combining for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing quality educational visits.

A series of roadshows has been launched to provide direct help in the current economic climate in the heart of our communities, organized by Dover District Council's new Health and Well-being Team, working closely with a range of partner organizations.

A new exhibition is raising a glass to the Pubs of Old Dover - as Dover Museum opens its latest Stairwell Exhibition, featuring a range of photographs and items relating to the pubs and hotels of the town.

Following extensive consultation, Dover District Council is now able to confirm that Shepway's Lifeline service will be the successful alternative provider for its Careline customers. All customers have been informed of the change to the service.

An exciting new multi-media tourism campaign for White Cliffs Country 2009 was launched at the Secret Gardens of Sandwich on Thursday (26 March).

Dover District Council and Vista Leisure have been working in partnership to roll out the Government's free swimming initiative to those aged 60 and over - and are pleased to announce that the two year scheme is launched on Wednesday 1 April at Dover Leisure Centre.

Local residents are invited to come along and have their say at two Neighbourhood Forum meetings - with Keeping Your Village Alive the subject at Dover West on 2 April, and sports facilities and sport for young people discussed at Dover Town on 7 April.

A special skate event is taking off at the leading edge Pencester Skate Park in Dover on Wednesday 8 April, from 12 noon to 4pm, with free taster sessions and a range of prizes to be won.

Dover District Council is supporting the work of the Dover District Volunteering Centre to raise awareness of new law to protect vulnerable adults and children, and how it applies to voluntary and community groups.