Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
#1
Fair amount in the local press today about everyone wanting DHB to stay the way it is. My own view is that if privatisation means getting rid of Bob (Dover's traffic problems are nothing to do with me) Goldfield then so be it.
Perhaps Richard Branson will buy it and all the travellers arriving at Dover will be greeted with a huge V sign.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
#2
Or any other country will buy it , as we seem hell bent on giving away our assets to foreigners and welcoming them to take us over economically and in person.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#3
I havent seen the papers today yet so there may be something new in there, but the only two bodies interested in buying it as mentioned recently by the BBC were Dubai Holdings and The Port of Calais. Are we really sure we would prefer those?
Yes it should be of concern to the average citizen that so much of our traditional companies are becoming either europeanised or indeed americanised. One thinks of Cadburys for example or various utility companies. There is something painful about our assets of tradition moving into foreign hands. Globalisation at work I guess with profit being the only motivation...we have seen it also with Manchester Utd. Global owners who show no real interest in local people, local life, just own the asset for profitability.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#4
As I have said before PaulB, there are several models of privatisation that could be followed and it need not involve a sale in part or in whole to either Calais or Dubai Holdings, or indeed to any single purchase (or group of purchasers). Only those wanting a quick 'fire' sale would consider such an option. We need a privatisation model that would work for Dover but we wont get it out of the present Government who seem determined to take the quick and easy route instead.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#5
BarryW.
Why privatize at all? DHB has always turned a profit and should have benefited Dover much more over the years than it has. If run properly, in its present form, all would benefit. Privatizing would just allow profits to be directed elsewhere.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#6
Gary you can not trust what any of the main partys are saying at this time about the sell off,of the port of Dover.They are just trying to get back votes.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#7
Gary - you are right the present system has not beneffitted Dover, apart from the jobs but they would not just disappear under another system. They are limited by the Charter in what they can and will do for Dover also their borrowing is now being restricted by being included in the PSBR. Privatisation will free them from all that and can reap a dividend for Dover, we just need the RIGHT privatisation approach.
#8
Well, I absolutely disagree with privatisation of DHB. It seems to me from the bottom of the hill, that a re-writing of the Charter may be all that is needed to allow them to raise the required finance for the planned expansion, and get some firm clarification on "for the benefit of the port of Dover" statement, which appears to be the get out clause for doing much more for the local community.
Finally, for those who like to bash DHB, there are a good number of local voluntary groups who benefit from their patronage, and DHB should be applauded for what they do in that regard.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#9
Sid,
I totally agree with you, rules of the charter are similar to council dept budgets, which waste money year after year for fear of losing their budgets next year, if they are not used this year.
It seems everyone agrees this is stupid but no one has the nuts(intelegance) to change it. Personally I don't think DHB ever intended for T2 to actually materialize, I think it was just another money waster.
BarryW,
If Dover is missing out because of the Charter, then campaign to make the Charter work for Dover
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#10
Mr Perkins and Gary.I agree with what both of you are saying and I look forward to more views from you both of the sell off.
Thank you.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
#11
BarryW said: "Privatisation will free them from all that and can reap a dividend for Dover, we just need the RIGHT privatisation approach."
Hear hear, Barry.
Andy
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#12
Andrew I can not see anyway that Privatisation will reap any dividend for Dover, They are not going to buy it and then hand over funding to Dover.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
#13
Andrew,
Plenty of people will reap benefits from privatizing the Port of Dover but it wont be the general public.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#14
Much as I am generally diametrically opposed to Barry W I do agree with him that there are many models for the privatisation of DHB.
Any sale does not need to be to a single buyer, in fact it could be structured as an IPO type sale with various pension funds, investment trusts/funds etc. buying a tranche of shares. Further the sale could quite easily be structured to either provide some form of charitable trust for the town of Dover with a percentage of the proceeds and or ring fence a percentage of the shares for local residents/workforce etc.
Whilst my preference is that the DHB stays in public hands with the charter being amended to allow both greater involvement by the town and contribution from port to town as well as enabling borrowing that does not count towards the PSBR; we should not rule out the possibility of a sale if the structure is correct for the town and workforce.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi