Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
All council tax payers contribute towards DTC coffers via the precept levied by the town council each year. Businesses pay non-domestic rates (a central government tax on being in business) of which a portion flows back to DDC. As far as I know there is no direct link via the rates whereby businesses contribute to town funds. Whether individual businesses contribute directly towards the lights, you would have to ask the town council. It will be a matter of public record.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Can any town councillors give an answer on here?
It would seem there's an opportunity for the town and the businesses to do a deal that will benefit each other. It may be that it has been done, or thought of, before but it would be interesting to know.
Well here goes into my usual negative comments
It has to be realised, particularly from seasoned professional volunteer councellors.............something I did not realise after reading post..67..
that a Town Councellor is a volunteering job....Many of us do not realise or understand the workings of Town Councils etc.....that JHG is being run ragged by his various volunteering roles.....however, remember no-one forces you to be a volunteer.....Also, it is very wearing to keep hearing, I have done this or that......it is a constant mantra.....
The Town Council should reflect it's Town, and I will repeat my thoughts again...it is served poorly.....
re...the Christmas Lights......someone who cannot be named bought indoor lights
.....poor connections and the contractor has gone bankcrupt......
.......Did no-one check the progress of this..or where the money was going? were no records kept
Yet no-one checked what was going on......and thousands of pounds of public money has gone up with a spark..........
But no-one knows
no-one checked.....and now there is the situation that the townspeople will suffer.......Why?
Whenever questions or suggestions from Joe Public occurs.....defensive replies come into the equation....like you do it then....or sarcasm as I see it.....
I just feel we deserve something better, or perhaps we are such awful townspeople, with such a downtrodden town we are getting what they ( the Town Council) feels we deserve......
That is what I feel.....It would just be nice to be surprised..like a Christmas Market/Something special to give the Town a boost for the good, but that is maybe too much to hope for.........Silly me.....
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
Tell you what Charlie - why dont you stand for DTC at the next election?
Or put yourself forward as the organiser of an idea etc
The Town Council is essentially a Parish Council,
the people who should be doing more for the town are the District Council
"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
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
The Town Council do not get anything from Business Rates,but the Town Council works closely with the Business,one of the Office staff has visited every Shop in the Town to get them involved with the Christmas Switch on,and as I understand it has got posivive results but it is always difficult with National Chains but better with local shops.But look at the Town Centre how many local businesses do you see?
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Charlie actually we can claim an allowance as Town Councillors it has just gone up to £2.50.........a week after tax I believe. Some claim it some don't.I do because I sometimes have to turn down paid work to attend meetings eg if offered overtime.
If I am actually at work on my roster I do not get time off to go to Council meetings.Howard slight exaggeration I work 62 hours a week on nights,plus overtime if available.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
I will attempt not to get into arguments with charlie as he holds a viewpoint(which i don't share)
It's fair to say john has answered much of charlies questions/observations as did my pal peter !!!!!!
Dover town council does have a budget for the year and each year if anyone is unhappy, or has concerns or has a view they are able to speak direct to the mayor and town cllrs, every year these are not attended by members of the public, which would be one way to air your views with the town council.
if we are to just single out just one town cllr i think that a little unfair as there are 18 town cllrs many who work hard through frustrating times.
charlie, the alliance town cllr was named but thats no longer important it's more now about rebuilding the xmas lights, something the town council appears to be doing.
Although the town council can play a small part in making Dover a better place, the District and county councils are the ones that are far more able to change things. plus of course the goverment itself.
as ross says charlie im sure the town council would welcome your imput to make dover a better place, and of course you could go that one step further putting yourself up for office as you appear to state you have the answers and im sure the town council would be enriched by your beig a town councillor.
of course, before you can do that you have to convince the local population that they should elect you, some find this bit a little difficult.
we can all easily charlie sit on the sidelines and run down different bodies without to much effort, but its far better to get in there and actually do some positive stuff to make a difference.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i thought that the town councillors allowance was £.400. per annum
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Is anyone able to answer the question as to whether sponsorship for the Christmas Lights has been sought and, if it has, what the response was?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Yes Sorry Howard it was a long day yesterday,I should have said £10 a week before Tax!
Mark Dover Town Council has recieved a bequest of £10,000 and works with businesses in the Town for the switch on.This is not just about money,it is a time factor as well.The specialist putting up lights are booked months in advance,the earlier the work is done the cheaper it is.All ready some town's up Norf have thier lights up and people have complainted but it is prudent thinking (I sound like Gordon Brown) because it is cheaper.
The money needed would not come from the small indepentant shop keepers as it is too big,the National companies would not be intrested as they would end up sponsoring lights in every Town.Take as an example Boots lets say they gave Dover £500 for lights then every Town where there is a Boots would expect the same for thier Town.
Already Ross on here has spoken to me about London Road traders doing something for next year and when we get the lights on the Agenda after Christmas for next year we will discuss his ideas.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Thanks, John.
I appreciate that all businesses are under the financial cosh at the moment, especially the smaller ones. I am more interested in whether any of the ferry companies or DHB have been approached. They have done well out of the town for many years and, though I know they give in many small ways, the Christmas Lights would seem to be an excellent opportunity for them to show themselves as real supporters of the town. It may be that they have been approached but I can't seem to find that out.
I feel the Councellors are very clever at making personal attacks on people, who ask awkward question..............
The oldest ploy in the world................This is why Dover is in the state it is....
Personal vendettas to cloud big mistakes......
Very sad, but obvious.....even on a tolerant forum.....I just asked a few questions...................now you have me beaten as a propective Town Councellor...................
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I have found that councillors are very good at NOT making personal attacks on the public who might vote for them at the next election. They only attack fellow council members who are of a different political persuasion.
Charlie, as you feel that the council are so poor I believe you should stand then you can do your best to change things hopefully for the better.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Jan Higgins.....Many thanks for your vote of confidence......
However, if Joe Public stood for the public officers he expect more from....it would defeat the object....
What I am actually trying to say.....is the Christmas Lights issue is being handled badly.....if there is disagreement on my opinion....so be it...however the town suffers..............as always
I just think The Town Council should be a bit more inventive and on the ball in this day and age...
It is not blind criticism, because life is tough....but then, it always has been....
Let's hope the lights shine brightly this year......
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I have never attacked another Cllr,as I admire all those who have the bottle to stand,take Stewart he stood against me in Tower Hamlets many moons a go,and he will tell you if anything we are good friends now! But politically we do normally agree on most things,once he learns where he went wrong he will be ok.lol
If Joe Public like me Charlie didnt stand then there would be no Councils and very little would get done,I stood to make a difference,and that is for everyone else to decide every 4 years at election,as Tower Hamlets (my ward) had the biggest swing to Labour in an already Labour seat it appears that most of the people are prepared to back me.
I am working on 2 projects outside of my 'proper job' and Council work at the moment,the reason is because I can,I am determined to bring these 2 projects to a succesful conclusion even though 1 of them is not until 2016,tomorrow I am having meetings to bring a Major event to Dover,we have competition from Dorset for this and we will be putting in our bid in the next 2 months.The bid at this stage doesnt mean money but having the structure in place.
We already have support from Dover and Deal Town Council and KCC and are working on the infastructure now.
The other thing is the Show on January 22nd A Celebration of the sea which will be raising money for the RNLI and Dover Regatta.The previous shows that have been put on were sell outs,the last Dover's Got Young Talent was probably the best show of its kind in Dover.
Christmas lights are important but as I have said there is very little that can be added on this subject,we will have lights and we are as disappointed as everyone else that they will not be as extensive as we had hoped,but next year we promise they will be a lot better.
By the way tomorrow is my day off from my proper job,and the work I am doing is not Council work it is my Joe Public work,as I said I do it because I can.Not only am I on the ball,I have tucked it into the net and waiting to start again.Until you know how hard some Cllrs work for this town you will notice I said some not a political party,then fine try doing what I do day in and day out for this town,as I said in 3.5 years I will not be standing so if you think you could run the Council as 1 cllr then feel free to stand,if you want in Tower Hamlets.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i dunno john, a lot more effort is needed from you if you want to get voted in next time.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Not standing Howard leaving it to you youngsters!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Jan Tranters post #55 actually is wrong,as I was not at the extraordinary meeting I wanted to check my understanding was right I spoke to Stewart and Chris P tonight.
The lights will not just go from Pencester to the Market Sq,but from Ladywell to the Market Sq,which is better,and yes we know it is not as big as last year but as I said that there will be lights and next year we will have time to sort then out!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Thanks for all the hard work JHG
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
hardly a panic situation then, ladywell to market square seems pefectly adequate to me.
will there be the usual street entertainment this year john?