Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#1
the front page pictures look fantastic,my only wish is that dover could and should look like that.
well paulb for putting those wonderfull pictures up.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#2
Thanks Brian glad you like them. Pictures were taken on sunday and the flowers are fab just now...dont know how long the current display will last but am glad i saw them and glad i was able to get some pictures to show all the guys here, both members and readers. Twas interesting to draw comparisons between the two towns...but more on that on the frontpage.
Dont really know much about flowers, wouldnt know a peony from a petunia, but recognise a magnificent display when i see one.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
#3
Few more pounds on the Council Tax.,and you can have all the flowers you wish.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
#4
Maybe we could even have new tarmac in the bays in Castle street to go with the newly done road surface...
I heard that the bays are owned by DDC and the road by Kent ... FFS... Half a job!!
Maybe a few less officers who do nothing up at DDC (some of them appear to just enjoy passing phone calls between each other and not help) and we could have flowers too??
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#5
There are three major differences between Dover's and Calais' finances which are relevant.
Firstly, the port of Calais is owned by the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional council and its financial surpluses are invested in the community. Secondly, all businesses operating in France are required to belong to their local chamber of commerce. The NPC chamber is extremely well-funded and spends lots of money on public realm improvements. And thirdly, the French equivalents of council tax and business rates are retained by the local municipality for local spending, and not mostly paid to central government like in the UK.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#6
Thanks Peter thats very interesting indeed. Knew they had a different system over there but never fully understood how it worked. It sounds ideal....like socialism!!? The secret clearly lies in being able to retain the income generated locally.. doesnt seem to be possible here. Perhaps our man PauliW can have a further chat with their man Msr Blet to see if we can get a few tips on it all ...might help despite our hamstrung situation.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
calais certainly looks stunning on the front page, forgetting the floral display i am wondering why cafes, bars, shops and restaurants are doing so well compared to dover.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
#8
Re post 4 Those remarks un warranted .Make an appointment with my PA and i will meet with you .
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
#9
I met the Chairman of the Calais Chamber of Commerce about 12 years ago who told me that the Calais Chamber was the second wealthiest outside of Paris and this was largely due to revenue collected from cross-channel ferry tickets for war damage repairs. Now, why didn't someone think that would be a good idea for Dover?
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#10
I am sure the majority of Dover council tax payers would happily pay an extra £1 or £2 a year to cover the cost of some decent floral displays etc.
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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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Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#11
I've said all along that 10% added to the DDC precept wouldn't cost that much at all but would make so much difference to the town...
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#12
#8 a duel in Kearsney Abbey ?
Audere est facere.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
#13
#3 "Few more pounds on the Council Tax" ??!!
We are always being told to applaud our great and glorious leaders who manage to 'maintain services' whilst not increasing Council Tax.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
#14
Yes as PaulB's Fab Frontpage Pix show the flowers at Calais Hotel de Ville were out in all their glory, and with the sun shining on the gold on the top of the newly renovated clock tower,it all looked very splendid indeed.
Calais certianly seems to be spending money on their town that was in full evidence, no sign of people cutting back everyone was out taking in the sunshine.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
#15
Yes indeed, the Calais flowers are wonderful! I was gobsmacked to see them especially as Dover seem to have so little in bloom this year although I know we have all been told why this is
Peter, very interesting information there re the Calais financial system, keeping a decent sum of money locally is obviously a key factor.
A great front page, Calais never fails to impress me
Personally, I think we pay a fair amount of council tax here to justify filling Dover with flowers
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#16
jan;
let me ask again;
so if labour was in control of DDC and the govt
how would they do things differently??
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#17
kieth,they would plant more flowers than this preasant lot.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#18
and brian, as your the labour spokesperson?
how would they pay for it?
what would they cut to have flowers?
would they increase an already high council tax to pay for the flowers?
wonder what jans view is
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#19
kieth,work it out your self.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#20
Thought DDC's council tax was too LOW in comparison with other, a situation that only accumulates over the years to a worsening situation as they can never catch up with the council tax caps.
Been nice knowing you :)