Guest 688- Registered: 16 Jul 2009
- Posts: 268
I saw an article of interest today in 'Lloyds' list dated,i think, 24/3/10.It stated how the ferry operators running out of Dover are up in arms over Bob Goldfield trying to 'sweeten' the sale of the Port with the local community by promising a post sale settlement dividend.The article goes on to say it is beyond his remit to do this and that he should be giving the most priority to the operators and not using their hard earned 'gain' trying to buy off local interests.Could someone please inform me why this development was not more fully reported in the local press.Can i be assured that our highly esteemed local newspapers are still as frank,fearless and free over this ongoing issue.
John, one word answer mate, "NO".
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I thought that the "post sale settlement dividend" - the Community Chest Trust for Dover, was the decision of the receivers of the money from the sale of the business - ie the Government.
10% of the sale receipts is wanted for Dover; this is what DDC are asking for, so if it's sold for £400 or £500 million or even the billion that Vic spoke of, that's a tidy sum for our Town.
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
But Roger they don't have to give the town a penny,that was said when BG came to full council.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
That is true John and they will not,it is like you buying a new car and the sales person saying "You can only buy the car if you pay your local council £500, you would turn round and tell him what to do with the car,and the same must be said about the port+as I said the cost of the port should be well over the billion mark its like saleing a Rolls for a Skoda like I have got,so please tell me why they would do that?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
How can you say that is true Vic, you weren't at the Full Council presentation.
I don't recall Bob Goldfield saying that at all John.
My understanding is that the decision will be made by the Government of the day. PaulW will know if their is a Conservative pledge - that will guarantee Charlie's election wouldn't it ?
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
When questioned about how much the new company would put into the Town,Gordon Cowan asked would it be 10% 1% or could it be nothing,Bob Goldfield said he could not say but it could be nothing,It was just before he told us he was a merchant banker in a previous life,and we all know about merchant bankers.
Roger you must stay awake at Council meetings,perhaps if you changed sides we would work you a bit better rather than sitting there listning to Watty going on,perhaps we might even find you and Sue a job on the Shadow Cabinet
Remember we opposed giving £25,000 to hire consultants to find the best if DHB went private,we wanted the £25,000 to oppose the privatation.We lost you won,remember you wanted the money to find the advantages of privatisaion,we were opposed to it.So once again the Leadership at DDC is at loggerheads with Charlie who is against the port sale.Is this the same leadership who wanted to flog off the Harbour just before the last election,have they changed thier minds,doesn't look like it.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i thought that it was common knowledge that wild bobby gold had made the statement about funding from a future buyer?
john
you know charlie from his commuting, he is his own man, i think he is trying to drag the blues into the 21st century.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Dover District Council are objecting to the privatisation on a number of grounds:
Security for staff - on working practices, pensions and job numbers.
Community Trust for Dover - where 10% of the sale realisation price is for Dover
Shares for the workforce and the local community.
It is true that £25,000 has been put aside to determine if all the above can be secured and if they can be, that will be money well spent.
It's only the business that's proposed to be privatised, not the White Cliffs of Dover. Nor will there be any chance of bringing Sangatte to Dover - a couple of scare-stories put around in the beginning.
Roger
Guest 688- Registered: 16 Jul 2009
- Posts: 268
Can i inquire why Dover District Council did not raise as many objections when 300 Dover Harbour Board employees were out sourced 15 months ago. They lost any job security and ongoing pension rights,also it was widely believed at the time that the jobs were shed to facilitate a larger share options for those, that in the end will be left.This, in my humble consideration, was the opening salvo in the sale of the Port.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
john,i think you will find that the dhb have a large black hole in there pension fund as admitted to at the last consultation meeting at the town hall.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
John I was down there with most of the Labour Councillors adding our support and with Gwyn of course,he spoke,Roger can you guarentee DHB will put in 10%
I will make a bet if it is 10% I will pay £100 to charity for being wrong,
if DHB or the new company put in 1% I will do the same
If they put in nothing nothing to the Town,then I will have a go at them.My money is safe.
Yes Brian they do have a large black hole in their pension,and when or if it is sold hen we will see the directors pocket ££££££££,the people of Dover will see nothing.That why it will not happen and Gwyn will make sure.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
I bet Gwyn has very little to say about the Dartford Crossing sell-off though. Not in his backyard but a Labour Government selling off national assets?
However, I suspect the principle is the same, nil revenues to the people of Kent and all sale monies to the Exchequer to pay off debts.
At least we now know why Labour betrayed the Crossing users by refusing to remove toll charges when they were supposed to. It may be called "fattening the sacrificial lamb", but I'd call it double standards.
I have no objection to the Dartford Crossing or DHB being sold off, but I do object to the weasel words of socialist politicos who rant about Mrs T doing the very thing they are about to do. That stinks.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Selling off family silver in any shape or form by any government is unacceptable.End of or period as my kids would say.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i remember old harold macmillan saying the same thing at a blues conference years ago, he was never heard of again.
it is far too easy for the people in charge to cover up their mistakes by recouping money this way.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
This John Heron geezer is a bit of a wind up merchant me thinks.
Poses some very inquisitive questions and then disappears.
Cat amongst the pigeons so to speak.
Any one would think he was at University studying summink.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
SCARE STORIES
QUOTE FROM ROGER: It's only the business that's proposed to be privatised, not the White Cliffs of Dover. Nor will there be any chance of bringing Sangatte to Dover - a couple of scare-stories put around in the beginning. UNQUOTE
These were a couple of good scare stories that appeared again recently in the redtops when the latest privatisation proposals surfaced.
The White Cliffs of Dover are not for sale. Whoever buys the port will just get all the DHB land which is most of Dover seafront and various other bits but not the White Cliffs except inside the docks where there are great caverns running back into the base of the cliffs. These were originally hollowed out in WW1 for storing ammunition, fuel, etc, for the Royal Navy. Therefore the purchaser will only get the base of the White Cliffs, the green bit on top will still belong to the National Trust.
The French have said that they are not interested in purchasing the Port of Dover at the present time. The port of Calais is owned by the regional council, it goes without saying that the French would never consider selling their own ports to foreign buyers. I would have thought that purchasing the Port of Dover would be a lucrative opportunity for them similar to the French buyouts of our water suppliers, nuclear industry, etc, but it is up to them. Bob Goldfield has stated repeatedly that "finance is global" and it appears more than likely that the port will go to a consortia of foreign infrastructure funds, as happened with Associated British Ports.
http://www.abports.co.uk/geninfo/admiral.htmGuest 688- Registered: 16 Jul 2009
- Posts: 268
How are you young Ian,we will have to get together for that much vaunted 'chat'.However, this time i hope i will not be left in the same state as in the other previous adventures.
John, be careful, Ian will lead you up the garden path, and in his house that means into the river!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Must say that I was quite impressed with the talk at the Dover Society last night... to me Bob Goldfield seemed extremely keen for any level of privatisation to work for the town.
He says that DHB are already working with the DDC lawyers in order to build the Trust and will involve DTC, Dover Society and other stakeholders at the right time. Also he mentioned wanting to work with Dover Society with regards the multitude of artwork etc that they hold
I think the points were also well made with regards why DHB currently have their hands tied with regards the government, borrowing, and being able benefit the town.
Been nice knowing you :)