Did anyone see the programme Secret Millionaire? iIt was filmed in Peterbough .Showed very run down Estates .There are far worse areas than Dover Yesteray .I looked up at the Bingo Hall building in Biggin Street also Marks and Spencer ,the Odd Fellowes Hall in Pencester all well looked after .neglected ones in Kings Street Absent Landlords who are hard to trace and if found rarely respond .
From little acorns apples grow .I think that is correct .Stealth slowly but. surely we will get there.When I was first elected to the Council all those years ago Those wise words were quoted to me .
The postings above are from Sue Nicholas
It prompted some interesting replies....
This is a subject close to all of our hearts...so I have singled it out....
It would be interesting to know why it is taking so long, and why our Officers/Councillor seem to have so much difficulty when other Towns do not...
Not the negative moans......but why all of this is proving so difficult, and why they are so skilled at just leaving excellent buildings, in prime locations to rot.......and not put to use....
It is taking a long time to put the saplings in place, let alone the trees to grow....
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Just a few words on this subject .DDC s staffing levels have been cut over the past few years .Budgets are tight very tight .Im well aware of the work load of the officers who deal with neglected buildings .Whether you believe it or not money is tight.Sad but true .If you want your town to look better a little bit of self help is needed .
A lot of the buildings under discussion are owned by London developers The building in King street it took months to find the owner.
Meanwhile contact your local councillor .
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Thank you Tom
Sue have the ammount of councillors been cut ?
Meanwhile contact your local councillor .
Politely, I ask...to do what? We, as a town, do not do very well, when there is money.........
The gap where The Crypt was has been like it for 30 years
, next door where Rowley's Club was, more or less the same.....
Where the comment self-help is required, what do you wish us to do....
?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a lot of times the councillors are as ineffective as us, if they are not kept up to speed on major issues.
sarah
no the numbers are unchanged.
Thanks Howard I somewhat suspected tbat would be the case .
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Community involvement would be a good start, there are already a lot of people that do voluntary work in the town and there could be a lot more.
Without beating on about it, a large proportion of the active volunteers for the Western Heights Preservation Society come from outside Dover, and put a huge amount of effort in. Some more involvement from people in the town would be nice...
Been nice knowing you :)
You are right of course, but volunteers cannot serve orders on the rogue property owners and developers who neglect their builidngs and contribute to the air of decay; volunteers cannot attract investment into what is, in fact, one of the most historic towns in the UK and one with some beautiful and majestic buildings, and also steeped in history; volunteers cannot ensure that Dover is represented in tourist magazines, brochures and the multitude of other outlets that would support spending in the town.
But having said that - you are, of course, right.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the major problem with getting volunteers for working parties like the western heights and white cliffs projects is that people under the age of 45 are required as they are still physically up to the tasks.
the same people are unfortunately doing ever more hours at work and usually tend to have mortgages and families to fill their time.
i realise there must be people a lot older doing the work but there can never be enough.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Yes Sarah we do have less councillors 56 when I started in 1987 .In 2003 it was reduced to 45 . River ward now covers Alkham .Each councillor represents 2,000 people
We also have taken a pay cut .Most of our work has to be done on a computer .Less paper agendas
Its not nine to five
On my way back from the musuem shop today i noticed the flower beds in the church yard are looking spendid .
Thanks for the info Sue. I didn't realise that councillors got paid. I thought it was expenses only.
aha..........
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Sarah if you look at DDC website on the Cllrs page it shows the allowances,they are a matter for public record.When I first started as a Cllr I worked out I was working for about £1 to £2 an hour.Things have settled in the last 4 and a half years,but I guess most Cllrs work for about £3- £5 an hour depending on your workload.Now I am a back bencher(although I sit on the front benches) your time is not so demanding,just on average 2 meetings a week,plus my Town Council work which usually is more as we are much smaller and closer to the Public pays £9 a week and can take any thing from 2-3 hours one week to 10-12 hours another.
Cllrs certainly dont do it for the money,but take this Saturday,I am at the Light switch-on with the Reindeer keeping an eye on Father Christmas,I am working 07.40 to 15.40 on my own there is normally 2 of us,but work wanted me to work 12 hours 07.40 to 15.40,but I turned it down to help the Switch on and so lost money at work,so my £9 a week on the Town Council is actually costing me money.
I know some people are shocked that we get paid,and some people are horrified,and dont get me wrong the money helps,but for some it is the only money apart from pension or other benefits they get.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Yes as John has stated all on the DDC website ,Its not just the meetings its the Community work as well .Phone calls at any time of the day plus weekends .
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Sue as Chairman has a much busier job and gets more obviously,but again some weeks she would be working for very little as she is very busy not only chairing the Full Council but as she says the Community work.
By the way Sue I will bring your tickets for the show on Wednesday along with some flyers for the show.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
I wonder if anyone could list....the Councillors etc...who are actually responsible for the Town of Dover..and make the decisions............please...
I wonder if anyone watched the programme on Wednesday night....
How they spend your Money?
It is a good look at Councils etc....and I think Dover and all of it's Councils and Councillors could be up for this programme and perusal thereof.......you can nominate Councils that need to be looked into........
It seems if you point out the destitution of the Town....and Bern see's it and so do I and many others....
The lessor Councillors come back as to how little they are paid, and how much they do..............the Cabinet and the big boys and girls say nothing.....
It is such a huge puzzle and maze as to why other Towns push ahead over the years, and nothing happens here............
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Charlie if you look on DDC website it give you a map and tells you who your Cllrs are,I may be a 'lesser' Councillor but I work hard but like most of the Cllrs try our hardest to work for this Town.
On the Town Council we are about to publish our ambition plan,on how we can influence,partipate and deliver some of the things this Town needs,but we cant do it on our own,we need everyone to work to it,not just the Cllrs but DDC the Police,The Community Wardens but most importanly the People,for eg one thing that I highlighted the other day about cycling in the Town Centre,we can say we want to stop it,but we need other agencies to support this idea eg,Police,Civil Enforcement Officers ,PCSO's, Commuinty Wardens and Joe from the Public.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
How about some simple volunteering and people caring for the pavement outside their houses, or tending to a flower bed?
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I was talking to the New Town Centre Seargent and she is looking to have a Major clear up in Pencester Paul,because it is awful,yet with a tidy up to show people we care and some of the ideas she has we could make it better.Already Michelle Shepherd and Jennie from The Bridal shop who we bumped into have given it some thought,and together we could do it,yes I know it belongs to DDC but if they cant tidy it up because either they have no money or the Contractors cant do it,WE CAN!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!