howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Up until now Charlie has always been in favour of effective community representation on the Harbour Board. According to this report the Labour councillors are pressing for acceptance of the Harbour revision order which the mayors says that it would just mean two community representatives with no powers whatsoever. I cannot see anywhere what the other councillors think other than one odd ball co-opted 8 months ago who wants the HRO to go ahead then disband the council.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/mps-warning-over-port-row-91117/Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#2
I would go with cllr Burke and disband the town council, they've consistently shown disregard for the town and its citizens.
Arte et Marte
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#3
A sage it is .Im completely confused as to what the arguements are.Its a delaying tactic.A public meeting unless handled well will only allow those with an axe to grind speak.I suspect a division in the ranks.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
Just seems like a cheap publicity stunt to me, an unknown councillor finally getting in the news.
Party games seem to be playing a part too with only the mayor coming out with some dignity.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#5
I have been arguing that half a loaf is better than no bread at all. Two directors is all the community can hope for to begin with, but we can work behind the scenes to lobby the DfT to appoint more local non-executives as time goes by. If DTC keep playing chicken with the Minister, I foresee disappointment. If a former Chair of DDC admits to confusion over the issues then how can the average Joe get his head round it?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
Who would actually be eligible to vote on any disbanding? We are now told that the Labour side are holding up the HRO but only recently they were voting for the dismantling of the pier.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#7
There is no need to put two community directors on the D.H.B. they have their own Forum that have the public sitting on ,and to have Mr Wiggins sitting as one of them in my way of thinking was the wrong person to start off with anyway, he was one of the main persons who wanted to get rid of the D,H,B, and sell the port off ,now he is trying to be a paid member on the D,H,B.
The D,H.B. should come out and say now there is not the need for them now we have a public forum in place to voice the concerns that the public of Dover have if any.
So what is holding back the D,H,B, doing that ,well only one thing and that is they do not want to upset a very few that post on this forum and the words of members of the Town Council which after all in only a parish council with no power to change anything anyway.
So to the D,H,B,I say get on with the good work you are doing and take no notice of the few still trying to get over their lost of the fight they had a few years ago.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#8
What a sudden change of tune, up until now we were told they took no notice of us or the town council - now they do.
As for their own forum no-one knows anything that goes on as there is little if anything in the public domain. I have to admit DHB were shrewd in selecting Mr leach as their puppet which in my view weakens the real opposition that comes from the Dover Society which he is Chairman of as far as I still know.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#9
They are my views only as I know nothing or been told anything from any member of the D.H.B. and it should be seen as that only.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#10
Howard, Derek Leach was elected by Independent members of the Port Community Forum in a properly contested ballot .
If Dover Town Council don't withdraw their objection the whole process of appointments falls , a public inquiry follows & the merry go round starts all over again with no appointments made.
DHB continue with no local representatives in the meantime & take decisions such as the Pier with no public voice on their Board.
This is "a bird in the hand situation".
Wise counsel needed here.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#11
Sorry Mr Watkins that is true but they do have their own forum and in a round about way the public does have a voice the Board as the board do take note what the members of the forum say.I am not a member,
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#12
Post 10 very wise words here.Some people cannot see the bigger picture.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#13
Indeed that is the case Vic.
The Forum is Advisory with no powers. Board members attend the Community Forum, listen & respond to questions as required.
Community Directors are fully fledged Board members who have a right to be involved & take decisions on all Board decisions. Whether they are effective will remain to be seen if this impasse is to be settled .
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#14
They would be out voted if the need be .And as I said Mr Wiggins is not the person to have in the first place in my way of thinking thank you for your feed back.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#15
Who decided who would make up the Independent members of the Port Community Forum in the first place Paul and why are there no agendas or minutes of their meetings that I can find?
The decision over the Pier would have been made anyway as any the local representatives would have been out voted. The Port community forum didn't put up much of a fight as far as anyone is aware.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#16
You are correct Vic but the Dover voice would be heard behind closed doors with assurance that Dover's voice reached that level & may just achieve some mitigation to Dover 's advantage that would not have occurred without their presence.
As for the personalities, I make no comment but personally know many distinguished & suitable people applied, many of whom would have been eminently suitable.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#17
I don't know why the Agendas & Minutes are not available there is nothing discussed that is not in the public domain. A mix of different local groups, public bodies, voluntary organisations & different industry groups. I would suggest you ask Richard Christian at DHB , they may well be published or start being published on your request.
Hope that helps.
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,261
#18
My understanding Howard is that the DHB chose the independent members for the PORT and Community forum, as Paul says, some very suitable applicants applied, but were not selected, does make one question it's impartiality and validity!
Arte et Marte
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#19
The Community members are voted in or not as it was in my case by its own members .I went for it but lost so no more to be said about it, But because that forum has members from most local groups you would get more of a understanding on how the public of Dover are thinking ,but by having two members from the community which are NOT independent all you end up with is their own views and the way they want to see the port run.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#20
Vic, that's the problem with any person you vote for. They should listen to the arguments & make a judgement. You should know that. They can be lobbied, pressurised & then you'll see & judge whether a wise decision was made.
