Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
My head's above the parapet & always remains so David
Which is the £100k you are relating to?
Watty
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
How much did we spend on consultants? I'm sure the Express reported a figure in excess of £100k.
Its a bit lame though Paul, I cant imagine Cameron saying
"If you think you can do better then have a go"
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Guest 776- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 95
i have been told by various sources about the uncertainty of the future of the port causing investors to hold back
What a load of tosh.
The so called success of the Port has lead to the failure of Dover. It has been creamed off, over the years.
Investors have been holding back since the end of World War 11
Illustrate any major investment that has happened in the Town etc. since the War. Please.
That has been a success, too.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Spot on Christine, its just one excuse after another
Guest 776- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 95
Comfortable Councillors who do very little, coupled with the heirachy at the top of the DDC, who have been in their jobs, far too long.
Just look around and see what a disasterous failure they are. Accountable, to no-one really.
Anyone with fresh ideas or energy, is buried and squeezed out.
Frankly, they should be made to all re-apply for their jobs. So their real achievements, etc. can be re-assessed.
Dover Council and the Dover Harbour Board have been very cushy cushy over the years, but the cracks are beginning to show.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
As you know better David , little point me responding.
£1m .If it is the Dover Express article then it was defined in a side bar what the spend was & who contributed to pay the consultants. I think you'll find DDC commissioned the works on behalf of others. Very little DDC spend.
Perhaps you might like to make an F.O.I. request to get the specifics provided if the Dover Express did not provide you with the detail.
Watty
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
I'm accountable to the electorate every four years & to the Council at every Council meeting.
Watty
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Paul, have you read the article? It is very specific, if its incorrect its only fair that you put it right.
It seems Christine shares my view, I've lived in Dover since 1963, I cant think of anything DDC has done to regenerate the town.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
I read the Dover Express article [from which the article was edited] and it described in the side bar the make up of the spend & who paid for the consultants costs & why.
Thank you for comments.
Watty
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
# 286....time for an East Kent Council........we need more clout..........
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Sadly I expect an East Kent Council would be just the same, full of bureaucracy some needed and some not.
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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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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
ms worsley is talking from a total lack of knowledge about the funding of the cable car, i also know of 2 other(not so grand) developments that pulled out over the port issue.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
mr hansell,honestly are you seriose about an e,k council.and besides it would cost to much dosh and full of red tape with no local knoledge.
Guest 782- Registered: 4 Oct 2012
- Posts: 357
I find this all very interesting! There are a number of things that we are on the cusp of and without wishing to come across as a fence sitting liberal democrat, there are many good points made on both sides of this debate.
I have said to you Paul, and I say it now on here - that (in my opinion) most of the problem we are seeing expressed above is down to a lack of communication. The ordinary Dover person (meaning me and the general public alike) do not understand the reasons behind the hoops of bureaucracy that you Paul, and your team have to jump through. This means that there is a HUGE level of sinicism around the whole re-generation project whether it be the demolition of Burlington House, the building of the hotel or the appearance of a cable car.
I also understand that there are significant commercial sensitivities to be respected, but surely there must be a way to keep those of us on the ground floor in the loop whilst the hard stuff is done in the background?
It would be interesting if we could be reminded of the things that have been done to "regenerate" Dower since 1963 when David made his first appearance! But with my Market hat on, I can tell all of you reading this, that DDC in the shape of Paul Watkins, Nadeem Aziz, Roger Walton and Nigel Collor have been extremely supportive and have followed through by allowing us to set up the Tuesday market, allow use of a building, allow half price parking in Russell Street, make the necessary planning application and not charge the Town Team for the use of the market. Some may say that this is no more than they should do, but it is nonetheless quite significant and tangible evidence that those guys do want something good to happen here. Put aside for a minute that the TT are doing this for nothing, not even expenses and at 05.45 in the morning in the Market Square we might be forgiven for wondering "Why" we are doing it! Then the trading starts and the people and the people come and it is obvious why - it is to bring life in to the shopping area of Dover.
So Paul and all who surround you, please sort out some mechanism for giving out information. Make sure that is not written and shrouded in dreadful "council speak" - so that everyone can understand. Maybe then, you will not have to defend the obvious perception that there is nothing happening.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Good points Simon, I tend to be fairly strident in my views.
But it is DDC and its ilk that has created the bureaucratic hoops you speak of. For whatever reason DDC has been unable to attract the sort of inward investment required, its glib to blame DHB, planning permission, phone masts or newts.
Just get something done for heavens sake, create a legacy to be proud of, not an endless stream of excuses.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i have a different reading of simon's post, his second paragraph makes clear that ddc "have to jump through hoops" not that they have created them.
the subject of communication is one close to my heart as i keep banging on about that to paul on here, the p.r. needs to be worked on in my view.
we had the recent issue of connaught park that is resolving itself hopefully because we now know the situation with dosh.
moving back to the ill starred dtiz ddc should not shoulder the blame for the last plan with asda, the latter were so enthusiastic in being the anchor business they even had a fashion show here in pencester gardens.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
The last paragraph sums it up Howard, god knows how DDC managed to mess it up.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I agree with you Howard about DDC's lack of communication to us the public always the bare minimum or tell us afterwards, a shining example are the minimalist posts from Sue regarding anything to do with the council. The only Councillor that I can think of who tries to keep us informed is Roger and for that I thank him.
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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 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Without embarrassing anybody I could name 2 or 3 councillors that work extremely hard and really do their best, smashing people, they must feel like they're banging their heads against the wall.
