Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
5 January 2010
15:0736366I find myself, yet again, incandecscent with rage at Dover District Council. Despite recently signing a new contract with Connaught Cleaners for the upkeep of public toilets, the public toilets behind Maison Dieu House and at Buckland Bridge have been closed for good. There are notices on the doors saying the closure took effect from yesterday.
Like many men of a certain age, I have a mild prostate problem that necessitates frequent visits to the toilet, especially in cold weather such as we are experiencing at the moment. I expect there are many others who experience the same (or worse), and to close two sets of public toilets (and I understand that the set at Stembrook may also be closed shortly) is a downright disgrace. My understanding is that there is political manoeuvring going on behind closed doors so that the Town Council are being almost forced into taking on the upkeep of the toilets despite there being no additional funds made available for the additional expense. Put another way, my medical problem (and those of others in a similar position) is being used a pawn in a political football match and I'm ******* disgusted by it.
If that is the caring face of our local Conservative party, whom I have supported for many years, then I shall not be voting for them come the General Election.
And, how are visitors to the town supposed to manage?
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
5 January 2010
15:2636367Andy I could not agree more with what you are saying,this again is the real face we are seeing at the D,D,C. it would not happen in Deal they have two toilets within 200yards of each other,i have said this time and time again that most of the D.D.C. come from outside Dover so they do not care about Dover or what it has or not have. Again I say it when voting local vote for the person not the party.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
5 January 2010
15:2936368Thats News to me Andy,we know that DDC are making lots of cutbacks and are trying to flog off the toilets to Parish Councils,and if they don't want to take them over I guess that DDC will shut them,I have a meeting tomorrow I will ask to see why they are shut and find out if our group know why,and why we havent been told.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
5 January 2010
15:4536369I have been on to the Council and Roger Walton was out but I was put through to Barry Finch who told me that the toilets were closed by order from Nigel Collor and on a permenant basis,but he did say that the one at Stembrook was not on the list at this time to close.
So it was not it appears a Council decision it appears that Portfolio holders can just make the judgement and they are shut,perhaps Nigel uses that one but of course he lives around the corner.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
5 January 2010
15:5336370Thanks John. Cynical exploitation by the Council, I'd call it, but I understand that you can't use quite the same tone as me!
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
5 January 2010
16:1136371No I can't Andy but they are 'public' toilets and they are noe closed and I have told the newspapers,ecuse the pun but this could up a stink.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
5 January 2010
16:2936374the lib dems tried that stunt in shepway soon after being elected there.
caused such a furore that the idea was shelved.
john
are you saying that nigel has the power to do such a thing without recourse to discussion and a vote?
i have to ask you as none of the blue people with power in these matters come on here to explain.
hardly a wise move with an election coming up in a winnable marginal.
gwyn and vic must be rubbing their hands with glee.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
5 January 2010
16:2936375This has been done with out going to Full Council .Like you Andy I need to work out where the nearest loos are .It should not be down to one portfolio holder .Over the years we have seen more and more toilets closed and I have been quoted as saying its a long way to spend a penny .Those at Buckland Bridge were used by people coming in and out of town also by people going to the nearby church.
I dont know how people who have to provide repair services and indeed bus drivers get on .
Its all very well having cable cars etc but we need the basics .Whats wrong with paying .That way we havw an income .
I hope one day Cllr Collor gets caught short .Its a disgrace .You see another thing I would have voted against .It has gone terribly wrong at DDC .Some of us Conmmunity Councillors will have to make our voices heard and let us hope some will break ranks .
I know you read the forum Nigel so be a man and defend yourself .If you want to get re elected you will have to start listening to the people .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
5 January 2010
16:3236376I forgot to say those Toilets at Buckland bridge are not very old .When Hollis garage wanted to expand the old loos were pulled down and the modern ones were built .Of course before Cllr Collors time .Some of us have long memories .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
5 January 2010
16:3636378looks like it is all off again between nigel and susan.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
5 January 2010
16:4036379Well the next time I'm out and about and I see what I USED to call ignorant people p*****g in a dark corner, I wont say anything.
If you get caught by the bill they will only say " why didn't you go before you left " Then wacked with an £60 fine.
I'm the same as Andy, just now and again you HAVE to go.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
5 January 2010
17:1436380I hope when Nigel gets caught short, someone has a camera,and puts it on the forum.
beer the food of the gods
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
5 January 2010
17:2036381Howard I think Sue answered the question it seems to have been done without a vote or even notification to any Councillor,just on a Cllrs say so
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
5 January 2010
17:3136382there again you could allways call in at the local council offices in castle street and whitfield to ask to use the toilet fascilaties there.if they refuse or ask why,you tell them that seeing there is no open toilets in the town center that is the only place to go.if enough people started doing this they may reconsider reopening the public toilets.
5 January 2010
17:3436383It is outrageous to say the least. decent public loos are an essential for any town. I am old and have had 4 kids...I won't even finish that sentence!! But it isn't only about us, it is about the (literally) public face of Dover, for visitors and shoppers alike. A disgrace.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
5 January 2010
18:0136385howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
5 January 2010
18:0636386excellent idea brian!!
everyone use the facilities at DDC offices.
who will let the tourists know though?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
5 January 2010
18:0836387i am sure rogerw can print a few leaflets.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
5 January 2010
18:2536390.I see Nigel has been looking in on the forum not man enough to express a view .The ruling grouo voted not to go out into the community and have a public debate on issuies .The council meetings are few and far between ,.Is Joe Public only spoken to when a vote is needed .I thought Councillors were accountable all the time .Silly me thats not how it works .
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
5 January 2010
18:2936392I have just been looking at some of my old cutouts in the local papers,and in one of them and this is back in 2003 Cllr Matcham said"The Dover Disrtict Council are doing some thing even Hitler could not do in the war and that is close the loos in Dover". They done it then and are still doing it today, we all pay our council taxs E,T.C for services but that get less and less,again you can put it all to right soon when you vote please this time round think before you vote.
