Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I have been aware of the funding problems and working away in the background hope the situation will soon be resolved.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for info roger, it seems that for a paltry sum of two grand the town is left in an embarrassing state.
i think vic has summed up what most people are thinking.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Thank you for that Howard,I am now geting back into it all again now ,lots more posts to come yet on Dover and the port.
and you will see me out again very soon.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
I hope in all of this and when we get the flower beds, we can all calm down.
I don't think theres anything to do with politics here, it's more probably to do with;
A; LOCAL ELECTIONS
B; 2 COUNCILS DON'T WORK CLOSELY ENOUGH
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Latest from what I know re planting:
At DTC Community & Services Committee meeting on 31st May.
As DDC had sought DTC to take over all planting and DTC had not budgetted within this years precept. Our Town Clerk worked hard to resolve the problem and liased with DDC. At the above meeting it was agreed DTC will (to a set £ limit) provide/ finance the town centre hanging baskets. DDC are, as latest I have, agreed to plant and maintain the flower beds/planters etc. Ongoing discussions re what type of planting for containers/flowerbeds that are sadly the subject of constant vandalisim in Dover.
As you know Castle Street is already planted up (thanks to finacial contribution from DTC) and maintained by volounteers as it only involves 14/16 baskets. In all cases it is the watering that has to be organised.
Yesterday I noticed in town that the hanging basket containers had been removed and hopefully this is to allow "planting up".
An intersting "additional cost" is that following an accident somewhere in Kent involving hanging baskets KCC are now charging Town/Parish/District £15 per lampost as a mandatory lampost testing fee.Dover Town has 68 baskets at 2 per lampost so additional £510.
Recently the Dour Path near the bowling green had been planted up with lavender which would have given all the year round cover to the walls by the Dour. I think at last count 20 plus have been pulled out.
Whilst it has been sad to see flower borders bare I was in Honfleur ten days ago and they were only just planting up their summer displays. I understand it is the norm to plant up late May early June. No doubt our hot dry weather has given all of us the feeling summer has been around for some time.
Despite the differences of party politics it is essential at DTC all Councillors work to the objective of enhancing the quality of our town that the community deserve and in my short time as a DTC Councillor I am pleased to say that those that I have worked with (irrespective of party) are all of a similar accord.
With the 2012 Olympic Torch in Dover we have the oportunity to ensure the town is shown at its best (in particular floral displays) and to set high standards for the future.
As Vic correctly states with a precept of £633k DTC must put more back into the town and this is certainly happening with substantial financial support for moving the Visitor Information Centre to the Museum site..also added benefit that it will ensure the continuity of our excellent museum.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
PAT;
Thankfully we see some sense on this.
nowt to do with politics
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for info pat, do you now what the situation is over the public toilets?
i read that macdonald's have signed up to a scheme but not anyone else as far as i know.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I think this a very bad scheme,the public that come to Dover will not know about it,and also I for one will only use public toilets unless I am useing a food outlet,we need to have the public toilets stay open in the town centre,again both councils need to work with each other to keep them open and share the cost.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
It would be interesting to find out in comparison how much Deal and Sandwich town councils contribute to their floral displays and how they work with DDC over this. Does anyone have the info?
Howard
I do hope this thread does not become "bogged down" with the toilet subject as the horticultural subject should not become sidelined.
However, working in partnership with DDC, DTC have for this year taken on one toilet (Stembrook). DTC/DDC are in continuing dialogue with regard to the future and personally I am hopeful that positive results can be concluded.
With regard to the scheme that you mention. I believe Mc Donalds have already put up signs, there are others that are near to completing the formalities and hopefully these establishments will be announced shortly.
When finalised it is, as Vic says, essential that suitable awareness is made of the participating establishments.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Good posting Pat - thank you and well done.
Roger
Reading the above thread I think some of the problem is due to the disaffected youth of the area having nothing better to do than rip up plants. They sadly appear to have no respect for public property or pride in their town although I suppose this is not to be expected when so many of them are not even English.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I think it is time to think about geting a referendum in the town asking the public of Dover if the public toilets should stay open, I will look into that once I am out about again it will have a cost to it ,but again so did the one about the port, I think it will not be hard to get the names needed to call one,and if the public say yes well they will stay open.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
Not another referendum please.
The money wasted on that would pay for the flowers in the planters which is something we can all enjoy.
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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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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
I won't get to deeply into dianna's post, b(many english if that matters)
there are also a number of older persons who also cause damage and are irresponsible
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Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Some crazy logic calling for a referendum on the toilets - it's obvious everyone would like them to stay open, the problem is lack of money, so asking to spend more money on a poll confirming that we want them to stay open is totally daft.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
RAY;
I think we all agree, some progress has been made, and i'm sure more will follow, once the two councils can identify the best way forward.
On the business use of toilets, i'm not so sure a member of the public would feel comfatable going ionto places like mac d's just to use the toilets.
just a thought.
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Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Keith, I think they'd feel more comfortable having come out of McD's after using the toilets!
It's just a cultural thing that would need some getting used to, many already do it anyway in different venues. It's happening in other parts of the country and once the schemes are advertised and people get used to looking for the signs then it could become popular - and I'm sure the shops and caffs are expecting a good number will stop to buy on their way out.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
RAY;
I disagree on the business aspect of your post, but willing to be proved incorrect, as you say time will tell.
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Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Mr Newsam, If the Referendum is pass the council must act on its findings.