Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Good news for Dover! From Your Dover.
A decision over the future of the Port of Dover could be made within just weeks, says the chair of the People's Port.
Neil Wiggins, who has been leading the 'communitisation' project alongside Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke, said although nothing was official, the Dover People's Port Trust (DPPT) believed Government would announce changes to proposals made by the harbour board to privatise the asset, signalling the start of the community-based plans.
He said he expected an announcement in the first two weeks of May.
"Although this is speculative, I think Government will instruct Dover Harbour Board (DHB) to change plans and make it more about communitisation."
Mr Wiggins said he believed ministers would look at changing the privatisation process which could pave the way for a people's port.
Last year, the Labour government announced that Dover port, which has operated as a trust for more than 400 years with all revenue going back into the business, was one of a list of public assets which could be sold off to help tackle the country's deficit.
DHB voluntarily submitted a scheme for consideration which looked to secure private investment, although the then government stressed it had no plans to force through privatisation.
Chief executive of the harbour board Bob Goldfield said the port's status as a public corporation, which could not borrow money, left it unable to fund additional capacity if needed.
But Mr Elphicke and Mr Wiggins teamed up to put in a £200 million bid to buy the port, where the district's residents could become members of the DPPT for £10, therefore buying a share of the asset.
The remainder of the funds for the purchase would come from City of London institutions.
DHB called the proposals "unrealistic and undeliverable".
But a referendum last month saw the town vote overwhelmingly in favour of the People's Port with 5,244 for and just 113 against.
The plans have also won the backing of union Unite and the Dover Society.
Mr Wiggins said: "I'm looking forward to a decision being made by Government. That's when the hard work really starts. At the referendum the message was clear and strong to Westminster about the wishes of local people."
POSTED: 26/04/2011 10:00:00
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
This is a re-heat of old news. While it is all true it is hardly fresh and we do not expect anything from Whitehall ahead of the local elections.
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
in other words the peoples port will not happen due to a negative impact on the council votes.
looks like my prediction of a week or so back will come true.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
The "remainder of the funds", Jacqui, constitute 99.9999% of the total funds!
I'm putting the can-opener back in the draw, Peter.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Jacqui there is a massive thread on this already (41 pages of posts, yes indeed, not 41 posts but 41 pages of posts!) but as it happened when you were away you may not be aware.
It can be found on page 10 if you scroll back. Many contributions from one of the Peoples Port leaders Neil Wiggins who is a member here now.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Howard, not sure what you mean in your post number 3 - could you explain for me what it means please:
"in other words the peoples port will not happen due to a negative impact on the council votes".
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
didn't word it clearly roger.
i was trying to put across that any no decision on the peoples port will not be made until after the council elections.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
You are such a pessimist Howard to automatically think its a no.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
more pragmatist barry, the government needs cash in the coffers so will sell to the highest bidder.
i would imagine that there would be a proviso that some money goes to the town on a yearly basis to appease the public.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Although i'm no supporter of the peoples port as it presently stands, i hope the goverment doesn't sell out on this issue as HOWARD indicates.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
I think the PP is a dead duck and like the DTIZ site it will still being discussed or discounted for years to come.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
MAREK;
So what happens in the meantime, and in the future
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i don't see the port and d.t.i.z. in the same vein, the port will be sold if it hasn't already been.
any cash spin off for dover is better than we had before.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
It just won't happen.End of.Period.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
marek
are you saying that vic will get his way and the port will remain in trust?
seems like too much money for the chancellor to turn his nose up to.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard,as i said to you last year when charlie annoused it on the sea front,if it dosent become a peoples port it will go to the french/arabs or both have half shares in it.the arabs are allready in dover [p&o ferrys].as far as i can see theres nothing stopping either.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
40 pages, Brian! Plus a couple more on other threads.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
alex,40 plus pages,still not a done deal.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
brian
the french i.e. port of calais ruled themselves out from the very beginning, arabs or russians head the list of people with mony to burn, however my sources tell me that there are two consortiums in the running, one of them british.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard,still say the french have somthing up there sleaves,only time will tell.