Access Denied as Thanet Council officer initiates security clamp down

Thanet council officers have launched a security clamp down, following a fairly innocent enquiry to the councils Democratic Services, not the first time that Bignews Margate has been responsible for a hasty deletion of sensitive info, from TDC's website, last year I queried a dubious entry in the councils attendance records concerning the former councillor Broadhurst, which eventually resulted in a by election, although I think Clive Hart put a different (labour) spin in some leaflets, still just out of interest did Chief Exec Richard Samuel ever enquire how a bogus entry occurred ?

Having a bit of time, on my hands at the moment, I thought I'd see what entertainment was on offer down at Thanet's council offices, a quick look-see and I realised I'd missed the blimin Cabinet Meeting, last week, Blast!, this usually has a few good laughs an d bit of knockabout politics, with a touch of tired haughtiness from the ruling Conservatives whenever well groomed Labour bods, get indignant and self-righteous with the occasional comment which starts with "When we were the ruling group…. blah blah.

The meeting that disappeared from TDC website

Please,  excuse the digression the only meeting this week, on the Council's calendar was involving the "Coach House Working Party" I thought I'd click the link, I then thought, I'd check the agenda, see if there was anything interesting, as appeared it unavailable I phoned up the Democratic Services. I spoke with the contact, who told me that the agenda was not available to the public, uh?  apparently neither was the meeting open to the likes of Bignews Margate, so what is all the fuss about ?

The contact came back to me explaining the meeting was definitely not public, so I asked could he, as the meetings contact person, at least confirm that we were talking about the Coach House, at Northdown Park, well after waiting  some several hours, I thought bollix, and rang someone else who took the risk and confirmed my suggestion.

Its a worry that Thanet Council carry on as if the public don't have a right to know what goes on, its even more worrying that a Labour government, gave simple minded council officers up and down the country, investigatory powers under the prevention of terrorism laws, I cannot begin to imagine why TDC have now removed details of this meeting just what is the big secret.

Since there is no publically available agenda, concerning the meeting of "Coach House Working Party" here my is summation of what they ought to be discussing, Thanet council leased this property back in the mid eighties, it was meant to have been museum, this never happened now 25 years down the road the property is in a fairly dire state and now boarded up, TDC have apparently done nothing to encourage the lease holder to maintain this asset and will no doubt attempt to gloss over the past and then try to flog it which covenants prevent. Click here for an earlier commentary.

The Coach House belongs long term to the community, what possible benefit can be derived from dealing with this issue in private since we have a new leader at TDC would it not now be time for Thanet's Conservatives to grow up and stop treating the public like idiots particularly with lunatic initiatives like council the Blogging protocol which Simon Moores seemed so keen!

the meeting that no longer exist

New purpose helps rescue Margate gem

Northdown Park has in recent times been subject to much neglect, due in part to Thanet council’s management exemplified by the asset fiasco, in which council failed to take account of covenants as they tried to make a fast buck.

Still hopefully with a change of leadership in the local Conservative party things might improve, anyhow for the last year or so I’ve spent most of my time working in North London, since that project is coming to an end, I’ve got now got time to catch up on things like taking a stroll.

This afternoon I walked to Northdown Park and was pleased to see that the walled garden in the park has now been taken over to provide a safe playground for children with disabilities.

The walled garden despite having been revamped I reckon about 15 years ago had in recent times become overgrown, so its brilliant that this is once again being put to good use.

I hope that this is a success, maybe it’s a disappointment that it won’t be available to the wider community but brilliant that it will benefit young kids.

Just a quick postscript, I've been told that work is ongoing and that the garden will be open to children sometime next month, those who now run it, will, I'm told open the garden to the wider community from time to time.

A blank page and hidden agenda for the Gazette

Politics, yes boring! but it colours pretty much all our life even the vast swathes of those who opt not involve or take an interest.

Still tedious as it is, I was not surprised when I turned up at Thursday nights TDC Cabinet meeting, to see that apart from me there was only one other in the public gallery, and myself missing the first half hour.

Not really remarkable was the absence of any proper news hounds, although usually there’s one member of her majesty press present, the Gazette generally has somebody still Thom Morris has now jumped ship, leaving three journalists and an editor to churn out KRN’s three Thanet papers ( I think we can expect more animal stories and slightly rewritten council press releases in the coming weeks).

So has the public missed out, probably not as far as I can tell, there was no real excitement, basically the cabinet meeting consists of Tory’s nodding through agenda items, with backbench members or the Labour groups raising queries, which may or may not be answered by cabinet members or council officers who have to sit around waiting to chip in not, no doubt as they contemplate office gossip or a late dinner or what’s occurring in Emmerdale Eastenders or corrie.

Anyhow as you can imagine these meetings can be turgid, just to give a flavour I think Cllr Wise at one point spoke on the lack respect for authority ( the anarchist in me was tempted to shout something like for “gods sake who cares?” or “boring” ), why was I there, well, I was interested item 11 Cabinet Advisory Group, Thanet works, as a brief explanation Thanet Works is government sponsored scheme involving the WNF (Working Neighbourhoods Fund), TDC has around £4 million of government to play with.

The aim of WNF is apparently to “tackle concentrated pockets of worklessness”, I’m hoping this will also include Thanet’s unemployed, still as this issue doesn’t seem to interest our official Tory group cabinet members who didn’t expand on it and indeed apparently it didn’t excite any questions from Cllr Clive Hart’s Labour group either it was nodded through with no elaboration (Labour as we all know no longer represents the underclasses preferring the well healed self perpetuating public sector workers).

The only excitement thereafter seemed, the issue of asset sales with minor points scoring on the earlier flawed attempt to sell Northdown House without bothering to check the legality first, at least its now confirmed that TDC wont be attempting to flog off Northdown Park estate for a while.

All in all not a great example of what democracy is about, still at least we still go through the motions not that you’d always know from the Gazette, Adscene, or Thanet Times.

More Curious Goings on at Northdown

I’m reliably informed that yet a new mystery is unfolding at Northdown Park, regulars know that Sandy Ezekiel's TDC administration, probably wasted thousands of pounds, recently when the council, tried to ignore covenants' protecting Northdown House from well, councils like his that appeared to be trying make a fast buck and depriving this beautiful house from the public to whom it had been gifted.

Last bank holiday weekend they closed the walled garden on what seemed to me to be the spurious grounds of health and safety, particularly since the problem was an uneven paving slab and similar tripping hazards in Margate old town never resulted in that being closed off.

Any way apparently the Coach house, at Northdown Park has been is about to be boarded up, does anyone no what’s going on? I seem to recall at one time this part of the estate was going to a museum.

My top tip for this weekend is visit Thanet’s parks before some politician mucks them up.

Re Northdown Park

After remarking on Thanet Council’s closure of part of Northdown park, as you might imagine(or prefer not to), I made enquiries to TDC press office, who inform me that the reason the walled garden, was closed, was to due safety concerns with a raised paving slab and not as I thought that some council officer just thought “bollix we’ve better things to do, than allow access to public assets by the er public”.

Now I applaud their worries, about safety which are clearly a departure from their concern for Margate Residents, who during the refurbishment of the Old Town pavements and roads, were subject to all manner of potential hazards, work materials just left heaped up, unmarked, unfenced and pavements left with tripping hazards and even supplies of paving slabs cut to a convenient size, for local work shy yobs, to use if the urge had taken them to put through local windows. If you don’t believe me click on this earlier post when I mistakenly blamed KCC Highways when credit should have gone to muppets closer to home.

I’m informed that this will be rectified in the next couple of weeks. Brilliant!

In the meantime maybe TDC could do more to encourage the use of local parks.

Sandy & Roger fail Margate and Waste Assets

I don’t know how things ever got to this stage but what an example of mismanagement or rather three examples. Assets owned by the council, which some members of the public may wish to take advantage of, but closed, due one assumes to the “high calibre” of council officers in TDC and even more capable leadership in the form of Sandy and his side kick Roger.

First we’ve already seen Sandy’s administrative clique screw up Northdown House, but it looks as if to spite, the people of Margate they’ll withdraw access to the walled garden in Northdown Park presumably so that at some point in the future, attempts can be made to sell off a nice piece of land to perhaps Thanet’s connected spiv developers.

Incidentally no notice or reason is given for closure of this part of Northdown Park, but their is some moronic notice about the Drop and Cop it campaign littering the wall.

You’ll have to excuse me, been out on my push bike this afternoon, have fallen into a “whatever happened to Margate” mood anyway next example Margate Museum, which as we all know has been closed, no money apparently, but then as I understand a most Tory councillors have been offered enhanced allowances from those on the Top table ie, Sandy’s inner circle.

Lastly the Tudor House, closed as ever.

Even Turner Contemporary, has made an effort this weekend pity its not a tad more mainstream otherwise I’d be out now.

Rather depressingly on page 6 of this weeks KM Extra is the list of members allowances for council members during 2008, on top of his basic allowance of £4,352 Sandy Ezekiel gets an additional allowance £18,050 for what? I ask. Still as local Conservatives keep pointing out, he is the best they’ve got which is more than a bit of a worry.

Maybe I need to chill out perhaps a trip to the museum, a look round an historic house or even a bit of quiet contemplation in the park, still thats what got me going in the first place.

Dust gathers on Thanet Jewel

Saturday with an idle moment, I thought like many I’d go walkies, which if we had a dog on the staff here at Flaig mansions would be a more frequent occurrence.

Still the idea of having a dog, which would impose its own exercise regime has never appealed, nor has the idea of carrying a bag of steaming hot dog poo, still judging by the amount of dog doo around these parts it doesn’t bother many owners either.

Any how in common with many, there are two destinations for a walk, the seafront or park. I chose park, Northdown Park, as it happens, but once again a visit is tinged with the thought, just what the hell have TDC done to this great asset and in particular the House.

Of course, the answer is nothing, I understand that temporarily there has been a fudge, since the ruling Tory group, got acquainted with the affection local people have for Northdown House.

Now the council made a lot of noise about the cost of maintaining the property of which there is slim evidence but when eventually they were kind enough to send details of costs of running the property, which to be honest are well fairly meaningless since the only figures they have relate to a fee they pay to Thanet Leisure Force and some meagre maintenance that last year came to around 50 grand, figures for income earned are with TLF and likely to remain a mystery.

The point of all this, well I feel that the money they’ve spent on running Northdown House is fairly small and its time the council got off their bottoms and got this building back into use for the public benefit, in a positive way rather than the grudging way they’ve handle things thus far.

I didn’t have the chance to go to the consultation they had in December, but from what I can glean they had no idea and no vision for the House which is a blooming disgrace.

As far as I can tell Thanet council over the years has neglected this and other properties, and despite the buildings listed status seems content to ignore its responsibility for the proper upkeep.

Northdown Consultation where are the facts ?

Despite my ongoing request for financial information TDC have yet to produce figures as the to cost if any to taxpayers, makes you wonder how they decided to dispose of the property in the first place.

As Im unable to go to the hasty consultation maybe some kind soul could let us know whats going on.

NORTHDOWN HOUSE TDC get round to reading the small print?

Its nice to make a contribution in a world of sleaze which is not a reference to our esteemed Thanet District council but a genuine thought provoked by two things, a "thank you" email informing me that the council had reconsidered their stance on Northdown House, the reference to sleaze refers to the attack on liberty by the Metropolitan Police and the Labour Home Secretary, who seem to be acting like Nazis, who ever thought an MP would subject to arrest for publishing facts, I don't think even Mrs T's crew ever went that far, not with MP's anyway.

It seems that the council have listened to the public, and or maybe they've got the lawyers to take a butchers, at covenants that were attached to the property when it was originally transferred in public ownership, either way concerns must remain for one, we still don't know what precipitated the proposed sale, at this point Richard Samuel Chief Executive TDC has yet to reply to my request for financial information as to any income or loss made on the property, secondly another worry is the rather hasty consultation which will apparently take place next week on the 10th of December (just how do you consult the public when they don't have the facts).

Thanet council should give more time for public consultation on the future of the House and in the mean time, it would make sense if TDC would ask Thanet Leisure Force to take bookings for a more sensible interim period maybe to the end of 2009, since we've already seen the confusion when act in haste and repent at leisure.

Whilst I'm typing away I note that a couple of emails have referred, to TDC's concerns over bloggers, I don't have any facts other than as I say some emails, suggesting that in TDC are not happy, just what they intend to do I don't know, still if you have any info tonyflaig@gmail.com generally does the trick, go on you know you want to, maybe Richard Samuel could give his views?

We do live in a democracy, don't we?

I'll have to go someone's knocking on the door!

Margate Big Sky and our Sandy

I see courtesy of Thanet Life blog (nice to see you back Simon), that this weekend Margate is hosting once again a Quad Biking Weekend, now since I travel past the beach everyday, I have this thought that maybe if any promotional signs that where put up to advertise this event they clearly didn't work (for me).

Still unclear messages seem a feature of Thanet life, like Sandy Ezekiel's comments in this weeks Gazette that feature a gripe about Labour's policy on building on suburban gardens, which I'd tend to agree with, but with this reservation, if Sandy's so concerned about building in gardens, why does he appear to be in favour of excluding the public from parts of Northdown Park Estate, it is his council which is attempting to ignore covenants protecting Northdown House and to flog off to some crappy developer, it's his council which has yet to give clear information as to why.

This is the same Sandy that has yet to answer the questions in my email to him about Northdown House?

In search of a straight answer

It seems to me that, members of and officers of Thanet council must be a fairly thick skinned bunch, and try as I have, it seems impossible to get a clear picture of why, or for what reason TDC are attempting to sell Northdown House for which they are legally prevented.

Recently I spoke with an officer who deals with council assets, who informed me that he had no accounts, which would indicate, how much if anything, Northdown House was costing to run, trying to speak with the councils accounts department, only bought about more confusion as I was informed by I think a receptionist that I would have to contact Thanet Leisure Force?

Well I'm still of the opinion that TDC either have something to hide or their clueless and useless, anyway tonight I sent another email to Richard Samuel Chief Executive of TDC not that I got anywhere last time, and even the invitation to meet with Sandy Ezekiel seemed pointless if a straight answer is not available.

Dear Mr Samuel

Thanet councils proposed sale of Northdown House seems to be shrouded in controversy and the information I have managed to acquire seems at best contradictory.

As Thanet councils senior officer I would ask that you clarify the situation over this property, previously you were apparently too busy to answer my email directly.

I have yet establish a clear explanation of the exact reason Northdown House is being considered for sale particularly given the legal constraints preventing such a sale. I recently spoke to one of your colleagues responsible for assets who informed me of the fact that he did not have accounts for the property.

I therefore request that you provide details of income and expenses for Northdown House for the last three years under freedom of information legislation.

Regards tony flaig Bignews Margate
--
Sent from Google Mail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Still no answer from Sandy Ezekiel on Northdown House

Maybe I should start this dear Sandy, but I'm not in the mood, I think its about time the Leader of Thanet Council actually give clear reasons as why his administration is seemingly determined to flog off Northdown House.

In the local press and even last weeks letter page of the Gazette, Mr Ezekiel has once again, suggested that subsides on Northdown House are too expensive here's my thoughts, the cost to the council is probably less than say employing some bottom of the rung manager in the council who wouldn't be missed, its almost certainly no where near as expensive as the stratospheric £4.5 million wasted by his administration on the Marks and Spencer building in Cecil Square.

Two questions that need answering, the one I asked earlier did Thanet Council order Thanet Leisure Force to no longer take bookings for Northdown House? Why not sell the Marks & Spencer Building instead?

As an outsider from the council I just wonder what has motivated the council to ignore legal restraints on the sale of Northdown House (that is the covenants on the property protecting it)?

NORTHDOWN HOUSE HOPING FOR AN ANSWER

Fridays Gazette did nothing to clear up the mystery of Thanet councils handling of Northdown House even the great leader Sandy Ezekiel is unable to give a clear answer as to whats going on with Northdowh House, to me it looks like as if a sort of Bermuda Triangle has enveloped that part of Margate, resulting in facts just dissappearing only to emerge as spin. Anyway I've just sent an email to Thanet's top man in the hope that a clear answer might emerge.

Email Text

So What is the answer on Northdown House

Cllr Mr Ezekiel

I understand according to last weeks Isle of Thanet Gazette, that when asked if TDC had evicted Thanet Leisure Force from Northdown house , your answer was "It is not a case of them being evicted but us not being able to afford to have them there..."

Since I received the following in an email a while ago from your Deputy Mr Latchford "Tony thank you for your e-mail to answer your question. Northdown House is currently on the 2009/10 disposal list which will be considered next year.The TLF decision to cease taking bookings after 31 Dec is a matter for TLF, in the meantime TDC are looking into a whole range of options.I truly cannot say anything further at this time.Thank you for your interest,
Roger Latchford"

Cllr Mr Latchford in answer to my request to explain the haste and confusion, surrounding Northdown House, appears to suggests that TLF took the decision to vacate, however your answer seems to imply that is not the case.

Did Thanet council, instruct TLF not to take bookings for Northdown House, yes or no?

The covenants on this property, require that the whole property be maintained in perpetuity for the benefit of the public, so are we to assume that the flats you refer to, will be some new experiment in communal living.

The figure of £30,000 is given as cost to taxpayers to maintain the property, which sounds like a lot until you look at the cost of employing the 600 odd at TDC, or preparing planning briefs which are mainly for the benefit of Developers like the Dreamland document or more recently Arlington.

Finally I would like to know, just how much money has been wasted on legal advice concerning covenants designed to protect this property from the sort of action your apparently considering, which is to flog the property to next developer?

regards tony flaig

NORTHDOWN HOUSE STILL CLUELESS

The future of Northdown House despite weeks of speculation, is still looking bleak, as far as I can guess for two reasons, one I reckon Sandy Ezekiel's Tory administration has some unpublished agenda which favours, local property speculators and secondly compliant council officers who seem to lack any inclination to advise political masters on right and wrong.

The key point about Northdown House is that, use of the property is covered by covenants on the property, which preclude any use other than, that which is open to the local community use.Perhaps Richard Samuel the council Chief Executive could spell it out to the great leader.

I see that "plain jane"(Jane Wenham-Jones) will be concluding her interview with SandyEzekiel, which started last week in her Gazette column , with a rather easygoing sympathetic meander through Margate in the company of Sandy, this weeks episode will apparently include China Gateway, and Northdown house. Lets hope plain jane steps up a gear and asks some pertinent questions, like why is the council so vague about Northdown House, why did his colleague send me an email which seems to conflict with the truth.

As I understand it, and no council officer has denied this to me, the council have told Thanet Leisure force they can no longer take bookings for the property after the end of the year, so why not confirm this and then give us taxpayers a reason why Northdown House, which currently makes a small profit will from the start of the year become a liability.

The impression I get is that Thanet's political leadership think they're so bloody important they can ignore legal niceties, and despite the legal obligations of the Council, will ignore the public out of spite and ignorance. Rather than maintain the status quo, local tories will spend a fortune (yours) before they comply with their legal obligations.

This whole episode seems odd, just why would anyone want to sell off Northdown House to some get rich quick developer?

Quick Update on Northdown House

Bit busy at the moment so this is all your getting a copy of my Email to our (Thanetonians) top local government employee Richard Samuel.

26 September 2008 13:58
subjectNORTHDOWN HOUSE
mailed-bygooglemail.com

Hi Richard Samuel

I am increasing concerned about the conduct of Thanet Council, concerning Northdown House, in particular the lack of any clear information as to this property's future, could you clarify the situation, is the building to be boarded up as the local paper the Gazette reported (Paul Moore informing Iris Johnson), just what is the situation. I just wonder whether as chief executive you could find out.

regards tony flaig - blogger Bignews Margate

Unfortunately unlike me (generally), Richard Samuel doesn't often do replies or answering taxpayers at least in my experience , so I received an email via the "Business Manager" informing that Brian White Head of Development services would be on the case.

Just what the hell Development services might be I suppose, is somewhat irrelevant, still today I receive a reply of sorts, which didn't hit the spot for me or explain anything much either in my opinion. Incidentally I cannot confirm or deny which if any TDC employee sent this since there happens to bee all kinds of legalese about disclosure etc and other bull.

Thank you for your e-mail of 26 September. Because my responsibilities include Asset Management, it is appropriate for me to reply on behalf of the Council. The position is that, as agreed by Cabinet in August, further legal advice is being taken, and thereafter public consultation will take place.

I don't know about you but this clarifies nothing, are they going to board up the house in December, turn it into palatial office accommodation for the upper echelons of Thanet's office wallahs, or flog it off to one those spivs, (also known as Developers in these parts).

The terrible truth is that if a first you don't succeed consult the public again, and if you've sorted out the legal angles at god knows what cost, then consult and ignore because that's usually the way.

ps Maybe the district auditor could ask TDC why in hard times they have stopped earning revenue from this asset.

What are Sandy & Roger doing as Thanet's assets are frittered away?

You might expect a local authority to be able to look after the local heritage, but once again things Thanets valuables are at risk.

God knows we've seen what Sandy Ezekiel and Rodger Latchford are capable of and frankly its not much, purchasing the M&S building in Margate and sitting on it for a couple of years, the Tudor house rarely open, housing developments no one wants, traffic chaos,Northdown House closed, and now with Thanet museums closing, what a legacy, I seem to remember Roger Latchford briefly lifting local spirits by announcing his intention not to stand for the local council last year, maybe that was wishful thinking on my part.

Today I thought I would follow up on an email I received from Mr Latchford, regarding Northdown House which stated ".The TLF decision to cease taking bookings after 31 Dec is a matter for TLF" which is true up to a point, but as I understand the reason Thanet Leisure Force aren't taking any more bookings is the fact that Thanet Council have yet to decide what they are doing with Northdown House. Sandy & Roger need to make a decision now, every day they leave sorting out Northdown house its costing you and me money.

Revenue will now be lost because Sandy and Roger's Tory led council are incapable of making a decision and why? for one Northdown House was given to Margate council for the benefit of the community (and not so that some sleazy developer could make a fast Buck) secondly they know that apart from the legal implications of the covenants safeguarding this much loved asset there will be a massive public backlash against them if they try to flog off Northdown house.

Still whilst their scratching their heads over this one, the local economy which according to the likes of Sandy and Roger will be driven by more cultural activities will have to wait two or three years for the Turner Contemporary to open, therefore it might be reassuring to see the council do something to save Thanet museums, still I wouldn't hold your breath.

No doubt there's no money in the kitty, unless its for paying our big salaries to managers nobody would miss, Thanet Council has a chief executive and deputy chief executive, why not get rid of one, I spoke with one councillor recently who thought Thanet council could lose 10% of its staff and nobody would notice.

Why not have our Tory council that do what we expect of conservatives, that is deliver services cheaply maybe Sandy & Roger take too much advice from "officers" rather than take charge.

Update Thanet Council Still no answer!

Copy of email sent to Rodger Latchford

Hi Rodger Latchford

As an observer of local life politics and business, I was shocked to learn that, according to the Isle of Thanet Gazette, that Northdown House is apparently to be boarded up, in December.

Now there seems to considerable confusion over the future for Northdown House, not least from the council, on one hand I'm assured I think by yourself that no decision has been made, surprising since when I contacted to Leisure Force they seem quite clear that they are no longer to take bookings for the House after December 31st.

If no decision has been made why stop taking bookings! Could this be some clumsy excuse around March " We have no income therefore we'll have to sell" ?

Anyway I've lived round here for fifty years, and consider this Northdown house to be part of our local heritage.

Maybe you could explain the haste and confusion?

Regards tony flaig blogger Bignews Margate

Now to be fair to Rodger Latchford it does contain the odd error etc including an ommision in as much as " Now there seems to considerable confusion" I missed out the word be.

Any how just how long does it take for Thanet council to come up with a definitive answer.

To make it simple. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH NORTHDOWN HOUSE.

I've also contacted or attempted to contact Richard Samuels Deputy as the man himself is on holiday.

Thats all for now as I'm off to see what's occuring at this China Gate meeting in Broadstairs if I can find it!