Conservative Plans for Paid Parking in Sandgate

Written by Tim Prater and published in An Open Letter to Sandgate District Councillor Robert Bliss on Thu 15th Apr 2010

I note with interest the recent newsletter distributed by the Conservatives to a few houses in Sandgate. It's always good to see the Sandgate Conservatives annual contact with residents, but am concerned that your normally genial mask has somewhat slipped with an attack on those pointing out Conservative Shepway Council's plans for pay and display parking in Sandgate.

To quote you directly from your newsletter:

"Their most recent leaflet in Sandgate tells residents that 'Conservative Shepway Council are proposing the introduction of pay and display parking on Sandgate Esplanade in the next year'. It isn't true. They know it isn't true. In fact it's all a lot of Prater Prattle. So stop misleading residents and perhaps we'll stop telling the truth about you!"

Interesting.

Our recent newsletter in Sandgate (one of many - we campaign all year around, not just at elections) does indeed discuss the possibility of the Conservative run Council introducing Pay and Display Parking on Sandgate Esplanade. So where could we have got such information from?

Answer - the Forward Plans of Shepway District Council (which I understand you currently still nominally lead), which are published in your name. Allow me to refer you to the THREE documents that refer to pay and display parking proposals in Sandgate.

Shepway Council Forward Plan Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr 2010

Published 18 December 2009 under the name of Cllr Bliss

http://www.shepway.gov.uk/UserFiles/File/pdf/forward-plan/fp20091218.pdf

Page 16: On and Off Street Parking in Sandgate: The report puts forward proposals to introduce new on and off street pay and display parking along Sandgate Seafront

• "This report puts forward proposals to use parking charges as a mechanism to control demand and create a turnover of parking spaces"

• Date when Decision will be taken: 17 February 2010

• Cabinet portfolio: Councillor Malcolm Dearden

It also appeared the following month:

Shepway Council Forward Plan Feb / Mar / Apr / May 2010

Published 15 January 2010 under the name of Cllr Bliss

http://www.shepway.gov.uk/UserFiles/File/pdf/forward-plan/forward-plan-january-2010.pdf

Page 9: On and Off Street Parking in Sandgate: The report puts forward proposals to introduce new on and off street pay and display parking along Sandgate Seafront

• "This report puts forward proposals to use parking charges as a mechanism to control demand and create a turnover of parking spaces"

• Date when Decision will be taken: 17 February 2010

• Cabinet portfolio: Councillor Malcolm Dearden

I can only assume that you did not see, read, or understand the Forward Plan published in your own name. That plan clearly states that there WERE proposals for pay and display parking on Sandgate seafront. This is the Forward Plan of a Conservative Council, with the proposal under the name of your Conservative Cabinet colleague Malcolm Dearden.

You may also wish to refer to the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/service/cads/doc/council/Other/rcoun20100218%20Medium%20Term%20Financial%20Strategy%20-%20Appendix%201.doc?download=download or http://tinyurl.com/y5fldf9) Section 3.7, Page 31:

"Plans are also underway to investigate a parking scheme along the Sandgate seafront. This scheme should provide a greater turnover of spaces and more availability of spaces. Whilst it is not possible to determine the level of income from this strategy it is intended that the scheme will as a minimum cover its costs."

This was discussed at Full Council on 18 February, and you and your Conservative colleagues voted for it. I understand that communications between yourself and the Cabinet Member of Finance may have been strained lately, but I would have assumed you may have some knowledge of the proposals being put forward in the name of Shepway Council while you still lead it.

Now I understand that that proposal was not in the end discussed by Cabinet, but the proposal clearly existed, or it would not have appeared in the Forward Plan, would it? I can only assume it was withdrawn due to fear of the backlash from Sandgate residents that the plan would rightly draw, or that Kent Highways made clear that any income from such as scheme would be payable to Kent County Council. As I say, these are only assumptions, as the withdrawal of the item is shrouded in secrecy.

I understand you have to spend a considerable amount of time demoting your cabinet colleagues who want to be leader. Perhaps this is what distracted you from noticing that the Council currently under your leadership WAS looking to bring forward proposals for pay and display parking on Sandgate Seafront.

I hope this has been of assistance.

Tim Prater, County Councillor for Folkestone West (covering Cheriton, Morehall and Sandgate)