REPORT FROM SITTINGBOURNE MAGISTRATES

 

 It would seem that our 'Strife' reporter is sitting in Sittingbourne this morning with Tom Betts from Your Thanet and Richard Spillet from IOTG.

Readers may have forgotten that our Margate Mayor and former Mayoress are facing alleged animal cruelty charges brought by the RSPCA and that the hearing was moved at the accused's request, from Margate Magistrates on the grounds that Cllr Watt-Ruffell was too well known to our local magistrates.

Other than a report that shared difficulty seems to have brought the couple closer together; they sat hand in hand as proceedings opened, there has been further delay in hearing the case. It would seem that the normal criminal checks on the background of two RSPCA witnesses had not taken place and this was objected to by the defending solicitor. There was a degree of annoyance from the Magistrate, as one could imagine, as this could and should have been sorted out sooner and perhaps brought to the attention of the RSPCA. It would seem that the hearing was adjourned for an hour so that necessary witness checks (criminal records etc) could be carried out and fax machines are busy as I write. The Magistrate was not happy to adjourn proceedings to a later date. 

UPDATE AT 12.32pm

Our Strife reporter has rung in to report that Cllr Watt-Ruffell has pleaded guilty to the charge brought against him. His wife pleaded not guilty but the RSPCA have withdrawn the charge and her case has been dismissed. The RSPCA has asked for costs of £5,600.

Cllr Watt-Ruffell's solicitor in his plea of mitigation on Cllr Watt-Ruffell's behalf, stated that Cllr Watt-Ruffell had been the subject of character assasination by 'blogs' and the local press which has made life very stressful and has made an impact on his marriage and they are presently having a trial separation. (There was no mention of Mrs Watt-Ruffell's indiscrete announcements on her since closed Facebook site.)

The Magistrates are presently adjourned to consider sentence and with Probationary Service reporting to them.

Final Update
A medium Term Community Order of 80 hrs and disqualification from owning or having anything to do with animals for 18 months was the penalty imposed by Magistrates. £2,000 of the RSPCA's costs were awarded against Cllr Watt-Ruffell to be paid at £40 per month. Evidence included by the RSPCA was that they counted 150 fleas on the 5 week old kitten that died in the arms of the RSPCA officer when called in.
Further details can be seen at Your Thanet :
http://www.yourthanet.co.uk/kent-news/Margate-mayor-guilty-of-animal-cruelty-newsinkent32683.aspx

Comment
 Well done to the RSPCA who persisted with this prosecution when it could have been justified on cost to have abandoned it.

Perhaps it would have been better had Cllr Watt-Ruffell resigned from his Mayoralty when he was first charged. I hope he will now do so. Is he the first Mayor of Margate to be in this position?  I wonder what his position as a Cllr now is?  I presume he will have to resign and that we can look forward to another interesting election campaign in Dane Valley Ward soon.?

HOW TO SET UP A PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE FROM RAMSGATE

 

I hope ECR enjoyed Inside-Out tonight as the BBC 'borrowed' inspiration from his hilarious 'Bonanza' paint on /paint off clip from last year. Did anyone spot the 'Cabinet Member' and 'OBE' on 'Wogers' high vis jacket in the replay of last year's interview? I missed it first time round. Why stop there, I thought, why not have a medal ribbon or two, as well. I wonder what 'Mauwice' has on his high vis jacket?

I am surprised that Tony Flaig on Big News Margate, expresses ignorance on Euroferries and the 'Bonanaza' saga; should have followed 'Strife' on the subject since this time last year, Tony and you would have been better informed.

Well my informants from last week were pretty good in respect of  LD lines and The Norman Spirit. If Mr Gillan of Euroferries reads 'Strife' and I am sure they do from their 'offices', here is a clear example of how you start up a passenger ferry service from Ramsgate so read carefully the announcement below and for those in Thanet, one is reminded of 'Sally' again:

LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries have announced a commercial agreement to commence a collaboration on the Ramsgate – Ostend freight and passenger ferry service, initially operating one vessel together.

Starting between 15^th and 30^th March 2010, the two companies will co-operate on commercial aspects of the route with LD Lines taking a lead in the development of the tourist passenger business, whilst Transeuropa Ferries will continue to build its focus on freight traffic and ship operations.

The agreement also includes fleet changes with LD Lines’ Norman Spirit transferring to the route, which Transeuropa Ferries will operate on a long term charter basis.

Norman Spirit will be re-named Ostend Spirit, operating two return sailings daily, with a crossing time of four hours. The ship is expected to replace one of the current Transeuropa Ferries’ fleet later in 2010.

LD Lines’ Managing Director, Christophe Santoni, said, “We are very pleased to announce this development which will combine the considerable expertise of both companies.

For LD Lines it will further expand our ferry service network and we can now offer the market an extensive choice of routes from the west to east across the English Channel to France, and now to a northern located port in Belgium. The port of Ostend geographically is very well placed to attract new business from the Benelux, Germany and Eastern European countries.”

Dominique Penel, General Manager of Transeuropa Ferries added : “This makes good economic sense for both companies in relation to moving the service forward. Transeuropa have established an excellent, solid freight business via the Ramsgate – Ostend route since we began in 1998 and now with a larger ship, we have the potential to improve the level of service to our freight customers whilst also developing the tourist traffic through LD Lines’ passenger marketing resources.”

The newly named Ostend Spirit will continue to operate under the British flag and be branded in LD Lines’ and Transeuropa Ferries’ colours.

Mr Johan Vande Lanotte, Chairman of the port of Ostend and former Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium said, “This is excellent news for the port of Ostend and for the region. This is a clear signal we have survived the worst of the crisis and we are now building for the future. This co-operation is an important step in our plan for growth.”

In Ramsgate, Councillor Roger Latchford, Thanet District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said, “This is marvellous news for both Ramsgate and Thanet. The port was built to receive vessels of this size and it’s good to welcome them back, especially because of the increased freight and passenger business they represent.”

Ostend Spirit will be returning to her original home port of Ostend, having previously been named Prins Filip. Built in 1991 by the then Belgian ferry operator Regie voor Maritiem Transport (RMT), the ship entered service in 1992 on the Dover – Ostend route, switching to operate between Ramsgate and Ostend, where she remained until 1997.

The ship will be transferring from LD Lines’ Dover – Boulogne service in March, to be replaced by the ex Brave Merchant which will be re-named,to further develop the route’s freight and tourist traffic and continue to provide a service frequency of four return sailings daily.

Built in 1999, the UK flag 22,152 gross tonnes Brave Merchant has capacity for 2000 lane metres for freight and tourist vehicles and up to 400 passengers.

LD Lines’ tourist fares on the Ramsgate – Ostend service will be available for cars and passengers, cars and caravans, motorhomes, motorcycles and for added on board passenger comfort facilities include cabins and sleeper seats. LD Lines’ launch offer starts from £24 single for a car and five passengers, subject to availiability.

LD Lines’ cross channel ferry service network includes : Dover – Boulogne, Newhaven – Dieppe and Portsmouth – Le Havre routes. For more information and to book : www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.

For Transeuropa Ferries information contact : www.transeuropaferries.com orcall : 01843 595522.

----------ends----------

Issued on 8^th February 2010

ALLOTMENT SECURITY IS ANOTHER TDC FAILURE

  

Readers since 2008 will know that Bertie had a 'bee in his bonnet' about the unsightly and ill thought out TDC fencing around allotments in Thanet that began in Culmer's Land Broadstairs, and which then spread around the Isle. The funding for this fencing came from the sale of Manston Rd allotments but TDC has yet to explain what it has done with £2.1 million having spent £900,000 on allotment fencing.

It gives me no pleasure to see that the industrial security fencing put around Chilton West allotments did not prevent thieves from breaking into 65 sheds and making off with over £1,000 of kit. The picture above is from this weeks IOTG ( a much improved paper and congrats to the team there) and shows Dave Nimmo who represents the allotment holders at Chilton West. It would appear that it is the third time Chilton West has been 'done' and Mr Nimmo is quoted in IOTG as follows:

'Mr Nimmo believes the fence put up by Thanet Council is not enough of a deterrent'.

I hate to say that this is no surprise to me. I pointed out to 'Our Leader' in 2008 at Cecil Sq and to assorted Broadstairs Cllrs and others in Culmers Land, that a simple spanner is all you need to take out a section of this fencing; that unless you put a concrete base under it you can excavate a simple access groove in the soil below it and the bottom line was that a false sense of security is generated if you rely on such fencing.

There are far more effective ways of improving allotment security and it would help if TDC had a dedicated 'allotments officer' as many other authorities do and a co-ordinated joined up approach as suggested by The Allotments Assoc. I put some suggestions on http://thanetstrife.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-are-we-securing.html

So throwing £900,000 at allotment fencing was a rushed ill-thought out TDC 'policy' that is now being shown to be ineffective. I came in for much criticism from allotment holders 2 years ago for suggesting that this industrial fencing would be a waste of money and that a combination of measures was what was neeeded. So now we have Mr Nimmo talking of further expense with video-cameras and Cllr David Green supporting this.
Why stop there, gentlemen? Go for triple concertina wire;  guard-dogs on running leashes ; goon towers; search-lights and permanent security men. Of course this is absurd.

It would have been better to have put in cheaper, less visually intrusive fencing; planted blackthorn and hawthorn hedging and have TDC fund a replacement and repair scheme when theft and damage occurs. The Isle would not have unsightly eye-sores dotted around and the tax-payer would have had better value for money,as would have the allotment holders. The basic problem is that TDC has no joined up policy on the whole issue of its allotments and this false sense of security will persist as sadly will further damage and theft.

THE EXPENSIVE TDC FIGHT TO OPPOSE HOOTS DRAGS ON

 

As news is revealed that Conservative dominated KCC feels it is acceptable to pay an extra £200,000 this year to its Chief Executive on top of his £240,000 salary, one wonders if it is not time that David Cameron got to grips with his party at County and District level.  After all , his salary as Prime Minister will be a fraction of Mr Gilroy's later in the year.

I mention District level, because the nitty gritty of The Montefiore Village Green Public Enquiry moves into its 4th day today. Highlights today are a 'site visit' and evidence from TDC Officer Paul Verral. 

The report below is  from one of the 'Strife' team who sat through 2 hrs of the Enquiry yesterday afternoon, and as a result has earned an 'extra chocolate biccie' award from Edna, our tea lady. (The Village Green supporters are doing their best,  without professional legal support, against a very expensive barrister and legal team, employed by TDC, at our expense, to fight against its own electorate's wishes.)

This afternoon I spent two hours listening to questioning about the fencing around the area formerly known as the Montefiore Games Centre in Ramsgate.

'Two hours?' I hear you ask.

'Yes, and that was only one TDC officer giving evidence. There's another to come tomorrow.

'Yes and that was only this afternoon as this morning and yesterday much of our council tax was being spent on a barrister asking questions relating to 'fencing'.

The whole issue relating to the village green application seems to hang on 'whether or not/when/why/did TDC decide to give up on replacing fencing around ' and ' was it the tennis courts or the putting green area or the bowling green?'

The date on which TDC decided to stop replacing fencing panels is crucial to this as that will determine when the public had free access to the land formerly known as the 'old putting green that then became a croquet lawn'.

'Was it in the mid-90s, late-90's or when?'

'Was there persistent vandalism or occasional vandalism that contributed to the decision?'

'Why is this important?' you ask.

Well. depending on how long the public has had unimpeded access to open spaces will determine whether or not land can be classified as 'a village green' at least I think that's what it's all about. Ardent tennis players claim they have had free access to the area behind the courts for 30 years retrieving lost balls.

Hours of highly-paid barrister time, funded by us taxpayers, by a council that claims financial hardship. A good use of our money?

Those campaigning for a village green are represented by a non-legal person who did succeed in tieing the TDC officer giving evidence up in knots at times. It seems paperwork is only kept for a short time so essential information isn't still available for the Inspector taking a decision on this case to see.

I can't speak for any other witnesses as I only attended this afternoon but I hope our taxpayers' thousands reap a just result for the Thanet taxpayers. 

Those sitting listening are aware that should this be lost the land will then be linked up with land behind the Holy Trinity School to create a large, executive housing development fronting Montefiore Avenue.

I wonder what the bill for legal and Officer's time will be for this Enquiry? An FoI is being prepared. Will this folly continue as TDC fights 3 more Village Green applications. " When will they ever learn?"

EUROFERRIES - THE SAGA CONTINUES

 

As the BBC prepares to examine Euroferries and its attempts for the past 12 months to launch a Ramsgate-Boulogne fast ferry service, the' Ferry spotting' fraternity has had a busy day.

Could it be that Euroferries is after the 'Sea Leopard' bought by Epic (a Hong Kong based firm) from the administrators of the defunct Speedferries? The picture above and the history of this boat and all its aliases are all at this splendid site: http://doverferryphotos.co.uk/Vessel/Speedone.htm. It is an Incat 045 and was built in 1997 and has served with the Australian Navy; been pranged on Dover Breakwater and 'arrested' in Boulogne when Speedferries failed to cough up mooring fees. For those who like to know where boats are etc, look at  www.shipais.com/showship.php?mmsi=235007470 to see Sea Leopard berthed at Tilbury.

Our maritime advisors tell us that an interesting change to Euroferries website describing a Gold Class 'lounge' (Bonanaza?) has been altered toGold Class 'section' (Sea Leopard) and that a 'bareboat charter' is the most likely deal that might be made. The problem with this is that a skipper and crew need to be found etc and the boat then cleared fit for Ramsgate - Boulogne.  All, in 24 days remaining to 1st March that is shown as service start date still? It would seem that Sea Leopard isn't quite as spacious or classy as Bonanza and that only 4 coaches can be taken on with reversing on/off options only.

Rumour has it that TransEuropa are not happy about a Euroferries service in Ramsgate (is there a sole passenger carrier deal?) as it is rumoured to be taking on from LD lines, the Norman Spirit and Norman Arrow, to replace the boats running out of Ramsgate at the moment. I hope they are not thinking of pushing off to Dover in a picque.

Good old TDC PR and Cheryl have  been equally uninformative about Euroferries in Ramsgate with this to say to-day: 

The Council statement on Euroferries is:

'The Council has no outstanding obligations with Euroferries'. ENDs

In the meantime, my sympathies lie with the BBC 'sleuth' Glenn Campbell,  who could be up-dating Inside-Out for broadcast next Monday, 8th Feb at 7.30pm, right up to the line! For the average Thanet resident I suppose,  it boils down to 'Do I believe in the tooth-fairy?'

A MIDWEEK THANET POT POURRI

 

As 'Strife' Team members prepare follow up FoI requests with KCC about the 'contribution' that Rose Farm Estates is to make, if any, to the New Haine Road through the Eurokent land that it owns and push off down to Ashford Business Park to talk to Keel Toys, Bertie is left manning the phone with little snippets coming in to share with you.

  

 It has come to our attention that at a recent Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting, two of Dane Valley Ward's Councillors were overheard discussing  getting together to hold joint surgeries for Ward residents. It would seem that Cllr Mike Jarvis ( an excellent Conservative Cllr who is out of favour with The Ezekiel Party) has offered  to hold a joint surgery for Dane Valley Residents with newly elected Cllr Sandy Hart (Labour's new excellent Cllr).  This is a splendid  idea and shows that both Cllrs put working together for the Thanet residents they represent above the petty Party politics that has under 'Mauwice' been a hallmark of TDC. I wish them both success. Mike Jarvis has been doing his best for too long in Dane Valley with two very low profile Ezekiel Party Cllrs as fellow ward Cllrs and with Sandy's enthusiasm and commitment, a new era of co-operation and joint common effort could be with us.

A member of the team down at Albion House yesterday, has reported in that residents and HOOTs supporters of The Montefiore Village Green, were being torn to shreds by the 'rottweiler' of a barrister employed by TDC to fight against their Village Green Application. This is not as dramatic as 'Peterloo' thank goodness but it is not a nice sight to see a highly paid and expensive legal expert, paid by TDC Council Tax payers via TDC, turning the heat on Thanet residents paying Council taxes to TDC ! When will TDC grasp the deep and lasting resentment that is building up around the Isle because of its actions like this?

Now to TDC Conservative Group meeting last Thursday or should I say Ezekiel Party Group meeting? It would seem that straws blowing in the wind are turning into bales!  The rumours of some major changes afoot grow stronger. It would seem that the Conservative ascendancy over what has been described as the Ezekiel Junta may have begun and that NTCA and STCA have had enough. It seems that Cllr Bayford is being mentioned as a 'New Leader' and that 'Mauwice' and hopefully 'Woger' will be on their way sooner than April/May. My advice, which of course, will be ignored is :

'Gentlemen, go now and let your successors have longer to clean out the mess you have left lying around the stables. Not only is there a National Election due but 2011 is just over the horizon and you have done enough harm to The Conservative Party already. For God's sake resign or retire.'

The last item I would like to draw attention to is Michael Child's ongoing concern over the cliff-face stability at Pleasurama. (www.thanetonline.blogspot.com). He has kept us all informed with pics and technical aspects of repairs to repairs and the simple fact that there is no proper foundation to the concrete surfaces stuck to the cliff-face. He has been villified, criticised and TDC has even tried to gag its contractors from talking to him. When will TDC realise that the truth will out?  Do we really have to witness a cliff collapse and an EA rapid flooding event in the years ahead, when the present incumbents at TDC have moved on, just because they are unable to admit they may have got it wrong?  Perhaps it is time for TDC to engage externally contracted independent specialists to review what they have done so far and make recommendations that are then followed.

BBC INVESTIGATION INTO EUROFERRIES

 

BBC South East's investigative reporter, Glenn Campbell, appears to have been looking into Euroferries for some time, and next Monday 8 Feb 2010, readers will be able to watch at 7.30 pm, his answers to the question 'Will Euroferries start a new ferry service?' (from Ramsgate). A 'must see' programme, I would suggest.

Readers should be aware that the BBC South East's 'chief sleuth' reported in 2006 on  Euroferries efforts to start a service from Dover ( some will recall the 'Spirit of Ontario' saga) and last year had our Deputy Leader, 'Woger' Latchford stuttering before the camera on the subject of Euroferries proposed Ramsgate -Boulogne service. Will he feature again?

Regular readers will be well aware that 'Strife' has taken a very cautious stand about Euroferries claims to deliver a service from Ramsgate since February last year and this caution has been justified after 3 start dates have come and gone and poor old Bonanza Express has had Euroferries logos painted on and off TWICE!

It would seem that not only did Fred Olsen deadlines for 'hire' and money not get met but that a PR Firm taken on by Euroferries has had some problems of a similar nature. What is one to make of this ?:

'The Staging House Limited was engaged by Euroferries on 5th March 2009; we understood that our role would be to act as Euroferries' Marketing Team. We were instructed to distribute a press release, which had already been approved by Euroferries Directors, targeting  local press and maritime organisations.   We duly did so in good faith, believing the clients to be in a position to meet the expectations that the press release would create.  Unfortunately, we were never placed in a position by Euroferries to respond to press and customers enquiries.  When it became clear (shortly after our initial engagement) that we could not complete our job effectively, we declined to continue representing Euroferries and we have had no contact from the company or any of its representatives since that time.  We have not been paid for any of our work to date."

 XXXXX
The Studio
The Staging House
Horsham
RH13 8NH

I think that any-one interested in what we in Thanet all wished for, a service between Ramsgate and Boulogne, should tune in next Monday!