Planning Applications: August and September 2008
Posted by Alan Collins on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 17:34

Below is a list of planning applications for Twydall, received during August and September 2008.

Reference: MC2008/1382
Consultation Start: 22/08/08
Consultation End: 12/09/08
Location: 17 Begonia Avenue Gillingham ME8 6YA
Description: Construction of two storey side extension  incorporating garage and Juliet balcony to  rear
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Reference: MC2008/1411
Consultation Start: 27/08/08
Consultation End: 17/09/08
Location: 112 Eastcourt Lane Gillingham ME8 6HQ
Description: Construction of a dormer window to rear to facilitate loft conversion
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Reference: MC2008/1508
Consultation Start: 12/09/08
Consultation End: 03/10/08
Location: 11 Begonia Avenue Gillingham ME8 6YD
Description: Retrospective application for construction of shed in side/front garden
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Planning applications are listed for informative purposes only, and are in no way an endorsement of any individual application listed.

155 views | No Comments |  Print this post

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Planning application update
Posted by Alan Collins on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 17:27

I don’t often plan to revisit planning applications - and indeed this is (I think) the first time I have. Doing so is very time-consuming and, because the amount of time each application takes to be decided, also quite difficult.

However, I feel that this issue is highly important - and I stubmled across the decision whilst searching for the planning applications I have missed over the past two months.

You may recall the latter of these two applications - “Application for prior approval under Part 24 Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) for installation of a 12m high telegraph pole mast containing 3 antennas with adjacent equipment cabinet”.

Well, consultation ran from August 1 until August 22. Just one week later (and three weeks before a Labour councillor handed in a petition of opposition at full council, which will no doubt now be disregarded) a decision was made to refuse the application.

In other words: Medway Council have said no to a phone mast in Twydall (albeit about a month ago) after fierce opposition from residents.

105 views | No Comments |  Print this post

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Conservatives to freeze council tax for 2 years
Posted by Alan Collins on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 12:33

At the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, George Osborne has just promised to freeze council tax for at least 2 years.

Rather ironically, I found out the news whilst waiting in the ridiculously long queue in Nationwide’s Gillingham branch - reading the subtitles on the BBC News 24 broadcast.

Mr Osborne’s pledge - that a Conservative government will freeze English council tax bills for at least two years - will come as welcome news to hard-pressed families who have seen dramatic rises in their council tax bills after 11 years of a Labour government.

Mr Osborne himself today looked very much how a Chancellor-in-waiting should look. There was no walking around on stage with no notes. Instead, standing at the lectern, Osborne looked calm yet informed, relax yet in control. Mr Osborne looks ready to step up to the plate were an election to take place tomorrow.

Given the credit crunch hitting families hard, worrying about whether or not their money is safe, it is refreshing to know that council tax, at least, will not rise in the first two years of a Conservative government. And nor should it.

115 views | 1 Comment |  Print this post

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Could USDAW expel me for being a Conservative?
Posted by Alan Collins on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 19:04

Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides for freedom of association and states quite clearly that:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.¹

Most people would, semmingly quite rightly, read into Article 11 that anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, political affiliations, etc. has the right to join a trade union (amongst other things).

Well, on December 6, 2007, a Bill was introduced to Parliament with its first reading. The Employment Bill has a few objectives (including disqualifying Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from being entitled to the national minimum wage whilst carrying out their Cadet duties). However, the one I want to focus on is described in the introductory paragraph: “A BILL … to make provision about the right of trade unions to expel or exclude members on the grounds of membership of a political party”.²

That in itself could mean that either the Bill intends to allow it, or prohibit it. What the Bill is in fact doing is amending The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52), which, at present, states that trade unions have no right to expel members based on their membership of, or activism with, a political party. The amendment would permit trade unions to expel members based on political party membership, past or present, if membership is “contrary to … a rule of the trade union, or … an objective of the trade union”.²

Continue Reading “Could USDAW expel me for being a Conservative?” »

203 views | No Comments |  Print this post

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The day I (almost) regained faith in the Partnership
Posted by Alan Collins on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 16:56

Many of you may remember this post last month, written after I had discovered the Chatham World Heritage Partnership believed that our (Air Cadet) building had reached the end of its viable life.

Well, today I (and also my Commanding Officer) had a very nice email from someone quite high up in the Partnership, apologising profusely for what appears to be quite an embarassing mix-up.

Although I won’t repeat exactly what was said, the person in question described the answer in the report (quoted in my original post) as “incorrect”. The confusion arose because a similar questions was asked about the Marlborough Road Community Centre, which is due to be replaced and where a local youth band (led by a Squadron Leader) currently play.

The report has been amended, so that the question reads: “How is the Youth Band that plays at the Community Centre going to be affected?”. The answer? “The Community Centre is reaching the end of its viable life, and is due for removal / replacement. The council has worked with the KM Medway Band to secure a new venue for their practice, also on Marlborough Road.” The email made a point of quoting this and saying “The Community Centre …. viable life (not the Air Cadets Building)”.

However, the original question (”How is the air cadet building going to be included in the proposals?”) has been ommitted from the report and an answer not given, which begs the question - is this really the end? After all, if you take a look at the concept plans, you will see the Air Cadet building within the Medway Park Phase 3 area, at about the same point on which (on the final page) an area is shaded in and labelled “Replacement community buidling in the park”.

Either someone (or some people) is being economical with the truth, or the Partnership intends to build a community centre in our back yard. Neither prospect seems agreeable and I hope (and pray) that I am wrong!

99 views | No Comments |  Print this post

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -