Thanet Nature Conservation Umbrella Group

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY. 14TH FEBR
AT THE WALPOLE BAY HOTEL. CLIFTONVILLE

1. MEMBERS PRESENT

Zeena Cohen, John Milford, Robin Hills, Peter Bartingale, John Rowland, Douglas & Moira Bush, Tony Child, Brian & Debbie Stewart, Joyce McCoy, Shirley May, Steve Ward, Dennis Neville, Philip Carney, Gerry O'Donnell, Vera Elliott, Ida & Bert Windsor, Jean Pain, Sarah Meakins, A T Burbridge and R Quested, Camille Sutton, Simon Palmer, Mr & Mrs Wilson, H G Mayo, Bernard Clayson, David Swinden, Elleanor Scott, Philip Scott, V Hovenden, Grant Roberson, David Britton, Eileen Randall, David Neden, Jack Cohen, David Cooper and Joe Gaugas.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Roger Gale M.P, Wendy Carr and Mrs Arnett.

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

These were accepted as a true and accurate record.

4. FIRST PRESENTATION

Mr Rick Sylvester spoke on the subject of 'Local Action', a group which had worked both in Papua New Guinea and Suffolk. In the latter the group had established a community woodland, designed to be sustainable and encouraging both biodiversity and traditional industries. To this end, a project had been created, called 'People Planting' which has possible access to funding. He stressed the importance of such initiatives being community based, but reported that he had had a useful meeting with Thanet District Council.

Mr Rowland asked whether Mr Sylvester was aware of previous attempts at woodland planting in Thanet. The Chairman reported that the proposed Hartsdown woodland was 'on hold' and that there was £40,000 allocated by Thanet District Council for woodland which was currently not being used. The Chairman asked the meeting whether it was in favour of investigating the possibility of a community woodland. This was supported unanimously. He further asked for volunteers to serve on a sub-committee to explore the situation.

Messrs Simon Palmer, Gerry O'Donnell, Grant Robertson and Philip Carney agreed to sit on such a sub-committee.

5. SECOND PRESENTATION

The Chairman introduced Ms Christine Gist.

Ms Gist has been appointed as a researcher by Sustainability Action to work on the viability of the Thanet Countryside and Coastal Project and to produce a project proposal and business plan.

6. THANET COASTAL PROJECT

Tony Child, Project Officer reported upon the importance of the Thanet Coast, and spoke of the four workshops which had taken place over the last two years. From these had come a raising of public awareness and the institution of voluntary codes of conduct aimed at protecting the coast and its wildlife.

7. FORENESS POINT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP

Mr Peter Bartingale (Chairman) reported that this group was now called FORENESS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION, which from a local start had become national and international. Major problems of sewage deposit and pollution beset our Thanet coastline and proposals by Southern Water were quite inadequate.

8. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

(i) Turner Centre Proiect

The Chairman reported that Damian Maguire from KCC was co-ordinating the Turner Centre project. This is being thoroughly researched and an Environmental Impact Statement is being produced. He further said interested parties will be consulted, and in his opinion, KCC was acting responsibly and doing their homework.

(ii) Manston

The Chairman distributed statements from Roger Gale MP and Stephen Ladyman MP. He said that he and a group of others had met Mr Gale and planned to meet Dr Ladyman to discuss the shortfall in the "Environment Impact Analysis" produced by Arthur D Little for Wiggins.

(iii) Bathing Water Quality

The Chairman referred to a letter from Mr Brian Whitehead on the subject of the failure of bathing water at Margate to meet the EU's mandatory standard and the Council's proposed liaison with the Environment Agency to address this. The Tivoli Brook is a persistent problem.

9. SANDWICH ACTION GROUP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Mr Phil Scott of this group spoke of the proposed incinerator at Richborough. He said that 70% of the fumes from this plant would travel over Thanet -the rest going to Dover district. He suggested that the argument being used was because Thanet has relatively clean air it is safe to pollute it. He reported that SITA has submitted two plans and there was to be a public inquiry. This would place a great strain upon the group, both in terms of money and expertise and he appealed for both fmancial and physical support from the community. Asked whether the TNCUG still opposed the incinerator development it was agreed unanimously that it did.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Ms Elliott reported that Dr Ladyman was unaware of the existence of the TNCUG, and asked whether the group was using a letterhead. The Chainnan reported that it was not the case but communications left no doubt as to the Groups existence.

Dr Gaugas asked whether the TNCUG should open its own bank account. The Chairman suggested that this was for the Executive who would look into the matter. Mr Peter Bartingale indicated that the Foreness Environmental Action would make an immediate contribution of £50 to the TNCUG funds.

11. NEXT MEETING

This will be held as publicised in the last Minutes, on Thursday, 11th April 2002 at 7.00 p.m. in the Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville.