We learned today that RiverOak Strategic Partnership (RSP) has purchased the Manston Airport site. Well, Stone Hill Park (SHP) seem to have been beaten down by a lack of vision, forward thinking and intransigence at Thanet District Council. Despite a robust plan for mixed use development on the Manston site and clearly demonstrating their business […]
Category: General
Mental health services shortfall costing lives?
Today, 13th June, Kathy Bailes in The Isle Of Thanet News covered the tragic story of Ben Stone and his brother, Lee Thrumble. Both local men were victims of suicide, the rates for which are higher for men in Kent than elsewhere in the country. The story highlights the problems of accessing mental health services […]
Stroke unit: judicial review progress
After amazing support from Thanet residents who wish to keep a stroke unit locally, we raised £5k in days, we were able to begin a formal Judicial Review. This is now at the High Court and we are waiting to hear when it will be heard. We are hopeful that it will be called in […]
Think local, not Brexit on May 2
Have politics around Brexit affected how we might vote on May 2nd? BBC South East News Political Editor, Helen Catt invited myself and district council candidates to a round table discussion. Gathered on the terrace of Ramsgate’s Wetherspoon’s pub, the group, representing the mainstream parties were open about the challenges in the forthcoming local elections. […]
Documenting Thanet gentrification
Sean Gallen is studying to be a journalist. The university student is about to complete his degree and recently submitted a film about Thanet as part of his course. Having received a request from Sean for an interview and local insight, he and I spent a few hours criss-crossing the Isle as he researched his […]
Ramsgate’s new fire station and running
As a member of Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, I am very pleased to see Ramsgate Fire Station open in it’s new location with state of the art facilities. On 5th February I was with the Service as a guest to witness their new base in Ramsgate and listen to how they intend […]
Stroke unit in Thanet to be killed by Tories
Thanet’s need to retain a stroke unit for East Kent residents has been dismissed by a committee dominated by Conservative representatives. On Friday 1st of February the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny meeting at Kent County Council in Maidstone was a disaster for our isle with locations elsewhere in Kent being nominated for specialist stroke […]
Newington Matters December Newsletter
Another edition of Newington Matters has been delivered to thousands of homes by Labour Party volunteers. The ward newsletter highlights issues faced by Newington residents that are being tackled by myself and other Labour councillors. We also have guest contributions from local residents on the subjects of potholes and education. Hopefully all residents in my […]
Thanet pubs serve welcome news
No doubt aided by our thriving tourism trade, the number of pubs we have on the Isle of Thanet has remained stable since 2001. Additionally, we are seeing higher growth in employment in this sector than the national average. Figures released this week by the Office for National Statistics show a sad, steady decline in the […]
IC24 is failing NHS patients
A GP out-of-hours service provider in Kent has made the news this week over safety concerns. IC24 (Integrated Care 24 Limited), based in Ashford, has the contract to provide the 111 non-emergency call service and GPs across the South East. I was extremely concerned to hear that a manager at IC24 was warning that the […]