Council Tax - Thanet District

Increases have been announced for the next financial year in council taxes. Notably, Kent County Council receives the biggest slice (72%) of the cake and behaves the most irresponsibly. Schemes like the relief of traffic congestion at Westwood Cross. It has now been revealed that there will be five 'upgrades', but this does not state five phases. It would be premature to fix on five phases. In any case, no mention of any joint venture beyond the first phase at New Haine Road is mentioned. Thanet Conservatives are wetting themselves in celebration for this construction project that has no visible conclusion. The Tories say that disruption to traffic alongside the existing Haine Road should be minimal. But minimal compared to what? It could still be horrendous and using past experiences with road building in Thanet it is likely to be considerable. To really inspire Thanet residents' confidence, councillor Martin Wise (cabinet member for finance) states that inflation is running at over 4%. Interestingly, government's own inflation quote is rising to only 2.2% and such disparity is of great concern. Even today's growing aware masses are finding this rather a thin explanation that doesn't make sense. If inflation is so low and everybody has never had it so good, why are so many in absolute despair?

Truth is always consistent and 2.2% against 4% is not consistent

"We are an ambitious council that wants to achieve the best for our residents and that includes delivering on the priorities that matter to them." Like the Turner Centre that is non-existent, yet has cost well in excess of £48millions and continues to create money. And still no sign of construction starting. Proposed opening is October 2010. The house building scheme that can only (unfortunately) happen with public money to provide private properties. These are not council houses, after all. Thanet has all but been destroyed in the pursuit of money and any progress has been entirely backward. If there is any 'vision' then it is nebulous and composed of vapour.

18.07.08 A 3hr Saturday free parking period has been announced, but not advertised. Only one car park (Mill Lane) and only Margate. Not any other town (Broadstairs, St. Peters, Ramsgate). Small change in shopping habits (improvement) has been noted. Hardly surprising. Notably, any weekday is a difficult time to find parking space. Weekends, this is quite different and must be due to weekday office workers leaving their cars. Clearly, street parking for cars is highly lucrative. The shops may disappear, but the new trade is revenue from cars.