Escape the Rain

Christmas shopping today? If you need a break from the crowds and the weather, Googies cafe, Rendezvous Street, has an acoustic jam session this afternoon (Sunday). Just sit back and listen or take part, great atmosphere, food and drinks, all levels welcome.

Conservatives Criticised Over Council Pay Freeze

The Conservative group came under fire over their proposal to freeze councillors’ expenses and allowances in a Council meeting held on November 24, at the Civic Centre.

The motion was passed unanimously, but not before Liberal Democrat councillors questioned why the Conservative group had not agreed to this earlier in the year when suggested as an amendment by Liberal Democrats  (see minutes page 29 http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/service/cads/doc/council/Minutes%20%20Public/mcoun20090219.doc?download=download)

Cllr Carroll said "In February I moved to that we should freeze allowances. The Conservatives belly-laughed and guffawed.

Leading the first of several allegations that party whipping was the reason for the Conservative's change of heart, cllr Carroll claimed "something else is at work.”

People First cllr Paul Marsh also attacked the Conservative group, saying he could "never remember the Conservative group recommending a pay freeze." Cllr Marsh also said the Conservatives usually vote for increases, and Conservative cllr Rory Love had increased his own remuneration by 600% .

Conservative councillor David Monk denied that any whipping had taken place. Cllr Tilson (Cons) thanked the chamber for so many congratulations, though the Conservative group did not deny or seek to defend their earlier record.

The motion passed.

Council Debate Goes Nuclear About ‘Back of a Fag Packet’ Dungeness Motion

Temperatures ran high at a full council meeting on Wednesday 24 when a proposed motion about the decision to not consider Dungeness as a possible site for a new nuclear power station was discussed.

At one point Chairperson Councillor Susan Carey had to stand to force Councillor Lynne Beaumont (Lib Dem) to sit down after she had suggested Cllr Alan Clifton-Holt (Cons) ‘get his ears checked’ following a misunderstanding.

The motion, raised by the Conservative group, proposed that the council ‘greets with incredulity the decision by the Labour Government to exclude Dungeness from the short list of ten sites considered suitable for the construction of new nuclear power stations.’

Branding the Government ‘negligent,’ the motion highlighted the possible effect of job losses and the impact on Kent’s ability to fulfil demand for electricity and called for lobbying and publicity of the Council’s objection to the decision.

Split into 5 parts, the motion called for

• A letter from the Chief Executive to the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to express in the strongest possible terms the Council’s objection.
• The Chief Executive to demand a rationale for the decision in any reply to the letter, with a ‘detailed summary of the strategies and plans that the Government has in place to provide alternative employment.’
• To publicise the Council’s objections.
• All PPCs to ‘lobby the Government relentlessly.’
• Refer the issue to the Community Overview Committee ‘with a view to the committee being placed in a position to reinforce the power station’s arguments for the retention and expansion of Dungeness.

The Liberal Democrat group consistently spoke against the motion, at one point claiming it read like it had been hastily written 'on the back of a fag packet'. Cllr Peter Carroll (Lib Dem) said the motion concentrated on the economic impact and did not ‘give the issue the respect it deserves,’ and allowing the development risked an accident and ‘destroying the Marsh forever.’

Cllr Valerie Loseby (Lib Dem) criticised the Conservative dominated council, saying ‘you shouldn’t rely on the Government to provide alternatives. That is the responsibility of the Council.’

Cllr Lynne Beamont (Lib Dem) was the most forthright in her criticism. Commenting that the motion was ‘badly worded’ and ‘crassly stupid,’ she attacked the Conservative administration for voting in the special reserve areas now hampering the application.

Speaking longer than her allotted 5 minutes, with some barracking in the chamber, Cllr Beaumont was asked at one point to address the council through the chair as her style and ‘jabbing fingers’ were contributing to a breakdown of order in the debate.

Cllr Neil Matthews (Lib Dem) also criticised the ‘flippant’ nature of the motion, saying it was strewn with inaccuracies. The proposed letter from the Chief Executive should go to two Secretaries of State, the council was already publicising its displeasure, that the motion was cheap political point scoring and that the motion was pre-empting the decision of the Community Overview Committee.

All Liberal Democrat speakers were concerned about waste disposal and health risks. Cllr Lynne Beaumont claimed that ‘high-level waste’ was held on the site, a view challenged by almost all other councillors.

In heated exchanges, Conservative councillors hit back at these claims.

Cllr Richard Pascoe (Cons), recalling his time as a fire fighter, rubbished security concerns saying ‘Transport [of waste] is one of the safest methods ever designed.’ Cllrs Malcom Dearden and David Monk (Cons) highlighted the need for employment on the Marsh, which has some of the worst school exam results in the county.

Disagreeing with Cllr Beaumont over the position of the site, Cllr William Richardson (Cons) claimed the site would be within the existing nuclear power station fence and that the ‘whole area is concrete anyway.’

Taking issue with Liberal Democrat Tim Prater’s vision for the Marsh, Cllr Russel Tilson (Cons) accused Cllr Prater of living in ‘cloud cuckoo land,’ and ‘a fantasy world of cyclepaths, B&Bs on stilts and water lifts.’ Cllr Tilson also noted Cllr Prater had written that ‘Dungeness has a long and proud association with the safe generation of nuclear power,’ which roused laughter around the chamber.

Cllr Paul Marsh (People First) suggested splitting the motion into its constituent parts for voting, which did not pass.

The motion passed with Conservatives voting in favour, with Cllr Brian Copping (People First). The majority of Liberal Democrats voted against, with Cllr Matthews and Cllr Marsh abstaining.

Prater Sets out Non-Nuclear Vision for Dungeness

Liberal Democrat town, district and county councillor Tim Prater has set out his vision for a tourist-centered Romney Marsh, without a new power station at Dungeness.

In a post at http://www.prater.org.uk/articles/000013/dungeness_the_real_nuclear_option.html on November 24, Cllr Prater questions whether the news is a ‘hammer blow to the local economy … is the best we can do [with the unique environment at Dungeness] to say we must build a nuclear power station on it? Where is our sense of pride?’

Recommending the development of infrastructure to aid potential tourist attractions such as cycling, fishing, Cllr Prater sketches out a vision of a rejuvenated Marsh, with ‘families cycling around the area, with guides, eating in local restaurants serving local food, shopping in local shops proudly selling local produce, visiting a wide range of attractions run by and for local residents, and staying in accommodation built to make the most of the landscape, run and employing local people.’

Drawing parallels with the successful Eden Project in Cornwall, Cllr Prater calls for engagement with local businesses and organisations to ‘develop a plan of a massive increase in tourism to the area.’

The announcement is the first Liberal Democrat reaction to the news on November 9, that Dungeness will not be considered as a site for a new nuclear reactor. Both Conservative and Labour politicians were quick to express their dissatisfaction at the government’s decision. This issue may give the Shepway Liberal Democrats some headaches, as Liberal Democrat policy is ‘Yes to clean energy, no to nuclear.’ (www.libdems.org.uk/.../Policy%20Briefing%20-%20Energy%20and%20Climate%20Change%20Oct%2009.pdf)

Cllr Prater states he is a nuclear sceptic. Despite this he allows himself to go slightly off message, writing ‘after a deplorable lack of research and investment in renewable sources of power over decades…I can see a need for new nuclear build.’

The Shepway Liberal Democrats have to tread carefully. While there have been no wide ranging polls conducted, opinion across the district seems to strongly support a new power station at Dungeness.

http://www.thealldaybreakfast.com/polls/ - should be noted Folkestone and Hythe Conservative site directs traffic to this page.

Week's events

For lots of events this week and the most up-to-date information on happenings, check out the All Day Breakfast, Blueskypie, Stepuptothemic and What's On Folkestone sites - links on the right of the page.
Highlights include:


Saturday 28, Folkestone Town Centre, 10:30AM is the Christmas parade.


Saturday 28 at The Lanterns, Lonestar comedy Club. Music will be provided by the excellent Diane Dunn. Compere Bethany Black “ If you only go to see one show by a Goth lesbian post-op transsexual then make sure it's this one” - Matt Forde, Nick Wilty, Angie Barnes and Ged Butcher (Two promising newcomers from the UK comedy circuit) www.lonestargroup.co.uk

Summary of gigs across Kent: http://www.thealldaybreakfast.com/kent-gigs-22nd-to-28th-november/

Great Food and Guitars at Googies, Sunday

If you're looking for somewhere to relax on Sunday afternoon after a heavy weekend of doing whatever you do, why not pop down to Googies cafe in Rendezvous street?

Guitars, bongos, a piano, great food and a top atmosphere all there for your entertainment, 2 till 5.

Lydd Council Bidding for £50K of Lottery Cash

News warning - shameless cut and paste of council press release available at: http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200868/1922/ 

Lydd Town Council has entered into ITV's People's Millions in the hope of gaining £50k towards improvements at Dennes Lane in Lydd.
The People's Millions is a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. Between 23 - 27 November the public can vote for awards of up to £50,000 for projects in their ITV region.
If successful the project will install an adventure playground, build a five-a-side football facility and restore an existing tennis court. These facilities will be used by the local community for sporting and recreational activities. The aim of the project is to enhance community well being by upgrading local facilities and increasing opportunities for everyone in Lydd.
PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VOTING ON MONDAY 23rd NOVEMBER
Vote at http://www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/regions/meridian-east/projects/dennes-lane-sport-and-play-project 

More information about the project can be obtained from the Lydd Town Clerk: townclerk@lyddtown.org 

Worsley Welcomes Howard Opposition to Local Lorry Park

It is always a pleasure to receive letters, notes and emails from 'the big guys,' especially those of a more polemical nature.

In this vein, From Under the Stone was delighted to receive a letter from Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (and Herald letters page regular) Donald Worsley.

Kent County Council (almost totally blue) favour building a lorry park capable of holding thousands of vehicles in the countryside near Sellindge to help alleviate motorway problems associated with Operation Stack. Opposition to this proposal has predictably been near unanimous.

Michael Howard MP recently announced that the proposed lorry park would be built "over my dead body." In a letter dated November 18, Mr Worsley welcomes Mr Howard to the fold:

Howard’s Interment.

So at long last Michael Howard has seen the light and now finally opposes the unwanted Lorry Park at Sellindge.

Shame he didn’t make his views known before the County Council elections in June returned dozens of Tory Councillors hell bent on concreting over the green fields of Sellindge and polluting the village with Juggernauts and diesel fumes.

If he truly opposes the building of Britain’s biggest Truck Stop in his own back field then he should now park himself at County Hall until his Tory colleagues there withdraw their planning proposals and halt their groveling appeasement of the Road Transport lobby.

Martyrdom takes more than just laying down one's ageing body to stop the march of the Leviathan. It takes sincerity, commitment and above all a zeal that the present MP for Folkestone and Hythe certainly hasn’t shown in the past.

Michael Howard is entitled to a peaceful retirement after 25 years service to the constituency. He does not deserve to end his days run down by the County Council’s bulldozers.

But welcome to the fight Michael and welcome to the committed thousands ready to lay down their bodies next to you if Cllr Carter and County Hall don’t get the clear message that Sellindge will fight the Juggernaut Park with its every last breath.

Donald Worsley

Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone & Hythe

The Environmental Impact of No Nuclear Station at Dungeness

The government’s decision that there will be no nuclear power station at Dungeness has been met with almost universal dismay. Local Labour and Conservative members are united in disbelief at Ed Miliband’s announcement that the site would not be considered on environmental grounds. Worries about possible future sea level rises and erosion were cited as major dangers to the site.

It is easy to say that building a nuclear power station would help stem this rise in sea levels but this is too simple. The CO2 chucked out by other countries means saying that a new nuclear station at Dungeness would help the cause of global warming is like saying an aspirin would help with the pain of a traumatic amputation.

Just getting statistics on carbon emissions and global warming that everyone agrees on is a challenge, let alone interpreting them. From Under the Stone firmly believes the idea that man-made global warming is reality, until a better argued opposition comes along. However, the threat of conspiracy and shadowy interests hinders understanding almost as much as the fact that most commentators (including this one) are most definitely not scientists.

The Guardian’s Data Blog had a good stab at giving the people the numbers and letting us do the crunching, although the prominent Shell advert raised eyebrows (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/oct/22/carbon-emissions-data-country-world).

However, regardless of the global dilemmas, negative environmental effects of not building the power station may be felt long before the sea rises and we are all enjoying swimming off Rye.

With no power station, one of the legs of the opposition to the expansion of London Ashford Airport is kicked away (please see press releases at http://www.kentnet.org.uk/laag/press_releases.htm). With no nuclear reactors for errant 737s to plough into, the way is quite literally cleared for planes to start chucking CO2 all over the Marsh, whining above barbeques and hoovering up rare bird species. The need to secure jobs will now be more pressing, which may also sway decision makers over the airport expansion.

Thinking of the present rather than the future, the two firms involved in the A and B sites (Magnox energy and British Electricity, owned by EDF based just over the channel in France) both in some part fund the excellent Romney Marsh Countryside Project. Organiser of many wildlife spotting jaunts and countryside maintenance days, the RMCP is perhaps the most visible and constant, though certainly not only, beneficiary of funding from the companies running the A and B sites.

While this may well be greenwash, propaganda and mere peanuts to the companies concerned, one wonders what or who will step in to make up the shortfall in these community projects should these companies leave the area. One would hope local business, though with the power stations removed as a major employer, surely businesses will suffer.

As already stated, if we accept man-made global warming as real then action needs to be taken on a global scale and none of Dungeness A, B or proposed C will save the world. Perhaps the harsh reality is that the government is fairly certain that by the end of this century the Marsh will in fact be under several feet of water, at which point concerns about jobs and rare bird nesting habitats might well be the least of our worries.

Government report on Dungeness at https://www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk/nuclear/hra/other/dungeness/

Labour PPC Worsley Disagrees with Miliband Over Nuclear Decision

Largely ignored by most of the media, Folkestone and Hythe's Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Donald Worsley has given his reaction to the government announcement that the Dungeness site will not be considered for a new power station.

In a press release sent to From Under the Stone today but dated November 9, Mr Worsley calls the decision a 'hammer blow' for the Marsh and states 'Ed Miliband’s decision to rule out a new Nuclear Power Plant for Dungeness is to be deeply regretted and one with which I fundamentally disagree.'

Claiming that the work could have provided up to 4,000 jobs for the area, Mr Worsley also criticises Kent County Council for not investing in infrastructure and Shepway District Council for opposing the expansion of Lydd Airport.

Noting that it is necessary to protect the 'wild beauty and serenity' of the Marsh, Mr Worsley highlights the economic effects of the decision.

'Its inevitable consequence will be a yet further decline in the area’s economic fortunes so much so that in years to come the only people who will be able afford to live across the Marsh will be the very rich , the retired or the long term unemployed on benefits.

'Protecting the environment is an admirable goal but not if it destroys communities in the process.'

The Lib Dems have yet to respond to the news.

Slightly Alarming Error

Seems unfair to bash the Herald repeatedly and then brush over my own mistakes. I will come clean that in my haste to amend the "Lib Dem Councillor in Angry Exchange" I claimed that 'Sam Collins' had been in touch.

Of course this should have read Sam Matthews. I am now wondering if this is a slightly disturbing insight into my mind!

Support Cycling - Hotel Burstin 2:30pm Today (Wednesday 18)

In last week's Herald, Chief Superintendent Hogben announced a police crackdown on cyclists disobeying traffic rules and cycling on the pavement.

The Shepway Cycle Forum has been quietly campaigning for many months to improve the lot of cyclists with improved cycle lanes and has offered advice to inform Kent County Council policies. Despite their efforts, for the most part they have been ignored by the powers that be.

The Forum has now contacted the Herald and there is a photocall by the Burstin at 2:30 this afternoon (Wednesday 18). The Forum would like all those who care about cycling in the district to attend if possible.

A Forum spokesperson said "The Forum has been patiently campaigning for KCC to progress a Cycling Strategy for Shepway since 2007 - a story of frustrated expectations and lack of progress,

"Since the last meeting, when once again the KCC traffic engineer did not turn up, we have been unable to meet anyone from KCC who would be able to tell us what actual progress has been made."

Folkestone and Hythe - Tory Safe Seat?

Elizabeth Truss, Conservative candidate for the safe seat of South West Norfolk, has survived possible deselection (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/6584831/Tory-candidate-Elizabeth-Truss-avoids-deselection.html).

Miss Truss' position had been called into question ostensibly due to an affair, which took place several years earlier. However, some observers noted that a vote to deselect Miss Truss, a candidate close to leader David Cameron who appears to have been parachuted into the seat, could have sent ripples of dissent out to other local branches keen to oust their own candidates. Channel 4 News reported that the South West Norfolk Conservative Party had recieved calls from other party branches on this issue.

Of course nothing similar could be on the cards for sleepy Shepway and the political certainty that is Damian Collins. Could it? One gossip is reporting rumours of disquiet in the Tory ranks and more alarmingly that 'there have also been suggestions that Collins has assassins on the prowl removing the old Praetorian Guard' (http://www.my-kent.com/index.php/Politics/folkestone-liberal-democrat-stands-down-as-ppc.html).

Hopefully not literally.

Secret Party Success

Around 50 people enjoyed an eclectic mix of music, comedy and mime at a 'secret party,' on Wednesday, November 11, hosted at Googies Art Cafe in Rendezvous Street.

Details of the event, organised by Blueskypie, with the Lonestar Comedy club, were kept under wraps until everyone was in the venue. Behind blanked-out windows around 50 guests were kept entertained, fed and watered till late.

Speaking after the event, Googies owner Keith Holland was delighted with the turnout: "There were more people than expected and we were rushed off our feet, but it was a fantastic night with a great atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to the next one."

The next 'secret party' is planned for December 2, also at Googies. When questioned, Blueskypie organiser Louie Burns was reluctant to give much away, cryptically commenting "It's going to be great. I'm really pushing the boundaries with the next one."

Tickets for the next event can be arranged through Blueskypie (link on the right of this page).

Open Mic Night Tues November 20, Home Ground Cafe Bar

Step Up To The Mic is hosting an open mic night at Home Ground Cafe Bar, 41 Old High Street, Folkestone. Tuesday November 20, 8.30 till late.


Tim Warner, organiser, runs open mic nights at a variety of locations. All levels welcome and encouraged, always a friendly atmosphere, so come down and give it a go!


Call Tim on 07793109618 for more information or turn up on the night.

Conservatives Win Romney Marsh Coast

Shepway Conservatives are celebrating winning the Ronmey Marsh Coast by-election. Conservative Shane Lawrence becomes the 37th Conservative Councillor to sit on Shepway District Council (http://www.romneymarshtimes.com/2009/11/conservatives-win-new-romney-coast-by.html).

The by-election was triggered when Sue Ashworth stepped down citing ill health. Councillor Ashworth first won the seat in May 2007 (www.folkestone-hythelibdems.org.uk/.../New%20Romney%20Coast/New+Romney+Coast+Focus+-+June+2007.pdf) as a Liberal Democrat but switched to the Conservatives shortly after this (http://www.folkestone-hythelibdems.org.uk/news/000676/statement_on_new_romney_coast_councillor_sue_ashworth.html).

Congratulations to Mr Lawrence, though visitors to the Folkestone and Hythe Conservative website might wonder what the Conservatives are hinting at with the title 'Bi-election Victory' (http://www.shepwayconservatives.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=439).

Folkestone Herald November 12

At first glance, not a bad week for the Herald. A tragic front page story opens an edition with a good mix of community pieces, obligatory court cases and Remembrance Sunday coverage.
But on reading through the paper, I begin to wonder if at 60p I am getting ripped off. From page 11, news fills between 25 and 50 percent of each double page spread (erring toward the 25 percent mark on most pages), the rest given over to advertising. Times are hard and at least advertising keeps the paper going (and the bosses in clover).

Page 3 has a good scoop about Tesco planning a store in Foord Road. This was rumoured in the Herald a couple of months ago, and now the rumours have been borne out: “Tesco chiefs have admitted they plan to run an Express store in Foord Road.”

The next paragraph goes on to explain ‘planning applications were submitted to the council this week.’

Sounds like an odd admission to me.

Still, if we go back to the Shepway applications, we can see that the Tesco applications are included in the November 2 planning lists (http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/query/planning-lists/index.php). Surely this could have made last week’s paper?!?

For an even more accurate date of when the plans were submitted, UK Planning shows them as submitted on October 29 (http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?appNumber=Y09%2F0952%2FSH&action=Search).

Initially suspecting the journalist was being a little coy with the dates, on reflection it seems more likely that the story was submitted last week and held then inserted in this week’s paper without proof reading and alterations.

Given the amount of adverts this rationing of news could be welcome, ensuring an adequate drip feed throughout the month to keep the punters buying.

The Herald also carries a letter from David Lay, regarding the potential Sainsbury’s development on the Smith’s Medical site, which opens ‘I must object to the article in the Herald on October 28, supposedly a news item but really nothing more than a blatant piece of advertising…’ This is of course the Channel Chamber piece referred to in ‘Monbiot launches…’ post, below.

Oddly, the news that Dungeness will NOT have a new power station built, affecting thousands of jobs directly and indirectly is not covered at all. Michael Howard references it in his column in the very same edition, and the Kentish Express (the ‘other one,’ without the base in the town remember?) managed almost two full pages complete with pictures on this story.

How on earth did the Herald miss this one? Answers / suggestions below please, because I haven’t got a clue. Comments that I really should get out more will not be deleted.

Man stabbed in Folkestone

A man has been stabbed in the neck in Folkestone town centre this evening (November 11).

Witnesses reported that the man had a large wound in his neck as he was seen by the Samuel Peto in Rendezvous Street.

Police were in attendance and an ambulance had been called. The man's injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

Monbiot launches into local rags

An interesting piece from George Monbiot today over on the Guardian website (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/09/local-newspapers-democracy). Needless to say, this is fairly close to my own thoughts on the matter, stated in numerous past posts.

Monbiot’s example from his own home town, of the ‘battle raging over Tesco’s attempts to build a superstore on the edge of town’ sounds similar to the situation in Hythe with the proposed new Sainsbury’s on the Smiths Medical site. The Herald has at least presented two views on the matter. On November 6, they carried a letter from a local resident protesting about a full page article which appeared in the previous edition, penned by Sezen Zeki of the Channel Chamber of Commerce, extolling the virtues of the supermarket for the high street citing figures compiled by…Sainsbury’s.

At the risk of prompting the Herald into a real story, I note that several Hythe High Street retailers are members of the chamber of commerce. Perhaps they could get their thoughts on the Chamber’s views?

One local bright spot identified by Monbiot (using Roy Greenslade’s efforts as his source) is the Kentish Express, getting a nod as the ‘one instance of real journalism: a report on 'the inflated costs of upgrading a local road,’ presumably referring to Paul Francis’ work with the FoI act and Ashford’s shared space idea, also mentioned in posts past on this blog.

A scathing article followed by equally scathing comments.

While I’m at it one last post on the Herald November 6 edition.

Following from the rather odd article supporting Able Securities boss Dougie Mooring penned by Mike Sims in the October 22 edition (see post of October 28 below), Mr. Mooring again finds himself in the spotlight over allegations of unfair clamping. Miss Sonja Cufley collapsed in a dentists, was given oxygen and was then taken to hospital in Ashford by ambulance, thereby overstaying her ticket.

Mr. Mooring refused to not issue the fine and even charged her £20 for the trouble of appealing the decision. This story is covered by ... Mike Sims.
Mr Mooring is only following the letter of the law, but is Mike Sims taking revenge after being made to write the previous piece of non-news offering somewhat qualified support for Mr Mooring following his clamping the car of a man with no legs?

Open Mic Night Nov 10

There is an open mike night tonight in The Bar Below, free entry and all levels welcome.

Bar Below is underneath The View, West Terrace, opposite McDonalds in Folkestone town centre.

Public Vote on Grants for Folkestone

£15,000 of grant funding was allocated by members of the public at the Tower Theatre, North Road, Folkestone, on Saturday.

Tim Prater, Liberal Democrat Kent County Councillor for Folkestone West, held the ‘You Decide’ event. Each applicant had 3 minutes to put forward their case before a public vote decided where the grants were allocated.

Emailing From Under the Stone, Cllr Prater wrote that “the day seemed a great success. Of the 3 pilots in Kent held to date, I'm told ours was the best attended with around 100 people and we hope to build on that in future.”

Cllr Prater stated in a press release (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001668/you_decided_folkestone_west_residents_award_grants_for_local_projects.html) “With 11 projects bidding for a total of £15,700 on this occasion it meant the ten top rated projects got all they wanted, and the 11th received £700 less than they bid for.”

The projects which received the full backing they bid for were:

• The National Autistic Society - £2,000
• The Folkestone Gurkha Nepalese Community - £1,560
• Folkestone and Hythe Sea Cadets - £1,300
• Folkestone Invicta Youth Football - £1,500
• St Georges Youth work - £1,300
• Folkestone, Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society - £1,270
• Church Street Project - £1,500
• 4th Cheriton Guides - £750
• Skillnet Group CIG - £1,518
• Sandgate Chichester Memorial Hall - £1,000

Looking forward to next year Cllr Prater promised improvements to the format based on feedback from the day. "there was lots of feedback on how to improve the events in future. These included an exhibition area to allow projects to give more information and answer questions, and looking for other bodies that have grants available to come along to speak to bidding. We'll certainly look to make that happen next year.”

No New Power Station For Dungeness

The future of nuclear power generation continuing from Dungeness looks bleak after Ed Milliband cited environmental concerns for not building a new power station on the site.

Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Damian Collins supports the continuation of power generation at the site. In a statement on his website, Mr Collins questions the reasoning behind the decision and states 'We need to understand more about this decision and what hope there is for the future of Dungeness.' (http://www.damiancollins.com/record.jsp?type=news&ID=370)

The Liberal Democrats have noted the story, but have yet to provide opnions. However, previous announcements make clear that 'the Liberal Democrats are opposed to building new nuclear power stations in future' (http://shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/000537/no_new_year_for_dungeness_a_41_and_out.html).

Lib Dem Councillor in Angry Exchange

Shepway Lib Dems are the subject of much speculation following Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) Neil Matthews stepping down from the position for “personal reasons.” There has been no further news on this, and From Under the Stone sincerely hopes that all is well with Councillor Matthews, who is continuing with district and local council duties.

Cllrs Beaumont and Prater are surely first in line and presumably would agree between themselves who would apply rather than risk a fall out within the group. The Herald quotes an insider; “the money’s on Beaumont.”

However, the position is open to other applicants. This appears to be raising the Ghost of Christmas Past for the Lib Dems in the guise of former Lib Dem PPC Toby Philpott.

It appears (according to Mr Philpott) that some Lib Dem members carried out a hatchet job of some description to remove Mr Philpott around 18 month ago under fractious circumstances in what the Herald rather brilliantly terms 'Night of the Long Sandals.' Other sites and mischief makers taking an interest have noted Facebook and Twitter activity hinting at the return of Mr Toby Philpott (http://www.my-kent.com/index.php/Politics/folkestone-liberal-democrat-stands-down-as-ppc.html). 

Mr Philpott himself (if it is him) has commented on Lib Dem Voice (http://www.libdemvoice.org/neil-matthews-quits-as-folkestones-lib-dem-candidate-16668.html), an independent website, with the ominous "If the candidate selection/imposition is a “stitch up” then I put the Party on warning. You will be opposed."

This comment appears to have riled Lib Dem Hythe Councillor Sam Matthews who in defending his father's record appears to question Mr Philpott's mental state and membership. This leads onto a rather ugly, if colourful, exchange of views between Sam Matthews, Mr Philpott and third party 'Richard.'

Given the similarity between the views of 'Richard' and those expressed in http://www.my-kent.com/, it would appear Sam Matthew's accusation to 'Richard' that 'you are a creation of an obviously disgruntled ex-member’s mind' is somewhat wide of the mark, although it is impossible to judge the truth behind any comments contained in the thread.

From Under the Stone emailed Sam Matthews to ask if he thought the comments in this post were reasonable, but has yet to recieve a reply.

Regardless of the rights and wrongs, this is most certainly not smart politics. The news of Neil Matthews standing down as PPC, exchanges like this and the possible return of a vote splitter is surely music to Conservative PPC Damian Collins' ears, although he hardly needs the help!

And who said politics was dull?

To apply for PPC position: http://shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001666/folkestone_and_hythe__ppc.html

Edit 17 November - Cllr Sam Matthews has been in touch. For this post From Under the Stone emailed Cllr Matthews on the sam@shepwaylibdems.org.uk address as listed on their website. Unfortunately due to a technical error he did not recieve this email. Cllr Matthews has contacted From Under the Stone to say if this had not occured he would have responded earlier.

A Common Column part 94

Much to my shame I didn't blog this immediately.

The issue of who gets to fill our elected MPs column, a favourite bugbear of From Under The Stone, got a little bit of attention on October 15 when the Herald carried a letter titled 'Collins bias?'

The writer of the letter airs the same concerns of this blog, namely that giving the column set aside for the elected MP to only one Prospective Parliamentary Candidate constitutes an unfair bias. This should be given to other PPCs, as a letter does not carry the same weight as a column (though Labour PPC Donald Worsley is giving it a good go, with a string of recent letters published).

The author, Bill Sheldrake, happens to share the same name as a Lib Dem member. Presumably not the same person, as surely the Lib Dem commitment to transparency would require this to be added to the name?

MP Expenses (yawn...)

Hot news today is the recommendations for MPs allowances, which include not employing family members and apparently cutting claiming for gardening. Michael Howard is getting out just in time! (see posts below)

On October 15 Mr Howard was coy about the letter he received from Sir Thomas Legg, the independent auditor investigating MPs' claims. When asked to reveal the contents of the letter by the Herald, Mr. Howard said "I don't intend to answer."

Pressed if his response would be the same were he exonerated, he replied "it probably would. There is an appropriate time for these things to be made public."

Right. Would this appropriate time be ‘as late as possible, preferably when I am long gone’? Just idle speculation.

Of course there is no obligation to share this with the public, although in July Mr Howard was more than willing to share the information that he would not make any more claims on his Second Home allowance, in the light of ‘substantial’ outside earnings.

Interestingly in a separate development Conservative MP for Ashford Damian Green had by this point already announced he would pay back £1,324.96 in cleaning bills. For a good summary of 'the Kent lot' see http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2009/october/14/kent_mps_expenses.aspx.

One can only hope the truth will out. However, leaving politics at the next election may be a blessing in disguise.

Herald Front Page part 94...

Another week of spectacular news breaking for the Herald. Front page splash – ‘Pupil rampage causes chaos’ at the Harvey Grammar.

An anonymous parent recounts that ‘terrified’ pupils were kept in locked classrooms as police were called. Rumours of a knife or drugs being involved were rather unsportingly quashed by police and the quote from the Harvey was equally succinct - “We’re on half-term so there won’t be any comment from us.”

I spoke to a teacher at the school, who denied that pupils were locked in rooms.

Also on the front page was the date for an upcoming Christmas carol concert (turn to page 27), news that vehicle crime has reduced (page 32), a drunk man kicking a door (page 24), a poppy appeal alert (page 34) and the earth-shattering news that ‘A Folkestone Woman has conquered a lifelong fear of rollercoaster rides.’

Just to emphasise the importance of overcoming ‘tachoacrophobia’ this is highlighted in a pink box. The article on page eight contains useful hints such as avoid eating a large meal before going on the ride, and 'ensuring you scream to relieve the fear build up.'

Do people really need to be told this?!?

Not making the front page was the news that a motorist was shot in the stomach during a road rage row in Alkham. I didn’t realise that shootings are now so boring they are only worth a page 3 stub – I really must get out more (or perhaps not).