Open Space

The first of the 3 open space meetings was held tonight in the Oddfellows Hall and although only 30 odd people attended all felt it was a good meeting.

South Thanet MP Laura Sandys and 4 TDC Councillors were in attendance and all the areas discussed will be added to topics discussed at the next 2 meetings at Kings Hall and Newington Hall.

Why we need Neighbourhood planning

When people are involved in shaping their local surroundings, the benefits can include:

1. Additional Resources
   Governments rarely have sufficient means to solve all the problems in an area. Local people can bring additional resources which are often essential if their needs are to be met and dreams fulfilled.
2. Better DecisionsLocal people are invariably the best source of knowledge and wisdom about their surroundings. Better decision-making results if this is harnessed.
3. Building community
   The process of working together and achieving things together creates a sense of community.
4. Compliance with legislation
   Community involvement is often, and increasingly, a statutory requirement.
5. Democratic credibility
   Community involvement in planning accords with people¹s right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. It is an important part of the trend towards democratisation of all aspects of society.
6. Easier fundraising
   Many grant-making organisations prefer, or even require, community
   involvement to have occurred before handing out financial assistance.
7. Empowerment
   Involvement builds local people¹s confidence, capabilities, skills and ability to co-operate. This enables them to tackle other challenges, both individually and collectively
8. More appropriate results
   Design solutions are more likely to be in tune with what is needed and wanted. Involvement allows proposals to be tested and refined before adoption, resulting in better use of resources.
9. Professional education
   Working closely with local people helps professionals gain a greater insight into the communities they seek to serve. So they work more effectively and produce better results.
10. Responsive environment
    The environment can more easily be constantly tuned and refined to cater for people¹s changing requirements.
11. Satisfying public demand
    People want to be involved in shaping their environment and mostly seem to enjoy it.
12. Speedier development
    People gain a better understanding of the options realistically available and are likely to start thinking positively rather than negatively. Time-wasting conflicts can often be avoided.
13. Sustainability
    People feel more attached to an environment they have helped create. They will therefore manage and maintain it better, reducing the likelihood of vandalism, neglect and subsequent need for costly replacement.

 http://www.communityplanning.net/aboutcp/aboutcp.php

 "The professionals need to consult the users of their buildings more closely. The inhabitants have the local knowledge: they must not be despised. People are not there to be planned for; they are to be worked with… There must be one golden rule ­ we all need to be involved together ­ planning and architecture are much too important to be left to the professionals."
HRH The Prince of Wales, A Vision of Britain, 1989

Worth a study

Ramsgate Town Council have asked the team from Worth Nr Deal to give a presentation on their recently submitted Neighbourhood Plan.

Find out how a local community has already taken control of its future through the Neighbourhood Plan.  Come to the presentation by the people of Worth on Wednesday 22 January at 2pm in King’s Hall, Ramsgate This hall is in the centre of Ramsgate, where King’s Street crosses Queen’s Street.  The Loop stop is a stone’s throw away on the Harbour.  (King’s, Kings Street, Ramsgate CT11 8NN)  There’s also a big car park at Union/Staffordshire/Brunswick Streets.

If you can't make the date and time, have a look here http://www.worthparishcouncil.org.uk/NDP/

Where, When, Why

Share the image. Advert for the meetings will be in Ramsgate Town publication in New Year. Get involved it's your future

Neighbourhood Planning

Would you like a say in how this will look in 20 years time?

Ramsgate Town Council have started a consultative process that will give the people of Ramsgate a chance to have a direct input into how Ramsgate will look in the future.

A small group has met to provide an roadmap to ensure this process succeeds

Come and tell us how you think Ramsgate should be 20 years from now. the group statement of intent:

"We are a group of volunteers.  Like you, we live and/ or work in Ramsgate.  If we don't make a plan, then developers will be able to do anything they like in Ramsgate.  If you help us, together we can decide the kind of place we want to live and work.  Then the developers will have to follow our plan.

You’ll see below 3 timings and places.  Choose one that suits you best.  And then, just turn up!  There will be no long speeches.  Councillors and MPs won't be telling us what we should have.  It’ll just be you and us!

Bring your packed lunch.  You’ll get a cuppa – in fact, lots of cuppas.  In return, tell us what’s important to you about Ramsgate in 20 years time.  We will use your info to start the plan.  Maybe you will keep working with us until it’s done?  Then you and everyone else in Ramsgate will vote on whether the plan is a good one.

If you want to ask any questions about where you will be coming to, then please email or ring the place directly.  Details are below.  Bear in mind we’re all volunteers.  Even the meeting places are giving us space for free.  All have disabled access.  If you want to ask any other questions about the space, please contact them directly.  If you can't wait till the day and want to ask us something, we prefer email RamsgateNPlan@gmail.com, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RamsgateNP. 

          

You can help by passing this invitation to everyone you know who lives or works in Ramsgate – especially if they don't have internet access.  If they have internet access, do please forward this email, and like us on Facebook, or do anything else that will tell people how they can join in.

We’re looking forward to meeting you in February.

We are – Barry, Duncan, Emma, Kandy, Mariette, Peter, Sue"

The background to the process can be viewed here under locality planning and a quick guide can be downloaded from here

Come and join our Facebook page or send us an email if you have any questions.