WE GOT THERE...

Great News - we have now got the letter in writing for work to proceed  at Eastchurch Gap.

The final results will be of tremendous benefit to us all - not only will the cliff gain some stability but the vegetation and fauna together with the planted tree saplings will enhance the whole area. 

NATURAL ENGLAND SAY - YES -

This is the news you have all been waiting for...

Today (Friday 20th November 2015) representatives from Natural England attended a meeting with our MP Gordon Henderson and then afterwards with the Eastchurch Gap Erosion & Community Committee to try to resolve the previous issues relating to the proposed work to the Eastchurch Gap cliff area - to help stem the fast and accelerated erosion...
This meeting was most constructive and over the course of two hours a clear direction and understanding was gained by both parties. 
It has now been made clear that once we have satisfactorily addressed a few small formalities there would be no objection on the part of 
Natural England for the proposed work to proceed on the cliffs ASAP.
The short video just says the same. - 
WATCH  THIS  SPACE.

No News Yet

I am sorry to say there is no news as yet and I fear that the window of opportunity to do the work this year has faded away due to the heavy rain we have recently had - I could be wrong but we are still waiting for all the red tape to be sorted out and in the meantime more of the cliff erodes away...
I wonder how many other erosion groups feel about the delays we are having!
If you have a Google account you can add a comment and we would be pleased to hear from you...

Copy Of Letter From DEFRA - Always talk in "round millions" wish we could...

Dear Mr Bruce

Thank you for your email of 18 September to the Secretary of State about Eastchurch Gap Cliffs. I have been asked to reply.

Erosion of the Isle of Sheppey cliffs has accelerated over recent years and the Sheppey Coastal Protection Group has suggested using geotextile matting to help stabilise the cliff. Under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, Swale Borough Council (SBC) is responsible for managing coastal erosion and is providing £30,000 to fund this work. The Environment Agency has not been involved in this proposal as no central government funding has been sought.

In December 2014, the Environment Agency attended a meeting with the residents, Gordon Henderson MP and SBC to discuss the current situation. Since then, the Sheppey Coastal Protection Group has put forward proposals to install geotextile matting along the cliff. The proposal is that new trees and vegetation will help to stabilise the soil. SBC has put forward £30,000 for this local pilot scheme. As these measures will not remove the excess water, these works may not provide significant long-term benefits for the residents at Surf Crescent.

The clay cliffs in Fairlight, East Sussex have the same problem with saturation causing them to slump. The only technically viable solution to stabilise these cliffs has involved:

installing pumping stations to help de-water the cliffs and reduce slumping
removing all surface water and sewerage pipes discharging onto the cliff, and installing a significant sea defence (rock armour) at the toe of the cliff.

These works will cost around £4million and protect 140 properties. The scheme has received significant local contributions from partners and the community.

The Environment Agency administers funding bids and reviews the technical feasibility of any proposals. To gain government funding for flood and coastal risk management, a scheme must demonstrate that the benefits of any action outweigh the costs. The coastline on the north of the Isle of Sheppey is mainly rural and with only a small number of houses and caravan parks at risk. Unfortunately, the financial value of the area at risk does not outweigh the costs to build and maintain the measures required.

The Environment Agency will continue to support SBC in its investigations to manage coastal erosion in the future.



Yours sincerely

Karen Nicolaysen
Customer Contact Unit Defra 

Special Dragons Teeth Plants On The Cliffs

This was interesting after reading about it in the local paper (see last insert)...
UPDATE. 7/10/15.  Negotiations are still on-going with Natural England.
but the way its going we have sadly lost the summer slot to do the work...
Fingers crossed everyone... Peter

Local Paper 30th Sept 2015

Just an update - click on the image to open up full size to read...

Proposed Matting To Use On The Cliffs.

This is the Eco method we wanted to adopt and use to stabilise the cliff face....

NO, NO, NO NO.

WHAT  CAN  YOU  SAY...

Addition note added after the video was made.

Where do we go from here! It seems that all is not lost however. There now needs to be negotiation about how we go about the cliff stabilisation and how we keep the fauna although self seeding would occure very quickly. 
The race is between "doing it or losing it" so a common sense approach must be adopted.
We could all end up with nothing and everyone then loses in the end... 
Food for thought me thinks!

Now there's a thought! - Interaction...

When this is completed perhaps this pilot scheme could be monitored over time to see how successful the project has been for such a small outlay of just £30K.
The plant and tree planting will be a good indication of how stable the surface will become over time and perhaps the local Sheppey College and also Eastchurch School could become involved in the research by monitoring the vegetation growth progress over a period of time to confirm the merits of the project.
Lots of opportunities for both supervised school and college interaction....
Any takers? regards Peter Bruce

Sheppey cliff erosion: Protection work moves closer

• 2 hours ago
 
• From the sectionKent

Image captionTrees and other vegetation help absorb a surfeit of surface water, reducing the risk of erosion

Residents near a cliff edge on the Isle of Sheppey that is falling into the sea are one step away from a lifeline that could buy them valuable time.

Those at risk at Eastchurch Gap are due to meet English Nature on Tuesday, when they hope to get permission to go ahead with work to stabilise the land.

The £30,000 Swale council-funded scheme is intended to slow down erosion.

But there is no sign of an agreement between the council and Environment Agency over long-term protection.

People living in some of the 16 homes under direct threat say that up to 35ft of land has been eroded since 2000 at one spot.

Image captionThe Environment Agency said the rural area could not justify the millions of pounds needed for defences

Swale councillor Peter Whiting says the money is available for the interim work, but cannot go ahead until residents and parish council members have reassured English Nature on some outstanding issues.

"Once that's agreed, they can get on with the work pretty much straight away," he said.

Cost 'not justified'

The plan involves the use of biodegradable matting to hold the rain-soaked soil together until newly planted vegetation has matured sufficiently to absorb the surface water caused by increased rainfall.

But the Environment Agency says a more permanent solution for so few homes cannot be justified.

A spokesman said: "Government funding for flood and coastal risk management needs to demonstrate that the benefits of any actions outweigh the costs.

"The coastline on the north of the Isle of Sheppey is mainly rural and only includes a small number of houses and caravan parks at risk.

"This area cannot currently justify the millions of pounds required to build and maintain the infrastructure and defences to help manage the rate of cliff erosion which has recently been experienced."

Radio Kent - Breakfast. 6 to 9am Fri 18/9/15

Hi all.
It seems that there are very crossed wires with the Environmental Agency as they are giving out all wrong information and don't seem to be aware of the pilot scheme that has been put forward to Swale Council, approved and funded by them after doing considerable research into its feasibility...
THERE IS NO EXCUSE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SCHEME AS THEY HAVE BEEN KEPT FULLY AWARE.
It seems that the EA has MANY hands and each hand thinks it knows what its doing but in actual fact it has no clue at all what has been going on with either the group here or Swale Council who have supported us all the way.

Due to the misinformation coming out from the Environmental Agency it seems our scheme will cost MILLIONS OF POUNDS = which is the only figures they deal in - we are doing a pilot scheme costing only £30,000 in total...
I am sure the Environmental Agency added on TWO ZERO's to our figures because they felt there was no way we could be right!
In short please send an email in to Radio Kent :-

(radio.kent.news@bbc.co.uk)  Just do a copy and paste with the email address.

to tell them as the scheme is ready to go except for the few who THINK they know about the scheme but in reality don't have a clue.
I do hope Elizabeth Truss MP reads this (DEFRA).

Below is a copy of the email the committee chairman sent in after the programme today... 

From: malcolmnewell@btinternet.com

Date: 18/09/2015 09:19:50

To: Radio Kent

Subject: Cliff erosion

Dear Sir

On your programme this morning about the cliff erosion at Eastchurch Gap on the Isle of Sheppey certain things were mentioned that are not quite true. Mike Whiting said that the environment said it would be a multi million pound project. A local group run by Mike Whiting and Andrew Bowles have  have £30,000 for the project at Eastchurch Gap which is no way millions of pounds. Also he stated that compensation would be available to re-home people whose homes go over the cliff, not so, the maximum payment offered is £6,000 and that's not for re-homing but to clear the debris left behind. 'Multi millions' which they cant justify as they've already neglected their duties. Under the freedom of information act we have found that they have already spent £3.5 millions taking over a small farm in the area, Great Bell Farm, and have dug a few holes which have already breached the sea wall instead of developing the sea defences . 
=====================================================
Below is a copy of my letter to the radio station...
 Hi Radio Kent Breakfast.

Listened with interest to the Radio Kent's breakfast show this morning 18th) on the erosion at Eastchurch Gap Cliffs and heard the Environment Agency chap going on about it costing millions of pounds...

What a lot of misinformation this guy was delivering to both you and your listeners.

The EA guy has never even bothered to look at the proposed pilot scheme else he would know its only costing around £30k NOT millions as he seems to think.

I recon even if he read anything on what’s proposed he thought its price must be wrong and he has added two more zero’s because the EA only deal in millions (of our money)...

The Council do not give money to an unviable scheme and the money has been allocated for the pilot scheme which clearly shows its viable.

I have to object to idiot’s like the guy in your interview from the EA who have not even bothered to contact Peter Macdonald who has put together the costs, materials and even the contractors to do this pilot scheme which Swale Council see as fully viable and are funding.

YES - ITS IS FUNDED – but nothing to do with the EA who as your interview has shown knows nothing of this pilot scheme costing just £30K because its too small for them to be interested in.

Yes Just £30k.

If the EA would like to see what we can do with just £30k on a pilot scheme let them watch and see how it works when you don't spend millions of pounds.

Instead they seem to be being obstructive (as are another agency) and in so doing are allowing not only houses but our environment to slip into the sea – by doing this they end up saving nothing...

Could this be a new EA idea!

Underwater Management?

Regards Peter Bruce

ps.bruce@hotmail.com

Tel 01795881307

BBC1 SOUTHEAST TODAY 17th August 2015

Hi all. Below is a copy of the BBC1  Southeast Today Programme aired on the 17th August 2015. I have reproduced it here as I know many of you can't get the local TV programmes as we are too low here for the signal.
This will help to keep you up to date. Regards Peter.

Latest Cliff Erosion Video Eastchurch Gap

FRONT PAGE NEWS

At last some information - get the paper for a better copy.

Trip Down The Cliffs

Most of the old footpath down the cliffs to the beach is now unusable...
(Unless your a mountain goat).
Big slips have taken place and are continuing to deposit large quantities of soil upon the beach area. The ground where the old path to the beach goes is still partly intact but it is very unstable and has deep slits developing as the soil is shifting...
We are still waiting for people who have all the time in the world - 
but we don't...

Minutes of Meeting

Sorry this is late - it's our intention to put these minutes up on the Blog site in the future. Regards Peter

Chairman: Malcolm Newell ~ Treasurer: Sarah Mackness ~ Secretary: Jeanne Hursey ~  P.R. Peter Bruce

Committee Members: Jenny Newell ~ Carol Denieffe

MINUTES of MEETING

held on Tuesday 19^th May 2015

at Waters Edge, Dawn Rise, Eastchurch at 7.30pm

1.    PRESENT:         Malcolm Newell, Peter Bruce, Sarah Mackness, Jeanne Hursey,                      Carol Denieffe

2.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Jenny Newell sent her apologies for absence.

3.    MINUTES OF INAUGURAL MEETING HELD ON 8^TH MARCH 2015

Everyone present read the previous Minutes and all agreed these were OK and the Chairman was authorised to sign them as a correct record of the proceedings.

4.    MATTERS ARISING FROM ABOVE MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE

Malcolm advised the meeting that we need to spread out, would like to invite other local people and Michael Jones had indicated his willingness to come on board.  The Group will, however, need a bigger venue such as the village hall, but this needs a minimum of six weeks’ notice.

5.    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Malcolm advised the meeting that he was chasing Swale Borough Council but also said that letters from individuals were far better than one letter with a lot of signatures as this would only be classed as one letter by SBC irrespective of how many signatures were on it.   He said it was very important that everybody should support everybody.

He went to say that a meeting at the village hall about the different funding available suggested that there are various bits of funding but we have to know how to fill in the forms for these.   Peter McDonald is going to help fill in the form for the Localism Grant.

 Other forms of funding are only open for a set period of time.  One funding is Swale Borough Council, another is The Big Lottery fund, also Eastchurch Parish Council Solar Farm Community Benefit fund.   He also said that Peter McDonald had contact English Nature and that he (Peter McDonald) had said that the SBC grant has been allocated but has never had a timescale put on it.   Sarah suggested that if it is too difficult to fill in the forms, one of us should help out.  Malcolm had received a letter from Fiona Jackson, Secretary of the Eastchurch Parish Council, stating that they are happy to support the Group and would like to be informed of our meeting dates etc. Jeanne was requested to deal with this.

6.    TREASUERS’S REPORT

Sarah reported that the Bank account was now opened but no money in yet and more forms need signing.  Malcolm said he has money to go in but there is someone coming to put more shingle on the lane as we did not have enough previously and he will need paying for this.  Peter commented that a drain had been covered over and Malcolm said he would sort this out

Sarah advised that she would need receipts for any monies paid out, stating that it was very important that things need to be done properly and on the right footing as all committee members are liable.  

Accounts need to be done once a month and bank statements available.  Peter commented that until we get some money we don’t need to get “buried” under this.

7.    P.R. OFFICER’S REPORT

Peter said that anything on the “blog” goes to the Parish Council, Andrew Bowles, AND Elizabeth Truss (head of DEFRA), which department is also in charge of the Environment Agency.

Sarah asked about sending out a document introducing ourselves and Peter said this had already been done and took hours and hours to do. He said he had now put a box on the “blog” which allows people to put their e-mail address in but said that not everybody owns or has access to a computer

There was discussion about Kent BRFM Community Radio which Sarah said were going to help support our Group.   Peter said he had had a live discussion with Danny from BRFM about four years ago and that possibly a letter to them could be of help.

8.    SECRETARY’S REPORT

As this was only the second meeting of our group, Jeanne had nothing to report.

9.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Carol said she was very worried about problems in the next winter as regards the cliff erosion etc. Malcolm has a letter from Southern Water which says that services for everybody will be affected and he pointed out that 16 houses will be immediately affected if the cliff goes.   Peter said usually it is a committee that has to be formed and then money is paid to that committee.   We are now a committee with a bank account so what we say the cost for what needs to be done is the amount that needs to be paid into our bank account to cover those costs.   Malcolm said that Peter McDonald has obtained prices from contractors and said he would ask Peter where we are on this as we don’t have the final bits of paper.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 13^th July 2015 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall if Malcolm can arrange this, otherwise at Lysander Lodge, 2 Sunset Close, Eastchurch (off First Avenue).

There being nothing further to discuss the meeting closed at approximately 9.30pm.

Reply From Mr Southern Water

Southern Water - Fixed it...

Well after half a dozen tries a video and a bit in the local paper got results -
This leak is it now fixed - for now...
It is amazing how many people have been involved in NOT getting the repair done!
I have to say it's no wonder the water charges are what they are with all the blokes and vehicles they threw at this job before the CEO got involved and got it done with so few people to repair three leaks...

Have To Report This Again,,,

Well folks - Southern Water have done themselves proud again...
They can dig holes without finding a leak.
Say they have fixed the leak (with the water running along between their legs).
And then get paid again to repair the same leak they did not fix in the first place.
Fix out of hours as well - more...
Harsh - I don't think so...

Community Group Committee Meeting

UPDATE:- 
The committee held a meeting on Tuesday 19th May and I can inform you that almost all of the paperwork preparations for a legal committee to operate have now been completed so once the Council has finalised all it's reports we can start to proceed however as usual the procedures all take time - they are proceeding - be it slowly...

We are hopeful we can apply for a few grants in respect to our whole community area but as yet they are proving to be very hard to get - miss a full stop on a form and your request gets thrown out - that's after a few months waiting so you can see its not an easy task but we will persist....

It's expected (hoped) that within the next few months we should be able to hold a general meeting at the Eastchurch village hall so both the Parish Council and residents can attend. 
You can then have a better idea of what is proposed to happen.
The date and time will be posted here and will give you all plenty of time to attend and also we will make up a circular and put it into each letterbox for those who do not use the internet...

Don't forget if you wish to know something or have a question please send an email to anyone on the committee - email address is shown on the top right hand side of the Blog. (your Blog).) Regards Peter

  

Thanks To Ray...

The Eastchurch Gap Community Group Committee would like to say thanks to Ray for undertaking the road repairs in Third Avenue.
This involved getting the road stones delivered and filling in the holes.
Looks a lot better - I am sure residents are most grateful for his effort. 

The Road Repair...

Hi all - Just an update on the Third Avenue road repair

IT'S  DONE... SEE 

And it never cost residents a single penny... 

We Are On The Way Folks...

Things Are Moving.
The letter below was sent to Peter MacDonald who has been working so hard for our community. I have removed his address details...

Update

Hi all - me again.
Just to let you know your committee have recently applied for a few grants to help our whole community via a number of agencies - we will see if we are successful in gaining some cash funding in the not too distant future. 
(Fingers Crossed). The committee intends to work for our whole community here so this site benefits you all.

Road Repair - Third Avenue

Due to the contractors equipment breakdown the road repair in Third Avenue was put on hold however, I understand the digger is now operational and it is hoped the road will be fully repaired this week. Now the soil / clay has dried out a bit perhaps it was better the repair was not done while the clay was saturated like it was a month or so back...

Cliff Update

We are also still awaiting information from the Council regarding the cliff area but finalisation can take a while - I have been told matters are underway so although it seems there is little happening there is it seems progress being made.
We have had some feedback that the cliff rubbish clean-up that residents took part in was commented on by English Nature so if we look after our cliffs perhaps they will look after us - Thanks again to all who turned out to clear away the dumped rubbish from the cliff face.

Please keep an eye on your Blog site - when I know anything I will post it for you all.

Regards Peter. Seascape

Road Repairs - Third Avenue

Hi all. Just to let you know that the repairs to the road in Third Avenue have not been able to go ahead yet due to a mechanical problem with the digger.
It is hoped it will soon be in hand...

Update So Far.

Just to keep you all up to date- recent letter that has come in...

Community Cliff Clean Up - Result

We would like to thank all who turned out to collect the rubbish off the cliff area - looks so much better now.
Lots of rubbish bags filled with all manner of rubbish from a buckets to a small broken broom - amazing what you find.

CLIFF CLEAN-UP SUNDAY 15th March

WE  NEED  YOUR  HELP.

Sunday 15th March. @  11 am.

Please wear gloves and bring along a bin liner - As long as it's not raining...
You can even sing & whistle if you like... 
Nothing heavy at all - just picking up the loose rubbish to clean up the cliffs and the environment we live in.... Comment was passed by Natural England about the rubbish (see below comment on 8/3/15) so for the locals to clean the rubbish away would be a great help showing we do care.

REMEMBER :-

If you don't come and you leave it to everyone else...

Then Perhaps NO-ONE  WILL COME...

PS. It goes without saying that if you see any car / van dumping rubbish over the cliff take the registration number of the vehicle together with a picture (if you can) and pass the information over to Swale Council.
Regards Peter 

Our Road & Southern Water 2

We are watching...

Community Committee.

As a result of requiring to move quickly on issues a small group of people have agreed to give their time to help deal with the paperwork and problems which have started to arise. It is hoped that with such a committee local benefits or grants could be enjoyed by our local community...
If we had an action committee pushing forward this would help us all because some grants are available only if a committee heads the group...

Anyone is welcome to join the committee and help with additional tasks you just need to contact Malcolm Newell on 880042...

In the meantime the following have kindly stepped forward to offer their help. 

Malcolm Newell.                                        Chairman
Jenny Newell                                             Committee Member.
Carol Denieffe                                           Committee Member.
Jeanne Hursey                                           Secretary.
Sarah Mackness                                        Treasurer.
Peter Bruce                                                PR & Blog.

Update from Mr Andy Booth. Eastchurch Borough Councillor - Minster Cliffs.

The below correspondence is reproduced from Streetlife, published on the 7/3/15. By 
Mr Andy Booth

I've attended a number of meeting relating to the erosion issue and it is being taken seriously. SBC has met with residents and a local group that is progressing some alternative solutions that aren't primarily cost prohibitive (unlike those supported by the major agencies). I understand a trial piece of coastline is being established in order that a sample of the solution can be put into place and monitored. Part finance and possible installation could be supported via SBC which is in itself great news. As soon as I know more, I'll provide an update.....
Parish Councillor, Eastchurch Borough Councillor, Minster Cliffs.
-------------------------------------------
I did reply to to Mr Booth asking him for a post to be placed on our local blog site as most of our community look here ( Over 1000 site visits in a month!) but as its not been done I have reproduced it here together with a reply from Peter Macdonald - so locals people have a clearer picture what is going on. 

Things are moving...
-----------------------------------
The below is the reply to Mr Andy Booth from Peter Macdonald.
Published Sun 8/3/15.

I have had a reply from Natural England,following my meeting with them. They are very aware of the problem having made a site visit with me, they don't consider our trial supported by Swale BC to be a problem, they now require a letter from Swale BC with formal proposals, I have this in hand. The Officer was rather disappointed with the fly tipping & I think we will make good friends with them if we clear this eyesore. Peter Mac
                                          ----------------------------------------------

The below correspondence is again reproduced from Streetlife, published on the 8/3/15 By Mr Andy Booth. 
Parish Councillor, Eastchurch Borough Councillor, Minster Cliffs. 

Thanks for the update Peter, this is really good news. If you want to arrange a site litter pick, this can be supported by SBC beach services..... Could be a way forward and tick some of those boxes !
                                                  ------------------
If any additional information is added on Streetlife  I will of course publish it here for our local community so no one will miss out. (Peter Bruce)

Southern Water Update News...

This is the latest news from Southern Water.

After all this time they now conclude there IS a crack / flaw in the large sewer pipe which runs down Third Avenue - which needs to be addressed.
Third Avenue will be dug up yet again to gain access to the large ceramic sewer pipe to felicitate it's repair.
At the moment we don't know when or where this will be done because we have not been given a clue where the break in the pipe is.
We have tried to get this information - to no avail - we will publish it here for you as soon as we know.
The situation regarding the planned road refurbishment from the mess Southern Water left us in last time has had to be put on hold.
Until we know where Southern Water will be digging the road up again there is no point adding additional problems...
The repair fund payment made by Southern Water is in the bank from the first mess they left us in and the contractor will start when we know what Southern Water intend to do...

Be assured we will monitor them very closely this time so the sub-contractors don't get away with leaving us with the mess they did before.

Just as a footnote you CAN post a reply to any posts on this Blog site.
Just click on the "comment" at the bottom and type your reply for others to read. 

OUR ROAD & SOUTHERN WATER

Hi Folks - A Result.- Click on the below Video
Which Will Tell You Whats Been Going On... 

Swale Borough Council - Thanks

Swale Council came to the rescue quickly. They were informed people were getting near the cliff edge to "have a look". Children & adults alike were doing this and it was becoming a rapid safety issue which could not be ignored anymore.Swale Council promptly paid for the fence and a contractor to do the installation today - in time for the caravan sites opening this weekend.

Environmental Agency

Sent the Environmental Agency the link to the blog.
Got a reply back - more the merrier...

Dear Peter, 
Thank you for sending a link to your blog. 
I have passed your email to our customer team for the relevant area. 
If our teams need any further information they will contact you directly. 

Warm regards 
Aimee Reed 
Customer Service Adviser 
Contact Centre Services 
( Tel: 03708 506 506 
: Web Site: www.gov.uk/environment-agency

EROSION VIDEO & LIFE AT EASTCHURCH CLIFFS

Vehicle Tyres - Put To Good Use.

Once the tyre's are placed on the upper beach they are covered with beach stones which prevents movement and locks them up ensuring beach nourishment and the shape of the tyre helps prevent longshore drift thus ensuring the upper beach is preserved....
Tyre's can also be stacked as shown in the first picture which removes the need to tie them together with wire...
Only an idea - tyre's are a real landfill problem - could this be an answer!...

Agenda and draft minutes Swale Rural Forum Tuesday, 10th February, 2015 7.00 pm

 I would like to inform residents that Richard Palmer (UKIP) raised concerns on our behalf regarding a council planning application which was detrimental to our situation. Here are the minutes of that meeting... Regards Peter Bruce.

Public Session

During public session, members of the public living in the Borough of Swale may make a statement, submit a petition, or ask the Chairman any question on any matter on which the Council has powers or duties, in respect of rural matters.

Questions or statements shall be read at the meeting and shall not last more than three minutes.  An answer from the Chairman may take the form of a direct oral answer or be in writing.  Questions submitted to the Democratic Services section in writing (including email) at least three days before the meeting will be taken first.

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed the nine members of the public in attendance.

Mr Palmer, (UKIP), Newington, raised concern with cliff erosion at Eastchurch.  He explained that some residents were notified at the ‘eleventh hour’ that they could have submitted their comments into the Local Plan consultation, which resulted in their comments not being included.

Councillor Lesley Ingham advised that there was a meeting about cliff erosion on 17 February 2015 with the Chief Executive of Swale Borough Council (SBC), the Leader of the Council and also Borough Councillors. Councillor Gerry Lewin explained that the Local Plan had been consulted upon previously; this had been a final consultation for the inspector. Mr Palmer’s concerns could be taken to the meeting on 17 February. 

Swale Council Meeting 17th Feb

I understand there is a closed council meeting on the 17th where the Eastchurch Gap residents problems will be discussed - This is a positive result and when we are informed of any progress we will let you know - so keep looking at this blog.

In The Local Paper again

Times Guardian Page 14. Keep looking at the Blog for the latest news....

Positive Result - Groyne Wood Theft

Hi all.

We all have to say “thank you” to Swale Council – I was informed today (11th) the council have been able to confirm that they are responsible for the foreshore which includes the 4 groynes here at Eastchurch Gap.

I have been told the wood from the groynes cannot be touched or interfered with in any way and that the police have been instructed to take action if this crime is committed again by the same 2 people who are apparently making garden furniture out of the wood... 

Residents must continue to be vigilant and inform the police if they see any more of the wooden groynes being loaded from our beach into a blue Ford KA:- Get a picture if you can...

Please ensure you have seen the "almost" black looking wood section before you contact the police quoting the police incident report number 03-0911.

THEFT OF SEA GROYNES FROM OUR BEACH - YOUR BEACH IS NEXT

Please phone 999 if you see the two persons removing whats left of our groynes (breakwaters) from our beach I know there's not much there now but it is ILLEGAL to remove them. The police case number to quote is. 
 ( Police Incident Report No:- 03-0911). 

The police have been trying hard to communicate with Swale Council employees but the Council have not returned with any answers yet... 
In the meantime the thieves keep coming back taking more wood...

Truly Amazing They Can Do This..

----------------

After our beach has been cleared of the wooden groynes we will ask the thieves to start removing the Sheerness and Minster groynes.
By that time Swale Council may just agree stealing them is illegal...

AFTER

Latest Letter Ref Blog Site

Hi all.

Please have a look at this Blog site and save it in your browsers favourite folder so you can visit it regularly. The site has been created to act as an up to date central point of reference which I will try to keep up to date for us all.

Please be aware that Malcolm and Jenny Newell are still the main contact point for any issues or help so if you would like to get involved please step forward when the time for help is needed...

If you would like to add any comments yourself to the blog site as time goes on you will need to send me your email details so I can register you.

You will need to use your name or house name in any posts you make  – this ensures the comments posted onto the blog are genuine and from local people and so we do not become “spammed” from worldwide.

You do not have to register to see the site - anyone can visit this site...

Updates will be posted to keep residence aware of the progress made by Swale Council together with our MP and others who come to our communities aid with help and support from wherever it maybe.

Unfortunately at this moment in time after two residence meetings we have only lip service and no further updates for anyone however I hope this will shortly change –

watch this blog grow...

Initially the site will seem a bit “negative” in its approach however as things develop and we gain support we will clearly name where that support comes from so you can register your vote during the next election.

Remember “ we will help them who help us ”.

Could I ask recipients of this email to pass on the blog details to any other residence locally so it is used as a way of keeping updated.

So here it is – keep it safe – it’s yours.

http://eastchurchgap.blogspot.co.uk/

Regards Peter Bruce Seascape.  

To all Residents:- First Ave, Third Ave, Surf Crescent, Dawn Rise, Sunset Close.

Most will know we need to raise support for our community so our MP and councillors will do something about the dilemma we all face here with the cliff erosion. I have been around to see some of you but I hope you will forgive the fact I have not been able to call on you all however enough should now know another person out there and word should have got around so speak to your neighbours - this event affects many of us. PHONE US TO FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON - SEE BELOW. (Keep this letter for contact info).

We need letters sent to or MP and Councillors from each address in our community to make an impact so if you would be kind enough to look at the below and send something in by post it would help... 

THIS IS ONLY AN IDEA FOR A SIMPLE LETTER TO YOUR MP / COUNCILLOR.

PLEASE SEE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

To :- Change as required) Gordon Henderson MP OR To Andrew Bowles Leader Of Swale Council.

Dear sir.

I am a resident in Surf Crescent (Change as Required) and I feel that our community is being grossly overlooked as far as sea defences and coastal erosion is concerned.

I notice that the rest of the islands residential areas have some kind of sea defence or protection in place and some of the areas concerned have been established a relatively shorter time than our cliff community which has been here for many years.

I would like to express my concern at the neglect we are suffering here.

Our communities main sewer and water pipes run in the road located by the cliff edge at the intersection of Third Avenue and Surf Crescent - the services will shortly be a victim of cliff erosion and go over the cliff thus making our community uninhabitable and also forcing two caravan parks to close in the not too distant future.

The lack of insight into this predictable event from the Council and the Environment Agency could make many of our homes uninhabitable in the near future.

I would ask you as our ( MP OR Councillor) (Change as required) to help make our situation understood to all concerned because Our situation is now grim and we need everyone's help to get the funds to resolve the situation.

I await your reply with interest...

Yours Truly.

PLEASE NOTE. The above is only a suggestion so please change it about or do with it as you see fit. this is only to give you an idea of what to do and not to lead you any way- your own words / views do matter.

If you need any further help please feel free to contact either Malcolm Newell Tel 880042 (Co-ordinator) Or me Peter Bruce Seascape Tel 881307 and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. (Keep our Tel numbers).

Useful Addresses for your letter. YOU SHOULD GET A REPLY BACK FROM WHOEVER YOU SEND IT TO.

Gordon Henderson MP. 1st Floor, Unit 10 Periwinkle Court Business Centre. Church Street.

Milton Regis. Sittingbourne. ME10 2JZ.

Andrew Bowles. Swale Council Leader. Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT.

I understand only a few letters have been sent so far - unless we are all involved and we can show how many residence are concerned and will be affected we could end up with just lip service and  nothing being done.