Issue - meetings

Members noted the report.

Members discussed the petition that had been referred to Cabinet by Full Council. The petition with 2,180 signatures was considered by Full Council on 3 June 2021, requesting that seaside lifts in Viking Bay and Ramsgate be reopened. The meeting was given an update on the current situation that covered all aspects of the seaside lifts. Cabinet would be meeting with community groups before they considered a final and more comprehensive report with specific recommendations for decision.

Cabinet received an update regarding the lifts in Ramsgate and Broadstairs that require repairing.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure 20.1:

Councillor Albon;

Councillor Garner;

Councillor Austin;

Councillor Bailey;

Councillor Wing.

Councillor Pugh proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Members agreed to note the report.

Mr Stickings presented a petition requesting that the lifts at Viking Bay and Ramsgate beach be reopened.  Members noted that the following petition contained 2180 signatures at the time of submission:

“Thanet District Council have announced on 01/04/21 that the lifts at Viking Bay and Ramsgate will be closed this is their statement as detailed below.

‘On the Thanet council website a statement says: “Unfortunately our seaside lifts at Viking Bay and Ramsgate remain closed. Even if temporary repairs can be made to get the lifts open, contractors have advised there is no guarantee they will stay working during the season.

“A long-term strategy for both lifts will be formulated to consider their future. In the meantime, the council has measures in place to allow for alternative accessible routes to the beach, which include:

Matting installed at one side of the beach (Harbour Street, Broadstairs) to lengthen the boardwalk and allow for alternative accessible routes to the beach.”

This is not good enough and needs to be addressed ASAP, if they were working last year, how can it be that these lifts are now beyond repair. This impacts massively on our disabled community. I have a son who is blind the Lift is helpful for him on some occasions but more so for those who have other issues. This impacts severely on our disabled community and disabled visitors. The solution of matting is NOT good enough.

These lifts are part of Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Visitors flock to our beautiful towns and love the fact that its open to all to use ALL amenities. Sadly TDC have now taken this away. It will have an impact not only on them but our local shops and businesses who some will no longer be able to reach.

Spend the money, repair the lifts, and give our disabled people the same level of inclusion and access as their peers. Everybody needs access. Our disabled community and those who need these lifts including our visitors will lose access because of this action, please help and support this so TDC will reverse this decision.”

Following debate by Members, and in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, the petition was referred to Cabinet.  There would be a report back to Council within three ordinary meetings.