http://prater.org.uk/articlearchive.php Recent Press Articles from Tim Prater en-GB Tim Prater http://prater.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Tim Prater 2010-07-30T03:32+01:00 United Kingdom http://prater.org.uk/articles/000017/conservative_plans_for_paid_parking_in_sandgate.html I note with interest the recent newsletter distributed by the Conservatives to a few houses in Sandgate. It's always good to see the Sandgate Conservatives annual contact with residents, but am concerned that your normally genial mask has somewhat slipped with an attack on those pointing out Conservative Shepway Council's plans for pay and display parking in Sandgate. 2010-04-15T12:51+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000016/a_sad_day_for_shepway_residents_as_lydd_airport_expansion_plans_approved.html Protect Kent is shocked and saddened at Shepway Councils decision last night, to approve plans for an extended runway and new terminal building at Lydd airport. 2010-03-04T14:19+00:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000014/some_headteachers_earn_more_than_me_says_kent_cc_chief_executive.html I have just watched with interest your interview on ITV Meridian TV this evening, where you described your £250k pa salary as being "less than that of some headteachers". I wonder if you could justify that statement. 2010-01-05T18:23+00:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000013/dungeness_the_real_nuclear_option.html It's easy - and understandable - for the recent decision on Dungeness to be seen as a hammer blow to the Marsh economy. The decision to provisionally exclude Dungeness from the list of 10 sites being considered for new Nuclear build seems to put at threat the potential of 600 local jobs - maybe more. Of course we want those jobs locally, and Dungeness has a long and proud association with the safe generation of nuclear power. 2009-11-24T09:35+00:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000012/whod_be_a_social_worker.html Having been to an excellent (and very well attended by Councillors from all Parties) briefing session on Safeguarding Children at Kent County Council today, I have even more respect for those who have to do the difficult, and often harrowing, job of helping to safeguard children - within Kent and elsewhere. There was a lot to digest and think about, but one set of figures stood out. 2009-10-09T15:35+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000011/a_framework_which_will_hurt_cheriton.html Local Development Framework's sound like exactly the sort of document you should go out of your way to avoid, but in the case of Shepway, it's suddenly a big issue for a number of areas, including Cheriton. The Framework (LDF) is basically the Council's "plan" on where developments could happen over the next 18 years in the area, and indicates where they would allow them if an application was made. It doesn't mean any proposal made WILL happen, but makes it more likely that it could. 2009-07-16T17:39+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000009/qa_with_tim_prater_for_your_shepway.html The Q&A below answers questions posed by Your Shepway newspaper (www.yourshepway.co.uk) by James Alexandre from the paper. And yes, Kurt Cobain really DID touch my hand (Reading Festival, 1992). 2009-06-18T00:00+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000008/tim_prater_goes_to_maidstone.html It's now been just under a week since I was elected to Kent County Council for Folkestone West - polling day was Thursday and my result only announced around 6.30pm on Friday after a recount. In one of few gains from the Conservatives across the County, the Lib Dems overturned an over 1600 vote majority and I was elected with a massive majority of - er - 11 votes. 2009-06-13T00:00+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000010/letter_retain_direct_rush_hour_services_to_charing_cross.html I'm emailing directly regarding the draft December 2009 onwards timetable from the Folkestone area to London Charing Cross following the introduction of High Speed services to London St Pancras. 2009-06-11T18:34+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000007/thank_you_folkestone_west.html Wow - that was close, but we won! At around 6.30 on Friday, I was declared the new County Councillor for Folkestone West having beaten the sitting Conservative County Councillor (and leader of Shepway District Council!) by just 11 votes. 2009-06-06T12:06+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000006/this_government_have_betrayed_the_gurkhas_and_let_down_our_country.html Angry doesn't even come close. 2009-04-24T23:30+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000005/an_unlifting_letter_from_councillor_bliss.html Shepway Council Leader Robert Bliss is sending out a letter to people writing to him calling on the Cabinet to ensure at their 15th April meeting that the Council keeps the Folkestone Leas Lift running. 2009-04-10T10:20+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000004/taking_a_positive_view_of_saving_folkestones_leas_lift.html I spy a spin. The idea Folkestone "Cliff lift repairs could cost £1 million" (This is Shepway, 8 April, page 3) is simply wrong. This figure is drawn from a Shepway Council draft report in 2004 which was discussing placing a Lottery funding for that amount - to renovate, renew, redevelop enhance the Leas Lift. 2009-04-09T15:51+01:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000003/losing_shepways_heritage_one_lift_at_a_time.html The agenda of Shepway Council's cabinet meeting on 18th March is now available online - but possibly the most controversial part of it is to remain secret. Item 16 on the agenda (available at http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/service/query/cads/doc/cabinet/Agendas/acabt20090318.doc?download=download) lists the item as "Leas Lift Lease Termination". Apparently its supporting report (C/08/106) sets out the background of the Leas Lift lease and the proposals for its termination - but members of the public, are not allowed to see that report, or even listen to the debate at the meeting if they wish. 2009-03-15T08:00+00:00 http://prater.org.uk/articles/000002/in_defiance_of_kent_highways.html I come not to praise the maintenance of the roads and streetlights in Shepway, but to bury them. 2009-02-28T08:00+00:00