News

Any views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the RMRBC.
Please send any news items, comments or corrections to Malcolm.

Southlands Academy - Public Consultation
There is currently a Public Consultation going on by K.C.C. into the conversion of Southlands School into an “Academy”. The letter and response form is here. As this school is so important as a source of employees as well as the fact that many of our members have children (or grandchildren) at it, I think it is important to put forward your views and I would be happy to discuss this with any interested members The proposals do not at the moment include the much needed swimming pool, although with pressure through responses to this consultation it is possible that changes to the plans could be made.
(by Malcolm 11th June 2006)

F.O.C.U.S. New Romney
New Romney Town Council have a new initiative called F.O.C.U.S which is aimed at creating a new Development Plan for the town. They are currently looking for the views of individuals and organisations in New Romney, Littlestone and Greatstone. This is another opportunity to make a difference and support fresh thinking in the area.
A copy of the questionnaire is here.
(by Malcolm 11th June 2006)

Free Cardboard Collection is no more...
Shepway District Council are no longer collecting cardboard from businesses in the area from 28th April. We are told that the cuts were made due to the annual cost of the service to the council being over
£60,000. Several of our members and other traders whose cardboard had been collected regularly for many years were surprised to find that their cardboard was not collected. SDC say they had written to everyone who registered on the scheme but this is disputed by many. The costs of the scheme rose when the business collection was separated from the domestic collection after the many problems following the introduction of the new domestic recycling scheme last year.

SDC tell us that the following companies are providing alternative collection (they are commercial and will make a charge depending an the amount of card to be collected)

Lydd and Romney - Countrystyle - 01795 471968 (Gary Jordan)
Folkestone - Skipaway - c/o Town Centre Manager (John Barber) 850522
Hawkinge - Kent Community Recycling - 01303 893772 - They will not charge for disposal but will expect companies to take it to them at Hawkinge.

Energy Prices are going up!
Watch out for letters in the post from your electricity and gas supply companies. You may find some nasty shocks in the new contract prices you are being offered and - if you do not respond quickly enough - new rolling contracts are established by default on these new terms! There is also a lot of evidence of sneaky and underhand practices on the part of these companies when dealing with small businesses. There is an interesting leaflet published by the FSB and government watchdog, Energywatch. You can find it here.

Please send any news items to Malcolm at: secretary@rmrbc.co.uk