CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF THANKS

From:

Cllr Clive Hart

Thanet District Council Leader.

It's Christmas and looking back over the year, there are a lot of people to thank for keeping our district going through what have been very difficult times indeed.

I have to start by thanking Thanet's residents - every one of you. In 2013 government led austerity started to bite 'big time' for local people. The response from our residents has been second to none and I am very proud indeed to represent such a strong and resilient local population. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all our residents involved in the recently introduced Thanet waste and refuse recycling scheme. Your patience, help and understanding has helped TDC to increase our recycling rates from 23% to almost 50% in just the first few weeks.

I also wish to thank our TDC staff who work tirelessley day in - day out, often behind the scenes, delivering a wide range of services and schemes that support local residents. They often work under enormous pressure and I cannot thank them enough for their sterling efforts in times when we in local government are being so unfairly 'squeezed' by the current coalition government.  

Newcomers regularly comment on the huge number of resident and community groups we have here in Thanet and it really has been a pleasure to work with so many, on a wide range of projects and schemes across the island in 2013. These organisations are the backbone of the district and are increasingly becoming some of the council's key partners.

Local businesses are also clearly key partners and forging even closer links with them has been a priority for us this year. The Chairman and I started a rolling programme of business visits during 2013 that will continue next year, we now have a memorandum of understanding with the Thanet and East Kent Chamber and we are developing similarly close working relationships with the Federation of Small Business.

I can't begin to cover everyone we work with at TDC but I do finally have to give a special word of thanks to our local emergency services. I've had to call on their assistance for both council, personal and domestic reasons during 2013 and their help and support has been absolutely priceless.

Merry Christmas - it's onwards and upwards for 2014!

Cllr Clive Hart - TDC Leader.