Local Plan - Herne Bay, Bullockstone Road

It's unclear where exactly this development is proposed for.

Local Plan - Herne Bay, Greenhill

This is the site just south of Briary School.

Local Plan - SNAFU

Canterbury City Council gaffe delays decision on draft Local Plan

A decision on whether a document earmarking almost 16,000 new homes in the Canterbury district can be put out to consultation has been delayed – because of an administrative error. The document proposes 15,600 new homes on sites in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable before 2031.

Canterbury City Council was today forced to admit it did not advertise the fact its executive committee would be deciding on Monday whether to approve the draft Local Plan for public consultation. When making key decisions, councils are required to give a minimum five days’ public notice – something CCC overlooked in this case.

It means the decision will now not be heard until the end of the month, sparking criticism of the council’s handling of the process. Opposition leader Alex Perkins (Lib Dem) said:

“Let's just hope there is no one waiting in a brewery hoping to enjoy a party in the next few days.” 

City council leader John Gilbey (Con) admits the delay is frustrating, but claims there was no need to publicise the upcoming decision. He said:

“I don’t think this is a key decision because it’s consultation – it’s not that we’re deciding to do this. We’re putting it out there for the public to look at and have their say. If there’s any doubt then we will take the safe route and wait a week. I’m not happy about losing the time but I’m not prepared to take any chances.”

kentonline 17th May 2013

MOD Shoeburyness - Forthcoming Activity Alert: 21-29 May 2013

Detailed below is advance notification of activities which may be noticed in your neighbourhood. All of the limitations and stipulations outlined below apply.

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21, 22, 29 May 2013** - Gunfire and Explosions may be noticed.**

23 May 2013** - Gunfire may be noticed.**

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Note:

Local Gunfire = Gunfire that is likely to be noticed only by communities close to MOD Shoeburyness.**

Gunfire = Gunfire that may be noticed by communities in the vicinity of the Thames Estuary.**

Explosions = Explosions that may be noticed by communities in the vicinity of the Thames Estuary. **

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MOD SHOEBURYNESS WEBSITE

This information was correct at the time of publishing. The most accurate and up to date information can be found on the MOD Shoeburyness website at www.shoeburyness.qinetiq.com, why not visit and save it to your favourites for quick access.**

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I hope that you find this information useful. Please feel free to pass it on to your neighbours. **

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Yours faithfully, Nicki

Shoeburyness Careline 0800 0560108 – this remains the official route for registering concerns about site activity. **

Nicki Uden - Community Liaison Officer, SHOEBURYNESS RANGE Tel: 0800 0560108 Email: nuden@QinetiQ.com

www.shoeburyness.QinetiQ.com http://www.QinetiQ.com People Who Know How

Herne Bay Sewing Bee

Tracey Hunt takes to her sewing machine ahead of the workshop on Saturday

Join Herne Bay's version of the Great British Sewing Bee

Who needs Claudia Winkleman when Karry Johnson and Tracey Hunt are around? While the presenter oversaw a televised competition to find the nation's best needlework in the Great British Sewing Bee, the pair are aiming to prove anyone can create their own clothes.

They will host their own sewing bee at Sew Lovely, in Herne Bay High Street, making the A-line skirt from the first episode of the hit BBC Two show. Owner Karry said:

"There has been a resurgence of sewing over the last few years and the programme definitely helped. We opened in 2011 and it has steadily grown since then. We have been getting more interest, and we are finding people are fed up of buying cheap, poor quality clothes and want to be able to make their own, or customise plainer things they have already got."

If a skirt sounds too challenging, the pair can offer advice and assistance on a range of projects, from changing the buttons on a top to creating bunting or cushion covers. The shop also stocks sewing machines and accessories, as well as plenty of patterns and materials.

The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and will be repeated the following Saturday. It costs £40 and sewers need to bring a sewing machine, 1.5 metres of fabric and other accessories.

For more information or to book, visit www.karrydot.com or call 01227 368517.

thisiskent 10th May 2013

Tree squashes car in Herne Bay

Herne Bay care worker distraught after 50ft tree falls onto car in high winds

A 50ft lime tree toppled onto a car in Herne Bay this morning. A care worker has been left distraught today after a 50ft tree fell onto her car during high winds. The woman was working a night shift at Parsonage Lodge, in Herne Bay, when the car was crushed by the fallen lime tree.

Staff said they heard a "crash", but thought it was just heavy wind until they looked outside to see the tree lying across the road. The force of the tree has shattered the car's windows and crushed the roof.

Rodney Belfield, head of care at the Parsonage Road home, said staff had to climb the wall when leaving and entering the home this morning. He said:

"It was about 4.30am when the staff heard this crash, but they didn't think anything of it. It was only when she saw her car under the tree that the tears started coming and she is absolutely devastated, bless her."

Mr Belfield said the woman is unavailable for comment as she is resting from her night shift. Tree surgeon Ashley Harlow said he expects to finish the tree's removal this afternoon after receiving a call in the early hours. Fire crews and police also attended the scene.

kentonline 15th May 2013

Town Centre Manager's report: 21st May 2013

1. Introduction

This report is for information.

2. Trading in Herne Bay

The first four months of the year have been difficult for traders, mainly due to the inclement weather and a national dip in retail sales. The May bank holiday weekend was the start of the tourist season, with lots of visitors to the town and seafront. The retail offer in the town is changing and we have seen two large retail units become vacant, Stead & Simpson’s in Mortimer Street and Odyssey in William Street. There has been a lot of interest in the units, but it appears that high rents are putting off interested parties.

Two new micro pubs have recently opened The Firkin Frog in Station Road and the Bouncing Barrel in Bank Street.

Beano’s in Mortimer Street has acquired Fusions Hair, the next door premises and will be extending the café.

Pizza Direct in Central Parade, have acquired Shore Play next door and will be opening a pizza restaurant.

Mushy Peas Fish & Chip Shop and Restaurant opened in Central Parade; Dolcies have re-located to new premises in William Street and the former Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant is under new management.

3. Independent Business

Nigel Handcock from Grass Media has formed the Herne Bay Independent Retailers Group to actively promote independent businesses in the town. The TCM is working with the group to offer support and to advise and assist in creating events for the National Independent Traders week in July.

4. Free Car Parking Trial

Throughout April the city council trialled free parking in the Kings Road Car Park for cars parked up to 11am, Monday to Friday. This offer attracted more people to the car park, with a 66% increase in cars parked at these times in April compared to March. (1048 cars parked in the car park until 11am for the month of April, averaging 35 cars per day).

5. Christmas Lights 2013

Herne Bay Community Group Projects Ltd are taking over management of the existing Christmas Lights. They are currently fund raising and hope to create an outstanding display in Herne Bay next Christmas. Depending on the success of their funding drive they hope to increase the displays in the town to include Mortimer Street, William Street and High Street. Other community groups including: Herne Bay Town Partners, Herne Bay in Bloom, Bay Promo Team and Beach Creative are supporting this work.

6. Events

• Sci-Fi by the Sea: 16 June 2013 organised by the Bay Promo Team.
• Kings Hall Centenary Celebrations: throughout July 2013
• Herne Bay Carnival 10th August 2013
• Herne Bay Festival: 17th – 25 August 2013, organised by Same Sky. Forty people attended the recent meeting called by Same Sky, the organisers of this year’s Herne Bay Festival. The majority of the attendees were from local community groups.
• Herne Bay Motor Show Sunday 18 August 2013, organised by Herne Bay Town Partners.

Contact Officer: Chris West Telephone: 01227 868515

Local Plan - Deceit, Lies and Outrage

As the Local Plan gradually works its way into the public's awareness and (hopefully) gets increasing coverage, I'll be flagging the more obvious spin, deceit, lies, flannel, truth-stretching and the like.

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14th May 2013: thisiskent reported that "Studies commissioned by the council suggested most people's preferred choice for more developments was Herne Bay, then larger villages, then Whitstable, with Canterbury last on the list."

I haven't read all 3,250 pages of the Local Plan fun pack, but as far as I can tell at the moment, the above quote (which presumably originated from somewhere in  Military Road) is bullshit.

The likeliest source of information about who would want what built where would be the Ipsos/MORI poll that CCC commissioned - the report was delivered to them in April 2012. Here is the question that was asked, and the responses:

Click it to big it

... and this is how Ipsos/MORI portrayed that result in their report to CCC:

Click it to big it

So there doesn't appear to be anything that supports the claim that Herne Bay is "most people's preferred choice for more developments".

Dolcie's shut by environmental health officer

Dolcie's

Council officers swoop on store

A shopkeeper was forced to use public toilets for more than three months because of the condition of the rear of the shop she rented. Dolcie Harvey, who runs Dolcie's in William Street, had to shut up shop and bring in her rails of stock every time she wanted to spend a penny.

It meant she lost custom, and then incurred more expense when her stock room suffered damp and customers were put off by the smell.

It was eventually forced to close by Canterbury City Council officers last week, as Dolcie opened the doors to her new shop, just down the road in William Street, opposite Roger's Menswear. She said:

"It has been an absolute nightmare. We have had to pay for storage, and for moving, and we are still battling to get our deposit back. Our solicitor advised us to leave because the building was so bad. We hadn't been able to use the toilets since February after the council saw what they were like and now the whole shop is unsafe."

The building's problems are thought to be due to the flat-roofed extension, which frequently let water in. It was propped up with a metal support after it started bowing, but environmental health officer Nick Mayne found it was at risk of collapsing.

He issued a prohibition notice on Dolcie Harvey and her landlord Tony Gedge after inspecting the property in William Street last week. It means until the building is made safe, no work can take place and it cannot be open to the public. Dolcie said:

"He locked the door to the back of the shop and banned anyone from going in there. It is a relief that others recognise how bad it was. I couldn't put a price on how much stock we have lost, plus the storage costs and the customers who were put off by the smell of damp. But our new shop is much nicer – it is clean and it doesn't smell, for a start!"

Landlord Tony Gedge, of KTV services, who owns the shop, did not want to comment. Council spokesman Rob Davies added:

"Officers from the council's environmental health, planning enforcement and building control departments have been working with the building's owners and tenants to maintain public safety."

thisiskent 10th May 2013

Councillors handing out our money

Herne Bay councillors could give away the rest of their community budget at next week's meeting

Councillors could allocate the rest of their budget for community projects at their next meeting. Members of Herne Bay Area Panel will discuss two applications for their opportunities fund at their meeting on Tuesday. If both are approved, it will take up the remaining £8,000 and leave no cash spare until April next year.

The schemes under consideration are allotments for Broomfield, from Herne and Broomfield Parish Council, and promotion for the Duchamps festival this summer, from Bayguide Community Interest Company.

The panel has already given Herne and Broomfield Parish Council £1,200 for mural painting on the Mill Lane underpass, and £186 to Herne Bay Historical Records Society for commemorative medallions for schoolchildren.

An application from the BayPromoTeam for money to fund workshops for children and other free events was refused.

Councillors will make the decision at their next meeting, at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 21st May in the Salvation Army Hall in Richmond Street. It is open to the public.

thisiskent 14th May 2013

Canterbury district's local plan discussed in public for the first time

... and guess what - Herne Bay gets screwed. To pay for treats for Canterbury.

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Canterbury City Council's draft local plan was discussed in public for the first time last night, amid accusations one of the key sites was "undeliverable" and uncosted.

At a meeting of the council's overview committee, Lib Dem Nick Eden-Green said the proposal for 4,000 homes on farmland at south Canterbury was in the wrong place and would not work. Mr Eden-Green, part of the group involved with putting the plan together, argued fewer new homes were needed than included in the plan. He said:

"There is a lot that is excellent but it is not community led and that has been a fundamental initial failing. We should put houses where we need economic development, Herne Bay and Hersden, not south Canterbury."

Studies commissioned by the council suggested most people's preferred choice for more developments was Herne Bay, then larger villages, then Whitstable, with Canterbury last on the list. [This is a lie - click here to see the truth.] But 70 per cent of people did not support building on greenfield sites.

Mr Eden-Green won applause as he added:

"South Canterbury is barely costed and possibly undeliverable. This site and this plan have been hijacked by that development and the need to put the junction in for economic development."

But both a proposal to refer the plan back to the steering group, and to extend the public consultation, were defeated.

Lib Dem leader Alex Perkins said:

"It is quite clear that publishing this draft plan has caused a great deal of disquiet and discomfort. To cram 4,000 homes in South Canterbury when we know it is only to pay for new roads is wrong. The working group should work with local residents and residents association to find their vision of what local people would like to see in the district because the danger is we are simply going to get this wrong."

In Herne Bay, hundreds of homes planned will also help pay for improvements to roads across the district, officials revealed. The developments at Altira Park, Strode Farm and the former golf club as well as near Briary school in Greenhill would bring in vital cash to pay for a new crossing at Sturry.

Developers would also be asked to fund a 'relief route' for Herne - but opponents said it did not go far enough and a bypass was needed. Canterbury City Council's head of regeneration Ian Brown said:

"We are trying to build communities, not just individual housing estates. The Herne Bay sites will provide a new regenerative beginning for the town, a new focus and will contribute to new transport infrastructure. In part that will help to fund routes through and the Sturry bypass."

But town stalwart Dick Eburne said the plan to improve Bullockstone Road as the relief route did not go far enough. He raised concerns about transport, and said the public transport system would need significant investment in order to meet the target of more people choosing to travel sustainably within three years. He said Herne needed a bypass, and Bullockstone Road was not suitable, and that through traffic on the A28 should be diverted.

But Whitstable Tory Ashley Clark urged people to get involved. He said:

"Canterbury has got off lightly in the past. Whitstable has taken a lot of pain. I want all of you who are not happy with things to participate. Look at what is there and see what you think and if you genuinely can be constructive about it please take part and participate."

Whitstable has been earmarked for 400 new homes alongside Duncan Down, between St Luke's Close and the Thanet Way, with a new junction off the Thanet Way. There is also a proposal for a green burial site on part of Duncan Down as well as more pedestrian access.

Consultation is expected to start in June for eight weeks and the plan is due to be revised by councillors in December, with a public inquiry due to take place next summer before the document is finalised.

Comments sent in before the official consultation starts will not be valid.

Be careful how you go

Support for people at the end of their life in Canterbury and coastal area

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect as they approach the end of their life, and to be cared for in a manner and place of their choosing.

Most people want to have a say over the healthcare they receive in their last weeks and days. However, it is not always easy to discuss their thoughts and wishes with those around them. Just thinking about it can make those close to them very upset.

But in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Faversham, Sandwich, Ash and surrounding areas, steps are being taken to help people let healthcare professionals and loved ones know what they want.

The My Wishes register lets healthcare staff who are responsible for patient care find out the out what patients want at the end of their life.  The staff then do their very best to ensure that these wishes are respected where possible.

Dr Roxy Didehvar, Clinical Lead for End of Life for NHS Canterbury and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

"A lack of conversation is perhaps the most important reason why people's wishes go ignored or unfulfilled; if we do not know how to communicate what we want, and those around us do not know how to listen, it is almost impossible to express a clear choice. The thing people fear most about dying is the associated loss of control. By empowering patients to express their wishes, that control can be restored."

The My Wishes register is a record of decisions about the type of care people would like to receive as they approach the end of their life, including any cultural or religious wishes

It may include information about any legal refusal of treatment decisions they may have made and preferences on where they would like to die, whether at home, in a care home, in hospital or in a hospice. Dr Didehvar said:

"My Wishes is invaluable to support people who are at the end of their life. It will improve end of life care experience for patients and their families and previous work has shown that it helps patients to achieve their wishes in where they wish to die."

The information on the register is held securely online and can be accessed only by staff responsible for the persons care, such as  GP, the ambulance service, community nurses, social care and hospice services. They can access it at any hour of the day or night, so people can be confident that everyone looking after them knows what care they want.

Patients can change their wishes at any time by talking to their GP, hospice staff or any other health professional looking after them, who will update it for them. Patients who are on the My Wishes register can also call the Care Navigation Centre, which is run by Pilgrims Hospices. The centre is available 24 hours a day seven days a week on 01233 504133 for any urgent help of advice.

More than 350 people in east Kent have already outlined their wishes on the register since its launch in August 2012.

The service is being promoted across the area as part of Dying Matters Week which runs from 13-19 May. Displays will be manned at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury in the outpatients department on 14 May, in Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate on 16 May, and in William Harvey Hospital, Ashford on 17 May.

For more information see www.eastkentendoflifecare.org

thisiskent 13th May 2013

Local Plan 2013

Click here to see how Herne Bay will affected.

Supporting Documents

The Local Plan is a 227 page document, and the background documents (listed below in chronological order) consist of more than 3,000 additional pages. Canterbury City Council are proposing to allow us just 8 weeks of consultation, starting in June. Bastards.

• 2006-10 Canterbury Futures Study - At A Crossroads
• 2010-01 Core Strategy Options Report
• 2011-01 Canterbury Retail and Leisure Study Final Report
• 2011-02 Canterbury Futures Work Review
• 2011-07 Whitstable and Herne Bay Retail Capacity Study Final
• 2011-09 SA Development Scenarios Proposal FINAL
• 2011-10 Settlement Hierarchy Study
• 2012-01 Canterbury Devt Reqts Study Final Report
• 2012-01 Canterbury Devt Reqts Study Non-Technical Summary
• 2012-04 Development Public Opinion Research Summary
• 2012-04 Public Opinion Research
• 2012-05 Core Strategy Options Report
• 2012-08 Canterbury Landscape Character Biodiversity Appraisal Draft
• 2012-10 Canterbury Non-Residential Findings Draft Report
• 2012-10 SHLAA Sites Sustainability Appraisal
• 2012-12 Canterbury Economic Viability Assessment Final Report part 1
• 2012-12 Canterbury Economic Viability Assessment Final Report part 2
• 2012-12 Canterbury Economic Viability Assessment Final Report part 3
• 2012-12 Canterbury Viability Report Summary
• 2012-12 Draft Transport Modelling Options Report
• 2013-04 Employment Land Review Summary
• 2013-04 Local Plan Draft Sustainability Appraisal
• 2013-04 Local Plan Draft Sustainability Appraisal non-technical summary
• 2013-05 Habitats Regulation Assessment REPORT FINAL
• 2013-05 The Draft Local Plan 2013

Our first Beer Festival

Drinkers can raise their very own Herne Bay glass at the town's first beer festival.

The event will take place at the Kings Hall next month, with 20 real ales and five ciders available to try.

There will also be ten live bands playing, from the books of Herne Bay Music, and the venue's bar will be open and serving a special Kings Hall cocktail as well as more traditional options.

Organiser Rose O'Brien said:

"We are trying to broaden the events on offer at the Kings Hall, and as we haven't had a beer festival so far we thought we should try one. If it is successful we are going to do it twice a year, and although we are starting small we will build it each time. It should be a really fun day, and we are hoping for good weather so people can spill out onto the seafront."

Kings Hall glasses will be on sale for £2 at the door, and can be kept as a souvenir or returned for a refund, and all beer and cider costs £3.50 a pint. Rose added:

"We want to build our network of local breweries, so if anyone wants to get in touch for next time that would be great. We're really excited about it and I hope the town will give it their support."

Suppliers already confirmed include Goody Ales from Herne, Nelsons in Chatham, Biddenden cider, Whitstable Brewery and Broomfield Orchard cider, and all the ale and cider will be from independent Kent breweries.

Local bands will also be playing, including Spex, The Merchants, Wireless, Sawsound and The Doctorates.

• Saturday, June 22 will cost £4.50, open from noon to 11pm.
• Sunday, June 23 will cost £3.50, open from noon to 9pm.
• Tickets can be bought in advance or on the door.

thisiskent 13th May 2013

KCC Election 2013 - results, overview

28% turnout

• 6,382 of the 22,755 electorate turned up at the 13 polling stations in Herne Bay.
  

One-third vote UKIP

• 4,102 of the 12,409 votes cast - 33.1%
  
• In 2009, UKIP took 20% of the vote. In 2005, it was 4%.

Two new UKIP councillors

• Nicholas Bond
• Brian Macdowall

HBM

KCC Election 2013 - results, overview

about 5 days ago

UKIP take Herne Bay

about a week ago

Herne Bay Independent candidate John Moore rejoins UKIP

about a week ago

More of the same for Canterbury

about a week ago

Tories hold Herne

about a week ago

Tories hold Whitstable

about a week ago

Anti-Royal protester admits to leaving stink bomb in ballot box

about a week ago

Election count delayed after vials found in ballot box

about a week ago

Surrealist threatened, undaunted

about 2 weeks ago

Election roundup from thisiskent

about 2 weeks ago

Click the map for more details on the KCC website.

UKIP take Herne Bay

Victorious UKIP members in the Bay are celebrating their success in the Kent County Council elections.

The party wrestled both Herne Bay seats from sitting Tories Jean Law and David Hirst, with Nicholas Bond and Brian MacDowall now representing the town at County Hall. The result was the last declared and the only UKIP win in the district, but took the party's total seats on the council to 17, including seven out of eight in Thanet.

IN: Nicholas Bond (centre, of picture)

OUT: David Hirst and Jean Law (right)

UKIP chairman Jim Gascoyne said:

"We came second in Whitstable so that is next for us, then right on to Westminster. The route to Parliament is along the Kent coast and then up the Thanet Way."

The party polled 34% of the vote, on a 28% turn out. Mr Bond polled 2,048 votes and Mr MacDowall 2,054. Mrs Law and Mr Hirst polled 1,817 and 1,724 respectively.

Mrs Law, whose seat on Canterbury City Council was not affected by this election, was tearful as the result was announced. She said:

"Herne Bay wanted a change and now they have got a change. I am terribly disappointed."

Mr Hirst said he felt shaken by the result, adding:

"That's politics for you."

Mr MacDowall was not at the count as he was on a business trip to Germany. Mr Bond said:

"I feel really good about being elected. It's absolutely great for the party.There's lots of work to do, but I look forward to working with the people of Herne Bay.We've worked very hard nationally, and I'm really delighted we got so many gains."

Labour's Lynn Faux-Bowyer and Tom Mellish gained 1,003 and 948 votes respectively, while Lib Dem candidates Margaret Flaherty and June Raybaud managed 434 and 308 votes.

New England Party candidates Nathan King and Mike Tibby polled 119 and 193 votes, and Green Party candidates Elaine Godden and Michael Coppin gained 204 and 202.

Independents John Moore and Stan Truelove won 484 and 362 votes, while Independent Steve Coombes, who stood to publicise the Duchamps festival in Herne Bay this summer, and handed out awards for absurdity around the town in the run-up to the election, scored 509.

Other seats in the Canterbury district did not change hands and the county council is still under overall Tory control. They lost 27 seats but held 44. Ukip have 17 seats – up from just one – and Labour gained 11 seats and lost one, taking their total to 13. The Liberal Democrats lost one and gained one, giving them seven seats, while the Green Party gained a seat in Hythe. A west Kent residents association candidate also held onto their seat.

thisiskent 10th May 2013

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Jean Law fights back tears after election defeat

Tories in Herne Bay were left stunned today after a shock defeat at the polls by UKIP.

Conservative incumbants Jean Law and David Hirst were ousted after a recount at the Kings Hall this afternoon.

The pair - who had enjoyed a healthy majority at the last county council elections in 2009 - trailed more than 200 votes behind Brian Macdowall and Nicholas Bond.

Lib Dem candidates Margaret Flaherty and June Raybaud also fell from their position as closest challengers to finish 9th and 11th respectively.

The Herne Bay seats were the only ones to change hands across the Canterbury district, despite UKIP winning an impressive 17 of the 84 up for grabs in Kent.

Speaking after the defeat, Mrs Law said:

"I'm disappointed but then I would be because I've worked in Herne Bay. It's where I brought the kids up. I couldn't of worked any harder for the people of Herne Bay and I'm just sorry for all the volunteers along the way. It has been a disastrous day for the Conservatives and they may have to re-think what they are doing."

kentonline 3rd May 2013

Herne Bay Independent candidate John Moore rejoins UKIP

Independent candidate John Moore rejoins Ukip after his election defeat in Herne Bay

A campaigner who stood as an independent candidate for the county council has rejoined Ukip in the wake of its election success. John Moore collected 484 votes at the polls for Kent County Council's two seats in Herne Bay, while his running mate Stan Truelove picked up 362.

They lost out to UKIP's candidates Nicholas Bond and Brian MacDowall, who are now the town's KCC representatives. The party also picked up seven out of eight seats in Thanet as well as winning in other parts of Kent.

Mr Moore, who is also a parish councillor for Herne and Broomfield, had previously stood for UKIP but put party politics aside for his most recent campaign. He said:

"I enjoyed the campaign and we were trying to get people to vote for the town rather than a party. But they clearly wanted to vote for a party, even if it wasn't one of the ones that have previously been popular. I have always supported Ukip, and I have been a member since 1997 - it is my spiritual home."

The town trader, who runs Sweet Magic in Mortimer Street, had not renewed his membership before the election but said he now planned to. He added:

"It is too early to say what will happen. The next elections are two years away. If UKIP want me to do something, I would be happy to, but it's not for me to say."

thisiskent 10th May 2013

More of the same for Canterbury

Deputy returning officer Colin Carmichael announces the results

The city remains a sea of blue with a smattering of yellow, as all Canterbury councillors retained their seats in the county elections.

Despite big changes elsewhere, the Tories held onto four divisions, with Liberal Democrat Martin Vye clinching the fifth.

But there were nervous scenes at the count in the King's Hall in Herne Bay on Friday as UKIP won an unprecedented number of seats.

Tory Michael Northey held onto the Canterbury South East seat with a 1,385 vote majority. He said:

"I'm very happy and pleased. It's the result of a great deal of hard work. I've done my best to serve over the past and I'm very grateful for the vote of confidence."

Close behind Mr Northey was Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Sole, who secured 1,181 votes. He said he was "disappointed" but added:

"On a city council level, the Lib Dems are very strong. We're getting closer and closer at county level each time."

Meanwhile, victorious Tory Graham Gibbens said his stance on two local issues helped him win. He polled 1,207 votes for Canterbury North East, beating Labour's Michael Bland, with 768 votes, into second. Mr Gibbens said:

"Elections are always nerve-racking and I do feel relieved now. It was a pleasing result and I think people appreciated my views on Westgate Towers and Kingsmead field."

In Canterbury West, Tory John Simmonds received 1,067 votes to retain his seat, beating David De Boick from UKIP's 633 votes. He said:

"I'm ecstatic and delighted that people have supported me. It'll be an interesting administration. I look forward to holding newly elected councillors to account and making sure they deliver on their promises."

Mr De Boick said despite missing out on the seat, he was "very pleased" with the result.

Elsewhere, in Herne and Sturry, Alan Marsh became the only Conservative left standing in Herne Bay after UKIP took the rest of the seats. He polled 41% of the votes with 1,452, beating UKIP's Sarah Larkins into second place with 1,086.

The UKIP vote amounted to almost a third of the total votes cast, with 17% for Labour, six% for the Green Party and five% for the Liberal Democrats.

There was a sigh of relief from Martin Vye, who remains the district's only Liberal Democrat county councillor after securing 1,555 votes to take the Canterbury South West division. Mr Vye said:

"I'm very pleased indeed that the electors of the division have placed their trust in me. I will endeavour to make sure their trust isn't misplaced. UKIP came as a great surprise to me. Voters weren't talking about UKIP on the doorstep but clearly, there is a feeling that ordinary people aren't being listened to. We have to address that."

Voter turn out was just 28.5% across the district.

Overall, the Tories retained their majority on the council, the composition of which is now: Conservative 45 (-29), UKIP 17 (+17), Labour 13 (+11), Lib Dem 7 (no change), Green 1 (+1), Residents Association 1 (+1), Independent 0 (-1).

thisiskent 10th May 2013

Tories hold Herne

Maxine Marsh congratulates husband Alan as he is re-elected for the Tories to Herne and Sturry

Herne remains the only part of Herne Bay with a Conservative councillor after Alan Marsh held on to his seat. He polled 1,452 votes – 41 per cent – beating Ukip's Sarah Larkins, with 1,086 votes, into second place .

Labour's Alan Stanley gained 590 votes while Green Party candidate Elisa De Vert beat the Lib Dems into fifth place with her total of 217, ahead of Nigel Whitburn's 169.

Mr Marsh said:

"I'm very pleased that I have the opportunity to serve the people I represent for another four years. It's a critical time and I want to make sure that we do everything possible not only to smooth the path for health, education and highways, but also to ensure that the people of Kent get the best lifestyle that we can provide by working closely together as one community."

The Ukip vote amounted to almost a third of the total votes cast, with 17% for Labour, 6% for the Green Party and 5% for the Liberal Democrats.

The turnout was 27%, with 3,514 votes cast from a total electorate of almost 14,000.

thisiskent 10th May 2013