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[Margate Football Club]

Thanet District Council wrote to the Club on 23 December 2004 confirming that they were not satisfied with our submissions and would therefore move to seek the alternative option outlined in their report (this means that they would move to repossess our site and remove Margate Football Club from their land). The letter then went on to allow us to submit further detail by 04 January 2005, which was also the date the Council returned to business after the holiday.

 

The Club responded to the further demands and deadline imposed by the Council and submitted additional information by e-mail on 29 December 2004. Mindful that all business was closed for the holiday and our Team Leader was out of the Country, the Development Team did everything they could to meet the Councils demands.

 

The further demands from the Council covered issues that we considered had already been fully covered in a number of previous meetings as well as other issues that required analysis of the figures used by the Developers in the business case. Many of the issues raised highlighted the fact that there was no contact between the Councils departments; for example, the letter states that the 11 weeks allowed in our programme for the Planning Department to determine the planning application were not sufficient, whilst our Development Team had met with the Planning Department and already agreed this.

 

The letter questions the figures used by our Developer, who is a very substantial Commercial Developer with assets in excess of 350 million pounds. It also raised concerns over the draw down of grant funding, the timing of additional 5 a-side pitches, the effects of the extended groundshare agreement with Ashford Town, the design and build model for the stadium, the rentals used for the commercials and required further information on the company specifically set up to carry out the development, London and Margate Development Ltd.

 

We have now been advised that this matter is to be referred back to the Councils Cabinet on 13 January 2005. However, the cabinet meeting of 10 November 2004 approved option A and passed the matter back to Officers to negotiate out the remaining issues allowing the redevelopment to go ahead. Now the Officers are passing it back to Members.

 

The continued delays have caused further financial hardships for the Club. All of our re-finance packages had relied on the Club being given the go-ahead by Thanet District Council for the redevelopment.

 

The Club has now incurred a transfer embargo, which prevents the Club signing any new players, this relates to unpaid football creditors from last Season and the Club will not be in a position to lift this embargo until funds become available to do so.

 

Our Development Partners have confirmed today that they will not desert us and have agreed, in principle, to extend funding to the Club to assist it through its most difficult financial crisis. Those funds will allow the Club to remove the embargo and therefore stabilize trading.

 

The Development Company are committed to the long haul with us and we have no intention of giving the Council reason to repossess the site.

[Cookie]

Their wheeling and dealing dosent include dealing. What other evidence do you council loving guys need. Great to hear that the developers aren't deserting the cause and that the club are sticking with this.

I think the club have done everything correctly lately, as I am sure that previously they may not have,unbeknown to themselves might I add. This club has done everything this council have asked yet the TDC still refuse to give in to us. They are fighting their fight just like we are ours. But this shouldn't be a fight by anyone.This should be a council that has the area at heart and this is exactly what they are not. Accountable to the people. Dont make me laugh! They dont give a [censored] about the people.

I'm sorry to go on but some peoples naivety just astounds me.

[MargateFan]

Thanks for the information, MFC.

Is there anything, as fans, we could do to help?

[Margate Martian]

It astounds me too. I just would love to know why they dont want the club there. Maybe oneday we will find out.

 

Keep up the fight MFC good work on your part.

 

come on the gate!!!!

[knighty101]

Quote:

The further demands from the Council covered issues that we considered had already been fully covered in a number of previous meetings as well as other issues that required analysis of the figures used by the Developers in the business case. Many of the issues raised highlighted the fact that there was no contact between the Councils departments; for example, the letter states that the 11 weeks allowed in our programme for the Planning Department to determine the planning application were not sufficient, whilst our Development Team had met with the Planning Department and already agreed this.

thats shows what idiots we have in the council

[JohnKirby]

Its good to see we're fighting all the way, and that the developers are 100% behind us...

 

I really feel like we can't lose to them, and there resilience to not give the town what it wants only strengthens our position publicly and our right to demonstrate.

 

Keep fighting the good fight MFC

[Guest]

I'm stunned and yet somehow not surprised at this. I'd like to add my thanks and admiration for the people at the club and our development partners for this gigantic effort. Here's hoping the boys can do their stuff on Saturday. Let's all get behind them! COME ON YOU BLUES!

[TonyM]

This STINKS,this counterfeit council want to palm us off with any old bullshit untill its to late.WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING NOW.

[hartgeman]

i hope this will make the council change there minds and finaly give it the go ahead, just wait and see what the council say on the 13th.

[michael]

I must confess to being very nervous of the developers 'stating on board',and whilst like many still anxious, am delighted to read the press release; and thank and give all parties credit for their efforts, which now look to have a decent chance of coming to fruition.

 

Who is writing the press releases these days, because they are very succinct and informative.

[Cookie]

Just waiting now for the councils expected reply to this statement.It can be guaranteed it to be almost the reverse of the above and worded so that some people will give back alleigance to them. They are masters in this field. You have a choice as to whether you believe the clubs statement or to go along with the councils well thought out political reply. My moneys on the club. They have no reason to lie. They are as much frustrated as we all are. The council WILL counter attack and I do fear this will take us into further delay in which case the council will have scored another point.

Its refreshing however that the club can show us the real truth, and that our struggle isn't that of acquiring funds etc but that of getting past the people who are supposed to be encouraging rather than discouraging. Beware of their reply and dont get taken in when it arrives as surely it will do.

[hartgeman]

seems like you right the council have just posted this and back dated the 23 december saying they wanted the info nice to see they keep us up to date they even lie about the date of their press release:

EXTRA TIME FOR MARGATE FOOTBALL CLUB

 

 

Thanet District Council today (23 December) informed Margate Football Club that the project and business plans submitted for their proposed football stadium development at Hartsdown Park were unacceptable.

 

Following detailed consideration of the documentation submitted by the Club on December 9th and 10th the Council has found that it cannot progress the proposals further without certain key information.

 

Leader of the Council, Councillor Sandy Ezekiel said: “The Council wants to move forward with the club but we cannot accept this submission in its current form. The documentation they have submitted is not sufficiently robust or detailed. We will be happy to accept any updates and additional information along the lines we indicated in our discussions with the Club up until the point we reopen in the New Year – January 4th. We need a superior submission. We need to have documentation, which will stand up to public scrutiny. ”

Councillor Ezekiel added: ”We require additional or supporting information for the December 9th and 10th documents to be submitted together with a much more detailed project plan and business case, so that the Council can be assured of the viability and deliverability of the project. The Council must have much greater detail as to how the project plan and business case had been built up, so that it can complete financial and due diligence checks over the material. We are a publicly accountable body. “

 

Ends

[Cookie]

Yep .Old statements,well written,full of balony will do if they cant find that extraordinary guy who finds the words that are supposed to make us believe. The one guy full of fanciful well thought out political wordings. It aint gonna wash no-more thanet council,it aint gonna wash no-more.

The people of this town have sussed you out. Yes the people. Not just the football club and its followers. Just go out into the streets and listen.You have no friends out there.They,like us KNOW. Your days in office are numbered unless...............

[Guest]

cookie once a tory always a tory you will never change thats in your blood

[Cookie]

Wrong. The fact that labour took over from the tories in recent years says that voters CAN be swayed.

[MargateFan]

The Council would seem to be pulling every trick in the book they can to delay, hoping the club will fold, or find an excuse to throw the club out.

Hey, Thanet DC - WE ARE ON TO YOU.

Your shenanigans are in fact not giving you what you want, they are just making your departments look completely inefficient and incompetent.

Furthermore, it seems to point to a serious conspiracy at the highest levels to pervert the process.

When are we going to get honest politicians to look after us?

I echo Steve's sentiments, admiration for the club and the funders, support for the boys in blue.

UP THE GATE!!!

[TonyM]

Well said MF,I think the true MFC fans are now seeing this council for what it is.....A JOKE,and may I add not all football fans see them the same.

[Cookie]

Part of clubs statement can't be emphasised and highlighted enough!

Quote " The Development Company are committed to the long haul with us and we have no intention of giving the Council reason to repossess the site".

 

The first part of this is fab news but its the second part that I take on board most,and it spells out the insurance this club are using to prevent the council from stalling us further.

The part where it says "We have no intention of giving the council REASON to repossess the site".

 

No REASON Thanet Council! Stop finding them,stop this game,stop this skulduggery. Just stop it and be honest and accomodating just for once!!

[JohnKirby]

And when it comes down to it, we have to make sure this shambles of a council never get power again, we need a council we can trust, and i really feel we should get behind someone for the next local election. I personally, and im not trying to start an arguement here, who is local, like independent would be awesome

[Guest]

Is it not true that next thursday the members! can just chuck the whole scheme out and that will be that.