Lib Dems in bid to save Hythe Town Square

Hythe Councillor Neil Matthews has today written to the Leader of Shepway District Council to ask Shepway to urgently consider funding for the renovation of the Town Square in Hythe.

The square, outside Aldi in the High Street, is currently looking a long way from its best after the tree that had been a landmark for so many years became diseased and had to be removed.

Funding for the renovation has been secured from SEEDA and from Kent County Council, but this money depends on Shepway making a contribution too. If they do not, this funding will be lost, and because of SEEDA rules it is unlikely that it could be used for any other project.

At present, Shepway has not set aside any money, because Cllr Capon, who has been leading the efforts on this project so far, does not appear to have followed the conventional way of applying for funds.

Cllr Neil Matthews explained; "I cannot understand why our Conservative County Councillor, Chris Capon, who has been leading the efforts on this project so far, never made us aware that Shepway would need to contribute money, not just give their permission."

"I will do all I can to try to secure funding from Shepway for this important project, but if this project fails, I fear that Cllr Capon will have only himself to blame."

Neil Matthews' letter to Cllr Bliss reads…

Dear Robert

Town Square - Hythe

I think you will agree that Hythe Town Square is in need of renovation. Now that our town square tree has had to be felled, due to being diseased, the area is not looking as good as it should.

As you know, Cllr Capon has an amount of Kent County Council's money at his disposal which I understand came from the Council Tax of Hythe's property owners which can be used towards this renovation.

I have today been made aware that in order for the desired scheme to go ahead, apart from the appropriate permission, additional funding is also needed from Shepway District Council.

The Hythe Market Town SEEDA project has agreed to match fund KCC's money to the tune of £10000. Unfortunately this match funding has a limited life and must be allocated by the end of this month. Can I ask that you seriously and quickly consider seizing this opportunity to renovate our Town Square by helping with extra money needed to complete the scheme? After all, the Square is the responsibility of Shepway District Council and therefore would be totally accountable for all costs if it needed to be renovated at a later date.

I am aware that Cllr Capon has not followed a route that should have lead to a successful outcome for the securing Shepway's funding. It was unfortunate that he did not consult you earlier in the process and would appear to have left it far too late. I am also aware that to date he has yet to show Shepway's officers a plan of the renovation scheme.

I would also like to point out that if the scheme were to fail, the £10000 match funding from SEEDA would disappear too and as this money could have been used for alternative projects this would be such a waste of a resource to the people of Hythe.

Although I appreciate correct procedures have not been followed I know that Hythe would greatly benefit from having its Town Square refurbished and ask the Cabinet to find room in their budget for this project to be completed.

I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future.

Yours sincerely

Neil Matthews

Cllr - Hythe Central

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