Draft:Westgate-on-Sea Town Council

Since separating from Margate and becoming, politically, an Independent Town in 2015, the seaside area of Westgate-on-Sea (in the District of the Isle-of-Thanet, Kent) has had an elected Town Council. Westgate-on-Sea Town Council sits at Tier 1, directly below Thanet District Council, which is, in-turn, a level below Kent County Council. The MP for the Town is The Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale. Westgate-on-Sea Town Council held their Inaugural Annual Statutory Meeting on 13th May 2015, where it was democratically decided to refer to them as Westgate-on-Sea Town Council, as opposed to Westgate-on-Sea Parish Council. Westgate-on-Sea Town Council (often abbreviated to WoSTC) was formed in 2015 and exists to actively support the people who live, work and visit the historic town of Westgate (in 1879, the first town to experiment with electric lighting on the seafront). The Council’s vision for Westgate-on-Sea is that of a vibrant, thriving and welcoming community, where people want to live, work and visit. The full powers of Westgate-on-Sea Town Council can be viewed at the official Parish Council's webpage at https://www.parishcouncils.uk/parish-council/westgate-on-sea-parish-council/ The Town Council is a member of both the National Association of Local Councils and the Kent Association of Local Councils.

Council Elections
2015 - 2019 When the Town Council was first formed, there was no election, as only ten people put their names forward to become Town Councillors. Of these ten, four resigned during this, the first four-year, term of the Council. These were Graham Rickett,, Lynne (Ash) Ashbee, Richard Charlton and David Morrish

Since this election, there has been -
 * the co-option of Charlotte Thomason on 7th November 2023, to bring the number of Councillors up to ten, followed by
 * the resignation of Cllr Tim Green in January 2024 bringing the number of Councillors down to nine again, and
 * the 14th March by-election, won by John Worrow

Political Control
Westgate-on-Sea Town Council (WoSTC) has been under no overall control since creation in 2015, with the majority feeling that a Town or Parish Council should be devoid of any party commitments.

Facebook Groups
The Town Council has a Facebook Page, but Councillors also decided in 2017 to ask for the creation of a group called Westgate-on-Sea Town Council Discussion Group , to enable local residents to talk about Town Council matters in an open forum that they, the Council & the Councillors, had no control over. WoSTC also has a strong connection with the Facebook Group of Westgate Matters

Town Magazine
Westgate-on-Sea Town Council produce a local magazine. As well as being delivered to all of the residents of the Town, this is also viewable online.

Premises
When first formed, WoSTC took offices in the building called the 'Town Hall Building', which hosts the Carlton Cinema and a number of other businesses. As they grew, in 2017 the Council moved to 11 Ethelbert Square, before moving, in 2019, to their current location of 78 St. Mildred's Road.

WoSTC are now looking into the concept of being located in the Westgate-on-Sea Library Building.

Westgate Day
On 21st July 2019, WoSTC hosted their first Westgate Day More information can be found out about this day by reading the 'Westgate Talk' magazine that the Town Council produce. This day was very busy and an outstanding success, bringing a large number of people to the Town. It was planned to be repeated, but Covid has stopped this.

Westgate Lights Christmas Festival
WoSTC does play a part in the 'Westgate Lights festival', which is arranged by local businesses and also brings a great number of visitors to the Town.

Pancake Races
The Council has taken over running the annual 'Pancake Races'. This is a historical event, both for local schoolkids and adults.

Green Spaces
In 2019, Westgate's Town Council gave a strong commitment to revamping their Green Spaces