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KENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (K.I.A.C.C.)
previously known as 
Manston Airport Consultative Committee (M.A.C.C)

PRESENT 

The Chairman welcomed the new members to the Committee; 

APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from:

The Chairman read out a letter from Paul Tipple stating that he had resigned from the PlaneStation Group effective end June 2005.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Chief Executive of PlaneStation Group Plc had expressly forbidden Alastair Robertson from attending KIACC this afternoon.

1. FUNDING OF KIACC: STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN

1.1 The Chairman reported that PlaneStation Group Plc had withdrawn financial support to KIACC in May and advised the Committee of the implications of this action. This included remuneration to himself and the Secretary, and administration costs. The move contravened the s106 Agreement, and the requirement as a designated airport to provide consultation facilities. He and the Secretary were seeking legal advice. They had now received letters of dismissal from PlaneStation Group Plc, but this could not take effect without KIACC agreement.

1.2 The Chairman read out a letter from the Secretary explaining her absence from the meeting in present circumstances. She also confirmed that only £11.00 was left in the KIACC administration account.

1.3 Richard Samuel advised the Committee of the action that Thanet District Council was taking in respect of this matter. He has been in correspondence with Mr May, Chief Executive of PlaneStation Group Plc and wrote to him again yesterday advising him that his actions to impede and effectively dismantle the KIACC could be in breach of the Civil Aviation Act and of the Planning Agreement between TDC and the Airport Operator. A letter was due to go today to the Chairman of the PlaneStation Group Plc regarding the legality of the action taken by its Chief Executive, Mr May, and seeking speedy restoration of the previous position. In the short–term, Mr Samuel explained that the Council would provide secretariat (including today) to the KIACC. This was not ideal, because the KIACC, it could be argued, should be visibly independent of both the Council and Planestation. But given the circumstances it was the best way forward because community liaison remains important.

1.4 MOTION - Cllr Nicholson (Ramsgate Residents) proposed that Sir Alistair Hunter be asked to remain as Chairman. This was seconded by Cllr Bragg (Dover) and the meeting approved the proposal unanimously.

1.5 There was discussion about the effectiveness of the Planning Agreement if ownership of the Airport changed. Leigh Herington advised the Committee that the S106 Agreement is tied to the land and not the owner. He added that KCC clearly takes seriously the breaking of any planning agreement with TDC and puts on record it takes a grave view of what has happened in that regard.

1.6 Mr Herington agreed to make the situation known to Alex King and Sandy Bruce-Lockhart tomorrow. ACTION - Leigh Herington

1.7 Cllr Bayford confirmed that without escalating a sensitive position, because the Airport is an important local employer, Thanet would be taking a firm hand to ensure that the KIACC remained in place with its Chairman and Secretary confirmed and in position. The District Council would consider taking legal advice on PlaneStation compliance with all parts of the S106 Planning Agreement. And it would keep the KIACC informed. Graham Murfet said his union represented PlaneStation employees: they had not been treated well by PlaneStation, and he would welcome firmness.

1.8 It was noted that Thanet District Council, not PlaneStation Group Plc, held the Airport Community Funds.

1.9 In conclusion the three main areas of concern for KIACC were:

• Remuneration for Secretary/Chairman - the Chairman confirmed this would go through their lawyers.
• Breaches of S106 Agreement - the Chairman confirmed that action is best left by KIACC to Thanet District Council, and through Richard Samuel, to keep KIACC informed of the decision of Full Council and subsequent advice. ACTION – Richard Samuel
• PlaneStation’s dismissal of the Committee Chairman and Secretary – the Committee concluded this could not be done without their Agreement, and had confirmed the Chairman in post.

1.10 The representatives from Dover and Canterbury Councils asked TDC to keep their chief executives informed of events. ACTION – Richard Samuel

2.1 The Minutes of meeting held on 22^nd March 2005, having been previously circulated, were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 Radar Upgrading Cllr Flaherty requested this be a continuing item. ACTION - Secretariat

3.2 The Chairman ran through the outstanding action points.

4. AIRPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

4.1 Nothing to report as Alastair Robertson was absent from the meeting.

5.1 Complaints Forms by Location

5.1.1 In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report. Attention was drawn to the increased totals for February – April 2005 as opposed to the corresponding quarter last year, and that there had been 39 complainants compared with 31 last year.

5.2 Causal Factors

5.2.1 In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report. The increase in Off Route complaints was particularly noted, and the committee noted again the importance of introducing tracking radar as soon as possible.

5.3 Top 10 Complaints Generated

5.3.1 In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report. Comment was made that though less numerous than passenger jets, cargo aircraft – being larger and noisier, were the chief sources of complaint.

5.4 Departure Runways

5.4.1 In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report.

5.5 Section 106 Compliancy Reports

5.5.1In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report.

5.5.2 In relation to departures to Europe between 0600-0700, Bernard Clayson queried why there was no record in non-compliance of early departures to UK destinations. He understood that the clause in the S106 Agreement was intended to recognise the 1-hour time difference between the UK and Europe. Brian White confirmed this was because ‘Europe’ included the UK, therefore the departures between 0600-0700 to UK destinations are not in breach of the S106.

5.6 Runway Utilisation

5.6.1 In the absence of Alastair Robertson, KIACC received and noted this report.

6.1 Brian White ran through the Night Flight Monitoring reports for May and June 2005 and answered any questions the Committee had arising from these reports. He drew attention to the fact that delayed arrivals had been a feature, taking some aircraft movements beyond the 2300 hours. The Night-Time Flying Policy for the period did not penalise delays, but for the future this subject justifies some consideration.

The Chairman noted that night readings from the St Nicholas monitor were consistently lower than those from the Clarendon School monitor. The need to rectify this was urgent. Paul Martin confirmed that the mobile monitor was at last stationed in a suitable position at the Ramsgate end, and was taking readings which, after a few months, could be used to adjust the readings at the St Nicholas end.

6.2 The Chairman queried how long the existing programme of nightflights had authority to continue to ie September/October. Brian White confirmed that the Council dealt with an application it received in November for 6 months, taking it to 30 September 2005. There seemed to have been some ambiguity at PlaneStation Group Plc as to whether the summer flying period is 6 or 7 months. The Airport’s current schedule shows the summer period to be 7 months and winter 5 months. But this is not what PlaneStation Group Plc formally sought from Thanet Council. Therefore, it only has a Night-Time Flying Policy until 30 September 2005.

7.1 Paul Martin summarised the Benzene and Nitrogen Dioxide reports for London Manston Airport for the months or March, April and May 2005, and answered any queries the Committee had on these reports. It was noted that all monitoring was below UK and EU Action Levels.

8.1 Brian White updated the Committee on the Section 106 renegotiation process, which included the work undertaken by MORI, the 13 public meetings in Thanet and Canterbury; consultation with Dover District Council and a press and radio campaign to raise interest and awareness for the situation. All material being reported to Full Council that same evening. The purpose being to identify broad issues of concern to the public and use these almost as ‘head of terms’ in the successor planning agreement ie night time flying, off route flying (improved radar).

8.2 After the Full Council Meeting Brian White agreed to provide KIACC with a copy of the full report and minute. ACTION - Brian White

8.3 Technical work (statistics) regarding the performance of the Airport, and referring to practice at other regional airports is now underway and will be reported to Full Council hopefully in September 2005, and communicated to KIACC thereafter.

8.4 Brian White explained the steps taken to carry consultation beyond the boundaries of Thanet. This was relevant because pollution, especially noise is a transboundary issue. And as detailed work subsequently progresses appropriate liaison with bodies within and outside Thanet will continue.

9.1 The Chairman welcomed Keith Morris and Susan Follows of TCDT to the meeting and read out the position statement of the fund which they provided.

Grants paid out since 1 April 2005	£2850
Grant funding pledged dependent on conditions being met	£1500
Balance in the Fund as at 11 July 2005	£4878.50
Less Grant monies promised	£1500
TOTAL	£3378.50

 

The minibus purchased for £20,000 using fines paid for the "Iraq" flights in 2003 had been handed over this week to the Thanet Community Transport Association.

Members of the Fund committee were asked to stay behind for a few minutes after the meeting for discussion with the TDCT team.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1 Notification in Press of Community Fund Successes

10.1.1 Sandra Hooper, KAPC Dover, suggested that good news, such as the donation of the minibus by the KIA Airport Community Fund should be reported in the press outside of the Thanet area. She advised KIACC that nothing is being reported in the press in areas outside of Thanet. Cllr Bragg, Dover, said he accepted that, because Dover District did not lie under the flightpath, organisations in Dover would not normally qualify for grants from the Fund. Nevertheless, the meeting agreed it would be worth suggesting to Ian Day of TCTA that there might be publicity for the bus outside of Thanet. ACTION TCDT

10.2 Withdrawal of Funding by PlaneStation Group Plc

10.2.1 Cllr Flaherty queried how much funding was involved when PlaneStation Group Plc withdrew their support for KIACC. The Chairman confirmed well in excess of £20,000.

10.3 Safety and Security at the KIA

10.3.1 Graham Murfet queried if KIACC took a view on arrangements for safety at the airport. In answer, Brian White confirmed that there are different regulators on safety for the industry and that during the recent round of public consultation in respect of the renegotiation of the S106 Agreement, safety was an issue that was not raised.

10.3.2 It was noted that there was nothing KIACC could do in relation to this matter until such time as they are again in dialogue with PlaneStation Group Plc. Safety and security issues could feature in a future meeting. ACTION - Secretariat

10.3.3 Leigh Herington also confirmed that if PlaneStation Group Plc were unable to attend KIACC, then a representative should attend from Kent Police, if security was being discussed.

It had been agreed that the next meeting would be held in October, so that the meeting could review the full six months’ monitoring of night flights. Paul Martin confirmed that TDC could produce the September report on this in time for circulation to the Committee before the third week in October. It was therefore agreed to meet during that week.

11.1 It was noted this would be KIACC’s Public Meeting.

Data
Funding of KIACC: Statement by chairman.

LMA quarterly statistics Alastair Robertson

Sec 106 compliancy reports (exc night flying)
Complaints
Runway utilisation etc

Full list of Data pages

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13 July 2005

To all Committee Members:

I enclose papers for the next meeting of the Committee, which will take place on Thursday 21 July at 2 pm at Thanet District Council, Cecil Street, Margate.

The cessation by PlaneStation of funding for the Committee, of which you will be aware, has complicated the business of preparing for the meeting. I am however determined that the meeting should take place as scheduled, since as I am sure you will agree there is important business to be conducted.

Fortunately, the meeting was due in any case to be held at TDC on this occasion, and I am seeking their help with some of the arrangements.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Sir Alistair Hunter
Chairman

Sir Alistair Hunter
Chairman
Kent International Airport Consultative Committee 20 July 2005

Dear Alistair

It is with considerable sadness that I write formally to inform you and colleagues on the Consultative Committee of my resignation from the PlaneStation Group plc.

My decision to resign has not been taken lightly. I have been closely involved with the fortunes of Kent International Airport since August 2000 when I joined the then Wiggins Group plc. I believed then and continue to believe that the Airport has an important role as a successful regional airport serving the 1.6 million people that live and work in Kent and Medway and as an important cargo handling airport. But over the past months I have found it increasingly difficult properly to represent the interests of the Airport to the local community with the knowledge and insight that is reasonably expected, whilst at the same time having the confidence that the legitimate concerns of the community in respect of the Airport’s operation and development were being adequately addressed. In that regard I found it impossible to exercise my formal responsibilities as a Board Director of the Airport company and as an employee of the PlaneStation Group.

I have much enjoyed the cut and thrust of the Committee’s debate and have been encouraged in my own work by the Committee’s determination to grasp some of the key issues concerning the development of the Airport and its impact on the local community. I have also had the privilege of learning from the valuable contribution that you, as Chairman, and all colleagues have made to the Committee’s deliberations, and importantly of establishing so many friendships.

I know that the Committee faces some uncertain times ahead but am confident that it will rise to the challenge. I wish you all every success.

Yours sincerely

Paul Tipple