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Locals quiz port bosses on plans

by Graham Tutthill

Dover Harbour Board bosses have given guarantees the community
would benefit from the sale of the port, if it goes ahead.

The assurances came at a public meeting at Dover Town Hall on
Thursday night, at which details of the port privatisation plans,
and the proposals for the development of a second ferry terminal at
the Western Docks, were explained.

Board chairman Roger Mountford said the community trust - which
would enable the town to benefit from the port's profits for the
first time - would be an integral part of the process by which the
port would seek private investment.

He
said it would involve a cash endowment for the community on day
one, the payment of dividends, and a long-term share-holding. But,
he said, the exact terms of what the community would receive
would be subject to further talks, particularly with Dover District
Council which would have a large say in the formation of the
community trust.

"We would ensure that it exists at the time of privatisation,"
he said.

In answer to questions from the public, Mr Mountford said that
the private investor could be British or foreign.

Port chief executive Bob Goldfield said money from the port
could be used for the regeneration of the town. "It's a disgrace
there are still derelict buildings that have been there since the
Second World War," he said.

"With a community trust we can do something about that. Nobody
else is going to deliver regeneration in Dover for the next five to
10 years."

There was one amusing moment when Dover MP Gwyn Prosser said the
privatisation plan - something he has always opposed - had his full
support. He meant to say he fully supported the Terminal Two
plan.

For the full report pick up a copy of next week's Dover Mercury
newspaper.