Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 27 January 2026, 6:00pm

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Tuesday, 27th January 2026 at 6:00pm

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Start of webcast

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Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

1 Apologies for Absence

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Mr Jake Hamilton
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

2 Declarations of Interest

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Declarations of Interest

Cllr Anita Jones
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

3 Minutes

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Minutes , 25/11/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

4 Minutes of the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee

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Minutes , 18/11/2025 Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee

5 Strategic Approach to Sports & Leisure

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Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Anita Jones
Mr Andy Blaszkowicz
Cllr Anita Jones
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Andrew Rush
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Alan Martin
Andrew Rush
Cllr Alan Martin
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Mr Andy Blaszkowicz
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr John Wing
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Bridget Chapman
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Elaine Martin
Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Alan Martin
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Mr Ewan Green
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

6 Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ Policy)

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Cllr Polly Blakemore
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Anita Jones
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Polly Blakemore
Mr Fred Miller
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Bridget Chapman
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Polly Blakemore
Mr Fred Miller
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

7 Folca - Update and Folca 2 Business Case

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Mr Rod Lean
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr John Wing
Cllr Anita Jones
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Mr Rod Lean
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Alan Martin
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly

8 Cabinet Member updates

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Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Alan Martin
Cllr Polly Blakemore
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Polly Blakemore
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Councillor Tony Hills
Cllr Polly Blakemore
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Anita Jones
Cllr Tim Prater
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Paul Thomas
Cllr Tim Prater
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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Disclaimer: This transcript was automatically generated, so it may contain errors. Please view the webcast to confirm whether the content is accurate.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:03

Thank you.

Good evening, and welcome to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

This meeting will be webcast live to the internet.

For those who do not wish to be recorded or filmed, you will need to leave the chamber.

For members, officers, and others speaking at the meeting, it is important that the microphones

are used so viewers on the webcast and others in the room may hear you.

Would anyone with a mobile phone please switch it to silent mode as they can be distracting.

I'd like to remind members that although we all have strong opinions on matters under consideration,

it is important to treat members, officers and public speakers with respect.

1 Apologies for Absence

So we move on to item 1, Apologies for absence. Thank you chair. We have one apology from Councillor Davison.

2 Declarations of Interest

Mr Jake Hamilton - 0:00:49

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:51

Thank you very much. Item 2, Declarations of Interest. Are there any declarations of interest? Councillor Jones.

I don't know whether I have to declare this,

but I swim in Heithpool every week.

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:01:00

Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:01:02

Better to be safe than sorry, isn't it?

Councillor Hills.

Yes, it's only a small thing.

I've rejoined Lidtown Council,

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:01:11

so if anything comes up in Lid, warn me.

But I've made it, well, there you go.

Excellent, thank you very much.

Anybody else?

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:01:22

Okay then, excellent.

Okay, so we move on to the minutes.

3 Minutes

So we're going to consider and approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting

held on 25th of November, 2025.

Can I have a proposer, please?

Thank you, Councillor Thomas, and a seconder.

Thank you, Councillor Hills, and can we vote?

Thank you.

So I will sign that.

Okay, next item number four, minutes of the Finance and Performance subcommittee. We need

4 Minutes of the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee

to consider and approve as a correct record and minutes of the meeting held on 18th of

November, 2025. Can I have a proposer, please? Councillor Thomas and Councillor Martin, seconder.

Okay, can we have a vote please?

Thank you very much.

I shall sign those.

5 Strategic Approach to Sports & Leisure

Item five, strategic approach to sports and leisure.

This item will be introduced by Ewan McGreen, Director of Strategy and Resources.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Chair and evening members.

Mr Ewan Green - 0:02:39

And in this, in your pack tonight,

you've got a copy of a presentation

that I'll go through just I think as an overview

to give you a sense of what's coming before you tonight,

but also at future meetings.

I'm conscious that this is the start of us bringing

some key issues around support and leisure provision to you.

So the proposal tonight is to touch on

the overall strategic approach,

touch on where we are on leisure strategy

like to local plan,

and then pick up on some of the sites

and projects that are emerging as well.

And the whole point of tonight is to get your feedback

to feedback that to cabinet and to corporate leadership team

moving forward as we bring forward more reports

both to this committee and into cabinet as well.

So in terms of an overall strategic approach,

as part of the local plan, we are required to develop

a new supporting measure strategy,

the existing one for the councils outdated.

And our local plan requires a fairly robust document.

So the timescale for that,

we're unclear yet from government,

but likely to be either the summer or the autumn

that they start the work on the local plan.

Therefore, we'll start the work on the full strategy

and the full assessment then.

But ahead of that, very conscious

that there are some significant issues

around swimming provision that we need to think about

and address.

And certainly the lack of provision in the district,

hive pool, touching an otter pool in provision there,

and there's the linked issue of use of land

that's available at Martello Lakes

as part of the new development there.

So just an overview then in terms of the strategy itself.

It's an evidence -based, so it's a technical piece of work

that will require a significant amount of research, assessment, and then consultation,

particularly the statute of consultees, as part of the process so it does become part

of the local plan and the key evidence document for that. So we will go out and appoint a

suitably qualified consultancy to take that work for us. And again, it has to be a robust

and robust base to enable the council and of course,

the success of authority to think about

where it commits investment and support

and leisure moving forward.

And a lot of that's about demand for facilities,

looking at growth across the district,

population growth focused on 2045,

which is the time scale for the next local plan.

So that piece of work will start

and will be fed through the system

and we doubt there'll be something coming back

to this meeting in due course.

But ahead of that, as I've said,

we feel we need to think about swimming pool provision.

And certainly the analysis done

through the consultant team we've had on board,

probably not a surprise to you,

points to a significant shortfall, or shortage, sorry,

in provision across the district.

and has identified that investment in sustainable swimming pool development

should be a priority for the council and its partners.

Interestingly, that shortfall still exists

if Hive Pool and Folsom Sports Centre swimming pool are fully operational.

And key points coming out of this analysis is really about

the need for a sustainable facility based around a strong catchment

And therefore, Otterpool Park really comes into that

thinking slightly longer term

about provision of new facilities

and certainly sites closer to the major conurbations

and folks in the high.

And due to kind of location,

it's not recommended in the analysis that we've had back

that we pursue a new swimming pool at Martello Lakes.

And I can touch on that further in a second.

So, linked to all this, there's land that Martel linked to the development.

And this is land that's available to the council through the section 106 that was put together

for the Martel Lakes development.

And you can see it there.

It's a site that has been identified for sport leisure and community use.

We have a time scale by which to make a decision on this.

By the 30th October, 2026, the council must tell

the landowner developer if we wish to take the land.

And then we've got a year to put in the reserve matters

planning application.

So in other words, you know, we make a decision

on what we do and then we can't just hold that land forever.

We need to commit to what our thinking is to deliver

on that site by way of a reserve matters planning application.

So we've got quite a tight timescale,

but it's certainly achievable.

And at the end of the slideshow,

I'll touch on dates for coming back to you on Martello.

The reason for bringing Martello into this

is just to flag it to you at the moment,

but also, again, just to reiterate

that the work we've done to date in our thinking

is that it's not a suitable site

for a new swimming pool leisure centre due to the catchment issues and Autopool Park

has the provision for Autopool Park to provide significant dry and wet leisure facilities

in the master plan over a period of time.

What we do need to do though is make a decision on what the land at Martello will be used

So we'll be coming back to you with that.

We're doing much more work on that at the moment

to look at all types of support and leisure provision

that might be, you know, might be suitable uses

and appropriate uses for the site.

Could be on a mini -pile basis

or could be on a permanent basis.

But in addition to that, the Martello development,

as you might be aware, through reports to council previously

there's a 5 .5 million pounds contribution being made

to the council to be applied to sport leisure and community use. And the section, that's

the section 106, and that section 106 is clear that that funding can be used within the boundary

of Folkestone High District Council and does note with priority given to the HIVE, and

of course previously that funding was allocated to a project in HIVE, which is probably where

that came from in terms of the section 106 contribution.

So that's Martello.

Folkston Sports Centre Trust is also here

and I guess one of the main issues tonight

is to get your views on quite a significant request

or a request for a significant grant from the sports trust

who now own the Folkston Sports Centre

with a view to reopening swimming pool there.

And you'll know that historically

that the council has supported the Sports Centre with a revenue grant, but the request

for a significant amount of £2 .4 million to what we would call capital funding would

mean that we would stop giving a revenue grant, and that's something which I think is something

maybe to pick up on, but it's certainly something which supports and significantly helps the

and its general funding, its revenue budgeting,

as we go through the budget process this year and beyond.

And again, well, why fund the Sports Trust?

We've always supported Folkestone Sports Centre

as a council, but certainly it being closed

just exacerbates the running shortfall

in swimming pool provision.

and high pool, only available at public swimming pool,

is the only one we've got.

So there are obviously lost opportunities locally

and losing the benefits, health benefits for swimming

and the impact, I think, which is important

on sports clubs and local residents

who are using the facilities.

So in your pack, you'll see the report there.

There's a grant agreement which we are drafting,

which Andrew and the team have been through.

It's quite a significant piece of work getting to this point

because we're aware of the scale

of the funding that's required here.

So this grant agreement is akin to the type of agreement

that a national body like Sport England

would put in place for a major development,

a major grant of this size as well,

with the various safeguards that you can see there

put in place to secure the council's contribution

as is required.

And we need to take that through cabinet for agreement,

but the first step is that council need to approve

the budget allocation in February for it.

And now onto Hive Pool, and the work we've done,

it really points towards retaining Hive Pool

as a fully functioning swimming facility is important.

And you'll know that it's not, it has its challenges,

It has its revenue costs and implications each year for us,

and is quite frankly at any stage

there may be a significant fault there

that means it has to close.

So what we're doing at the moment is

we've appointed consultants to take us to stage one,

so a feasibility study to look at three options.

And then kind of a option one is like for light

refurbishment, so that's the very basics that you would do

to maintain the pool moving forward.

then a kind of middle option, which is value engineered

and focus on the pool refurbishment,

the plan as the priority,

with some limited remodelling of the ancillary facilities.

And option three,

a full remodel of the pool and changing area

and looking at the extent of not just the pool,

but changing facilities, et cetera.

And these are all based on adapting the existing building.

So this is not about knocking anything down

and building new, this is about adapting.

And that's fundamentally because of our funding ability

we've got for funding and the envelope

that we've got to work within.

We're also doing more work to look at

the car park provision there.

And importantly, looking at what energy generation

we can do through solar, air and ground solar heat pumps,

and the grant potential that comes with that as well.

So there's an allocation against Hithpool

in the council budget setting

that your papers will come to you at council in February.

Our intention is that follow up to tonight,

we'll be coming back to you as a committee in March

and then onto cabinet seeking to confirm

which option members wish to pursue.

and then we will move on the track on with the project.

Key bullet point in the bottom there,

no matter what happens in terms of timing

of programme of delivery on Hive pool,

it cannot close unless folks in sports centres open,

pools open, otherwise we're taking away

the only public facility.

So we're very clear on that

and we have to adjust our timescales to flex on that.

And finally, just, you know, I've touched on this a little bit already. There's the

kind of the roadmap, if you like, to some key decisions over the next period with coming

back to you again in March with the high pool project and then coming back June, July. Obviously,

the dates aren't set for committees yet in the next year, but there'll be a notice in

in June and July.

And really that's really to focus on Martel Lakes more

and the potential uses and investment required

on that site and the opportunities there

with a view to us making a decision by July.

And then looking at these projects

in the corporate action plan and then moving to delivery.

So that's really me giving you an overview

of where we're going or the suggested direction.

and tonight very keen to get your feedback on that overall direction, any points you

want to raise on any of the projects and particularly on the folks in the support centre as well,

given that that's the first key decision that's going to come forward. So thank you, Chair.

I'll finish there.

Thank you.

The team are here to help with any questions.

Thank you very much. So thank you for that and I know we'll probably have a very healthy

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:15:56

discussion about that. Usually, obviously I open it up to the floor and I let other

people speak before me, so I'm just going to take advantage of the fact that I'm

chair today and speak first, but I'm not actually speaking on behalf of myself,

I'm speaking on behalf of Councillor Laura Davidson who isn't here, but is so

conscientious that she actually sent through some comments that have been made

by the public which she wanted to make sure was aired at this meeting. So it's

It's a long list, but I'll get through it.

And I'm sure most of you will cooperate it

and agree with the points that the public have about this.

So in general, there's a current lack of swimming facilities

is shocking and unsustainable.

That's what most people believe.

It's very important for public health.

Swimming is accessible across different ages,

genders and fitness levels.

And it's critical in a seaside town

that children learn to swim.

In regards to the timing, it's essential that Folkestone Hall is reopened this summer, ready

for the start of the school year.

Works to both Folkestone and Hyde Hall need to be coordinated and you've already said

that, so it's great that you've already considered that.

Comments on the proposed council funding.

Good and much needed start to getting Folkestone Centre open again.

This will strengthen the position to win other fundraising bids.

This looks good and a great start.

Local schools, clubs and residents will be delighted to have the pool open again.

If it paves the way for the rest of the centre to open, then great.

Finance is needed ASAP and is essential.

Folkestone should be the priority than a hive.

Otterpool is speculative at this time.

S106 funding from Martello Lakes means the council having to find less capital funding.

Sports Trust being the partner reduces the risk associated with the funding commitment.

A strong support for funding for Hive Pool 2.

Is any government money available to support the requirement to teach children to swim?

And in regards to SOLO, welcome as an aspect of the plans,

also a benefit to reopening Folkestone Pool,

of cutting down travel times and admission as a result.

A good investment as they eventually pay for themselves and are then an ongoing saving.

And then finally, just some points, some requests and conditions.

Ensure enough public swimming sessions alongside club swimming for Folkestone.

Want to see classes restored at the centre in Folkestone.

Consideration of swimming provision on the marsh.

Canvas views of local users for Hive Pool.

Improved disability access and changing facilities.

And there was one request for further consideration of Martello as a proposal.

I know that's quite a few, but I think it's important that we do actually air the views

of the public, not just ourselves.

Okay.

Yeah, so I saw Councillor Hills first and then Councillor Jones.

Ewan, you were writing some notes down.

Was there anything you wanted to come back on that before?

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:19:05

Ewan, it's very helpful.

Thank you.

And we'll feed these back into cabinet in the reporting.

Mr Ewan Green - 0:19:09

Councillor Hills.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:19:11

Thank you.

and thank you Ewing for a good presentation.

I thought that was excellent.

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:19:16

But I'd like to just say, one North Honey thing really,

I come from the Marsh, 24 ,000 people out there.

It's all flood, the majority is flood zone three.

And that's quite serious.

And you know what, they can't swim.

So the point of getting a swimming pool,

we had years ago planned to do something

with the Marsh Academy.

I'd like to see if that could be resurrected

and it'll be interesting if funding could be found.

But by and large, I support presentation

because the happy pragmatics where we are now,

but bear in mind that we do have changes coming

and some of these changes might outgrow you.

That's the thought.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:20:04

Councillor Jones.

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:20:06

So obviously I'm a Hyde Councillor,

very enthusiastic and excited about everything

that's coming our way in HIVE.

Obviously, there's been a lot of talk about swimming pools

for quite a long time in HIVE.

The pool is well loved, but it is obviously quite old.

Changing facilities are in desperate need.

I often go swimming on a Monday morning,

and I mean, the women's changing room is packed,

and it's impossible to find anywhere to change.

So I know you're talking about a different layout,

and that'd be most welcome.

I had some ladies who, as soon as I saw the announcement,

and approached me and said about this,

and I said, no, I think that's already on the agenda.

So that's really good news.

Being nice to me, I mean, it's a good location

because people walk there,

and obviously there's a little bit of parking

which is available at the moment,

and I understand that you're gonna perhaps

make that a bit larger, so that would be good.

So while folks and pools being shut, obviously,

I expect they've had much higher usage,

and it's been used not only by the Folkestone Swimming Club,

but obviously there's a huge swimming club at Hive Aqua

who teach an enormous amount of children to swim.

My own children went through that,

so anything that can encourage children to swim more is brilliant, actually.

While we're on Hive Pool, there was one thing that occurred to me.

When my children were younger, I know the council did a promotion

where they did a summer of free swimming for children,

and it was amazing.

I don't know whether there would ever be a budget for that,

but it really encouraged people to go back to the pool.

So if we're looking at raising swimming rates,

it perhaps wouldn't be a huge cost to the council,

but I know it did happen, I can't remember

how many years ago, but certainly at that point in our lives

it encouraged us to visit the pool.

So it might encourage more people to visit the pool.

So the other location, Martella Lakes,

really exciting that we can take the land there

and use it for a community space.

I'd love to see a multi -use community space for different sports.

I think that would be a fantastic thing in that area of Hyde

and then people on the Marsh would be able to access that as well,

so the Dim Church area.

So there are busses along that road, not many,

but maybe we can work on the busses too, that could be good.

But it's something which could look at different sports,

badminton, table tennis, yoga, those kind of sports which don't necessarily require

water but obviously still really important for people's wellbeing. So that's great.

I like the idea of looking forward to Ossipool. I know there'll be some money obviously coming

forward there. That's a long way in the far distant future I think, but I know there's

been talk of people would love to see a proper 50 metre kind of competitive pool and that

would certainly attract people from other areas. It would be quite exciting if we could

have a bigger leisure centre up there. Fantastic news, obviously, that Folkstone is going to

get some money, obviously, if we approve it in all the budgets and things. I think that

would be amazing. I'm really pleased that, obviously, we're going to try and coordinate

updating Heith Pool with when Folkstone is open. I learnt from Folkstone Pool, a lot

of us probably did and we're all very fond of it.

So I can't wait to see that open again.

And likewise, it'd be good to get children swimming.

I don't know how we can encourage more children swimming.

That'd be really, really important.

I think my only question was how long do you think

Hyde's Pool would be shut for refurbishment?

Because obviously a lot of people will depend on that

and then there'd be a lot of travelling for a while.

But I mean, until you know, I guess what you're going

to do with it, it is difficult to tell.

Mr Andy Blaszkowicz - 0:23:59

I think that is exactly right. It depends. We are looking at a number of options at the moment

with the design team.

That will come back for members to make a decision and that might be a

reconfiguration of the space as Euan has pointed out, or it might be

a like for like replacement. It is all going to depend on what the numbers stack up to and how much money we have got in the budget.

Obviously a like for like replacement will take a short period of time than a complete remodel.

But we'll have to see. Although it wouldn't be out of action for too long, but it will be a number of months rather than years, I would hope.

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:24:36

So I know that will be a concern. There's a lot of older residents who obviously walk to the pool and use it very regularly.

So I don't know if there would be a possibility that you could keep the pool open while you reconfigure other bits.

I don't know, but it might be worth considering how we can support the residents there.

I know that's not ideal.

And also, I just want to echo the thoughts for the Marsh.

I agree there really should be some more provision.

There's a lovely leisure centre at the Marsh Academy, but it's without swimming.

And it would be really valuable if there was a small pool there.

But I don't know how we can find the money for that, too.

but it's a long drive from the marsh to Hithe or Folkestone.

I know a lot of young people do make that journey.

Certainly there were a lot of young people

who come over for the Hithe Aquedent or something.

They go to Tenterton, do they?

Ah, okay.

This is turning into a conversation.

But yes, I think it'd be worth having a look

at what we could do there and whether there's funding,

because obviously there are funding streams

that you can look into for perhaps more deprived areas as well.

Thank you, Councillor.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:25:47

OK, Councillor Thomas.

Thank you, Chair.

I've got some questions on all three aspects of this,

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:25:53

some of which I provided ahead of the meeting.

So I'll deal with those last, if that's OK.

So just in terms of the high pool upgrade, I fully support that.

Like Councillor Jones, my two boys both went to Hyde Swimming Club

for a number of years, so take the track every Tuesday and Thursday over to the High Swimming

Club, so that was something that we were used to doing, so fully support that, and I think

it's an excellent use of our funding.

Just in terms of the swimming pool demand analysis in Appendix 1, so this strategy consultation

takes us up to 2045, and we've already excluded anything on Rony Marsh in there.

I mean, you know, one fell swoop, you know, we've said.

We're gonna focus on Otterpool

and we can't build anything in Martello Lake.

So again, when we go to that consultation,

I think you might have one or two comments on that,

strangely enough, from Marsh residents.

When it comes to available pools across Romney Marsh,

all the ones that are out there

are in existing commercial premises.

So you take New Beach, Marley Farm, Romney Sands.

I mean, they all provide for onsite customers

with very little spare capacity

and very little opportunity for local residents

to take advantage of that spare capacity.

I mean, years ago, Romley Sands

used to do a residents permit.

They stopped doing that a long time ago now.

I mean, all those three sites, they've all grown.

I mean, Marley Farm has grown an awful lot

and developed their pool in the last years

to cater for the increased numbers.

Newbeach have put a huge amount of money

into their pool as well and so have Romley Sands.

But as I say, that's available for their on -site customers

and not necessarily people outside.

Marsh Academy Lace Centre, well, I'm glad that was raised, actually,

because they've never had the level of year -on -year grant funding support

that's been provided to Focused on Sports Centre,

£150 ,000 a year.

They've never had that.

So, again, if we're going to do something about trying to address this balance

and trying to put some more focus on the Marsh

to provide them with something

so they could have some facilities

which would allow them to develop.

And I mean, they've been very lucky recently.

I mean, I was out with Andy yesterday

when they opened the 5G pitch.

Not this Andy, but another Andy,

when they opened the 5G pitch at the Marsh Academy.

And it's a great facility.

All that money came through Sport England.

Some of it came from grants from this council,

admittedly, and others come from other sources. But again, it just

goes down to this other point about the fact that the provision for the,

the swimming provision on the marsh isn't adequate currently, and that's not

going to change. But don't worry, because we can swim in the sea, but we can't.

So, Folkestone, Hyde and Sandgate all have viable beaches where you can

to swim whenever you want to pretty much.

Unfortunately, Dim Church, St. Mary's Bay, and Little Stone

are not so lucky.

So those designated waters are poor water quality.

And we had a meeting yesterday with Southern Water

with Dr. Nick Mills, the Environment

and Innovation Manager for Southern Water,

and talked about improvements to the system

to try and help with improving water quality

in the three beaches that, well, the three of us represent.

But they're talking about 2031 to 2033

before that funding will become available.

You know, that's a hell of a long way in the distances.

And what do we do in between times?

They don't even know what the issue is

to resolve the problem with poor water quality.

And I think, I know we're talking about leisure provision,

but the fact that we don't have the provision

for our local residents currently,

and we can't swim in the sea,

I mean, that's a double whammy for us.

So, something along the way, you know, has to change in that respect.

If there is something that could be done, as Councillor Jones has said,

and so has Councillor Hills, at Marsh Academy,

and say even if it's something which is a facility which is run through the school,

but again, doesn't have the same constraints as having to operate in a commercial environment

and an onsite environment like the other three remaining pools,

that would be absolutely fantastic.

Just in terms of the upgrades and the grant funding for the Sports Trust,

again, I fully support that.

I think, you know, without Folkestone Sports Centre being sorted,

Hyatt Pool is not going to get sorted.

We know, you know, those things are mutually exclusive, aren't they?

So you have to do that.

So I did ask some questions in terms of mainly around due diligence

associated with this project,

which I think Andrew's got the answers for.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you for questions in advance.

Andrew Rush - 0:31:00

If it's okay, I'll read the question

and response without their right.

Okay, so first question.

Have the council commissioned an independent condition

report to underwrite what sports trust are saying?

This is obviously in relation to Fokston Sports Centre

The council is not, this is the response, the council has not commissioned an independent

condition of port.

It's worth noting that the consultants that have been employed by Sports Trust, they've

employed Peter Milson, construction consultants, Rybka, a M &E specialist, OSG Architects and

FMG, a leisure specialist in preparation of their plans and costings.

Their final costings are being prepared.

The sports trusts are open to the council inspecting the site and have arranged already

arranged visits for councils last year to view the condition of the centre.

I will be meeting with the sports trusts in February to go through their final programme

and stage payments for inclusion in the final agreement.

But as discussed in the report, the agreement will be based on individual payments for each

sub -project with the sports trust responsible for any cost overruns.

Moving on to your second question.

I wish I got my reading glasses with me.

Are the swing pool life -limiting features for a 50 -year -old pool, such as a liner, connecting

pipe work, pumps, philtres, water treatment equipment, H &V, et cetera, in a sexual condition?

Secondly, what is the predicted life of these features?

I'm just trying to establish are we likely to be asked for more funding in the short

the medium term to keep it going. So I've answered Adam's response is ultimately would

be if the council decide at the time to consider how it would view any future proposals, but

the proposed funding agreement will be limited to the agreed budget project with the sports

trust responsible for any cost over -runs. The funding agreement will include terms that

is agreed on the basis of no further revenue grants, I think Euan said that in the presentation,

or future funding obligations.

Sports Trust provides that respect to the items listed above

which was again was the,

a lot of the pipes and plant and philtres.

The condition varies which is the reason why

they are included in the programme of works being proposed.

Particularly things that are related to plant and plants

and the placement of some pipe work.

And it will be condition of the agreement

that the works in the pool bring the pool up to date

to pool, water treatment, advisory group standards,

which is PUTAG, so to foresee future compliance.

Third question, are we satisfied that the works

can be carried out to the timescale shown,

i .e. by the end of summer 2026?

And we've asked the Sports Trust this,

and they depend on the funding agreement

when the funding agreement was finalised,

but the Sports Trust believed the timetable is,

quote, tight but achievable.

But those who have – Eagle Monk, I, as you will note in my report or the report on 2 .4,

based on our experience of a similar ageing pool, I do point out that the conditions of

the support centre and complexity of modernising an ageing pool means that there is a high

risk of slippage in that programme, and that is just an honest appraisal based on our experience

of Hive Pool, saying that since I wrote the report, the timescale for starting Hive is

pushed more towards the beginning of 2027,

which gives more leeway from the summer

to the autumn previously.

And the final question,

are we satisfied that tendering of this work

complies with our standards procedures?

And the answer to this is,

this will be a condition of the agreement

and has already been advised to the Sports Trust.

Excellent.

So, Councillor Thomas,

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:34:51

I'm going to move on to somebody else now

because we've answered three of your questions.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:34:57

And if you have any more questions, I'll come back to you.

Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:34:58

Councillor Martin.

Thank you, Chair.

So first of all, so Hythpool, the strategy generally,

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:35:07

and then Fokstonpool last.

On Hythpool, like a number of people have said already,

there have been plans for building new pools,

and those plans haven't been progressed.

It does worry me a little bit

through that kind of inaction,

that essentially our leisure strategy is largely focused on spending money repairing two creaking

pools in our district rather than building new facilities. I know we're looking at that

further down the line but I think that's worthy, it's worthy making that point when we contemplate

the large amount of money we're spending just keeping the lights on in two ageing facilities.

I also feel really affectionate towards Hivepool. I learned to swim there, it was my local pools

as I grew up, but we're looking at spending six million

pounds just to keep the lights on really

and make some repairs and do some refurb

and it just feels like an enormous amount of money

and Ewan said himself in his presentation

that at any moment something major could go wrong

and then the thing will close.

So I'm not saying we shouldn't do it,

but it really concerns me that we're in danger

of throwing good money after bad.

for an ageing pool that's been there a long time

where maybe there's a smarter plan in the longer term,

but we are where we are,

and I guess when we're looking at those options

as they come back from the consultants,

as much as I think six million is a lot of money,

I'd rather us spend more and do more.

So to maybe use the site to be more kind of foolish

in our plans and I think the more we rebuild it

and ensure that we've got something

that's truly sustainable for the longer term,

assuming that site is able to take something

bigger and better, I'd rather us be more bullish

and do something more than just repair it

and move the changing rooms around a little bit.

In terms of the strategy overall,

Well, I think I understand the thinking

around Martillo Lake.

Like everyone else, I'd like to see a bit more detail

on that, but I certainly agree

that it's not an easy location

to put in something big and significant.

And I mean, I often get caught on that road

trying to get in and out of hive.

It's not an easy place to get to, actually.

So I do share some of the concerns.

Obviously, Otterpool should be in our longer -term plans,

but that, as everyone else has said, is a long way off,

and anything that happens in Otterpool

will be long after this council exists.

But clearly, there needs to be some provision there.

So when we're looking at our longer -term strategy,

there's two things that's on my mind.

One is that I think we should be really bullish.

So anything that involves building new sites

and strategic planning will go beyond this council,

realistically, so I think we should be really bold

and bullish.

We should build that into our capital plan

and really put forward a clear view

of what we think the residents need in our area.

Those plans will get revised in the new unitary structure,

but at least we've laid out what we think

our residents would need.

And the only other thing I would add to that is,

and it's been touched on a little bit,

but in actual fact, one of the few good examples

of the benefits of a unitary council

is the fact that you're covering a wider area.

And one of the things that's been on my mind

when I think about things like our leisure strategy,

you know, I've raised my family living in Ivy Church

on the marsh, and when we look at shops, public services,

leisure facilities, we go to Tenterden, Rye, and Ashford,

as much, if not more, than we would coming into Hive.

And I just make the point that residents don't think

about their lives within a council footprint.

They go where they want to go,

and it makes no difference to them

whether that's something that's funded

by Tenderdine and the actual borough council.

And so if we're doing this longer term planning,

yes, we should be bullish,

but we should also take account of the fact that

there's gonna be a wider council around us

and there'll be more options.

And I don't know the extent to which we should be

proactively joining things up.

And then just on Folkestone Pool, again financially,

so who wouldn't support us getting that pool open?

So absolutely right.

And I'm certainly much happier with the 2 .4 million

that we're being asked for rather than subsidising

the revenue.

But that also concerns me because we were subsidising

the place before and it failed.

And you've obviously raised some due diligence questions.

In my mind, I'd like to see quite a lot more detail to convince me that the pool is sustainable

financially without subsidies and to better understand where those new income streams

are going to come from to ensure that the facility will be sustainable because it would

be a complete failure if we were to throw 2 .4 million into it and then it closes again

in 12 months time and we're back where we started.

So obviously none of us want that to happen, but I think it would be really prudent for us to get assurances unless we've already got them and I've not seen them,

just to make sure that we are actually doing the right thing now.

Do you want to speak on that?

Thank you. Just on the last point, I think there's just two points that I'd make in relation to the grant agreement.

The first is that they are putting in a lot more energy saving measures around solar,

which is critical because one of the problems that the Lourdes Trust faced was they went

straight out of the pandemic into the sort of energy crisis, you know, the Ukraine, and

the spike and that, and that really, really, really put the difficulties on.

So that's one key bit.

And the second thing is we've concluded within the,

we will include within the clauses,

a call back clause so that we don't get the opening

for 12 months of enclosing and our money being off.

So we're putting call back clauses related

to a closure period within a set period of time.

We still got to sort of negotiate that

so that we do protect the money again

and the investment in that so we get some longevity

And we will get sort of the accounts and the rest of the sort of financial information

that you referred to as well.

It's just part of the due diligence process when it gets reported to the Cabinet.

Thank you.

Sorry, I left my microphone on.

So just to understand the clawback clauses, are you suggesting we would get some

of that money back if the pool was to close?

That is the intention. Now, clearly there would be legal wrangling to go with that.

Andrew Rush - 0:42:53

But the idea is, I mean, to be honest with you, I've got the idea from, is from, we've

been doing agreements with Sport England and they have precisely these sorts of clauses

in for precisely that sort of scenario where they provide funding and then the centre closes

and then you have to repay it back and underwrite that. So that's the purpose of those close

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:43:22

courses. Yeah, I guess my question there is you can't get money back from an organisation

that's run out of money and if it's closed it's probably because the funds have dried

up so I guess that needs a bit of thought. Did you want to say anything in reply to that

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:43:38

Mr Andy Blaszkowicz - 0:43:42

or? I think obviously we worked through the legal process on that but what we're speaking

into mine straight away, we would put a charge on the land.

So to cover our investment.

Okay, thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:43:52

We'll move on.

Councillor Wing.

Thank you, Chair.

Cllr John Wing - 0:43:58

Where I'm coming from is my ward,

which is Martelly Lakes.

I'm very concerned that I can actually see

Martelly Lakes and that'd be nothing.

There's gonna be no money left to do anything.

At the moment, the residents,

and there's a lot of residents now,

every time we go past this new house,

Literally, as soon as those houses go up, there's people moving in.

They can see a lake through a fence.

They're not allowed to go past the fence, but if they see the lake, they can't go anywhere

near the sea because of the ranges.

Hive, Christmas Beach was the nearest water they can get to, probably about two miles

away.

So they're stretched.

So I really, really want to see some small sports facility there.

My vision would be something like High South Road Sports Pavilion, a small scaled down

version of that.

And also for the council, that would also provide a new polling station because the

pole marsh hall is absolutely horrendous.

It is terrible.

I don't think people vote because they don't want to go in the hall.

So that would provide a new hall and a new polling station.

My concern is, folks in the sports centre,

I believe they are planning to build more houses there anyway.

So the chances are the money isn't going to be a problem.

But as far as I know, not many local council

run swimming pools make money.

They are a lost leader and the council expect not to make much money out of them.

And that's the way it is, because pools are horrendously expensive.

As far as the lake, I'm really sorry,

but I must agree with the findings about the pool

that Martell are like.

This council can't agree to 15, 20 million pound loan

just to build a swimming pool.

It's beyond, especially with local government,

the organisation, they just not gonna see

that money back again.

And I don't think we should stitch our residents up

with extra council bills.

We've got to think about the residents as well

with LGR coming up.

So that is my, and I'm also concerned

about the timeline as well.

I notice in March we are going to talk about Hivepool. It won't be until June we discuss

about Martella Lakes. I think you are going to come back to me and say we have no money,

we can't do anything. That is my concern. I don't know if it is possible in the March

meeting when we discuss about Hivepool if we can have some money, what money left, what

grants we could possibly get for Martella Lakes, then it would give us a better idea

what we can agree for is high pool.

You understand what I'm saying?

You know, then it will be some money left,

even if it's a small, like, little,

almost like a hut at Martella Lake.

Some of the community going to use

as a community space, couple of football pitches,

nothing too, you know, I wouldn't expect nothing too much.

But it is crying out for a centre.

At the moment, it's building and building and building,

and there's no centre to it.

There's no community centre, there's no community there.

and I know Hawkins suffered a long time,

and I don't want to see my Taylor Lakes going the same way.

But I agree with the folks in this.

It's a lot of money, but I think they got to get that open.

Then we can look at Hife Pool,

but I would like to see some money left for my Taylor Lakes

so we can do something there.

Thank you.

Do you want to return on that?

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:47:19

Is that the end of the question?

No, it's not the end of the question.

It's just to him in particular.

Mr Ewan Green - 0:47:33

Yes, thank you, Councillor Green. I think in relation to the site at Matilda, I think

we all agree there's a need for something. It's an interesting site. It's there, it's

its location. The work we're doing to come back, to bring back to its members, we'll

look at what's out of the possible there with Costings. It's not a project at the moment,

but the whole idea is that, you know, through yourselves as members, if you bring forward

a project, then that is for a conversation in next year's budget setting.

I think the points we all made about the funding.

Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:48:06

Councillor Chapman.

Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:48:12

Only that residents and folks in Harbour Ward are desperate to get the swimming pool and

folks to open again.

It's one of the top issues.

It's right up there with parking is one of the things that I get asked about the most.

Taking on board the points that we made about due diligence and clawback, I just think that we have

to get that pool open. It is absolutely crazy that in a coastal location like this, a coastal town

and we've got nowhere to teach currently kids to swim,

it's absolute madness.

So I just wanted to say that residents really want

to see that open and I think they would think

that that was money well spent.

Thank you.

Councillor E. Martin.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:06

Thank you.

Cllr Elaine Martin - 0:49:08

I just, if we're not reviewing the options

for Martello Lakes until June, July,

and the purchase has to be completed by the 30th of October.

I don't see there's a lot of time in between

to actually make a decision on that.

Thanks.

I think the idea is that we actually make the decision

Mr Ewan Green - 0:49:31

by the end of July as well.

It will be a fairly, there's a lot going into this,

but it will be a fairly straightforward decision.

Do we want to take the land or not?

And what are we going to do with it?

So I feel it is tight, you're absolutely right,

but I feel we're doing the legwork just now

and doing quite a lot more assessment on the site.

So what we'll bring to you and then to cabinet,

I think will be a very robust position on recommendations

for moving forward.

And as long as we are,

I think as long as we are indicating to the landowner

our intention, the legal and whatever else will catch up.

So it's more about signalling that intention,

I think by the end of October next year. But then the tricky part, as you're saying, is

tight, is getting a reserve materials application in within a year. But our intention would

be that, you know, if Cabinet make a decision on the future of that land, we would start

right away on plans for the future there. Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:50:34

Councillor Thomas, if you want to come back, if you can now.

Just a couple of things.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:50:39

Thank you very much for your comprehensive responses, Andrew.

I really appreciate that.

I've got just two more questions on that.

Are there any planning requirements associated with the refurbishment

of Folkestone Sports Centre that might impact the delivery?

Because at the end of the day, you know, seven months to spend

£2 .4 million efficiently with perhaps lead time on equipment

and that kind of thing is a bit of a tall order.

So that's one question.

And the second one is on the breakdown that we were given,

the main contract of prelims and overheads was 533 ,000,

which is 22 % of the overall 2 .4 million that we've been asked.

So do we have a breakdown of that?

Are we covering all of the prelims and overheads associated with that project?

Because the project cost is more than 2 .4 million pounds, isn't it?

But I don't think it's clear in here, and if you're reading this cold,

it won't be obvious to our residents that actually,

although we're making a contribution of 2 .4 million pounds,

the total project is far more than that,

and that's being funded through other sources.

So I think if we could just have that clarity,

that would be very useful in terms of people understanding

what we're doing to support,

But by the way, other people are also contributing to this to make the Sports Centre a success

in terms of meeting that timescale.

Thank you, Chair.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:13

I think it's a very helpful point, Chair.

Mr Ewan Green - 0:52:19

Thank you.

And we will provide more detail for you as members, but I'm mindful that what we also

do is ensure that these points are drawn out in more detail in the Cabinet Report, which

be public as well. Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:33

Okay. I think everyone has had an opportunity to speak. Great. Okay. So the recommendation

is to receive a note report OS 2509, the approach to sports and leisure, and to consider the

overall approach being taken in relation to sport and leisure and provide feedback for

cabinet and the corporate leadership team, and to receive a note report OS2513, Proposed

Capital Grant Agreement for Fodson Sports Centre, and to provide feedback on the proposed

grant agreement. So, can we have a proposer, please?

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:53:14

Sorry, Chair. I thought Ewan was going to respond to some of the points that were raised.

I thought you said you – okay, hold on.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:17

Apologies, actually, all I was going to say was thank you very much for such a well -balanced

Mr Ewan Green - 0:53:22

and a range of views, very, very helpful. The points made about the March and future

provision are not lost. Some of the points on due diligence were very helpful as well

and the comments around both the IFPO and Folsom Sports Centre, and we will endeavour

to bring as much of that into the Cabinet report as possible.

Yes.

So I'm very grateful for all your comments.

That's what he said, so I assumed that was the end

because he's going to do further research

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:48

and bring it back as a later date, yes.

Okay, so I will go back.

Can I have a proposal, please?

Councillor Wenger, a seconder?

Councillor Chapman, and a vote, please.

Thank you very much.

Okay, so we move on to another issue,

6 Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ Policy)

which I'm sure we'll have a long discussion about as well,

which is controlled parking zones policy.

This item will be introduced

by Fred Miller, Transport Manager.

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:54:20

Actually, Chair, I'll be introducing this one.

Okay then, it says on my paper it will be Fred,

but it's that soon.

Thank you, Chair, and good evening, councillors.

This report asks the committee to consider

a new policy protocol for controlled parking zones

as set out in your pack.

The current framework was put in place in 2015,

and many issues have cropped up in recent years,

which it fails to address,

such as the ability for individual roads

to apply for restrictions

leading to displacement parking in surrounding streets,

and the impact of restrictions on public sector workers.

This review is all the more important and timely

as the Council now receives up to 40 applications

for CPZs per year,

the majority of which relate to individual roads.

Headlines for the new protocol include

applications for single streets

will not normally be taken forward.

Support of at least 60 % of households

in any proposed CPZ will be required

before a scheme advances to statutory consultation stage.

A limited number of business permits

will be made available to people working in education,

social and healthcare and emergency services

located within CPZs.

The number will be based on an assessment

of parking capacity by officers.

And finally, motorcycle permits will be introduced.

Historically, motorcycles were exempt,

as in the days of physical permits,

there was no means to display them securely.

Now that permits are virtual, this is no longer an issue,

and this proposal brings us in line with Canterbury,

Thanet, Ashford and Dover,

who will charge for motorcycle permits.

Following consideration and discussion here today,

the next stage will be to take the revised protocol

to public consultation.

Thank you.

I'm looking forward to hearing your views.

And Fred is also here to answer questions.

Thank you, Councillor.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:56:17

And I really appreciate the changes that have been made.

I'm sure I'm not the only person

who gets lots of emails about CPZs.

It did seem like there wasn't a joined up strategic plan for them.

And this shows that you've listened to the many complaints

that have been made by residents and you have made meaningful changes,

especially I do like the fact that you're not going to consider changes

on a street by street basis, because then it just moves the problem

on to the next street, which was just silly

if I use my untechnical word for that.

But it certainly was.

So anyway, I'll open up for questions, councillors.

Councillor Jones.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:57:01

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:57:02

Can I just say I'm delighted that you're looking at revising this strategy.

It's really confusing.

You park in one road and there's one timing restriction

and you park in another and it's a completely different one which is next to it.

There seem to be residents applying for permits for roads where

on -street parking didn't seem to be a big issue because they had long driveways

and they didn't necessarily need to be parking on the road,

which then restricted other people

being able to use that space.

So joined up thinking is really necessary.

The other thing that has bothered me

is the amount of signs that we seem to have everywhere

for different zones.

So perhaps if we could reduce down on those,

that would be lovely.

It's just getting more and more cluttered.

And so the problem seems to keep being pushed outwards.

Obviously, it'd be great to see more people

using public transport and perhaps if we have a more joined up strategy, hopefully people

will start to see there is another way to travel and that we can actually walk places,

we can catch busses, or we can lift share. So lots of other possibilities. I'm really

pleased to hear about the focus on sort of health workers and education workers. When

I visited Folsom Hospital, I think it was earlier this year with Councillor Mike Blakemore,

They were particularly talking about how challenging it is for people who work there to be able

to find anywhere to park for a reasonable...

And people were talking about they would park one place and they would have to drive somewhere

else, park somewhere else during their working day.

And it's really tough for people who work in those kind of sectors.

So, yeah, just really positive that you're going to be looking at this.

Thank you.

Councillor Tomlin.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:58:43

Yeah, thank you, Chair.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:58:47

Yeah, again, I just echo having policy is great,

because again, they let people know exactly what they can

and what they can't do.

And as Councillor Blakemore said,

the initiating criteria, 60 % properties in favour,

and then individual roads not eligible,

because again, what you tend to see is when a CPZ,

and I think Councillor Jones has touched on it,

is initiated, then you have the displacement parking,

and so the adjoining roads then tend to want to be part of that scheme,

which is, you know, you can understand that.

The question I have really is, right in this policy, right from the start,

we're focusing on 60 % properties in favour.

Is that 60 % of the respondents?

Is that 60 % of the people who were actually living in the road?

Because trying to get a 60 % response rate from anybody,

well, good luck with that.

So, I mean, it is one of those things where, you know,

what's the practical aspects of this that we can build in policy that people understand,

they know what it is they have to do.

So I think that's key for the success of this policy and the key to establishing successful

and owned controlled parking zones in the future.

Because unless the residents take ownership of some of these things, then they ain't going

to work.

The second thing is, and I think either within the framework

or on the site, we need to let residents know

what are the options that are available to them

and whether we would be more lenient on having dropped curbs

and things like that because I know tied in with the CPZ,

you have to have the traffic regulation,

the order that goes with it that is the enabler to allow this to go on.

But the other thing is, if you're a group of residents on a road and you decide you

want to set up one of these things, how do you go about it?

So on our website, there's no guidance on how you put a petition together, there's no

pro forma for that.

There isn't anything to tell anybody about how you can actually be successful if you

and other residents want to achieve the CPSA.

Because at the end of the day, we recognise the benefits

associated with this.

And there are many of them.

They're listed in there in terms of better traffic management,

better access for emergency vehicles, improved roads

safely, improved air quality.

All those things, all those benefits that people can say,

yeah, I want to do that.

So how do we go about it?

So I think for me, what does 60 % mean?

and how can we help our residents to be successful

when they want to apply for a CPZ in the area?

Thank you, Jo.

Thank you.

Do you want to come back on that, Catherine?

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:01:45

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:01:46

I will, and then I'll very quickly hand over to Fred.

But I will just say, yes, you're absolutely right.

Getting residents to engage with the informal survey stage

is really difficult, because until it really matters to them,

It doesn't matter to them.

That's exactly it.

So to date, we've gone on, it's been 50 % up until now,

and we've raised that bar a little bit,

and it's gone on people who've responded to that survey.

But yeah, I'll let Fred reply

if we're gonna change that.

And on the second issue about

whether we can make it easier online,

I think, as you know, you can go into my account

and fill out the application form and so on.

I think maybe we could get more information

on how to go about getting a petition together and so on,

but again, I'll let Fred expand.

Thank you.

Mr Fred Miller - 1:02:42

Good evening, councillors.

Yes, as the report states,

it's 60 % to initiate the scheme.

And obviously, if we don't get 60%,

then we expect to do an informal consultation.

And there we would expect 60 % responses

before we can progress the scheme.

So 60 % to initiate, but if we don't get the 60%,

then we would carry out an informal consultation.

And then we expect to get 60 % response

before we can progress to the next stage.

And also for the -

Sorry, sorry, just to, I can see Paul.

60 % of what?

60 % of the residents, 60 % of?

60 % of the properties.

So, 60 % of the households.

In that area?

In the area, yeah.

Okay.

For the guidance, we do have an application process

and that stays, so residents will be required

to complete an application form online.

Also, they can contact parking services and we'll email the application form to them.

But there is an application form online.

We also just ask for a simple petition which would require residents to just sign to say

they're in favour of the parking controls.

And that's how we would obviously look out whether we do have the 60 % support.

Because in the past, we've just been going by residents will complete an application form.

Sometimes we don't even get a petition.

Sometimes we just get 30, 40 % of residents asking for the scheme.

And then we'll go ahead and do an informal consultation.

But what we're saying now, we're saying, well, there has to be at least 60%.

But if there isn't, we can still go ahead with an informal consultation just to see if there is majority support for the scheme.

Thank you. Did that answer your question?

No.

Do you want to rephrase it in a way?

Again, this whole engagement now, if Councillor Martin decides he wants to instigate CPZ in Ivy Church, for example, you know,

and he wants to get 60 % of residents, I mean,

I think we just need, if we want this to be successful,

I think we need to make it as easy as we possibly can

for residents to be able to do that.

So again, having a sample petition,

how many people would know how to initiate

one of these things?

So if we want it to be successful,

we really need to go the extra mile

and make it very, very easy for people

to pull the thing together so that they know

that once they've done that,

that's only the start of the journey

because, by the way, you've then got to go to these other steps,

you've then got to get a traffic regulation order, they might not understand that,

so that in itself will then initiate another interface with King County Council, what have you not said.

So again, I think we just need to lay that out and make it really as easy as we possibly can

if we want this to be successful, because as we're saying, you know,

the benefits of this to individuals are really clear.

The dis -benefits are also equally clear

in terms of displaced parking and the other things.

So I think for us, the easier we make it for residents

the more successful we're going to be

when it comes to looking to implement this.

There's a couple of other things in the policy as well

if I may, Chair.

So it doesn't really apply yet,

but it's the kind of thing we're thinking of

in other areas.

I know it applies in London.

So car club days, for example,

You find those in many London boroughs where car clubs are more prevalent.

They are in the, you know, EV charging points where we've got those.

And I know we sort of touched on motorcycles, but it's again,

it's not very clear in the policy about, you know,

how we deal with motorcycles and what they're charged with.

And then the final bit on all that in terms of the cost is,

so when this money is raised, what's it actually used for as well?

I think residents would really like to know,

you know, if this is how much money is going out,

when am I seeing the benefit in the district for that?

Thank you, Chair.

There are more questions on the back there.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Are there any answers to any of those questions?

Oh, yes.

With regards to the money raised,

if there is a surplus in on -street parking,

then that has to be ploughed back

into transport -related schemes.

So we will have to sit down with Kent County Council

to learn decide where that money is to be spent.

So that would be the first thing.

With regards to the bays that are within every CPZ,

officers will assess what is necessary.

For instance, EV charging bays and loading bays,

those are all bays that we're bringing in now.

We're working with KCC to bring in EV charging bays.

Hopefully we'll start seeing that later this year,

I will leave it next year.

Thank you very much.

Councillor Hills.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:08:05

Thank you, chair.

I obviously support this.

It is better to have a plan than not have a plan.

Councillor Tony Hills - 1:08:14

It is better to have a plan which is fair to the majority of people.

That is all good stuff.

I was worried about enforcement.

Where I come from in the Marsh, people don't always obey the rules.

We have a lot nowadays.

It is a changing world.

We have delivery vehicles all over the place,

whizzing in and out.

They don't obey the rules.

And this can cause bottlenecks.

If you've got a high street like in New Romney,

it's not clear, no one's going anywhere.

And the threat of industrialisation on the marsh,

I can't say anymore at the moment,

but it's all about transport.

So I'm hoping that some of the funding raised by this

can go on enforcement officers.

and they are more transparent enforcement officers.

I would give them jumpsters.

That is a good way of publicising what you are doing.

The newspaper we now have, which I am a great fan of, not just online,

can actually show a person out there doing a job.

I think those sort of ways help you going forward.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Councillor Chapman.

Yeah, as I said, and I'm sure it's the same for all the other councillors, parking is

Cllr Bridget Chapman - 1:09:30

a massive issue.

And I again support this.

It is, as Councillor Hill said, better to have a plan than not a plan.

And it's not often I say this, but I agree with him, Councillor Hill, again, in terms

of enforcement.

Having a plan is great, but at nighttime in the area

I live, what seems to drive a lot of the residents mad

locally is that people, some people, seem to think that

all bets are off because there's no, nobody enforcing it,

and they have to be able to park as close to their front

door as possible, even if that means that they're blocking

the pavement.

So there's a woman that lives down my street,

at the very end of the road.

There's only one entrance and exit from her house.

People park over the pavement.

They block her front door.

She's worried about escaping in case of a fire.

She looks after her granddaughter.

She can't get out with the pram.

There's a section on Harbour Way

where the pavement's quite wide.

So people park, they seem to think, I think,

that if they're not parking over the yellow line,

the entire car is on the pavement,

that's absolutely fine.

We're not over the yellow line, so that's absolutely fine.

And nobody, and people, anybody in a mobility scooter,

anybody on crutches, people with walkers,

they can't get past.

So not only would I like to see this money

being spent on enforce, and sorry,

and it doesn't stop people from London

coming up for the day, spending the day by the seaside

and thinking I'm gonna risk the fine

because actually I'd pay more for a day's parking in London.

If I pay it straight away, it's 40 quid or whatever.

And residents in harbour, as we all know,

especially around the state,

have a terrible time in the summer

where they don't leave their homes

because the minute they do,

their spot's gonna be taken.

But even if they leave it there,

they're gonna get blocked in.

And it's a real nightmare for them.

People miss hospital appointments,

They miss doctor's appointments, they can't get to exams,

they can't get to job interviews,

they can't live their lives, so it's a real issue.

So I'd like to see more money spent,

a lot more money spent on enforcing this,

but also some kind of education campaign

that we do through our social media

and through the newsletter that we have.

Same to people, it's selfish to be blocking pavements

and stopping people who have mobility issues

from being able to get around the town.

I think that there's a real big push needed on that

because people seem to think it's absolutely fine

and it really, really isn't fine.

And it's becoming more and more of a problem.

I must say, I completely agree with that.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:12:32

And we often as a central councillor,

and often have people from the bail complaining about people parking in the bail and

sort of blocking the roads. I remember recently I had to go and speak to some people about making

sure that, you know, simple things like making sure that their signs for their shops are not

on the pavement so that people can get by with mobility scooters and so on. And in regards to

I know that obviously you do have some people enforcing at night and perhaps you have to

pay slightly more if it is at night, but we do need people out and about at night to ... If

people can see that there's a consequence of actually behaving in that way, they will

make sure that they don't do it.

But if they're repeatedly doing the same thing and they never ever get any comeback, then

Of course, why not take the chance?

So I don't know what funds are available

to try to enforce this at night as well.

I know quite a lot of the restrictions go after 8 p .m.,

but something as simple as parking over a double yellow line

is 24 -7, and people are doing that at night

because they think, oh, nobody's going to be around

to stop me from doing that.

And if they're doing that repeatedly day in, day out,

then they're actually restricting the benefits of living in this area

for anybody who wants to actually, you know, has mobility issues,

has a pushchair, wants to be able to enjoy the night -time economy and so on.

So I think that's a point that I wanted to make.

Is there anything that anybody wants to come back on

in regards to what Councillor Chapman said or I said before we move on?

I agree with her.

Brilliant.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:14:27

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:14:28

I think it is all completely what I hear day in, day out.

I completely understand where you are coming from.

Some behaviour is really difficult to enforce against, to be honest,

unless you are there 24 hours a day and unless you are everywhere in the

district 24 hours a day and that simply isn't possible.

As you know, we do enforce, I think we have a couple of shifts a week

up until 8pm.

But, and I'll let Fred expand on why we don't do more than that.

But the other issue is, you raised about, yeah,

people coming down from London and risking their 25 or 40 pound fine,

because that's just what they pay for parking anyway.

And our hands are completely tied by national government on that one.

And I know it's something Fred has spent a lot of time campaigning for,

the same as on pavement parking.

I was expecting you to mention pavement parking,

well, you did kind of mention pavement parking,

but we need these national laws to be brought in.

And I have spoken to various people,

as I know Fred has as well,

to sort of put a lot of pressure on to try and make that happen.

And there is now movement on the pavement parking front.

But yes, without a magic wand,

it's difficult to solve all these problems in one go,

but we keep at it, and I think this policy,

this new protocol is going to be a big help

in us going in the right direction.

But was there anything more you wanted to add, Fred?

Mr Fred Miller - 1:16:06

Yeah, it was just to add on the fines.

There was a trial in Bournemouth over the summer

to increase the fines to £120.

And so the government is currently considering that.

And hopefully, the fines will be increased for all the councils outside of London,

because London increased their charges ages ago.

They've been charging over 100 pounds seven years now.

So, yeah, we completely take that, because, for instance, Lower Sanguette Road,

West Car Park, we charge 25 pounds for the parking.

And it's pretty much what they would have to pay if they're parked without paying

any charges they're parked in a panic bay, which doesn't make sense at all.

So we are looking for that charge to be increased so that it can act as a deterrent.

And as Polly just said about the pavements, again, legislation is a bit complex in that

one because outside of London, you need a traffic regulation order to be able to enforce

pavement parking.

Whereas in London, you park on a pavement, you get a ticket straightaway.

So that is changing now because the government, they just announced some work that they're doing on that.

So hopefully we'll get some movement on that in the summer because the guidance will be published very soon.

So there has been some work in there by this government.

And in regards to enforcement officers and their availability later on.

Yes, with gas enforcement, we do have a later crew, they patrol two evenings a week. We

completely take them over, that's not sufficient. So what I intend to be doing is to make a

case for at least extra hours as well, particularly in the summer. We did that the previous summer

and that seemed to work because the complaints were not getting that many. So what I might

to make the same case for the summer so we can have some extra hours for enforcement.

It's a bit difficult because they can't be everywhere at the same time, but we will definitely be doing the best.

But what I would say, if counsellors have got areas that they could just email to me and

I can get enforcement officers to hit those areas very hard for a few weeks or so,

will make that hotspots and hopefully that would help the situation for a while.

Thank you, that's very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:18:46

Yes, Councillor Hills.

I'd like to thank Fred, he's been doing it for a long time.

Councillor Tony Hills - 1:18:52

And it's a thankless task.

But someone has to do it, Fred.

And so I would just think, you know, just a plea.

Visibility, inform people there will be parking officers in your area this week, next week, or whatever,

warn people, they're coming, just crank it up a bit, and as I say, I get them bright shell suits and everything else,

and so basically they can see the danger coming, and it might educate them a bit better.

But I don't expect you to do it Fred, don't worry.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:19:28

Okay, thank you. Right, we have finished. Right, okay. So our recommendations to receive

a note to report OS2512, can I have a proposal please? Councillor Hills and our seconder

is Councillor E. Martin. And can we have a vote please? Okay, thank you. So we move on

to item seven, FOCA update and FOCA two business case.

7 Folca - Update and Folca 2 Business Case

It says on my notes that this will be introduced

by Rod Leane, Chief Officer of Place and Grove.

Thank you, Chair.

Mr Rod Lean - 1:20:03

Your notes are correct this time.

So yes, I'm gonna just quickly give you

a bit of an overview of the report,

which hopefully you've all read

and would welcome your comments

so that we can feed that into the final report

that goes to cabinets in February.

So the report is aimed at giving you an overview, really,

and a follow -up to the July 25 report

that spoke about FOCA 2 and the progress that we were making.

The report then gives an overview

of the disposal of FOCA 1.

For that, we had six submitted bids.

They came in on 12th of December.

We evaluated them, and we've got a preferred developer chosen

now, so that's going through the legal process.

The progress on FOCA 2, phase 1, and that's the works that are linked to the levelling

up programme, which is the focus on a brighter future programme.

We are looking to start on site in the next couple of months.

We procured that in October.

We had nine tenders return.

We've got, as I said, the contractors now appointed,

so they're just going to go through the sort of various

contractual elements on that,

and then we'll hopefully firm up a date

as to when we'll start.

We're aiming for the end of February and early March

is when we're looking to start.

And then the completion of that works will hopefully happen

sort of summer and autumn.

I've given you a broad brush there,

but it sort of helps with our programming at this stage

so that I can't really fully commit

until we get the actual agreed programme.

We've also got in the report around the phase two

occupation strategy, which is a key part of the report.

I think the previous report kind of stated that there was

further work that we wanted to do with the medical centre

to see if we could bring it across the line.

At that point in time, we were quite at a far distance

in terms of trying to get it across the line.

That extra time has proved valuable.

So we've been in discussions with the integrated care board,

had many meetings with them, and one of the key complexities there is the way that public funding is

dealt with on both sides.

It doesn't always align, it's not always the same, and therefore it creates a few problems as we're trying to create a viable

solution going forward.

But we thought it was really worthwhile to try and push this over the line and see if we can get the medical, so much -needed

medical centre into Folkestone.

We're running in tandem with that. We had the commercial agent as well.

looking at what the art of the possible in terms of the building itself.

Obviously, we've got a tough economic climate out there at the moment,

so they were giving us their advice,

pitching at the sort of square meterage rate that we might get, etc.,

and the type of sectors that we might get involved as well,

and then suggesting the different sizes and the pros and cons

of those different sizes of commercial units in the development.

Going back to the medical centre, so again 12 December,

very good date 12 December, it's submitted

and we also had a letter back from the ICB

who confirmed that they were going to support

the medical centre going in to FOCA.

I must note that that isn't a final element,

we still have a few more hurdles to get through

but I think that's a critical one

because that goes on their priority capital programme.

So we have now got to do a business plan for them,

and that is dealt with by the GPs and also the ICB

and ourselves as a joint effort to get that over the line.

That then gets submitted to NHS England,

who then sort of rubber stamp that hopefully,

so that that will then start to enable us

to move to that next stage.

It's also worth noting that as part of that business case,

we have to design through the REBA stages.

So we're getting to what's called REBA stage four,

which is up to a tendering stage.

And the reason for that, the final sort of rubber stamp

from NHS England is that once we put the work out to tender,

that will come back with a firm price.

And at that point then, that forms part of this section two

agreement going forward.

And within the report, there's also all the kind of

economic and social benefits.

alongside the financials as well

and some of the modelling work that we did there,

giving you some details on the return investment

on both the medical centre

and sort of the mixed use development with the commercial,

which is our preferred option,

but also for comparison purposes.

We've also got a pure commercial development there as well

for you to look at.

So we'd welcome questions

and we'll hopefully feed that then into the final report.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:25:04

Thank you. And I want to thank the officers for the considerable amount of work that they've done on this over the years and they still have to do but we've got some really positive news.

That building is the heart of Folkestone and it's been really sad watching it sort of become a ghost and it will be wonderful for it to be regenerated and I think actually that building being regenerated will bring the heart back into Folkestone and we'll get more movement as well.

in some of the places that are a bit quiet now.

The medical centre is much needed.

We all know how difficult it is to find a doctor.

So to actually have more capacity for that is great as well.

And the news about the fact that the building

is going to be retained as it is as well is lovely.

And hopefully that doesn't change in future.

Right, so I will open this up for questions.

And counsellors, any questions?

Cllr John Wing - 1:26:05

Thank you for the presentation. It is so great moving forward because as the chair said,

it has been a bit of a blight on the town and we can see a path forward. Very briefly

about Fog 1, great that I believe the building is not going to change it outside the fabric

of the status which is fantastic because people love to see it. Slight concern about car parking,

Not so much for the patients, for the staff.

I know there's been lots of nurses and doctors

and they need to park somewhere.

I know you've got Asdas nearby for the patients,

but for the staff, they wouldn't want to park.

I know Guildhall Street hasn't got enough park,

hardly any park in any way.

Just a couple of spaces for the doctors and so on.

So that's something I'm sure could be worked out

and worked through, but I just wanted to say great work

and it's really fantastic to see this project

actually finally appears to be moving

instead of being stuck in a little circle and keep going around and around and around,

it's actually getting somewhere. Thanks for all the hard work you're doing as well, it's great.

Cllr Anita Jones - 1:27:08

Again, echoing, it's really positive to see this move forward. Obviously,

everyone was very fond of it as a shop. I was also there when it was a COVID vaccination centre and

I think at that point people kind of looked at it and thought, wow, this would be amazing if

be a medical centre. It's a shame it's taken so long, but really good to see it's moving

in the right direction. Great locations, as you say, there's a car park behind, you've

got the busses, obviously it's not a bus station as such, but it's a different kind of bus

station which we're creating. So really good transport links and it should bring people

into the town centre, really good community space. So keeping fingers crossed that this

keeps moving forward in a positive way. So thank you.

Councillor Thomas.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:27:52

Again, I fully support the proposal as presented.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 1:27:55

It's good to see the risk log in there which identifies those things which are likely to

scope what's been proposed.

The integrated care board agreement in principle currently is what it actually says in the

report.

And then if we look at section 8 .1, it says that there will be a decision from them finally

between February and November 26.

So is November 26 the date that we're sort of hanging our hats on

to get a final decision with regard to input from the ICB?

I understand why the financial implications for comparison 6 .1 is redacted.

But the one thing which I don't see in there is anything in relation to information from NHS

of the ICP about the revenue costs for running the new health facilities.

You know, would that come from demanding existing facilities in the town?

Is this new funding?

Because when you look at, you know, the kind of things that's being proposed,

there are different types of services that are going to be provided in there as well,

which is great news for the residents of Folkestone.

And finally, I look forward to the same level of support

for the health of On the Marsh in the near future as well.

So thank you very much for that, thank you.

Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:29:17

Before, if you have any answers to those questions,

before we move on, can I, and I think you noted that,

Councillor Thomas, can I make a note of the fact

that there are figures that are redacted,

and could we not speak about them in the meeting

because there are still ongoing decisions being made.

Thank you, Chair.

Mr Rod Lean - 1:29:43

So just going back on some points there then,

in terms of the car parking, yes, that is being considered

and we are in discussions and we are kind of talking to

sort of stakeholders and various options open to us in that area.

So that will develop as part of the business case develops going forward.

In terms of the November date,

That kind of aligns at the moment with our sort of design phase and trying to get it

out, et cetera.

You know, we are dealing obviously with the ICB and therefore they have their own sort

of protocols and government, so we have to go through that and make sure that we kind

of align.

They appreciate that we're under a bit of time pressure as well, so we're hoping that

we'll kind of work together on that and have been quite responsive since that letter and

and we are kind of working closely together now

to move things forward in hopefully a speedy way.

In terms of the revenue side that you mentioned there

around the doctor surgeries,

the kind of the mechanics behind that,

I think is kind of unchanged

and it'll kind of follow through

when they relocate to the main new sort of senator.

There's a rental agreement obviously

between this Shell and Core rental agreement that we have,

but because they're putting capital funding into it,

that makes it much easier in terms of some of the financial issues that we had.

So they're putting the money, that means that we have to do less borrowing, etc.

So that makes it a lot easier.

But all of the kind of the services and the running of that,

that's a kind of with the GPs to resolve with the NHS directly.

And the help of On the Marsh.

As you know, we always strive to see what we can do.

at this point in time, I can't answer that.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:31:28

Okay, Councillor A. Martin.

Thank you, Chair.

Just briefly, so, and everyone else has kind of said this,

Cllr Alan Martin - 1:31:35

but over the last two or three years in your updates,

there's always been a curve ball

or a change of direction forced on us.

And so it's great to see what you hoped for

when you last updated this,

actually coming through to fruition.

And I also got a sense, rightly or wrongly last time,

that I didn't feel that we had necessarily

a very firm commitment from the NHS necessarily,

but that seems to have fallen into place.

And given the fact that our area's been chosen

as a pilot area for kind of community health programmes

and so on, I would imagine it'd be very surprising

if the NHS wouldn't back us with this.

and indeed probably something on the marsh further down the line.

So, I mean, well done.

I know it's been really tricky

and we've all been sat in here scratching our heads on a few occasions

trying to work out whether the project would ever end.

But it does seem to be happening.

So it's really, really great to see.

Any other questions?

Yes, Councillor.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:32:40

To make a complete set of three,

Councillor Tony Hills - 1:32:45

I'd like to reinforce about the marsh.

We haven't got any health facilities out there.

I have a very good practise, what I call in New Romney,

but outside that lid, only has Orchard House,

which is hardly, well, struggling on.

And we're on serious trouble.

And I think, I know most of you come from Folkestone,

or I've, but us out in the cheap seats,

we do need the help.

So, I know what is on the case, the MOB and Marsh partnerships.

I am looking forward to great things in the future.

Thank you.

Everybody is getting their penny in.

Okay, that is fine.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:33:24

Okay, is that the end of the questions?

Wonderful.

Okay, so the committee is invited to comment on the draught report and provide feedback to

support cabinet in their decision making.

The recommendations are to receive a note report OS2511.

Could I have a proposal, please?

Councillor Thomas, seconder?

Councillor E. Martin, and can we have a vote?

Thank you.

Okay, so item eight.

8 Cabinet Member updates

So in accordance with the constitution, Councillor Polly Blakemore, cabinet member for transport

Regulatory Services and Building Control and Councillor Tim Prater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet

Member for Finance and Governance have submitted their Cabinet Member updates for considerations

that are not going to give you a speech here today, but obviously they are here and you

have the opportunity now to ask them any questions in relation to their reports.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:34:28

Thank you, Councillor Gough.

Cllr Alan Martin - 1:34:34

Thank you, Councillor Gough.

effort into highways improvement plans and even tiny but wonderful parishes like Ivy

Church have been quite successful working with KCC but there are others like LID who

refuse to do one and it really annoys me and it really annoys the residents and I've raised

it in the Joint Transportation Board but I wonder whether in those instances there is

not another way forward for us, between us and KCC to find a way of supporting what are

some very sensible residents groups who I think would engage with us and at least threaten

to bypass the town council, if not to actually bypass the town council if they refuse to

take ownership of one of the few things frankly that they can actually do for their residents

and make a real difference.

and the thing that really aggravates people when they find out about the fact of how all

these things work is there are a whole series of things that KCC would love to do and have

the funds to do but can only do it when there's a highways improvement plan in place.

But it's a wonderful mechanism for getting residents' concerns out on the table in a

structured way.

So I would be interested in your thoughts about what we can do collectively about that.

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:36:20

Now, I completely share your frustration and I think especially now with LGR bearing down

on us, I don't know, why wouldn't you?

Why wouldn't you do it while you can?

And this is why I have asked for a report at the next Joint Transportation Board, which

I believe is Monday week, beginning of February, isn't it?

So, because last time they brought a report, yes, it was 15 out of the 30.

I suspect it hasn't changed, but I don't know, we'll find out.

And yes, maybe that's something we can jointly raise then,

is how can we get to those parishes that just aren't playing ball?

And I don't really understand why.

So, yes, let's take it forward and see what pressure we can bring to bear.

So this was the first step, just to sort of get an update and find out where we are.

And then I just think, as I say, with LGR coming down the track,

yeah, now is the time.

It's the last chance, really, and for our residents, you know, it needs to happen.

So, yeah, very happy to work together on that.

Thank you.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:37:26

Councillor Thomas.

Yes.

Yeah, thank you very much for the report, Bollies.

Absolutely, it's really good.

Just on parking, if I may.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 1:37:34

Back last year, I did ask a question with regard to public space protection orders and

the no overnight parking for RVs, for example, in the identified zones.

And I did ask if it was possible for us to have improved signage in some of those areas,

particularly where there's a, I don't know if you're aware of this, but there's actually

a Facebook page which people contribute to to say this is free parking in Littlestone.

If you want to come along for nothing, then this is where you can park.

So again, I think, you know, we need to be fair to residents in terms of them having

to put up with a lot of this parking because it's not just an overnight.

I mean, people are there for a week,

and as you're probably aware,

we've got a residual issue with someone

who's been missing since last May on Coast Drive.

So again, I think for me,

making it clear about what the limitations are

associated with parking in particular zones,

and I think a bit like Fred said,

if we identify those,

and Coast Drive at the end of Madeira Road

is an absolute hotspot for enforcement of some description,

again, being fair to our residents

to make sure that they don't have to put up with

the residual issues when these people leave.

That's my only comment.

Thank you very much, Jane.

Thank you.

Councillor Blakemore?

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:39:03

Yeah, just to say, yeah, I will take that up with Fred again.

And it's always really handy to know when there are specific areas

and I know Coast Drive is on the radar.

So, yeah, we'll keep on at it

and won't let it fall off the edge of the desk, definitely.

Thank you.

Councillor Hill.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:39:21

I would like to support what Paul was saying.

You have a big problem.

Councillor Tony Hills - 1:39:29

You have so many unadopted roads and roads that have no parents.

So basically we can't get anything done.

And we have illegal parking.

It really upsets local residents.

And basically we need to have a chat with KCC about this.

Years ago, eight years ago, I put forward a proposal how roads could be adopted.

I think the last road that Kent adopted was in 98, 97, around there.

And it's getting worse because they're not repaired and actions are happening.

And you get emergency services down there at your own risk.

I think of one down the coast, Madeira Road, it was one, but it's not just that one.

It's June's road is even worse and you've got some sheltered housing down there as well

So we got to grasp the net or somewhere have a dialogue with them. I hope my name and chat with pots hole Pete

Because in LID in LID the high streets is absolutely

Diabolical now. I mean when you talk about highway improvement plans

You should come down and look at our highways.

They are really, really bad.

I support the concept of improvement, working together, obviously,

but we need to have a much more aggressive way on this with KCC,

because I've heard rumours they're getting more money to repair highways.

So I'd like to see a bit more on the marsh, please. Thank you.

Yes, of course, Gunther.

I would just say on that, yes,

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:41:07

go off to your KCC Councillor and ask your residents to do likewise. Present company

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:41:20

accepted. Any other questions? I think maybe they're tired and want to go home. Councillor

Cllr Anita Jones - 1:41:28

Jones. I'd like to thank Councillor Prater for being here this evening and for providing

Although he has said he didn't know what we wanted to know at the start of his report.

So is there anything that we should know? Because it says I don't know what you want

to know.

Cllr Tim Prater - 1:41:50

I can't thank you enough for your question. The things that have happened since I wrote

that report are possibly the most significant things to keep an eye on. So on Thursday,

For instance, there's an audit and governance meeting that some of you will be going to.

You'll see that the audited accounts are complete and are going to that meeting for agreement

to be signed off.

So that's the – for the year 24 -25.

So that's looking back a significant step forward.

Please – they've been – they were published last Thursday, so please do have a look at

those.

Equally, next week, going to your subcommittee, the finance and performance subcommittee,

is the first significant pass at the budget.

So the whole budget which I go through.

So again, those papers have just been published

this afternoon and it's worth a look.

Particularly as it includes for my third year

running a balanced budget going in there.

A feat not achieved by the previous administration

and showing how well there is a,

showing the strong financial management

which this administration is renowned for.

But the papers are there and lots of detail there as well.

That's worth a look through and make sure you give feedback

to the finance and performance subcommittee in terms of what you see there.

But yeah, I just thought I'd like to flag those two things up

and thank you very much for the opportunity of doing so.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:43:13

And Councillor Thomas, I hope that's you putting your hand up

to ask a question to Councillor McConville, who's been sitting here for...

Yes.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 1:43:29

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:43:29

Go on then, Councillor Thomas.

Cllr Paul Thomas - 1:43:31

Just one point really for Councillor Perks.

We put up the spreadsheet which comes to Town and Parish Councils to complete for their

precept.

And many councils actually did that on time.

Some didn't.

And then we had a revised spreadsheet which came out which threw an absolute curve ball

into many town and parish councils,

because in the timescale required for that to be returned,

there wasn't enough time for town and parish councils

to give the necessary notice to allow a metre to take place

to endorse what we know.

I know the change in the spreadsheet was minor

in terms of tax base,

but it did affect the overall percentage that came forward.

It didn't affect the precepts for each of the towns,

which is great, you know, but again,

I just think what's the learning on that going forward to make sure that we, you know, we

built something which is quite robust, but we just seem to have dropped the ball a little

bit this year. Thank you.

Cllr Tim Prater - 1:44:38

Yay, really good question. That spreadsheet which does those calculations is an innovation

from a couple of years ago, and I agree that it's a good thing. And I can only apologise

for the process which happened this year whereby it was issued in December and then reissued

on the 13th of January. It is my fault, and I will tell you why they're very potted

away now.

The figure, the provisional figures were put forward as fast as they can be put together

for the tax base, which is on about the 6th of December from memory.

I think it's engraved in Jonathan's memory more than mine because he gets to do the

numbers on that day and send them out. So that's based on the provisional tax base

at that moment.

The reason why there was a relatively significant change to some parishes is the discussion

discussion and debate that we're going to have tomorrow around the council tax reduction scheme.

By being more generous to households at the lower end of the income,

at the lower ends of income at that stage, that alters the tax base for those parishes,

particularly parishes that have got a higher than average number of people on low incomes.

That skews that down. Because that paper has now been through cabinet and going to council,

please for your endorsement tomorrow, in order to give that additional support.

That's what those numbers were then reworked on, was the revised tax base, assuming you pass that.

If you don't pass that tomorrow, it would revert to the previous number, and every member of the

finance team will have a mental breakdown, including the cabinet member. So I can offer you

that as an incentive to vote against. But that's why those numbers changed. It was because the

The policy effectively was changing, which affected those numbers.

The learning is that we're really sorry that that happened, but because of the timing

of having to make that change now, it's not something we're going to be doing every year.

We don't change the — the cancer tax reduction scheme hasn't changed in the last seven years,

and counting forward seven, it's not going to be our mistake next time.

So apologies for it.

It shouldn't happen again because those circumstances shouldn't happen again.

That's the reason why it happened, and it's my fault, and I'm sorry.

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:46:46

Thank you for the apology. Much appreciated. Any other questions? Okay, that's the end

of our meeting. Go and enjoy what's left of your evening.

We welcome your comments

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Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 27 January 2026, 6:00pm - Folkestone & Hythe webcasting

Overview and Scrutiny CommitteeTuesday, 27th January 2026 at 6:00pm

Agenda

Slides

Transcript

Map

Resources

Twitter

Forums

Speakers

Feedback

Votes

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:03

1 Apologies for Absence

2 Declarations of Interest

Mr Jake Hamilton - 0:00:49

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:51

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:01:00

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:01:02

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:01:11

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:01:22

3 Minutes

4 Minutes of the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee

5 Strategic Approach to Sports & Leisure

Mr Ewan Green - 0:02:39

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:15:56

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:19:05

Mr Ewan Green - 0:19:09

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:19:11

Councillor Tony Hills - 0:19:16

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:20:04

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:20:06

Mr Andy Blaszkowicz - 0:23:59

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:24:36

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:25:47

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:25:53

Andrew Rush - 0:31:00

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:34:51

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:34:57

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:34:58

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:35:07

Andrew Rush - 0:42:53

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:43:22

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:43:38

Mr Andy Blaszkowicz - 0:43:42

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:43:52

Cllr John Wing - 0:43:58

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:47:19

Mr Ewan Green - 0:47:33

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:48:06

Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:48:12

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:06

Cllr Elaine Martin - 0:49:08

Mr Ewan Green - 0:49:31

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:50:34

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:50:39

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:13

Mr Ewan Green - 0:52:19

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:33

Cllr Alan Martin - 0:53:14

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:17

Mr Ewan Green - 0:53:22

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:48

6 Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ Policy)

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:54:20

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:56:17

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:57:01

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:57:02

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:58:43

Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:58:47

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:01:45

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:01:46

Mr Fred Miller - 1:02:42

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:08:05

Councillor Tony Hills - 1:08:14

Cllr Bridget Chapman - 1:09:30

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:12:32

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:14:27

Cllr Polly Blakemore - 1:14:28

Mr Fred Miller - 1:16:06

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Tuesday, 27th January 2026 at 6:00pm