Council - Wednesday 3 April 2024, 7:00pm - Folkestone & Hythe webcasting

Council
Wednesday, 3rd April 2024 at 7:00pm 

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  1. Slide 1Slide 1
  2. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  3. Microphone Forty
  4. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  1. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
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  5. Cllr David Wimble
  6. Cllr Jim Martin
  7. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  8. Councillor Tony Hills
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  11. Cllr Jim Martin
  12. Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly
  13. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
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  16. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
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  18. Cllr Alan Martin
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  1. Cllr Jim Martin
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  17. Cllr Nicola Keen
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Slide selection

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:00:23
my Minister, Reverend Anita Mackenzie, will lead with prayers.
Microphone Forty - 0:00:31
thank you Chair, good evening, councillors, officers and guests.
it's now very obviously spring and like Easter for many of us, it's a time of renew.
just as we witness the organic renewal of nature, so too can we participate and invite personal renewal within ourselves.
I would like to share a very short poem with you this evening called the unfolding, and it's from poems, please, which this is my only little bit of poetry here, like a butterfly in spring, reminds us of the renew of the natural world and,
the process of metamorphosis and positive transformation, or like the process of photosynthesis from the planting of a new seeds which blooms into a flower and ecosystem, which demonstrates the interconnectedness of growth and survival.
so.
life on phones, a leaf at the time, a story of growth rhythm and rhyme from the smallest bond to the tallest tree.
a testament to what one can be growth, not just a measure of heights, but over a couple of overcoming of gaining sight.
so may the insight gained from the energy of renewal guides you all this evening in your understanding and preservative perseverance of our leaders and Councillors.
may well be filled with the wisdom, compassion and mindful contemplation in response to the issues raised tonight and in service of the common good of the whole community, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:02:39
thank you very much, so I opened the meeting good evening and welcome to the meeting of Full Council. This meeting will be webcast live to the internet. For those who do not wish to be recorded or filmed. You'll 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. Please note, I appreciate that some Members might not be able to stand when addressing the meeting, and therefore I will of course permit those Members to speak without the need to stand at meetings of Full Council
OK, so today.
income commemoration of a former Councillor, we are going to have a two minute silence, and before that I'm going to read a tribute which was written by Councillor Mrs. Hollings be thank you very much for writing that so this is in memoriam of Michael John Lyons 21 of October 1942 to the 9th of January 2024
Michael served as a district councillor for many years and served on the Planning and Licensing Committee, as well as other committees, even though a Conservative through and through he was dedicated to our community and was a friend to all District Councillors whatever their political persuasion, this involvement in politics was matched only by his warmth and spirited personality, he was a master at fundraising and his contributions were immeasurable and as a friend and mentor to many who will be difficult to replace his dedication and service to our community have left an indelible mark Michael also served one year as mayor of HIV and speak of the Cinque ports as a resident and promoter of HIV, he was very well respected in the community throughout the district and beyond.
Michael was also a great supporter of Guy's hospital, where he worked for many years and he held his cause close to his heart, proud of the drive and commitment to excellence in patient care and medical innovation.
Michael was a very popular and friendly person with great character kind, generous the ladies who loved him and he was someone who liked a tipple rest in peace, Michael, so if you can stand up, could you please stand up for a two minute's silence for Michael?
thank you, he may sit down.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:07:23
and for those of you at home who are wondering why we do that.
when people who have committed so much of their time and their efforts to the public good, I think it's only fitting that we take that time to actually remember them, so thank you, Councillors, and thank you everyone for that, OK, so we move on to the first item apologies for absence or any apologies.

1 Apologies for Absence

2 Declarations of Interest

thank you, Chair evening evening, Councillors, staff and members of the public, we have two apologies this evening from Councillors, Holgate and the Convener, thank you, thank you very much, thank you OK, so we move on to Item 2 declarations of interests, does anyone here have interest to declare in relation to any of the matters that are to be discussed in this meeting?
OK, thank you, Councillor Hills, anything to do with KCC.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:08:22
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:08:26
thank you, Councillor, that's noted.
Councillor Mead,
thank you.
thank you, Councillor.

3 Minutes

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:08:33
OK, we move on to Item 3 minutes of the meeting held on 28th of February, are we agreed that the minutes of the last meeting held on 28 February 2024 are correct record and of what transpired?
thank you, Members, that is carried, thank you, I'll sign that.
the situation.
thank you.

4 Chair's Communications

right. We move on to the next item, which is my communications, okay, so, as a feminist March is a very important time of year for me as it is, of course, International Women's Day, or as I like to call it international women's month. It is, coincidentally, if you did it already, no women's history month as well. I started my month long celebrations by honouring an invitation sent out by the mayors of New Romney what a great night. Thank you, colleague, Brian Quai master for a brilliant speech and the joy you helped to evoke with our sing along to jump on Jovi such button. I caught the music bug for the rest of the evening and could not stop smiling, as the song says, another song that I, like girls just wanna have fun a dose of singing is a great prescription for many ailments, especially regards to mental health. I then went on to several eggs for the Second International Women's Day event, this time, by invitation of the mayors of you've guessed it 7 Oaks I thought I knew a lot about the suffragettes but Jenny Godfrey our Speaker.
is a true enthusiast and a Die Hard fan, I was absolutely blown away by what these amazing women did locally, within Kent, as well as nationally, to get our right to vote, I volunteered that the recent take-up space festival run by fixed and women's forum and joined in with the amazing freeing and therapeutic dancing for all aged ages offered by moving memory. CEC, I marvelled at the procession led by the mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Belinda, Walker, that brought in in the mother bread baked by community of women across all demographics. The Cheriton Nepalese community, also held their own events to pay homage to the sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers and friends of the community, and I felt honoured to open an exhibition of beautiful photographs taken by Minister Anita McKenzie, who also happens to be a photographer
in addition, I returned a week or two later for the holy celebrations I went prepared and wore white and covered my hair I was therefore rightly seen as a blank canvas and spent mostly event being splattered with various vibrant shades of blues yellows reds one particular child for pink was a good colour on me and proceeded to pummel my face with it I got powder in my mouth eyes and ears I've never looked so colorful in my whole life sadly I had to leave early to have sufficient time to remove all of the beautiful colour before proceeding to the male Canterbury springboards our evening because unfortunately, although I thought I looked great I don't think my holy outfit was suitable tyre for a formal ball.
I've attended many events and supported many charities over the month and I still have many to come in what will be a jam packed month, this will be the last Council meeting as I chair, I had my official photograph taken just before I entered and my tenure has now solidified and permanently linked to the district and its people and I purposely wore my favourite colour red and I got my head on as well and I'm wearing my my grandfather was a Goldsmith back in Ghana and so I'm wearing.
pure gold earrings that were made by my grandfather, so this is a point to my heritage as well and, most importantly, actually no, not most importantly, for another one is that I am wearing my very favourite lipstick, which is called very bossy because I am a boss and I own it thank you so.
OK, thank you so.
thank you very much.
so as a Christian, I know that there is a season for everything, I've enjoyed a good harvest, this is the end of one journey, but the beginning of another, as I take on my role as mayor of Folkestone on the 7th of May we have just celebrated Easter and I hold onto the powerful reminder that, no matter how challenging or difficult life may be, there is always the potential for new beginnings, transformation and renewal. I embrace change, embrace the positive possibilities of the future and I hope you can to thank you.

5 Petitions

right we move on to the next item, which is petitions, there are no petitions and then two public questions item number 6, there is one question from a member of the public.

6 Questions from the Public

7 Questions from Councillors

OK, so I've just been informed that that member of the public is not here, so it falls and will give a written response, so we'll move on to the next item, so next item is councillor questions, there are four questions from Members which are set out.
OK so.
the first question is from Councillor Womble, to Councillor Jim
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:14:27
Martin, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Otter Pool Park and Planning Policy Councillor window.
thank you Chair, with the current financial constraints on the
Cllr David Wimble - 0:14:39
Council, could you please tell us how much money its costs, the Council so ultimately the taxpayer?
can put up a defence of the judicial review and inquiries surrounding the princess parade, to include officer time, legal services and external costs for barristers and legal team alongside the expert reports. Thank you, Councillor Councillor Martin, thank you very much
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:15:05
Chair, thank you for your question. Councillor Womble, I can confirm that the total cost of the Council to the Council, the associated with the judicial review, was 288,211 pounds 32 pounds.
thank you, Councillor Womble, do you have a supplementary question?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:15:29
Thank you once again, several people have been putting their supplementary questions for hearing the answer, so I've got this one
Cllr David Wimble - 0:15:35
as the Council, one of the J R to think it should take every step possible to recover all the money from the team that lost as it allowed us to do under UK law, as this was public money and the Council was totally vindicated venue wrongdoing, it must be something to consider as it would equate to many tens, as we now know, hundreds of thousands of pounds
thank you, Councillor Wimpole, Councillor Mowat.
thank you for your supplementary, I am able to tell Councillor Womble
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:16:04
that the Council recovered all of their allowable judicial review costs under the Arthur's convention, which allows people access to environmental justice.
thank you, we move on to the second question, which is from Councillor Tony Hills to Councillor Jim Martin.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:16:24
thank you Chair.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:16:28
at a recent meeting of the Council, the Council meeting agreed to support sustainable energy production in the district.
with a green area, Prince's Parade now lying fallow.
I wondered, could it be used as a location for a wind farm to supply electricity to the benefit of Hyde and the districts?
thank you, Councillor Hills, Councillor Martin, thank you Chair.
thank you for your question, Councillor Hills.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:16:59
I clearly detect an element of tongue in cheek in your question and it's absolutely no harm in that.
the site is too small and not deep enough to accommodate a wind farm, there are also too many houses nearby, the Conservative government has also effectively blocked all land-based wind farms for many years, and so it poses its own individual risks, all that said there is a serious element to your question.
for which I am grateful to you.
because it gives me the opportunity to promote the consultation we will be holding before the end of this year regarding the future of Princess Parade, we will be asking local people what they want to the site to be an open space, a residential development a park or indeed a wind farm.
all suggestions will be welcomed, the point I want to stress is this will be a genuine consultation where we, the Council, will be asking people for their ideas, suggestions and ambitions for the site, we will not be filling the room with expensive consultants trying to tell people what they want, we will be starting with a blank sheet of paper and taking people's views if at that time Councillor Hills, you want to come along and suggest a wind farm for the site.
I will ensure that it is properly recorded.
thank you, Councillor Martin, do you have a related question if I could thank you Chair?
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:18:42
that's very good news Jim and I must thank you for that and it's good, but I would like you to think about and answer this, if you could, it'd be good if our working party was set up cross-party to look at it.
at my chair.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:18:59
thank you, Councillor Hillstar, I think that's an excellent suggestion, I think the appropriate time for that to be fully considered would be after the consultation, I think it's important that we let local people have their say first and then we will consider where we go with the site after that, but for me it's the democratic thing to do is to ask local people what they want on that site and then I think it will be for the council to discuss options, come forward with ideas, etc but I think people first
thank you very much.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:19:36
question 3 from Councillor Mrs. Helen Speed to Councillor Jim Martin,
thank you, Chairman, and can I just say thank you for allowing the
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:19:51
memory of Councillor Lyons at the beginning of the meeting.
what an accolade for our town to be crowned the best place to live in the south-east of England by the Sunday Times the judges talk about our eye-catching culture led regeneration, they praised our artists' studios, the cool shops, on the old High Street and the harbour arm, the judges also noted the town's impressive schools, state of the art sports facilities and high-speed trains to London.
what is the current administration doing to maximise this opportunity, thank you, thank you, Councillor Councillor Martin, thank you Chair,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:20:31
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:20:34
thank you, Councillor Holland, be for your question, this was intended to be answered by Councillor Hull guy who who isn't here.
so the first, the first part is his answer, but I have put my own spin on it, so so you can be assured of that, I think we can all agree that Folkestone is a fantastic place to live, work and play this accolade has been welcomed and will in its own right raise the profile of the area accolades such as this had also been used in our recruitment content to help the Council stand out in a competitive market and encourage candidates to embrace the idea of relocating to Folkestone.
tourism employees. I kept care a key part in Councillor Holgate's portfolio, and work has started on developing a visitor economy strategy which is in the very early stages of development. Our strategy will capitalise on this type of positive press coverage to draw more visitors into the district, which will help support the local economy. This work is happening in tandem with the regeneration programme that is gaining momentum now, as we enter into the detailed design and tendering phase. The recently posted fly through a YouTube video of the Folkestone a brighter future scheme, has had over 5 4,500 views, which is a really high number and probably can be linked to the Sunday Times article, so all are very timely
this amplification will not only help the visitor economy, but also inward investment where new companies seek not just the usual attributes of the area, such as skills, transport links, supply chains, etc but also culture and lifestyle of the area, which this will help to retain their employees so being named as a great location all helps the overall agenda.
but my particular part in answer specifically to your question, if I can add, is how we're going, and how are we going to maximise this opportunity and the answer is through partnership working?
the Council cannot do this alone.
we can only maximise this opportunity by working in partnership with local businesses, local community organisations and other groups that want to put focused on top of that poll, not only this year, next year and the year after.
thank you, Councillor, Councillor Golton, if you do have a related question, yes, I think so I think so you'll probably tell me, have I added?
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:23:34
so thank you very much for that comprehensive answer and of course I welcome all the comments that you've made and I would just say in terms of the brighter future, the levelling-up fund, which obviously was applied for and received by the previous administration, it will make a difference and I know that the video and the 3 D,
work that's gone on has been very positive and it's great to see that that actually carried on, so I would say that's not a question, sorry,
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:24:12
no, God you knew yourselves, I didn't even have to say anything I was just about to say where is the question?
but thank you.
you made your point okay, so the next question from Councillor, A Martin to Councillor Speakman, cabinet member for assets and operations.
thank you Chair, I understand that the Kent Wildlife Trust is terminating its lease for the Romney Marsh visitors' centre, what are
Cllr Alan Martin - 0:24:39
Cllr Jeremy Speakman - 0:24:44
the Council's plans for the site once this ends, thank you for your question, Councillor Martin.
Kent Wildlife Trust, luxury right, are surrendering their lease, at the Romney, Marsh visitor centre and officers have already engaged with the Trust as part of the surrendering lease process, the Council are now assessing the site and liaising with key stakeholders to fully understand the current site operations and constraints and will update Members. I assure you on the future plans as they develop over coming months, so we're just at the initial stages. Thank you very much, thank you. Do you have a related question? Thank you submit. My
Cllr Alan Martin - 0:25:24
question is as to whether we can make sure that Romney Marsh Councillors can be involved somehow in that review directly. I think we all have local community based businesses that we would like to champion for myself.
I would like to make sure that Romney tweed, which is an excellent business, ran run in our ward and Romney Marsh producing high quality tweed from a Romney wall, it's a fantastic business which is seeking to improve tourism.
improving the economy as well as developing local skills, and I would like to add, could I just ask where, whereas the question where the question is can Romy Marsh councillors be involved to enable us to promote businesses, thank you so much for my pleasure thank you.
Cllr Jeremy Speakman - 0:26:12
absolutely Councillor Monaghan would take that as read and yeah, let's have a discussion afterwards about how we can take that forward.
thank you, thank you very much.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:26:21
we move on to Item 8 announcements of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin.

8 Announcements of the Leader of the Council

thank you very much, Chair good evening everyone, I hope you had I.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:26:35
a relaxing Easter, even if it was a wetland.
so these are my announcements, I have been cheering committees are considering the applications for green business grants, along with officers, cabinet members, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity and ward councillors, I have been very impressed with the range and diversity of the applications the scheme has now closed to new applications and I'm delighted to tell the Council that following the next round of grant panels all of the green business grant funding will have been allocated.
this will have a significant positive impact on the reduction of carbon produced by businesses in the district.
I've also been cheering the committee considering applications under the rural prosperity fund, along with officers and ward councillors, again, I have been delighted with the range and diversity of the proposals are realised in this Chamber, many members represent urban wards where the majority of our residents live but geographically we are a rural district and the prosperity of rural areas must be supported where possible it's important.
for me to note the involvement of ward councillors.
in both of these committees Councillor Cooper, Councillor Walker, Councillor Thomas Councillor Martin, Councillor Butcher and others have all participated fully and I'm very grateful to them all.
the leaders of the four political groups and independent Councillor, Paul Thomas, have been meeting regularly as we move towards a Committee system, there is a significant update for Members plan this month, although no date has yet been great. I am pleased to announce that work will begin this month on our new Corporate Plan and to support this I will be establishing a corporate plan, a working group which will include all parties. I am also committed to ensuring that all councillors will have an opportunity to work together and contribute to the strategic direction of the Council through the new plan.
I have attended many meetings regarding article park with government agencies, developers and community groups, these discussions have been positive and will continue, I was delighted to attend my first meeting of Bosko, a joint initiative with our neighbours across the channel billowing Bochco has suffered somewhat in recent years because of Covid, et cetera, but there has been a concerted effort on both sides of the channel to make once again we have so much in common with our neighbours, I'm delighted
that are a cross channel relationship has been renewed.
I attended meetings in my role as a armed forces Champion I have been visiting businesses in the district as usual, including weavers, Romney, Marsh Romney, tweed I went to I had a very enjoyable afternoon with Pat.
healthcare providers, hotels, hospital, hospitality and chartered surveyors, business house, some very interesting perspectives on the future of the district, and this Council is a friend of good business, the Princess Parade holding.
I am delighted to announce that the hold surrounding the Princess Parade site has begun to be dismantled, my regular contact with Stagecoach continues, I was delighted to attend the first meeting of the Folkestone bus users group along with Councillor Davidson, Councillor Blackmore and Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor Walker, a great community response to a community PR problem that the council is proud to be part of.
I know I thank those councillors for for organising it so well I have been in regular contact with Southern Water and held meetings with them, including an inspection of the New Romney sewage works. These meetings concern the sewage on Copperfield to stay inlaid the flooding of Oudin Road and Beverley Gardens in dim church and the impact the use of the tankers is having moving sewage from Newington and Payne to Range Road in Hyde. I have further meetings with Southern Water, the Environment Agency and KCC councillors plan this month,
along with many coastal district councils, I continue to attend a monthly meeting organised by the Environment Agency to collectively express our shared concern about Southern Water's consistent failure to meet the needs of their customers, I have attended the Kent leaders' forum to discuss issues which affect the councils in Kent I have also attended meetings of the East Kent leaders' forum which has a more focused view on the issues affecting
East Kent Districts, I have held meetings with local charities and agencies, including dementia, awareness, focus and parks and pleasure grounds, local business groups and local community groups. I was very pleased to be invited to the launch of music in May by folks in the music town. This year's programme of events and workshops is larger than ever and covers almost all genres of music, from rock to classical and chloë coral, to busking, I attended a conference of the district, all district council leaders and chief executives to discuss problem common problems and seek common solutions. I was delighted to attend an absolutely fantastic exhibition
at the Folkestone art gallery of pop and punk art, it was brilliant to see so many of my old album covers that have become works of art. There are so many who can speak more eloquently than I know about the importance of art and the creative sector in the future of Folkestone, but a single visit to this exhibition put me and my own cultural history at the centre of another outstanding example of the town's creative regeneration. And lastly, it's just to announce the
at the beginning of our work on the corporate plan, which is a vitally important document for the for the Council, and I and I welcome all councillors input and then we will open it very much to the public, so it becomes.
not only a Council document but a a a a document of public ownership, thank you very much Chair.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:34:06
thank you, Councillor Martin, we move on to.
Councillor Davidson today, who will provide a response?
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:34:14
thank you Chair, yes, I'm deputising for Councillor McConville today, so we wish him a speedy recovery, I hope that everybody is enjoying the school holidays, children across the district, despite the weather as Councillor Martin said, although we have had some sunny days it has been really nice to go to some Easter events in in my own ward and I'm sure other Councillors have had the same experience in their ward across the district from egg rolling on the old High Street which was really good fun.
Councillor Walker and I went to a barbecue and bouncy castle in Broadmead, which was also great to see really lively lots of children there. I've also been to other events over the weekend, including a siege protest and Councillor Marsden refer to work. That's going on on the buses, I think really it does show the extent of the work that's going on across the district, from individuals who are putting huge amounts of effort into bringing things to life in our in our spaces, and I have absolutely no doubt that that has had an impact in terms of the award.
for Folkestone in terms of being the south-east's best place to live, and I know that there's individuals in my own ward ward who worked really hard to make that happen. So I think we do owe them thanks for the work that they've done on that. It was really good to see the opening of the first changing places toilet in the coastal park and look forward to the other ones of those opening which will make our district more accessible for for everybody, to visit and to spend time in, and it was really good from a personal point of view to see that that had been twinned, which was something that I'd raised several years ago now, when I first became a Councillor, that it would be great to see some of our public toilets, twinned, so I'm really pleased that that that that has happened
Councillor Martin mentioned about the Corporate Plan really look forward to engaging with that really important piece of work.
from from our own perspective, as we work on that over the forthcoming months and just wanted to say thank you to the Chair for your invigorating and excellent chairing over the last year, thank you.
thank you very much appreciated and Councillor Holmes be.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:36:26
thank you Chair Live. Like other Councillors, I was also involved in a
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:36:33
number of Easter events over the over the Easter period and obviously we can see a lot of children around through the school holidays and they they seem to be enjoying themselves when it's not raining. Of course, just I'm just going to poke down a few points. It's quite a long report. Thank you very much indeed to to the leader I mean, I was very pleased about the prosperity, the rural prosperity fund. I was part of the previous Cabinet who actually set out the criteria, and it was always my my concern, or my push in the rural community, particularly the village halls, and the community centres actually had support to help with their energy costs. I I apologise because I didn't turn up to a meeting. I'd got it on the wrong date for some reason or other, so I wasn't actually at a meeting that where in fact our two our two applications in in the North Downs, West Ward were agreed, but I am very grateful for that, and I'm sure those organisations will be grateful as well.
I'm notwithstanding about the committee system and you'll know my views on that.
I am unhappy with the corporate, you know, I'm happy to be part of the corporate plan working group. I'm looking forward to some positive news or not a full park. I'm sure that we're gonna get some positive news in the various hours. In short, while in the short term I hope I will obviously that's something that I'll keep my eye on and want to know what's happening like many other people, I'm sure I was delighted that the VOSCUR
later an organisation, in fact, I've got a question for this meeting, but I was a bit too late for it to put it in, and it was exactly about that, the Moscow and so I'm I'm very, very pleased that that started I, I think it's an important group and you know it does spread the word of both from organisations. What I would ask is perhaps we could we look at the Tall ships project again, I would love to see the portrait torch its project come back, it was great for schools and actually it did a lot for Folkestone and Tourism.
Princes Parade.
I'm not going to mention about the hold
I think the cost is wow I won't go into that, but on the consultation I was pleased to hear the the Leader say it's it, it's gonna be an open consultation and I know he said that before can that open consultation be right across the district and not just local people.
I welcome your meetings with stage coach, Southern Water and the Environment Agency, and it will be good at some point to have a perhaps a report on actually what's been achieved through those meetings, and I know you report each time, but maybe you know what what success has been has been achieved it's not easy, I know but it would be perhaps good to have a report on in that respect.
use the vote in as a music town I was there as a initial supporter for that and I welcome that.
and of course anything to do with culture is is is blood, so thank you very much indeed, I think that's all.
thank you, Councillor, Councillor Martin, you have a right to reply.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:40:09
I thank you very much Chair, yes, not much to reply to just really to to.
with regard to Bochco, just to
really confirm with Councillor Hollingbery, we were ready to talk about the tall ships, but bellowing.
have got so much on at the moment that you had to kick it down the road for a year, and purloin has got a Tour de France.
it got to stage at the Tour de France, which is such a big deal in France, that they're gonna be enveloped in, that they've also got the Paris Olympics, which will affect them and they've also got the and the Olympic torch coming to billowing, so they've got a very, very full agenda and they felt that they kind of trip themselves up if they committed to too much, so that's the only reason that we're not that we're not doing it, but what we found was really really interesting was the the Geopark kit. When Councillor Scotland first explained the GEO task to me, I have to admit it was news to me, but when I then went to meet
eurotunnel, they will follow the Geopark and, and when we spoke to bellowing in the bus, go meeting they, but they were absolutely up-to-date with it, they had no, they had no problem with it, so you know the the the
the the geology links us together and Catwick, we cannot separate, we are linked by the for the land that that is beneath is fair enough, we got 22 miles of water between us, but where we're essentially we've got the same unique land and that is a very, very, very interesting.
shall we say, a strategic direction that we will be pursuing?
saga bellowing.
several eurotunnel everywhere, everyone's very very interested in in promoting the Geopark, so so, yeah, so have no fear, we will get back to the top shifts just below and have to clear their agenda.
thank you, Chair, and just just before I sit down or miss, this is my last opportunity, but I would like very much to thank you for the excellent why that you've chaired the meetings.
and I opined that your I know you describe yourself as slightly bossy, but I find the rigour that you bring to this meeting very welcoming, so thank you very much Chair.

9 Portfolio Holder reports to Council

Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:42:46
thank you, that's very appreciated, very much appreciated right, OK, so we need a seconder for that, please thank you Councillor and are we all agreed, thank you. That's carried on so we move on to portfolio reports item number 9, there is no debate for or vote the portfolio holder reports are included in the agenda and then we move on to Item 10.

10 Opposition Business

opposition and business. So there's one item of opposition business from the Labour Group and this was deferred from the previous meeting when we had other matters to to deal with, and it's going to be forwarded by him. Councillor Davidson, Councillor Davidson, could you please advise which option you are referring to when you speak? Thank
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:43:33
you, yes, we're looking at option B in relation to this motion and very happy to propose this as deferred from the last meeting. I think it's fairly self-explanatory, but essentially it's about putting. We already talked quite a bit this evening about the amazing assets that we have across our district. It's putting those cultural heritage and tourism assets at the heart of the work that we're going to be doing when we're looking at the Corporate Plan, alongside all the other important issues that we'll be discussing, so that we can really make the most of those things and think about how we protect them, how we make sure that we are drawing on them to the benefit of the district in so many different ways, their assets to us, so I think is it's really important that we highlight this work and make sure that we're taking it forward in a strategic way,
there was, if you if people want to have a look, we did have a heritage strategy that was produced in 2019, that's referred to within the motion. It's 99 pages long, there is actually a lot of good stuff in it
there are some appendices as well, but it does talk within that about it being a living document and needing to be updated, those references to action plans and so on, so I think we can draw on that and produce something that's really practical and make sure that we are putting these incredible things that we have that we're very lucky to to have in in our district at the heart of the work that we're doing on the corporate plan, thank you, thank you very much, do we have a seconder?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:45:13
councillor workbook, Wood and Councillor P Martin, did you want to
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:45:18
speak on that, thank you very much Chair.
I absolutely support this.
motion.
when it was first tabled rich Holgate, the portfolio holder had some queries, an amendment was proposed but through discussions between.
Councillor McConville and Councillor Holgate, the amendment has been withdrawn and we fully agree with this motion as it is written, thank you very much, Councillor, look, what did you want to speak on this?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:45:52
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 0:45:55
thank you, Chair, just to echo what Councillor Davidson said and.
and to emphasise the role of the Council in bringing all of the wonderful work that is done across the district together, because there are sometimes gaps and bits that are missed, and if we can pull all this together as a group, then it so amplifies the effect. Thank
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:46:28
you very much and this is now open for the debate. Yes, Councillor
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:46:32
Howson, thank you I, we have no no objection to this motion at all. I am happy to support it going to Scrutiny. My only comment would be that it's another piece of work that we're putting on two officers, we currently putting more work onto officers and that that would be my only comment
thank you, Councillor Councillor Mead.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:46:54
Cllr Jackie Meade - 0:46:54
thank you Chair, one of the delights of living in the district is of our history and our heritage.
and we desperately need to protect that, so I absolutely wholeheartedly 100% support this motion and put this through to you and may I suggest, when it does go through that we actually build in getting our schools involved as well, because it's a perfect chance for our youngsters to really learn about the heritage and the history that surrounds them, thank you.
Councillor Coupar, thank you Chair, can I also suggest that, as we as
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:47:37
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:47:37
part of this work, that we also include dye the uniqueness and a diversity of Romney Marsh because let's not forget, this may be felt in Hyde, Lodge to include Romney Marsh and at least a third of the size of the district and I think to include everyone we should be doing that.
thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Scotland.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:48:00
Cllr Stephen Scoffham - 0:48:00
can I build on the point that you're making Councillor Cooper. I think that when I say the word heritage, I also read into it something that perhaps not everybody immediately rings in touch with landscape because we have some very special landscapes in this area, which we can rightly celebrate. Romney Marsh is hugely important, both nationally and internationally, and we need to recognise that the chalk downlands are again hugely important and they have nationals national significance. So this is what one of the things which attracts people to come to the area. I was talking with a GP recently, and I said, what is it that attracted you to come here in one of the things he wanted and said was it is a nice place to live, I like the landscape I like the surroundings. That's an important point, because one of our discussions with our daughter Paul is, can we get the GPs well, there's an answer as anecdotal, but it's significant and turning to the town itself, I don't think we make enough of our illustrious resident William Harvey, and what he did, and the achievements that he made. There's a story to be told there. We need to find a way to do it. This is an interesting story, it's one which is unique to Folkestone. We can capitalise on that. So this is a motion which I fully support. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor and I have to say
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:24
somebody on the flicks, the Town Council. We do make something of Hogg, William Harvey, we even have a day for him where we actually stand in front of his statue. We have people coming from London and we think I think we even sing a song. We have a salmon, so we do make a big thing of it, and then we possess and from this year will be processed into the Town Council afterwards as well, so we do
Cllr Stephen Scoffham - 0:49:47
appreciate him very much. Thank you for reminding me of that and I think we could make even more of it. Thank you. I agree with you on
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:49:55
that. One, can I just remind a few Councillors that of course there are things that you might want to discuss as the meeting is going on, but unfortunately, because we are in a meeting, and when people are speaking I would appreciate if you are listening rather than speaking so could you remain quiet at that point to show respect to the other Councillors in the Chamber, thank you very much whose next Councillor
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:50:20
Kane who took the words right out of my mouth about William Harvey because we do make a big thing of him but 0 sorry I just want to remind the Chamber that another gentleman that made his home here because it was such a beautiful place was second time so,
and this year the Town Council celebrating him and I'm just hoping that all District Councillors, especially the Leader, can make a special trip up to the digs church, it's something very important to me, my father was merchant, sailor and the principal line saved a lot of sailors' lives, probably my dad's because he was that old.
but it's not just William Harvey, there's some imprint, so and there are some wonderful people here now that will go down in history, just like them to be mentioned as well.
thank you, Councillor Thomas.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:51:15
thank you, Chair, could I just ask as well that we include the
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:51:19
confederation of the Cinque ports in any discussions going to have at the moment they've got a Champions body, that's looking at heritage, culture and marketing of the Cinque ports as a very distinct and a very important part of our history, so again I think there is an opportunity here for us to work together to make sure that they have an input into that, so thank you Chair,
thank you, and it's wonderful that we all agreed, because it's obvious
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:51:44
that we have so much heritage so much to be proud of the fact that we've been voted the best place to live while Folkestone voted the best place to live in the south-east we've got a lot to be very, very proud of, so no wonder we had so many people standing up and saying 0 we will have to remember his have to remember that and I I have to make a note that we had water toll who is somebody who is a very favourite son,
of Folkestone in particular, and I remember the very last school that I worked in, they even named the house after him and that was in Gillingham, not even Folkestone, so that's how far that reaches as well, so we have to remember all other important people in this town no matter what demographic they come from.
Councillor Hills, thank you, Chair, I feel obliged now everybody keeps mentioning which famous people.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:52:34
to mention you've missed one out, Derek Jarman, they're film-maker engineers, now you couldn't find any more exquisite than Dungeness and Romney Marsh is famous in so many ways, so I'm looking forward to Scrutiny meeting.
and I feel really bad for not mentioning Derek Jarman, because there
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:52:54
was a clear person myself to miss him out, honestly, I'll be I'll be told of when I go to my union meeting this evening.
right, OK, anybody else, Yes count.
Cllr Gary Fuller - 0:53:02
sorry Cheryl was feeling left out, can we go for?
H G Wells, Sandgate, just while we're here.
while we could be here forever, so I think we're going to have to stop
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:53:16
that now because we have so much to celebrate, we have to stop and we will celebrate them in all sorts of different ways, but outside this meeting thank you because we need to move on.
OK, so, Councillor Davidson, could you do with summing up before we go for a vote, I can. I had anticipated that it might provide an
Cllr Laura Davison - 0:53:35
opportunity for councillors to highlight all the amazing different parts of the district and the people, because what is the district without the people informing the the culture of the heritage, the tourism and, of course, the landscape? That's been mentioned, so I'm really glad that people have had that opportunity just in terms of Councillor Holland spies' point about work. The ideas is for this to form part of the corporate plan work which obviously is very important work so
as you know, we would want to put the time and the and the the effort into that collectively, I'm sure, and I think people have referred to it, but absolutely a part of this is gonna be consultation, as it says in the motion with members community organisations, residents and businesses. I'm sure other other Councillors have got suggestions around that as well as we take this work forward. Thank you Chair excellent, so I don't think we necessarily need a vote for this
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:54:29
because it seems like most people are in agreement, so we just have a show of hands who is in agreement

11 Motions on Notice

12 Voluntary Redundancy

gave an excellent. That was nice and quick. Thank you very much. We'll move on Item number 11 motions on notice. There are no motions on notice Item number 2 voluntary redundancy. Can we have a proposer Councillor Prater, a seconder Councillor Martin, and we opened this up
Cllr Tim Prater - 0:55:00
for debate, Councillor Preet, thank you. The papers are in front of you and there, as went to the personnel committee, so are Councillors Keane and Martin and a number of others towards me.
I believe have seen this paper already, you will have read it, you'll have raised an eyebrow and wondered whether this was conspiracy or cock-up, it was a cock-up and not ours.
we have.
we have it, the the the papers are detailed on the issue, which is there, there are detailed on what should have happened and what we should have been told in advance so that it came to this Council earlier, we apologise for the fact that we were given the wrong information by Kent Pensions Fund but we were,
and the full disclosures in the papers in front of you, I've got nothing to do apart from apologise at full Kent Pensions Fund and hope that they don't do that again, but they do.
thank you, Councillor.
Councillor Mrs. Hollins be.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:56:05
yes, thank you, Chair, I'd just like to reiterate, put, perhaps what
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:56:10
Councillor Procter has said I mean I did raise at personnel, my concern is a real concern.
it wasn't the fault of the council, but when we I think we agreed that we would pressurise the current pension scheme to to find out exactly why that had happened and and to try to ensure that it doesn't happen again, because there's a lot of money to have to find all of a sudden,
thank you, Councillor Thomas yeah, thank you Chair.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:56:42
I note in the report on the future mitigation the intention to carry out a review of all employees since 2014. The question I have in relation to that is would there potentially be any issues for pension liabilities for for any one who's been to Peter Cross?
into the Council, or is that covered under a separate arrangement rather than through CPO, thank you.
thank you.
members, I will try and respond.
Dr Susan Priest - 0:57:25
it's technical questions that would have been helpful to have it in advance of if tonight my my responses, that there are no Tupi implications from those that have Cupid across, but the mitigation activity is something that post your decision this evening.
chief HR officer will work with me on to make sure that, as far as possible, this doesn't happen again, and we will take forward the recommendations from personnel committee to raise this formally with Kent Pensions, because my understanding is that this error, administrative error made by them has happened elsewhere. I said that's really what we want to do to try and go through our members of staff, as we currently have them, to make sure that any prior service that
it should have been consolidated has been, and that seems to be the nub of the error that has been made, and that wasn't picked up when we did the bulk assessment so hopefully Councillor Thomson, it gives you some reassurance that we haven't got an open-ended liability from staff that achieved across another organisation it's not my understanding that we have that liability but through the
cleansing of the data if that's the right word for it, but the mitigation action, certainly I can ask Andrew just to make sure she is minded of that when we do it so hopefully Members that's helpful for you, thank you, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:58:50
right I looked like there's nobody else who wants to speak on that, all Councillor Gruen.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:58:54
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:58:57
May I just ask you, do this, not for food banks, which obviously it is, I'll be able to come and see this function in the future because well I don't want to be doing this coming into this Chamber having a similar report saying it's happened again because that's not fair to the council tax payer out there who is watching this because that money, obviously it could have been ploughed into services. Obviously it's not going to me if at all possible
Councillor Peter Gruen.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 0:59:25
we will do our absolute best, I can't promise that people who aren't
Cllr Tim Prater - 0:59:28
in this room will never make a mistake again.
so we will do our best, but the costs of this particular issue will put up within the transformation process out and they're already, and they relate to the pension of somebody who has worked for both this authority and other authorities. Previously, it is money that they would do and owing to them we would just like to have known about it rather earlier pleas from the people who keep that money on their behalf and their pensions, so absolutely, but I I can't promise that there will be no cock-ups which affect to this Council from outside in the future we should could but as we tried to say today, we will do our best to make sure that a that this one doesn't happen to us again, but I wait to see the next one coming from somewhere else, but we try to minimise them.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:00:22
OK, thank you, so we go for a vote now and Minister, thank you OK, I'm right, is it a recorded vote, just show hands, OK, then, so all all those in favour.

13 Annual Pay Policy Statement 2024/25

OK that seems to be carried, perhaps unanimous, thank you very much, OK, we move on to Item 13 annual Pay Policy Statement 24 25, and we have a proposer.
Cllr Tim Prater - 1:00:52
I'm happy to prepare Councillor Peter seconder, Councillor Jim Martin, that's now open for debate, just a very briefly said that this is a paper from the personnel committee and the Chair of the personnel committee wouldn't be proposing it this evening, except the it isn't cooking.
so he's is not here, we regret that I think that they had a good debate through that policy when it went to personnel and a good discussion for it, and were recommending it to this Council for its formal acceptance.
Councillor Caine,
OK, then, thank you.
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:01:30
so I can see that we can go move for a vote, all those in favour,

14 Committee Membership changes

OK, thank you very much, that's unanimous, that's carried OK, so we move on to Item 14 Committee membership changes, do we have a proposer Councillor Jim Martin, a seconder Councillor Jim Tim Frater, but nearly is now open for debate, Councillor Jim Marsh Geoff, thank you
Cllr Jim Martin - 1:01:58
very much just really a piece of business.
since the the the Romney, sorry, the Romney, Marsh by-election and the election of Councillor Hills, just some rearrangement of numbers on committees.
thank you very much, can we have a show of hands with those in agreement?
Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly - 1:02:24
thank you very much OK, that's unanimous and is carried, thank you very much OK, so that is the end of the meeting, thank you, thank you very much Councillors.