Council - Wednesday 23 July 2025, 7:00pm - Folkestone & Hythe webcasting

Council
Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 at 7:00pm 

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  1. Cllr Anita Jones
  2. Microphone Forty
  3. Microphone Forty
  4. Cllr Anita Jones
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  1. Dr Susan Priest
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  1. Microphone Forty
  2. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  3. Cllr Anita Jones
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  5. Cllr Anita Jones
  6. Cllr Rebecca Shoob
  7. Cllr Anita Jones
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  1. Cllr Tony Cooper
  2. Cllr Anita Jones
  3. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  4. Cllr Tony Cooper
  5. Cllr Anita Jones
  6. Cllr Belinda Walker
  7. Cllr Connor McConville
  8. Cllr Anita Jones
  9. Cllr Belinda Walker
  10. Cllr Anita Jones
  11. Councillor Tony Hills
  12. Cllr Anita Jones
  13. Cllr Jim Martin
  14. Cllr Anita Jones
  15. Councillor Tony Hills
  16. Cllr Jim Martin
  17. Cllr Anita Jones
  18. Cllr Tony Cooper
  19. Cllr Anita Jones
  20. Cllr Connor McConville
  21. Cllr Anita Jones
  22. Cllr Tony Cooper
  23. Cllr Anita Jones
  24. Councillor Tony Hills
  25. Cllr Gary Fuller
  26. Councillor Tony Hills
  27. Cllr Gary Fuller
  28. Cllr Anita Jones
  29. Cllr Bridget Chapman
  30. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  31. Cllr Anita Jones
  32. Cllr Bridget Chapman
  33. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  34. Cllr Anita Jones
  35. Cllr Bridget Chapman
  36. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  37. Cllr Anita Jones
  38. Cllr Bridget Chapman
  39. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  40. Cllr Anita Jones
  41. Cllr Paul Thomas
  42. Cllr Connor McConville
  43. Cllr Anita Jones
  44. Cllr Paul Thomas
  45. Cllr Anita Jones
  46. Cllr Paul Thomas
  47. Cllr Anita Jones
  48. Cllr Jim Martin
  49. Cllr Anita Jones
  50. Cllr Paul Thomas
  51. Cllr Anita Jones
  52. Cllr Jim Martin
  53. Cllr Anita Jones
  54. Cllr Paul Thomas
  55. Cllr Anita Jones
  56. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  57. Cllr Anita Jones
  58. Cllr Paul Thomas
  59. Cllr Anita Jones
  60. Cllr Liz McShane
  61. Cllr Anita Jones
  62. Cllr Tim Prater
  63. Cllr Liz McShane
  64. Cllr Tim Prater
  65. Cllr Anita Jones
  66. Cllr Liz McShane
  67. Cllr Anita Jones
  68. Cllr Jim Martin
  69. Cllr Anita Jones
  70. Cllr Liz McShane
  71. Cllr Anita Jones
  72. Cllr Nicola Keen
  73. Cllr Anita Jones
  74. Cllr Jim Martin
  75. Cllr Nicola Keen
  76. Cllr Anita Jones
  77. Cllr Nicola Keen
  78. Cllr Anita Jones
  79. Cllr Nicola Keen
  80. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  81. Cllr Anita Jones
  82. Cllr Nicola Keen
  83. Cllr Anita Jones
  84. Cllr Polly Blakemore
  85. Cllr Nicola Keen
  86. Cllr Anita Jones
  87. Cllr Nicola Keen
  88. Cllr Nicola Keen
  89. Cllr Anita Jones
  90. Cllr James Butcher
  91. Cllr Anita Jones
  92. Cllr Nicola Keen
  93. Cllr Anita Jones
  94. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  95. Cllr Jim Martin
  96. Cllr Anita Jones
  97. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  98. Cllr Jim Martin
  99. Cllr Anita Jones
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  1. Cllr Jim Martin
  2. Cllr Anita Jones
  3. Cllr Adrian Lockwood
  4. Cllr Anita Jones
  5. Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee
  6. Cllr Anita Jones
  7. Cllr Anita Jones
  8. Cllr Jim Martin
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  1. Cllr Tim Prater
  2. Cllr Anita Jones
  3. Cllr Tim Prater
  4. Cllr Anita Jones
  5. Webcast Finished

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:00:00
Microphone Forty - 0:00:00
prayers I warmly invite you to say Amen after each prayer.
Microphone Forty - 0:00:04
Heavenly Father, as we gather tonight we give thanks that you have created us and all people
in your image. Thank you for the diversity among us here and that all people in our district
bear your divine image. Among our people we ask you to bless all those who will be taking
part in Folkestone Pride later this month. May that be an occasion of flourishing, joy,
honouring and celebration for all who take part in Pride. Amen.
As the staff and volunteers of the Rainbow Centre continue to look for a new venue for
their food bank, we ask that you would aid them in their search, give them the insight
and imagination to explore new opportunities and give those with spaces and facilities
to offer generous hearts. Amen. Thank you for the work of all of our councillors and
council officers as they work day after day to serve the people of this district. In these
summer months, help them to find times of rest and joy for themselves and their loved
ones to enjoy together. Amen. And as we are bound together by our shared love of our district
and its people, may all those who visit our district this summer find welcome, hospitality
and joy so that they come to love this place too. Amen. Thank you.
Thank you. Please be seated.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:01:46
So 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 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
please switch it to silent mode as they can be distracting.
I would like to remind members that although we all have strong opinions and matters under
consideration, it is important to treat members, officers and public speakers with respect.
Please feel free to sit or stand when speaking.
So, we are moving on to the agenda.

1 Apologies for Absence

Item 1, apologies for absence.
Dr Susan Priest - 0:02:40
Thank you chair, evening councillors, colleagues and members of the public. We have no apologists
this evening. Wonderful, it's lovely to see everybody here. And item two, do we have any

2 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:02:57
declarations of interest? No, okay, so we'll move on to item three and that is where I

3 Minutes

am signing the minutes of the meeting held on the 25th of June. Can we agree that they
a correct record. Agreed.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:03:32
Okay, so moving on to item four, Chairs Communications.

4 Chair's Communications

So I've attended a number of varied events over the last month. In support of the armed
forces I attended Canada Day memorial service at Shorncliffe Cemetery. This is a lovely
service and usually supported by children from the local schools but due to the extreme
heat they were unable to attend this time. I also attended the Army Benevolent Fund beating
the retreat in Hull Park and we enjoyed the music from the band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
at both events. I had joined the Mayor of Maidstone at a Battle of Britain event in
Headcorn at Airdrome. Our folks in Nepalese Community Centre had their annual meeting
this month and used the opportunity to showcase their work to councillors from town, district
and county councils and I was delighted to attend to show our continued support for their
work. Bishop Rose, the Bishop of Dover, invited us and other mayors and chairs to the Cathedral
to discuss the role of the church and councillors in the community.
In addition, I was delighted to be invited to speak at the Elam Valley Deanery Synod
about faith in the council chambers.
Our parish church in Hyde, St Leonard's,
hosted an abseiling event from their tower with the Kent Scouts climbing team.
Councillor Jim Martin and the Mayor of Hyde, Councillor Stephen Bailey,
abseiled successfully in the morning and I took the challenge in the afternoon.
Reverend Michael also went down at least twice.
We had amazing weather and the view from the top is stunning.
The climb over the edge was slightly terrifying, but the abseil down was good fun.
I'm pleased that the church and the scouts have raised a significant amount of money
to support future youth activities in the scouts and the church.
I was delighted to attend a lovely concert by the Folkstone Choral Society
and also played in this year's Folkstone Prom with the Folkstone Symphony Orchestra.
We are very lucky to have both of these groups and many other amazing musical
groups in our district. Jonathan Neame, the High Sheriff of Kent, hosted a garden
party at Belmont House last week. The High Sheriff, if you don't know, is a
non -political role supporting the Crown of the Judiciary in the county and also
lends support and encouragement to the emergency services, crime prevention and
the voluntary sector. Jonathan has been working hard to make a success of his
position since April and I'm sure his work will make a huge difference in the
this year. I was pleased to hear that he had visited the youth club in Hive and
porch lighting in Folkestone before attending the opening of the Maud
Community Centre in New Romley last week. I was also delighted to attend the
opening of the Community Centre in New Romley. It's a beautiful building and I
would encourage everybody to go and have a look. It's got a nursery, sports
changing facilities and a community hall. It's a really amazing asset for the
this coming Saturday will be raising the pride flag here at the Civic Centre to support our LGBTQIA plus community.
Please join us at 9am if you are able. Thank you.

5 Petitions

So item 5 on the agenda, petitions. We have no petitions.

6 Questions from the Public

So we'll move on to item 6 which is public questions and we have two questions from the members of the public.
So question one is from Mr B Reynolds to Councillor Shueb,
the cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness.
And when you're ready, if you'd like to come up.
Thank you.
Microphone Forty - 0:07:18
and HIVE District Council approved and updated private sector housing enforcement policy
in 2021. The states in the Cabinet report that enforcement is a last resort and that
the Council will seek to resolve category one hazards informally despite its statutory
duty under section 5 of the Housing Act 2004 to take formal enforcement action where such
hazards are identified. Thank you. Councillor Shoup. Thank you for your question Mr Reynolds.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:07:51
The Council takes adherence to any statutory obligations and to our operational policies
seriously.
Nowhere in the approved private sector housing enforcement policy does it state that enforcement
is the last resort.
The general duty is explicitly provided for in the policy.
Paragraph 3 .8 provides that the Act places a mandatory duty on the Council to take action
where Category 1 hazards are present.
Paragraph 8 .1 provides that any action taken will always depend on the circumstances of
the individual case and further a formal notice will be served where there is a requirement
to do so.
I also refer you to Paragraph 6 .2 of the policy which provides that the Council has a staged
approach to enforcement wherever possible to ensure that solutions are initially sought
through education, cooperation and agreement.
Where this is not successful, there will be cases where formal action will be necessary,
which may ultimately lead to prosecution, penalty charges or other summary action.
Thank you.
And do you have a related supplementary question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:09:12
Please note this must not be a statement.
Microphone Forty - 0:09:16
Can you explain to me why after raising serious legal breaches by folks in Council,
my emails to councillors have been blocked and I've been told they shouldn't contact me.
My legitimate complaints have been twisted, ignored and closed.
I've been subjected to legal threats and intimidation with no lawful basis at all.
Under Susan Priest's leadership, my reports of housing law breaches were labelled as harassment
and my social media accounts have now been monitored.
How is any of this compatible with accountability, transparency or lawful public service?
Councillor Shubbe.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:09:55
Cllr Rebecca Shoob - 0:09:57
I don't think it would be fair or appropriate to go into details of this individual case
at the moment.
I think you have been given appropriate channels of communication with the council to deal
with this case.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:10:12
Thank you. Our second question is from Roger Joyce. No, but he's not here. So we'll ask
that the cabinet member sends a written response for that question. Thank you.

7 Questions from Councillors

Cllr Anita Jones - 0:10:28
So we'll move on to item 7 on our agenda, Councillor Questions.
We have 16 questions from members.
And our first question this evening is from Councillor Cooper to Councillor P Blakemore.
So Councillor Cooper.
Thank you, Jo.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:10:49
Councillor Blakemore, the residents of the church are sick and tired of having their
is blocked by parked cars or cars ignoring the other lines.
As well as parents in pushchairs, disabled people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters
and pedestrians having to work on the road, user vehicles being parked in the pavements,
especially on busy weekends and on man -colonies.
They feel the District Council has forgotten them, especially when it comes to the noticeable absence
of civil enforcement officers in the village at these times.
Will the Council please ensure and confirm that a private contractor has sufficient staff
to attend Dim Church and plan to pull in place so they have a present and a not seen and
a seen on my colleagues on busy weekends and it will be a very necessary time. Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:11:30
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:11:33
Councillor Baitmore. Thank you for the question Councillor Cooper. We are indeed aware of
the ongoing issues with the legal parking in Dim Church particularly during the busy
summer months and in response we have increased patrols to help address these concerns. Hopefully
over the last three to four weeks.
So as a result,
two dedicated officers have now been
assigned to Dim Church on weekends
and bank holidays when parking
problems tend to be most severe.
However, as our officers cannot
be everywhere at once,
it is likely some contraventions
will be missed.
That said,
we are making every effort to clamp
down on illegal parking,
especially on yellow lines.
It is also important to highlight
that there is no blanket ban
on pavement parking.
Enforcement of footway parking can
only take place in locations where a valid traffic order is in place. So if there is
a particular location where a pavement parking ban would help the current situation, please
let me know so we can investigate whether a ban would be justified and beneficial. Meanwhile,
I want to assure you that we are prioritising enforcement in your area and will continue
to take action wherever possible. Thank you. And do you have a related supplementary question?
Adjourn Chair, thank you very much for the answer. I will pass it on to the Parish Council
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:12:42
and I would also thank the office in relevance.
You made a decision about a matter of discretion.
Sorry, is this a question?
I just heard it pass sometimes.
Okay, thank you.
Cheers.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:12:54
Okay, so if we could just stick to questions, please.
That would be useful.
So, question two is from Councillor Walker to Councillor McConville.
Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Councillor McConville.
Cllr Belinda Walker - 0:13:09
Yes, the statue of St Eamesworth which sits at the entrance to Radnor Park by the water
pouters and play area has been without a head for the past year. Investigations were started
as to what happened to the head and for a replacement to be ordered so the statue could
be restored to its former glory. Is there any news on this? With a triennial here, visitors
who arrive via train may choose to enjoy a cup of tea in Radnor Park and it would be
be ashamed if our saint was not there to greet them with a smile or indeed any other facial
expression for that matter. Having this complete statue again would help restore a sense of
pride in place at our lovely park, popular with both locals and visitors. Thank you.
Councillor McConville. Thank you Councillor Walker and thank you
Cllr Connor McConville - 0:13:55
for your question. As you, we were all saddened when the statue of Sadeen's was mindlessly
vandalised and had her head removed and stolen. However the artist who was commissioned for
original work has been unable to commit to sculpting a new head due to other work commitments.
It's a very specialist area of work but luckily officers with the help of the original artist
have been able to secure a new artist to work on the sculpture and I'm delighted to announce
that this work should be commencing very shortly and Sinead's work should be complete with
her new head by the end of August.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:14:30
Do you have a supplementary related question?
Cllr Belinda Walker - 0:14:33
No, just a statement to say thank you if that's allowed, Chair.
Yes, that's fine.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:14:36
It'd be nice to have the head back.
Question three is from Councillor Hills to Councillor Jim Martin.
Thank you, Chair.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:14:47
At meetings of my parish councils, concerns have been expressed
over local government reorganisation,
over the lack of information and regular updates
from the folks in the High District Council.
I appreciate this is a voyage of discovery for us all,
but could you commit to giving regular updates
to parishes and residents alike?
Thank you.
Councillor Martin.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:15:10
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:15:12
Thank you very much, Councillor Hills, for your question,
which is quite pertinent.
I have great sympathy with all town and parish councils
with regard to local government reorganisation.
The government's white paper published on the 6th of December last year
promised that the government wanted to, and I quote,
rewire its relationship with town and parish councils.
Because we as a district are heavily perished,
we assumed, exactly as CALC assumed,
that this meant local town and parish councils
would be asked to step up and do more.
As of last week's webinar with Jim McMahon, the Minister responsible, this assumption
is wrong.
The Government expect the new unitary authorities to form neighbourhood committees to deliver
local services.
Since the webinar we have been seeking clarification and have been told a Government guidance note
will be published on this very shortly.
So it is a fast -moving and ever -changing area of local government reorganisation.
This Council has made great efforts to consult with town and parish councils,
as the information regarding local government reorganisation has been revealed.
This, I have to say, is unlike many of our Kentish neighbours.
I have attended town and parish council meetings to present what I know on local government reorganisation,
and I have also spoken at CALC meetings.
But I am very happy to visit any town or parish council meeting in the district
to present my views and my understanding.
But in a fast -moving situation like this,
My slides might be out of date before I get an opportunity to present them.
It's an offer that I make very willingly to come and talk to any town of Parish Council.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:17:24
Thank you. Do you have a related question?
Yes, Chair. Thank you.
Thank you, that leader.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:17:29
That's very generous of you and it is appreciated.
I'd like to ask you to consider a regular newsletter
to go out to Parish Councils for their websites,
which their residents can have a look at.
I know it's like if you have no news, if there's a short thing,
but at least you can get across your ideas and your opinions.
So I suggest, consider that,
because Cal doesn't reach the nether regions where I go to,
but I know you can. Thank you.
Thank you. Is that a question? Yes.
Thank you, Chair. I'm not necessarily a newsletter,
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:18:06
but I can immediately send some material to town and parish councils.
We'll consider a newsletter as this is very much a developing area for us,
but there's certainly some materials that I've got a slide deck that is very informative
and kind of gives people a timeline etc. etc.
So I'm sure that will be of some help, but I think this will be an issue
that we have to deal with as we go along because no one will ever feel fully informed.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:18:43
Thank you so our fourth question this evening is from Councillor Cooper to Councillor McConville.
Thank you Chair.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:18:48
Councillor McConville, in light of a recent press release regarding the green flag award
which is obviously well in felt in the night, it has also included a mention of £750 ,000
spend through the Lower Lees Play Park.
A number of residents have approached me asking why the District Council is seemingly ignoring
the play needs of Marsh children and families and why isn't it putting the same amount or
similar amount of money or investment into play needs for the Marsh or young children
and families of the Marsh County. Thank you.
Councillor McConville.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:19:22
Thank you Councillor Cooper for your question.
Cllr Connor McConville - 0:19:26
Personally, I'm delighted that Cabinet approved the budget for the refurbishment of the Coastal
Park play area.
The Coastal Park attracts over a million visitors a year and this money will ensure the play
area in the District's flagship park is fit for purpose for the next 20 plus years.
In response to your question, I can guarantee that the District Council does not ignore
the needs of children and families on the Marsh or any area in the District.
The District Council does not own any large parks outside of Folkestone.
All of the larger parks on the Marsh belong to the Town and Parish Councils and they are
responsible for their upkeep.
These include Fairfield Recreation Ground, the Greens on Coast Drive, the Wright and
Dimchurch Recreational Ground, all of which have some great facilities.
Whilst Fochtland and Hyde District Council do have a small number of play areas on the
Marsh, these are typically of a smaller size with little opportunity to expand and are
split between both the corporate and housing portfolios.
Officers are always working hard to make the best use of our small maintenance budgets
and any funding that may be available.
And this is always split across the district where there is need.
To put this into context, the play area maintenance budget for day -to -day repairs for the entire
district is only £10 ,000.
Officers work hard to secure contributions from developers through Section 106 and CIL
to further supplement this budget and to pay for new equipment.
In 2022 we carried out a large refurbishment of Oat Drive play area in St Mary's Bay,
which cost £60 ,000, utilising some funding from central government.
Further to this in 2024 we carried out significant works,
including welding repairs and replacement decking to the climbing frame at Queensway play area
and Moore Close, Brenzert, at a cost of £10 ,000.
In 2022 we repaired the multi -place swing sets and slides at the Durings in Lids, which
cost a further $10 ,000 from the revenue budget and we also had to replace the gates at the
Durings at significant cost as well.
Following approval of the SIL infrastructure funding statement at Cabinet last week, funding
has been secured for the refurbishment of the rates field play area in Ginnchurch.
The anticipated project cost of that is $30 ,000.
Following adoption of the play area strategy in 2020, officers are keen to have conversations
with Town and Parish Councils about the adoption of local, smaller strategic and non -strategic
play areas.
Many transfers have already taken place, most notably in Hive, Hawkins, Folkestone and Limming.
Town and Parish Councils are also able to access funding that may not be available to
District Council and make further investments in those facilities.
It's worth noting that all Town and Parish Councils get a share of any still contributions
from development and it's up to the Town and Parish Councils how this money is spent, but
it could be directed into improving local play areas.
When finalising Section 106 Developer Contributions for open spaces and play areas, officers always
direct the contributions to the nearest play park facility regardless of the ownership.
I hope that goes some way into reassuring you that this Council looks after all of its
residents in all areas under the District under its control.
Thank you and do you have a related supplementary question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:22:50
Thank you, Chair, yes.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:22:52
Thank you, Councillor McConville, for the comprehensive answer.
I'd like to get together with you to say to the future and take that forward.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:23:03
Okay, moving on to Question 5 from Councillor Hills to Councillor Filler.
Thank you, Chair.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:23:09
I was very pleased to have an email from our Director of Faculty and Human Resources, Ewan
Green, relating to the information now available on the Foulks and Ives website, setting out
information relating to the planned solar farms for Romney Marsh.
Can the cabinet member confirm that this is the way forward to engage with residents and
keep them informed?
The information can be found at solar projects in the Foggs and Hyde District Council website.
Thank you.
Councillor Filler.
Thank you, Chair.
And thank you, Councillor Hills, for your question.
I absolutely agree that we should keep residents informed about current developments that are
pertinent to the district on our website.
Indeed, we have various such pages covering not just the solar farm developments but also
Cllr Gary Fuller - 0:23:58
folks in a brighter future, local government reorganisation, though I'll be stealing Jim's
slide deck at some point to put on there, and support for refugees to name but a few.
The website is one such method but it's not the only one. We're also using social media
such as Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram as well as more traditional methods such as press
releases and writing to residents to keep our community surprised of relevant issues.
I'm sure that this will continue and I thank you for noticing this particular example.
Do you have a related question?
I'm afraid so, Chair.
Thank you for that, Councillor. That's very positive.
Councillor Tony Hills - 0:24:39
I'm just trying to make the point that the information, if it's there on our side,
it can be addressed by various different people, whether primarily,
and we are really frightened on the marsh about the solar farm development.
It's causing us a lot of grief because it's so intensive.
And the information and updates that you might be able to get hold of
would be a tremendous advantage to my residency,
shall we say, showing that you're on the case. Thank you.
Councillor Fuller.
Thank you. I think the crux of that question is,
Cllr Gary Fuller - 0:25:16
can you make sure you keep that page up to date?
So, yes, is the answer to that. I will make sure it is.
Thank you. It would be helpful if questions, the supplementary questions were clear rather than statements.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:25:27
I'm just trying to move it along. We have a lot of questions to get through and I'd like everybody's questions to be heard this evening.
So, moving on to question six from Councillor Chapman to Councillor Polly Blakemore.
Thank you, Chair.
I've been contacted by residents concerned about businesses that are using the beach
Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:25:46
for commercial purposes.
There seems to have been an increasing amount of commercial activity happening, particularly
around fitness classes.
While many of these, such as yoga classes, are low impact, concern has been raised around
boot camp style exercise classes which often seem to use amplified music.
This means that the rest of the beaches, many of which rely on the quiet of the beach early
in the day for their mental health are unable to enjoy this local facility fully.
What can be done to ensure that commercial businesses are not encroaching in this way?
Councillor Baitmore.
Thanks for the question, Councillor Chapman.
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:26:21
Beaches are of course open to the public and commercial operators like keep -thick exercise
classes cannot reserve part of the beach for their activities or restrict access to other
members of the public.
Any music played must be incidental to the activity, otherwise it may be a licenseable activity.
However, enforcement would not be straightforward as the activities mentioned are not in themselves antisocial.
It would depend entirely on the conduct of those involved and the evidence available as to whether enforcement action would be appropriate.
Complaints about antisocial behaviour can of course be reported via my account on the Council website.
Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:27:02
Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:27:04
Yeah, the research I did suggested that it would be appropriate to licence activities
like that.
Perhaps we could meet and have a chat about that.
Would that be possible?
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:27:13
Yeah, very happy to have a conversation.
And I would also point out that if any antisocial behaviour is detected or loud music or whatever,
please do make that report because once that is done officers can take action.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:27:31
Thank you. And question seven, again from Councillor Chapman to Councillor Mike Blakemore.
Thank you again, Chair. With folks from Pride due to take place this Saturday, would you
Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:27:40
join me in affirming this Council's full support of the local LGBTQ plus community and our
particular support for the trans members of our community who have been badly affected
by the recent posturing from the Reform Cabinet at KCC who threatened to remove trans literature
from our libraries. Councillor Baitmore.
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:28:03
Thank you for your very important question, Councillor Chapman. I have no hesitation in
affirming this Council's full support for the LGBTQ Plus community. As you say, it's
Folkestone Pride on Saturday and I'm pleased to say we've already changed our logo to a
be raising the rainbow flag at the civic centre at the weekend. It's more important than ever
that we do so as a public show of our support for the LGBTQ plus community. As you will
recall, the first action of the new reform administration at Kent County Council was
to announce that it would not be flying the Pride flag over County Hall. This was followed
by what you aptly describe as posturing by reform over library books. Reform's misleading
social media posts risk having real -world consequences for the trans community. I am
concerned that reform, in an effort to satisfy those among its supporters who wish to pursue
culture wars, is not considering carefully enough the potential consequences of its words.
This was in evidence again at the last meeting of KCC, when its leader and other councillors
used a debate on tackling violence against women to make ill -judged and inflammatory
statements on race and gender identity before voting down a Green motion.
At a meeting organised by Shepway Green Party, also attended by Lib Dems, I heard from members
of the local trans and non -binary community following the recent Supreme Court ruling
on the legal definition of a woman and the hurried guidance issued by the Equality and
Human Rights Commission.
There is much that is not within our gift as a Council, but we will consider carefully
what else we can do to support members of the trans and non -binary community and the
LGBTQ plus community. A great deal of support is provided by the team at Folkestone Bookshop
who kindly hosted our meeting and we owe them our thanks for all that they do. Finally,
to return to library books, I'm sure Councillor Chapman would agree with me that rather than
talk of removing library books, we'd much rather hear talk at the return of Grey's
Hall Library. It's well overdue. Thank you. Do you have a related question? Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:30:05
I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, I do. I was wondering if we, I will be attending
Cllr Bridget Chapman - 0:30:08
the Pride flag raising on Saturday. It would be great if we could reach out to Folkestone
Pride, Folkestone Bookshop, all of the other and gay and LGBTQ plus businesses and
organisations in that area and see if they would like to also send people. And it would
be also good to, which I'm sure you're doing already, talk to them about what they would
like us to do to show our support.
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:30:33
Yes, absolutely agree. We're very happy to reach out to them. I was very pleased to see
that folks in Pride had commented on one of the posts on Council Facebook today I think
it was and you're right we very much need to listen to what they want from us which
was the purpose of our meeting with them. It's very important that we don't decide what
we think they need but they tell us what we can do to help them.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:30:57
Thank you so moving on to question 8 from Councillor Paul Thomas to Councillor McConville.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:31:03
Yeah thank you chair. With the coastal destination project the Coast Drive car park on track
for completion in October.
Local residents have asked how these facilities will fit in with similar facilities across
the district.
Consequently, they'd like to know how these existing facilities are being utilised with
regard to the current occupation rates, higher costs and waiting lists.
Thank you.
Councillor McConville.
Thank you, Councillor Thomas, for your question.
Cllr Connor McConville - 0:31:27
I'm delighted that the Coastal Destination Project at Coast Drive is on track to deliver
new beach huts and fabulous new facilities later this year.
As a reminder, the project includes 93 new beach huts, powered containers for the water
sports providers, a kiosk slash cafe, a classroom, showers, toilets, changing facilities and
a changing places facility.
On top of this, the car park will be re -graded and refreshed with the additional of electric
vehicle charging points and clearly mark disabled spaces.
Building the new beach huts at Coast Drive follows on from the success of the refurbishment
and addition of new beach huts in Folkestone.
As you'll be aware there has been a huge interest with the waiting list peaking at about 800
before it had to be closed.
The Folkestone huts are fully occupied at this point in time.
The charging structure has not been fully finalised at present but will be assessed
in line with the principle of best value.
This will include comparison of the current leisure facilities in other parts of the district.
The current annual fees for the existing Council huts range between $920 plus VAT and $1470
plus VAT.
An expression of interest list will be opening later this summer for residents and visitors
to express their interest in renting a new hut at Coast Drive.
There is expected to be high demand for the huts, so we anticipate that this list will
capped at about 200. It's anticipated that 85 % of the huts will be let to residents of
the district, whilst we might leave up to 15 % to be let to people outside of the district,
which is in line with the council's focus on huts.
Thank you. Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:33:12
I'd just like to say thank you for a very comprehensive answer. Thank you.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:33:14
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:33:19
Okay, so moving on to question nine, again from Councillor Paul Thomas to Councillor
Jim Martin.
Thank you, Chair.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:33:25
With the agreement of the new corporate plan and the recent rationalisation of the outside
bodies list that's been carried out and approved by Council, can the leader confirm that the
subscriptions for two of these bodies, namely the new Nuclear Local Authority Group and
the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum, New Leaf, will not be subject to any cuts following
the budget -setting process later in the year?
These bodies provide the District Council representatives with an input into the proposed
sighting for the new nuclear facilities, including Dungeness.
It also gives us a voice on the management of the nuclear legacy of Dungeness A, which
in 2029, 2030 is due to be joined by the facility of Dungeness B when defueling is complete
and Dungeness B is managed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency.
Thank you.
Councillor Martin.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:34:13
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:34:19
Thank you very much for your excellent question, Councillor Thomas.
I know that this is a subject close to your heart, having worked for so many years in
the nuclear industry.
The simple answer is the subscriptions to both of these bodies will continue and will
not be cut.
The nuclear legacy is of critical importance to this district on a number of fronts.
Health and safety, technical issues, estate management, logistics and community resilience.
All can have a significant impact on the people of the district and in particular the people
on Romney Marsh.
I think it is essential that this council have a seat at that table
and the people of Folkestone Hyde are well represented.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:35:11
I do, please, Chair.
So thank you for that.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:35:16
And with regard to the corporate plan and the nuclear,
it was great to hear from Tony Vaughan that he's recently met with EDF,
the NDA and Energy Minister, as well as three prospective developers
to the Dungeness site which is great news. Can the leader tell me how many times that
either folks in the High District Council or Shepwood District Council have included
a specific focus on new nuclear Dungeness in previous corporate plans as this has been
requested by other members of the current corporate plan. Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:35:47
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:35:52
Councillor Martin. My test for, start for ten. I have to confess
that I'm very familiar with our corporate plan
and I read the previous corporate plan in some detail,
but I don't have a working knowledge of corporate plans prior to that.
However, what I can tell you is that there is no mention of nuclear
in the previous corporate plan.
So, there was no emphasis on whatever.
There's just no mention of it.
It doesn't appear in the previous corporate plan.
But before that, I don't know.
But that's all I know.
Thank you.
So, moving on to question 10 from Councillor Paul Thomas
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:36:39
to Councillor Polly Blakemore.
Thank you, Chair.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:36:42
Local residents have voiced their concerns
about the growing number of recreational vehicles and camper vans that are parking overnight
along Coast Road Little Stone, mainly near the junction with Madeira Road.
Many of these vehicles are in place for weeks at a time without moving.
The concerns have been raised about fly tipping, smoking of illegal substances and the unlawful
dumping of chemical toilet contents.
Residents have also had to contend with visitors using their gardens as a toilet.
When will the PSPO signage be erected in this area to alert visitors that overnight parking
is not allowed, allowing our enforcement teams to take action, particularly against repeat
offenders?
Thank you.
Councillor Blakemore.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:37:26
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:37:28
Thank you for the question, Councillor Thomas.
The new anti -social behaviour public spaces protection order, ASB PSPO, that covers unauthorised
Camping for the purpose of overnight stays within a restricted area was completed and
sealed on 22 June 25 and the link to this will be provided in the minutes.
I can confirm that the ASB PSPO covers Coast Road and Madeira Road in Itterstone and that
enforcement officers have previously been advised of issues with camper vans there.
Officers visited the area in May and erected signage.
However, there are no records on the council system that provide any detail of these recent
issues you mentioned. Enforcement officers act on the complaints received daily and that
intelligence is used to map out the hotspot locations for our officers where they can
gather evidence and take the relevant actions. It would therefore be really helpful if residents
would report this directly via their My Account or by email or by phone. And this is a bit
of a recurring theme for me this evening. Without those reports we are really limited
in what we can do, that we really depend on residents to tell us what's happening. To
the report easier for the officers to act on, it should provide the details of where
the vehicle is, how many people are associated with the vehicle, colour -maker model of the
vehicle if known, registration number and the actions that are causing antisocial behaviour.
Any incidents of smoking or illegal substances should be reported directly to the police.
Now that we have been made aware of antisocial behaviour in this location currently ongoing,
the enforcement team will investigate the matter and take the appropriate action to
If there is no evidence available to the officer at the time of the visit, advice will be given
and the campus will be informed that any breach of the PSPO will result in them being asked
to leave the location and any failure to do so will result in a £100 fixed penalty notice
or indeed prosecution.
Thank you.
Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:39:26
No, I'd just like to say thank you very much for that response.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:39:29
I'm sure the residents of Coast Drive, Coast Road rather, and those that go up to St Mary's
would really welcome enforcement and the removal of these vehicles in a timely manner.
That's great news.
It also means that they won't be subject to the start of mid -age properties of these men.
We need to have a question.
They'll be sitting along the front of their properties first thing in the morning.
So anything that can remove that would be great.
Thank you.
Sorry, we need to stick to questions otherwise we won't get through all the questions this
evening.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:40:00
It's nice to make statements but this is not the forum to make statements.
So we'll move on very quickly to question 11
from Councillor Liz McShane to Councillor Tim Prater.
Thank you, Chair.
Cllr Liz McShane - 0:40:12
Councillor Prater, can you tell me if Folkestone
and High District Council has received any communication
from Kent County Council about the £40 million in savings
which the leader of KCC claimed to have identified
on the 10th of July?
And is it in a position to assess the implications
for Folkestone and High's residents?
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:40:32
Cllr Tim Prater - 0:40:34
Councillor Prita. Thanks for your question Liz. The answer is I'm afraid no and therefore
no. Like you we've seen the press release on the County Council website which is the
only written source we have. However there has been no direct contact with us or indeed
myself as a County Councillor which will allow us to understand the savings or the extent
of their impact here. Do you have a related question? Yes I do thank you.
Cllr Liz McShane - 0:41:03
Can you, from this council, ensure that it does all it can to get its fair share of the
£50 million that the DFT has recently promised to give KCC to repair potholes?
Councillor Proater.
Yes, thank you Liz, that's an excellent point and we'll absolutely be working to ensure
Cllr Tim Prater - 0:41:19
folks on HIDE get the fair share of money towards repairing our roads.
As a start of that, the County Council could agree to fund and get on with the scheme to
reopen the road of remembrance.
It's now been closed for far too long and although they have worked up a scheme for
the necessary works to clear it, repair it, make it safe and open it, they're now prevaricating
on putting the funding in place and getting started.
So I hope that the new Kent County Council Administration in general and the cabinet
member for transport in particular will agree to get the work done, agree to get it funded
and agree to get our road of remembrance open as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:41:56
So question 12, we've got Councillor Liz McShane again to Councillor Jim Martin this time.
Cllr Liz McShane - 0:42:01
Councillor Martin, does this council share my concern about the comments of reform's
former KCC cabinet member for highways and transport that the new council has in inverted
commas rushed to make an impression because it is all about something, soundbite politics?
Councillor Martin.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:42:16
Thank you very much for your question Councillor McShane.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:42:23
In short, this council are concerned regarding any KCC decision that affects us.
Personally, I also share your concerns and there are many similar contradictions and
promises I could point out from the KCC election materials and, as you say, soundbite politics.
Stop the boats, cut tax, cut energy bills.
We will have to wait and see if these promises are delivered.
I do however recall when I attended the Folkestone Town Council AGM a newly elected KCC Councillor
promised to have all of the roads in Harbour Ward repaired.
The member responsible for this promise is clearly unaware that KCC have not yet made
a budget allowance to repair the Road of Remembrance, let alone all of the roads in Harbour Ward.
For your information, I have had my first formal meeting with Lyndon Kamkaran,
the leader of KCC, and I can confirm that many issues were realistically discussed.
I think everyone is aware that many of these promises and, as you say,
soundbite politics were made from naivety and a lack of understanding.
without a great deal of thought to the delivery mechanisms.
The electorate, however, will be the final judge.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Do you have a related question?
No, I don't.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:43:56
That was more than a satisfactory response.
Thank you.
Cllr Liz McShane - 0:43:58
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:44:02
So moving on to question 13 from Councillor Keane to Councillor Jim Martin.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:44:07
Thank you, Councillor Martin.
Given that the Section 106 Agreement for Stony House requires over $1 .7 million in financial
and affordable housing contributions, and that the administration have confirmed the
agreed trigger point was reached, can the Cabinet member explain how folks in High District
Council failed to collect this legally secured funding and who within the Council was accountable
from the monitoring enforcement and compliance at the time this public money was lost.
I do know that you want to give that to me in writing, but I would like it in hard copy,
please.
Councillor Martin.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:44:48
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:44:52
Thank you very much, Councillor Keene, for your question.
I have to say, perusing the details of ten -year -old planning applications, that's really doing
Well done.
So I have a very long answer to this question because it is riven with complexity, which
I will provide for you.
But the head of planning has given me an abbreviated version, which I'll say tonight because we're
very tight on time.
So the 1 .7 million contribution you have raised was not attached to the provision of affordable
housing at Stoney House.
The 1 .7 million contribution required funds to be used for the provision of affordable
housing in the district.
The requirement to make a contribution of 1 .7 million was attached to a 2016 planning
permission reference Y15 -11 -54 -SH.
The contribution was to be paid in instalment with the first being at the commencement of
the development.
The 2016 plan permission was not implemented by the developer, instead they implemented
a 2011 permission.
As a result the legal agreement was not engaged and no payment was payable.
The 2011 permission required a scheme for the provision of 12 affordable homes, however
However, this requirement imposed by the Secretary of State did not include a requirement to
deliver the housing.
In light of the above, I can confirm that no financial sum was lost.
I can confirm that due to the error in drafting made by the Secretary of State that the delivery
of 12 units at Stony House could not be secured or enforced by the Council. There is of course
a lot more detail to this and if it would help I can set this out in a note following
the meeting which I'll give you in full. Do you have a related supplementary question?
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:47:17
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:47:18
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:47:18
No because it would be too long and no one else would get a sign bar with Bank.
Okay so we'll move on to question 14. Councillor Keene, Councillor Polly Blakemore.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:47:26
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:47:27
Yes, Councillor Blakemore. The recent PSPO that has been put into place that restricts
where residents can walk their dogs off leads. Can you please confirm who apart from the
local residents were consulted?
Councillor Blakemore.
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:47:45
Thank you for the question Councillor Keene. As you know the views of residents were crucial
in shaping the final draught of the new PSPO and indeed the PSPO was adapted to take those
on board. Other parties were also consulted with as part of the process. Firstly, before
it went to consultation, the team reviewed all the complaints received about dog fouling
hot spots since the current order came into force and discussed with grounds maintenance
any issues on council -owned recreational land. Whilst a small number of new restrictions
were proposed, in the main the new draught order that went to consultation largely replicated
the existing restrictions.
During the consultation exercise, in addition to the public generally, the Council also
contacted the consultees as listed in Section 72 of Anti -Social Behaviour Act 2014.
This included the Chief Officer of Police, the Police Crime Commissioner, community representatives
like Town and Parish Councils, and the owners, occupiers of any land covered within the Order.
The draught order was also reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for comments and feedback
on 27 May 2025.
In total the Council received 244 responses to the public consultation and I would like
to thank all those who took the time to do so.
Thank you.
Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:49:02
Yeah, I do this time.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:49:03
We failed to consult with any animal welfare or the Kennel Club and I've taken advice and
we should have consulted with them. It seems to residents in this town that we're excluding
them and their pets. Comments that have been made about dogs in cabinet meetings recently
didn't go down well and I've received calls tonight and residents want to know why they're
being singled out when antisocial behaviour is rife in this town.
Councillor Baitmore?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:49:41
Cllr Polly Blakemore - 0:49:44
I'm still not sure exactly what the question was, but it's certainly something I can...
The question is, Councillor, are they singled out?
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:49:50
That's not the question.
And why other antisocial behaviour isn't being dealt with. They're being asked to keep their
jobs in line.
That's not the question. Okay, so we'll leave that one for the moment and perhaps we'll
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:50:04
discuss it outside the chamber. Thank you.
So we'll move on to question 15 from Councillor Keane to Councillor James Butcher.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:50:17
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:50:21
The amount of road works we have in Fokston has become stifling and dangerous.
When the project A Bight Future became a reality, why was the work scheduled to start at the
for summer when local roads are busy with tourists who want to visit our town and district
and spend money in our local economy. We have major roadworks all over the town. The air
is filled with petrol fumes and local residents finding travelling ground very difficult in
the district, not just for work but to get to shops. Can we please be informed what the
rationale behind this was?
Councillor Burchard.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:50:58
Cllr James Butcher - 0:51:00
Thank you for your question Councillor Keane.
And the levels of frustration that the roadworks and congestion are causing are fully appreciated.
Folkestone a brighter future is a once in a generation project and is a complex highways
and public realm scheme key to the ongoing regeneration of Folkestone.
As a government funded initiative the time scales of delivery and completion are bound
by the funding criteria.
The main works contractor, in conjunction with our delivery partner, Kent County Council
as the Highways Authority, defined a work schedule to deliver the scheme in the most
efficient manner that would have the least amount of impact on residents, businesses
and visitors but would still meet the timings of the funding criteria.
Weather is also a key factor on the timing of delivery.
The traffic management in place during the works for folks in the brighter future is
subject to inspection by specialists within the KCC Street Works team at least twice a
week and any issues noted are rectified, for example installation of the temporary pedestrian
crossing on Middleburg Square.
I apologise to all residents and visitors who are impacted by the road works and can
assure you that everything is being done to minimise the duration of the works.
I'm pleased to say that the project is progressing well and contract targets and deadlines are
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:52:26
being met. Thank you and do we have a short supplementary question? No, no.
Cllr Nicola Keen - 0:52:30
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:52:32
Thank you because that leaves us time for our last question which would be great to
hear from Councillor Mrs Huddlingsby to Councillor Jim Martin.
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:52:42
Thank you chair and I wonder as it's the last question if you could just allow me to make
a personal comment first. Can we just stick to the question please because we are running
Really short on time.
I understand from the informal survey on Princes Parade
that keeping it as an open space was a preferred option.
Can we have an update on the outcome of the recent public drop -in sessions
to chat about Princes Parade?
I think the leader's probably answered that in his...
Councillor Martin.
Thank you very much for your question, Councillor Hollingsby, and can I take a moment to offer
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:53:24
my personal condolences, and I'm sure the condolences of all councillors following the
sad death of your husband.
Can I also add the grateful thanks of everyone who lives in your ward, north, down, west,
on your determination to continue with your councillor duties, having suffered a terrible
accident.
So thank you very much for that.
To answer your question, you are quite correct, of course.
A low -key consultation was carried out regarding Princess Parade
and its future on the 4th and 5th of July at Hightown Hall,
attended by all of the High Court councillors
and a number of other ward councillors.
The consultation reinforced the online consultation,
which showed an overwhelming majority of people
wanting the site left as it is, an open space.
There were discussions and concerns about the future of Hyde Swimming Pool and leisure
facilities generally.
The Council will address these concerns in our forthcoming Leisure Strategy document.
Officers will shortly be in a position to publish the detailed results of the consultation
on the website.
Thank you.
Do you have a related question?
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:54:36
Can I just make a comment now?
because Councillor Martin did.
I was just going to say my grateful thanks
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 0:54:45
to all those people in this Council Chamber
who sent their condolences, cards and flowers.
It was very much appreciated,
and I'd just like to say thank you very much indeed.
You've almost answered my supplementary,
and I was going to ask you if it remains,
if Princess Rose will remain as it is.
And I was also going to ask you, do you now remember the offer that was on the table some
time ago?
Councillor Martin.
I do.
I am delighted to offer a clarification on that, as we have spoken about it.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:55:23
Members must realise that many, particularly with Ottepool, I have reason to meet many
developers.
and lots of developers pull my leg about Prince's Parade.
Many say, we'll take a look at it, we'll do this, we'll do that.
It comes, it goes.
I have never had a credible offer from anyone.
The offer that you're referring to, Philip Carter, an ex -District Councillor,
said that he represented a Canadian pension fund.
He wrote to some chap who then emailed me from Miami,
also saying that he was part of this foreign investment thing,
and he was willing to make an offer.
But the offer...
It wasn't an offer because there was no money attached.
And he...
It didn't...
what they wanted to do bore no resemblance to the planning permission that we had.
So, in terms of...
But it's not a credible offer, you know.
And I wrote back, I gave them a reply,
but I haven't heard from them for 18 months.
So, I've kind of discounted it.
Thank you.
So that's the end of the questions.
Cllr Anita Jones - 0:56:54
And we'll move on to item eight, which is announcements of the leader of the council.

8 Announcements of the Leader of the Council

You have 10 minutes for the leader, and then we'll have five minutes of seat for the opposition
response.
Councillor Martin.
Okay, clearly good.
So good evening, everyone.
Cllr Jim Martin - 0:57:10
I have spent a great deal of time in the past month discussing local government reorganisation.
I have attended parish meetings, I have attended Kent leaders meetings, I have attended the
local government association conference where little else other than local government reorganisation
was discussed.
The 12 district stroke borough councils, county and unitary authority in Kent have appointed
KPMG to advise us on all of the data available and help us as a group decide on the new unitary
divisions in Kent.
I will be bringing all of that advice back to this Chamber for discussion in due course.
I have been meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss some of their future plans to prevent
flooding in the district.
While their focus over recent years has been reinforcing the sea protection,
particularly at the lid ranges,
they are now focusing on increasing the rate
at which we can drain water out of our rivers, marsh and canal.
With climate change disrupting our usual patterns of rainfall,
the risk of a flash flooding event has increased and must be planned for.
My discussions with Southern Walter continue and we will shortly be hosting the Southern
Walter Community Steering Group meeting which was set up following our overview and scrutiny
committee asking for more discussion with the community groups, Southern Walter and
the Environment Agency regarding the bathing water quality on all of the district beaches.
Members will no doubt have seen the news reports on the
renumeration package received by the CEO of Southern Water
as we struggle to maintain our bathing water quality on most of our beaches.
The Green Grants programme has been significantly oversubscribed this year
with many diverse and imaginative projects coming forward
all aimed at saving energy, carbon and money.
All ward councillors have been advised of the provisional assessment and we welcome
feedback and comment.
All of the hard work lies ahead and I am grateful to the officers for their excellent work thus
far.
A public consultation was carried out regarding Princess Parade on the 4th and 5th of July
in Hyde Town Hall attended by all of the Hyde ward councillors.
There was a concern, the overwhelming majority wanted the site left as it is.
There was some concern about future leisure facilities and the future of Hyde Swimming
Pool.
All of these concerns will be addressed in our forthcoming Leisure Strategy document.
Yet again, we have been successful in retaining our green flag status for four of our fantastic
open spaces.
Green flag status is not easily won and it is even more difficult to win year after year.
It therefore gave me great pleasure to join Councillor McConville in celebrating with
our hardworking and dedicated team who have achieved so much for the people we represent.
I attended a feedback meeting with the Music in May organisation and I was delighted to
hear they had had their most successful festival ever.
The performances were very well attended and their programme of music workshops was massively
oversubscribed.
Work on Otterfield Park continues with our collaboration agreement partners, Homes England.
We've attended meetings with our MPs, KCC developers, consultants and all five local
parishes.
Along with our chair, Anita Jones, we were very brave and we have sailed down the Tower
of St Leonard's Church in Hythe as part of a fundraiser for local scouts, an organisation
that does so much for young people in our community.
I understand that the GoFundMe page is still open for donations.
Works supporting folks in the brighter future are causing traffic disruption at peak times
in the town and everything that can be done to reduce the congestion is being done.
KCC are directing the works and their contractors have been very good at notifying works and
helping resolve problems.
Our officers have been engaged with every aspect of the works and we are looking forward
like everyone else to their rapid conclusion.
In our district we have two economic sectors that are growing, adult care and tourism and
hospitality.
A specific area of growth in our district has been identified as eco -tourism.
To highlight the plethora of ecotourism opportunities we have in our district,
our Communications Department convinced me to ride a bike
from the Battle of Britain memorial on Dover Hill to Dungeness,
extolling, as I rode, on the ecotourism highlights along our coast.
Having reached the unique and very special environment of Dungeness,
I admit I had to get the light railway for the journey back.
And who knew the light railway provides special bike carriages?
The video will be on the website shortly, I understand.
And on a more serious note, I have also held meetings with a number of businesses, including
hotels, tourist attractions and other hospitality businesses in the town.
This council is a friend to good business.
I've been very pleased that I was invited by the Focht and Nepalese Community Centre
in Cheriton along with many other board councillors.
It is difficult to overestimate the value
the Nepalese community bring to us
and the service they have given.
I've had my first formal meeting with Linden Khemkaran,
the new leader of KCC in the Civic Centre,
during which I laid out the projects we work together on
and the principal issues that affect both us
and in the district.
Finally, I was delighted to open the sixth Folkstone Triennial,
entitled How Lies the Land?
The Triennial asks us a question
and the artworks offer the artist's response.
How Lies the Land?
I am delighted to say I helped in the creation of one of the exhibits
by the arts group Cooking Sections entitled Ministry of Sewers.
We are also involved in another piece called the Salamander Playground by Monster Chetwy.
I am sure members will be interested in many of the artworks,
but I have to highlight the work by Dorothy Cross, Red Eratic
and John Girard's fantastic Ghost Feed.
both of which help us to answer the question,
how low is the land?
Thank you, busy month.
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:04:57
So we're going to have five minutes
for Councillor Lockwood first, thank you.
Cllr Adrian Lockwood - 1:05:03
Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Jim.
A busy month indeed.
And I'll start by picking up where you left off
of the triennial because this is an exciting time to live in the Boatswain High District
with the sixth version of the triennial back.
The first one having been in 2008 and I feel honoured to have worked on three previous
ones delivering projects like Payers Park and Clearing in the Quarter House.
It's nice this time just to be a guest and a visitor.
So I think like others, many people will be planning, using this summer to plan family visits.
It's a good time to encourage friends and people from outside to come and visit the town and see it really shining at its best.
And in fact we've got our first, what we call, triennial family invasion next weekend and there'll be many more to follow over the summer.
This is really good for the reputation of our town and also much needed revenue for
our local business.
You just mentioned hospitality is a growing area for this district and this is a much
needed footfall for them.
So really just take this opportunity to thank the CF team for the effort they put in, all
funders which includes this council and all the support this council gives
and the rest of the town really for putting this on is fantastic
coming back to the one you mentioned, the Ministry of Sewers which is in customs house
on the harbour car park
you can book a session there with the minister of sewers
and give them all of your woes
for any issues around beach, swimming, rivers and
all of those issues and beware, they have got a list
of all district councillors emails ready to ping off stuff
where if something's happening in your ward,
along with the MP, the environment agency
and all the other things.
And I'll just take this opportunity
to say something exciting that it sounds like
after you repeatedly saying in this chamber,
the regulator has made teeth and it's just a surf going round and round in circles.
I think yesterday they announced off what's been scrapped, merged with the
freshwater inspector, merging with roles of the Environment Agency in
Natural England and hopefully that will just be a much simpler system with teeth.
So we look forward to that.
I would also like to take this opportunity, and I know this is kind of a monthly update,
but really just in the last week, to thank a number of officers, not individually, but
officers and cabinet members for working together on various issues.
This was including litter, bins overflowing, weeds, street cleaning, looking into parking
for care workers, consideration for service charge changes
that have been taken on board at the cabinet meeting,
and all the work that this council has put into
the areas around the folks in Triennial Artworks.
And I was impressed with the team that were out
in Payers Park supporting the artist and the team down there
to make our town look the best it can for that.
So thank you for all of that.
And I make that point because these aren't sound bites and slogans.
These are ward councillors listening to residents,
working with council officers and cabinet members to fix them.
That's how this council works and I'm proud of that.
And finally, can I urge councillors in this room
and chambers like this up and down the country
and in the media and with their online accounts and so on,
to join me and the leader of Epping Council
in condemning any inflammatory language
and spike rhetoric around migrants.
As we're going into the weekend where we celebrate Pride
and we fly the Pride flag on this building,
I would urge all councillors to focus on issues
around hope and not hate.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:09:52
And we've got five minutes for Councillor Mrs. Jenny Hollingsby.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee - 1:10:01
And perhaps I could start with the try anyway as well.
And actually I'm not going to repeat
what Councillor Lockwood has said,
but I would be very happy to support what he said.
I think for this area it's a great event
and yes we should do everything to encourage people to come.
The only downside, I suppose, and we've mentioned it before,
is the disruption of traffic in the area.
I have to say, so many people do say to me about the traffic,
and I'm sure most people.
The last couple of days I've had to come to Boxton,
I've actually got out of my house,
and waiting for the traffic, it seems to be all over the place.
I don't know whether it's all to do with a brighter future
or whether other traffic issues are also taking place at the same time.
I know how difficult that is to actually organise,
but it is a disadvantage when you've got a big event on
and people are finding it difficult to get into town.
Local government review.
It would be interesting to hear from KPMG as to what their proposals and what their models are.
It would be also interesting to know the view of KCC on that.
I think that's what's the space for a very interesting debate.
We've mentioned Environment Aid and Soft and Vortex Gate, that you continue to have conversations
with them. Greengrass Scheme, yes I must look, I've got a couple come through to me, I need
to look at them and come back to the officer. Princess Parade, well I think I've probably
exhausted that, although I will continue to mention Princess Parade and I'm pleased to
that it will stay as it is at the moment.
And of course the other thing is,
when we move into LGR,
you know, that is an asset.
So we need to make sure that it is,
you know, it is an asset for this district.
I'm very concerned that some of our assets
may be going in other directions,
and we need to make sure,
because it's going to be a negotiating point for us,
the assets that we do have.
So, you know, watch this space, I suppose,
and I will continue to talk about Princess Brave
whenever I have the opportunity.
Green flag status, great.
Of course it is, and I'm glad from the previous administration
we've continued to have those green flags,
and I think we've actually got one more than we perhaps had,
so that's great.
Oh, Otterfield Park.
I'll be interested in what's going to happen after three months.
OK, three months is up, I think, at the end of July.
We have another three months that we can do, which I'm sure we will do,
but I'm very keen to know what will happen at the end of that period,
depending on what homes England are going to suggest or come or provide
or what government is going to provide.
I've talked about the traffic.
Oh yeah, well done to Abseiling.
I don't think I would quite do that, but well done.
I don't know if any of my group would even know about doing that.
But well done.
And the Nepalese community, I mean, absolutely great.
I mean, I was part of the sort of discussions
when they first set up their centre at Sheraton.
And I'm very pleased to support it and continue to support it.
They are a great community.
And obviously, we need to integrate with them.
And they need to integrate with us, which of course, they
try to do.
but sometimes it's not so easy when you have the language difficulties.
But I think we can normally get by, which is great.
I'm glad you had a meeting with the KCC leader.
It'll be interesting how that develops.
Well done on opening the Triennial.
I think it's a great event for this area
and we need to make the most of it. Thank you.
Thank you. Now you have five minutes for the right of reply.
Councillor Martin.
There was so much in both your statements
and I'm very happy to meet and discuss specifics on those,
about the sewerage, about KCC, how that develops.
Even Princess Prey, very happy to chat about it.
I won't try and answer all of the things that you raised,
but both of you had kind of questions.
I'm really, really happy to engage on all of them.
Thank you. So we need to seek a proposer and a seconder.
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:15:28
Sorry, I'm happy to move my report.
Thank you. And Councillor Projes, a second.
And are we all agreed?
We're agreed.
Cllr Jim Martin - 1:15:37
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:15:37
Thank you. So moving on to item nine of our agenda,
Portfolio Holder Reports.

9 Portfolio Holder reports to Council

We're just noting these, but I hope you've all had the chance to read them
and see all the excellent work that our Clubnet have been doing.
So thank you for everybody's hard work.
Item 10, opposition business.

10 Opposition Business

We have no opposition business again this month.

11 Motions on Notice

And item 11, we again don't have any motions on notice.
So moving to item 12,

12 East Kent Independent Remuneration Panel (EKJIRP) - Vacant position

the East Kent Independent Renumeration Panel, vacant position.
We need a proposer, Councillor Peter.
I need to be able to...
Cllr Tim Prater - 1:16:11
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:16:12
And Councillor Martin and Councillor Peter,
Would you like to speak on this?
Cllr Tim Prater - 1:16:16
I will sum up if anyone wants me to.
Sorry?
I'll sum up the bill.
Cllr Anita Jones - 1:16:22
OK, would anybody like to comment on this?
It's open for debate.
That's fine.
So are we all agreed?
Agreed.
Thank you.
That ends our meeting this evening.
I hope you all have a lovely summer.
Thank you.