Folkestone & Hythe District Council Monthly Update: January 2026

A monthly bulletin from F&HDC. This month: Council budget consultation, Cliff Work in Coastal Park, Youth Forum, Support for community, SWEP & Opportunities for new ventures in 2026.

Council budget consultation

Residents have until 30 January to comment on Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s budget strategy for 2026/27.

Visit the council’s website to comment on the strategy and to read the detailed supporting documents. Alternatively, visit the Civic Centre in Folkestone during the Customer Access Point’s opening hours, 10am until 3pm, Monday to Friday.

All feedback submitted during the consultation will be considered as the detailed draft budget is developed. It will then be voted on by elected members in February 2026.

Cliff work to begin in coastal park

The stabilisation work required above the play area in the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone is due to begin this month.

A complex remediation strategy is required to shore up the cliff following a landslide.

Once complete, the much anticipated work on the fun zone’s highly anticipated £750,000 refurbishment can begin. This will see new equipment and an exciting layout and is due to be ready for summer this year.

Youth Forum

A new group of students is helping shape the district’s future as members of the council’s youth forum.

Young people from The Beacon, Brockhill Park, EKC Folkestone Junior College, Folkestone School for Girls, The Harvey Grammar School and The Marsh Academy visited the Civic Centre in December. 

The group learned about local government and discussed a variety of topics including solar farms, the refurbishment of the Lower Leas Coastal Park play area and the council’s use of social media.

Support for community

District councillors agreed at the end of last year to reaffirm the council’s commitment to local volunteers and community groups supporting residents.

There was unanimous support for a motion brought to full council to continue to back the services helping people with cost of living issues.

Councillors also agreed that a letter should be sent to Kent County Council calling for decisions to abolish or scale down its discretionary emergency schemes be reversed.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

Due to the wet and cold weather over Christmas and New Year, the council operated SWEP for more than two weeks.

The council delivers SWEP in line with national guidance from Homeless Link.

Accommodation is provided for rough sleepers in severe weather (extreme heat as well as cold, wind, rain or snow) and it is also an opportunity to engage with hard to reach groups and signpost them to appropriate support services.

Opportunities for new ventures in 2026

Space is available at the Bouverie House Business Centre in Folkestone.

The shared workplace in Folkestone town centre offers 24/7 access, reliable broadband and options for virtual offices, dedicated desk co-working space and meeting room hire.

A café/concession at the new Changing Tides Coastal Centre building in Coast Drive, Greatstone is being advertised for rent.

The location has been developed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council to boost tourism in the area and features 93 new beach huts alongside the coastal centre.