Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: April 2026
As a Councillor I try to be properly responsive to communication and WILL reply to casework, questions etc (as long as they are polite!). Although voicemail, Messenger, WhatsApp and the rest I try to keep on top of, the best will be to email to me, preferably to tim@prater.uk from where I can send it to the correct one of my 5 Councillor email accounts for action!
If you haven't had a reply back from me in a couple of WORKING days please come back to me (the person that emailed me New Years Day with a casework peeve some years ago did get a reply that day, but my Christmas holidays have improved since!). Certainly if you've had no reply at all in 4 working days, please do check the address you sent it to and re contact me - that's not the way I roll, so something may have gone awry. Finally, although I answer to Mr Prater, Cllr and a few other names, I'd much prefer Tim!
I am planning to ensure an update from me goes through (almost) all doors in the division 3 times a year, but you can also find more regular updates from me online at http://www.prater.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/timprater
Finally - sign up on the form at the bottom of https://www.fhld.uk/news/prater to receive monthly Councillor Updates from me and the Lib Dem team in Folkestone & Hythe. It's fast and free! This will sign you up only to local news from the area, NOT campaigns and campaigning events.
April 2026 Action List
On 1 April (really!) Kent County Council published the decision notice to get on and do the works required to safely clear and reopen Folkestone's Road of Remembrance. The road was closed by landslides in January 2024. Works could commence in May, and are expected to take up to a year. After pushing for this for so long, delighted to see it!
As the decision notes, when Folkestone & Hythe District Council were approached by KCC for a contribution to reopening the road, the money was found to help despite it not being the responsibility of the district council. Revenue from on-street parking charges gets spent on road based projects and improvements: that's the source of that funding, built up over a number of years.
Attended a meeting on 2nd April at the Folkestone Nepalese Community (FNC) Centre in Cheriton, chaired by the excellent Ram Pun, and with Jim Martin, Mike Blakemore and Jackie Meade from the District Council - a really strong show of local support. The FNC first got the centre in 2021 on a 5 year lease from Kent County Council, and had been applying to extend the lease for an affordable rent.
Although the market rent for the building would have been unaffordable, they made a very strong case to Kent County Council for a lower than market rent, based on the huge value to the community of the work they do, the avoided costs of the centre being there, support given to residents, and their own refurbishment of the building over the last 5 years.
The freshly minted Deputy Cabinet Member for Social Care Chris Palmer came to the meeting, and after hearing some of the case, was able to confirm the County had accepted the submitted business case of the FNC, and would be extending the lease for a rent they could afford. Delighted to hear it!
Kent County Council issued the April edition of their SEND Parent Newsletter.
My official meeting attendance at KCC can be seen alongside all other Councillors at https://www.local-democracy.uk/kent/councillors (to the end of March 2026, showing at 100%).
News of Interest:
A new law that aims to crack down on sex-based harassment in public has come into force - The new sex‑based harassment offence, now in force, aims to curb sexist street abuse by giving police stronger powers to act against intentional sexual harassment in public places—including streets, parks, public transport, taxis and shops. It covers behaviours such as obscene comments, threats of sexual violence, intimidation, and threatening invasions of personal space.
For further information: BBC Kent
UK will seek closer ties with EU in light of Iran war, Starmer says – Keir Starmer says the UK will push for closer economic and security ties with the EU in response to the Iran conflict, which is driving up energy prices and affecting the UK economy. He argues Brexit harmed growth but rules out rejoining the single market while also managing tensions with the US over the war.
For further information: BBC News
Holiday activities and food programme - Guidance for local authorities that will receive funding to deliver the holiday activities and food programme.
For further information: GOV.UK
Kent County Council Press Releases in April:
Folkestone & Hythe District Council Press Releases in April:
A monthly bulletin from F&HDC. This month: Folkestone Sports Centre Grant, Otterpool Park, UK Town of Culture, Working for Veterans, Folca2, ANPR Trial Ends, Beach Reprofiling, Youth Forum & Excellence in Volunteering Awards.