Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: July 2025
The start of July saw me attending the LGA Conference in Liverpool, taking learning and sharing with others how they are dealing the some of the key challenges facing local government and local residents, like the housing crisis, the lack of funding for local authorities, Local Government Reorganisation, Adult and Child Social Care, SEND Provision and more. Always keep learning, but as usefully, talking. Many other authorities are facing the challenges facing Kent County Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council. Sometimes they have new and interesting ways of dealing with those challenges we should consider using here, sometimes not…
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.
July 2025 Action List
I attended the first (uncancelled) meetings of the Committee cycle starting on 7th July with:
- Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority AGM [Monday 7th July]
- Folkestone & Hythe Joint Transportation Board [Monday 7th July]
- Planning Applications Committee [Wednesday 7th July] speaking (sadly, unsuccessfully) as a Councillor against the Section 73 application to vary conditions 2, 5, 7, 10 & 19 of planning permission FH/20/1590 at McAleer’s Yard, Caesars Way, Folkestone CT19 4AL - FH/25/222 (KCC/FH/0003/2025). The removal of the conditions would allow, amongst other things, up to 40 aggregate lorry movements per night to the yard past houses in Tile Kiln Lane and Cherry Garden Lane, which I argued was unacceptable.
- Full Kent County Council [Thursday 10th July]
The 2025 Kent County Show opened with a royal visit (but sadly this year, without mine!). The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is the patron of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations visited the show at the showground at Detling. The show ran over the weekend, featuring livestock, machinery, demonstrations, trade stalls, local food producers and show jumping events.
Advised a Saltwood resident on how to pursue getting a school place for children on an “in year” admission. Happily both have now been offered places.
Had agreement from Kent Highways (Friday 11th July) that the installation of 30 mph repeater signs in Pond Hill Road (Cheriton), North Road & West Road (Sandgate). I've been calling for these signs for some months, as the volunteer led Speedwatch group has identified these as the two locations in Sandgate with by far the highest number of people breaking the speed limit (its 30mph in all parts of all those roads) and in some instances by a long way.
A scheme will now be drawn as to where they can go (trying to use existing posts wherever possible to keep costs down) and coste. We'll then try and find the funding.
Also had confirmation on Friday 11th July that Kent Highways, while still judging average traffic speeds on The Esplanade as too high to be considered for a 20mph zone accept the case for a new crossing point, albeit not a signalised one. We are therefore looking for a point between Battery Point and the existing Zebra crossing to put in a buildout to make it simpler to cross the road (without “emerging” through parked cars) but aiming to keep the loss of parking spaces to a minimum. Again, not everything, but a step forward.
Having been lobbied by a local resident (who I agree with!) written to Southeastern (on 9th July) asking them to restore the 2 train per hour high-speed service between Dover and London, and asking for a timetable towards that restoration. As my correspondent rightly said:
“What used to be two trains per hour (2tph) has been quietly reduced to one train per hour (1tph), with no explanation, no public consultation, and no timeline for restoration. Meanwhile, commuters are being charged a staggering £8,000+ per year for season tickets — the same as before, but for half the service.”
Raised concerns of a local resident, that people are accelerating too fast up Brooke Road having turned in from North Road, with Kent Highways. The road runs between houses and a mini-pocket park for children and local residents.
Offered a grant towards the repair of the hearing loop system at All Souls Church in Cheriton. The system is over 30 years old and hasn't worked efficiently for a while. The grant would meet half the costs of its repair.
Added my name to a letter to Government asking for more reasonable terms to grant a blue badge to those with with s serious mobility problem lasting under 3 years, having voted for the same at Full Council.
Kent County Council Press Releases in July:
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-to-you-bargains-at-new-romney-reuse-shop
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/food-voucher-support-scheme-opens-for-the-summer
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/have-your-say-on-kents-pharmaceutical-services
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/call-to-boost-mmr-vaccine-rates-to-cut-risk-of-measles
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/have-your-say-on-plan-for-hope
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/here-comes-the-baton-of-hope-full-route-and-events-plan-announced!
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/art-collection-goes-under-the-hammer
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/statement-on-transgender-books-in-kent-libraries
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/leaders-open-letter-to-the-rt.-honorable-yvette-cooper-mp
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/take-control-this-alcohol-awareness-week
Folkestone & Hythe District Council Press Releases in July:
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/352/a-brighter-future-is-taking-shape
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/351/asian-hornet-awareness-in-folkestone-and-hythe
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/350/new-owner-at-the-romney-marsh-visitor-centre
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/349/new-plans-for-folkestone-s-folca-building
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/347/further-funding-for-rural-areas
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/346/hoist-the-green-flags-for-folkestone-and-hythe
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/345/southern-water-concerns-raised-with-minister