Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: July 2026

28 Jul 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!

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 2026 Action List

Attended Growth, Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=831&MId=9747

I spoke against the inclusion of the Hard Rock site at Oaken Wood to the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan, and seconded a proposal to exclude the extension of the Gallagher Quarry at Hermitage Lane to include Oaken Wood as a potential Quarry site in the Kent Minerals Plan. Inclusion would see the site in the proposals for sites put to the Government Inspector for the plan, and if the inspector then agrees the site, the plan then has to be adopted by KCC (or its successor body). Sadly, the proposal to remove it was defeated by the votes of every Reform and Restore Councillor present, and it has been sent onto the full Council on 17th July.

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On 13th July there was a Folkestone and Hythe Joint Transportation Board that had to be abandoned as only one County Councillor turned up (me) and you need two. It was to be rearranged for 3rd August, but now that date has also been cancelled, as no County members apart from me were going to attend. You can't speak up for your local residents if you are not there.

I then attended Full County Council on 16th July https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=113&MId=9804 and spoke again to save Oaken Wood, and although the vote there (to vote down the Minerals Plan containing Oaken Wood as a quarry) was much closer, sadly it was still defeated (with the majority of Reform Councillors voting for the plan).

Also on Thursday 17th July we heard from the Government on their dictat on Kent's Local Government Reorganisation, picking option “4B” which creates 4 Unitary Authorities in Kent, with Folkestone and Hythe ending up in Mid Kent alongside Ashford and Swale. I think its possibly one of the worst ideas I've ever seen - if there is a clear synergy between the areas of Sheppey and Dungeness, beyond both being lumped into Mid Kent, I'm a Swale Banana (my current favourite name for the new authority).

On Friday 17th July I got to attend the official opening of the new K&MFRA Ashford Live Fire Training Facility (which allows Kent Firefighters to train to tackle fires across a whole range of scenario's. After 15 years in the making - hugely impressive, especially the training exercise I was honoured to watch.

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 April 2026, showing at 100%).

News of Interest:

Drought declared in half of England – Half of England has been declared in drought following record low rainfall and repeated heatwaves, leading to water restrictions, falling river and reservoir levels, and increasing pressure on farming, wildlife and public water supplies.

For more information: GOV.UK / How the latest heatwave is impacting the South East, BBC News

Hopes new £40m scheme can reduce traffic at port - A £40m Port of Dover and Department for Transport investment will expand lorry queuing capacity and reconfigure border facilities to improve traffic flow. The project aims to reduce reliance on Operation Brock and Dover Tap, easing congestion, delays and noise for Kent residents, though officials say traffic management measures may still be needed during exceptional disruptions.

For more information: BBC Kent

Ex-Southern Water boss among four charged over alleged plan to manipulate water tests – Former Southern Water CEO Matthew Wright and three ex-colleagues have been charged over an alleged scheme to manipulate water quality tests and avoid regulatory penalties. Wright denies wrongdoing, and Southern Water says the allegations relate to historic issues uncovered in 2017.

For more information: BBC News

Burnham announces £2 bus fare cap across England from January– Andy Burnham has announced a £2 cap on most bus fares in England from January 2027, funded through reallocating existing government spending. The policy aims to cut travel costs, but critics have questioned how it will be funded and whether it goes far enough.

For more information: BBC News / The Guardian

Government to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues – The Government will cut business rates by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues from 2027, saving the average pub around £1,100 a year, with the measures funded through business rates reforms and action against tax non-compliance.

For more information: BBC News / GOV.UK

Prisoner early release scheme paused – The new Prime Minister has announced that the planned early prison release scheme will be paused following concerns from victims and families, with the government now reviewing the policy and its impact on public safety and prison overcrowding.

For more information: BBC News / The Independent / The Guardian

Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet – For more information: GOV.UK

Measles cases rise in Kent and Medway – Nine new measles cases have been reported in Kent and Medway this month, with health officials urging residents to ensure they are fully vaccinated as MMR uptake remains below the recommended target.

For more information: BBC News

Four new councils confirmed for Kent and Medway – The decision regarding Local Government Reorganisation will see Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council and the county's 12 district, borough and city councils abolished and replaced by four single-tier authorities responsible for delivering all local government services.

For more information: BBC Kent

List of areas and decisions taken: GOV.UK

Budget Consultation 2027-28 – KCC has published its budget consultation for 2027 – 28 which asks Kent residents for their views on Council Tax options, how money could be saved, how income could be generated and for priorities regarding spending across services.

For more information: Lets Talk Kent

Vapes to have less enticing names and flavours to protect children - The Government has launched a consultation on plans to make vaping less appealing to children. Proposed measures include restrictions on colourful packaging, flavour names and in-store displays. The changes aim to curb rising youth vaping rates while maintaining access for adults using vapes to quit smoking.

For more information: BBC News / Government Consultation

Kent County Council Press Releases in July:

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/a299-thanet-way-resurfacing-scheme-now-complete

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kent-joins-national-call-for-residents-to-delay-disposing-of-fridges-and-freezers-where-possible

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/broadstairs-special-school-celebrates-its-past-while-showcasing-specialist-support

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/reach-the-beach-for-1-kcc-supports-discounted-bus-travel-to-folkestone-harbour-this-summer

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/explore-the-isle-of-sheppey-this-summer-with-the-360-sunday-bus-service

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-fund-launched-to-help-unlock-housing-development-in-the-stodmarsh-catchment

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/digital-support-success-allowing-people-to-thrive-in-life

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kent-residents-urged-to-feed-your-foodie-this-summer

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/global-netflix-hit-returns-to-kent-for-heartstopper-finale

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kcc-launches-the-kent-coast-big-walk-and-wheel,-a-free-six-week-active-travel-challenge-for-all-of-kent