Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: July 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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Go to Public IAttending Full County Council on 17th July https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=113&MId=9804
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:
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/how-is-alcohol-affecting-you
Folkestone & Hythe District Council Press Releases in July:
A monthly bulletin from F&HDC. https://www.fhld.uk/news/article/folkestone-hythe-district-council-monthly-update-june-2026
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/437/a-blossoming-display-of-hope