Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: May 2025

So following polling day, there were mixed emotions at the count on Friday 2nd May.

I was absolutely delighted to be elected to Kent County Council for Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe East. This marked my return to Kent County Council after 12 years “enforced sabbatical”, and I can only thank every person that helped my election in any way, and especially in voting for me. I'll do my best not to let you down.

However to see a majority Reform UK Council, and to be the only non Reform UK Councillor elected in Folkestone and Hythe, Ashford, Dover and Deal and Thanet is less delightful. I'm grateful to all those from all parties and none that have welcomed my election. I'll do my best to represent as many people as I can over the coming years. Finally, thank you to Rory Love for his gracious concession to me as County Councillor on Friday.

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 .

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 

May 2025 Action List

Various casework over weekend 3/5/25, including checking progress on Sandgate 20mph scheme.

Contact from Frank on Saltwood Parish Council regarding attending meetings. Although there will be a regular clash with Sandgate PC meetings, committed to written reports to meetings (such as this!) and to meet Councillors at their convenience.

Also reviewed correspondence on Saltwood traffic issues from the Parish Chair, and requested a copy of the most recent HIP so I would make representations for further speed calming measures.

Requested a meeting with Kent Highways Officers on Highways Improvement works locally, including a specific drain that needs cleaning in Dixwell Road.

Attended KCC on Tuesday 6th May for induction, signing in, DBS, etc. Listened to various chat regarding the potential new Council Leader, with it seems around 15 candidates from within Reform interested in the role. Fun times.

Attended the Folkestone Town Council AGM on Tuesday 5th (as a Folkestone Town Councillor) and witnessed the installation of the new Mayor of Folkestone Lucy McGirr, and Deputy Mayor Jacqui Meade. Briefly updated MP Tony Vaughan on progress on the Sandgate 20mph zone.

Reviewed and corrected proposed traffic parking amendments in Folkestone West, seeing the CPZ extended to additional roads around Dixwell Road and Pelham Gardens at the request / petition of local residents, but including a two hour free parking period to support patients at the surgery and visitors to residents and others locally.

Received notice of  Kent Planning Application NO: KCC/FH/0115/2024 "Regulation 3 Application for the erection of a waste transfer station, together with an enhanced site access to the A20, amenity blocks, staff and commercial vehicle parking, weighbridge and fuelling areas plus landscaping/ecology areas and SUDS” at land adjacent to Ashford Road/A20 Westenhanger, Hythe, Kent CT21 4HU https://www.kentplanningapplications.co.uk/Planning/Display/KCC/FH/0115/2024?cuuid=DAEB6588-B2AE-4B0C-A1E4-0CB490DC6A79 (sent in the first instance to Saltwood Parish Council for reaction / comment). Saltwood PC had discussed previously, and had no objection, but asked that the buildings are painted green.

Followed the election by the Reform UK Group of their new leader and almost certainly new Leader of the Council Linden Kemkaran, who lives in Headcorn and is the newly-elected member for the Maidstone South East division.

Signs in Sandgate High Street and Gough Road promoted me to check the roadworks that start each week on the one.network website. There were two, for the same period of time, including traffic light running on Sandgate High Street AGAIN while Southern Water come back and try AGAIN to reinstate the road flat and without failing AGAIN (for the FIFTH time. I've had confirmation that Gough Road will be closed at the junction with Sandgate High Street and an alterative route for traffic will be maintained via Sandgate High Street and Military Road, and that Kent Highways aregoing to be watching these works carefully.

Booked to attend various induction events on Monday 12th May in Maidstone.

Discussed potential committee places with Lib Dem Group Leader Antony Hook.