Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: October 2025
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.
October 2025 Action List
There is no Kent Full Council Meeting this month, with there being one late in Sep[tember and another in relatively early November.
I met with Saltwood Councillors on 3rd October for a site visit to discuss various highways issues, and especially the potential for an extension of the 20mph zone in School Road to cover more of the village. We looked at the practicalities and issues, and Saltwood are now considering where they feel the extents should be to be as rational as cost effective as possible (the less entrances / exits from a zone, the less signs, the less costs).
I have a meeting with Kent Highways and Hythe Town Council members on Monday 13th October to discuss the Hythe Highway Improvement Plan priorities.
Briefing meeting with Kent Fire and Rescue Service on Tuesday 14th October to discuss their finances as the start to approach the next budget period.
Meeting of the Selection and Member Services Committee is scheduled for Tuesday 28th October.
News of Interest:
The County Councils Network (CCN) has warned that creating smaller unitary councils as part of the devolution plans could have a big negative impact on social care services. - The CCN warns that councils with populations of less than half a million would face higher costs, staffing shortages, and reduced service quality—urging ministers to reconsider and follow the original guidance for larger council sizes.
For further information: CCN News
CQC tells Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust to make urgent improvements - The Care Quality Commission has downgraded the Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership after an inspection of two of its services. Community-based mental health services for adults of working age have been re-rated as requires improvement overall, as have the ratings for effective, caring, responsive, and well-led. Safe has also been downgraded from requires improvement to inadequate.
For further information: CQC
The Government has announced £50m funding for research into more effective treatment for mental health. – Poor mental health affects 1 in 4 people in England, and its impact costs the UK economy around £300bn each year, but the new funding will help gather more data and ensure that people who have experienced mental health problems will be given a stronger voice in decision-making.
For further information: Gov.UK
Renewables overtake coal as the world's biggest source of electricity for the first time - Ember's mid-year insights for 2025 say that although electricity demand is growing around the world, the growth in solar and wind was so strong it met 100% of the extra electricity demand, even helping drive a slight decline in coal and gas use.
For further information: BBC News
Kent County Council Press Releases in October:
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kcc-backs-new-nationwide-campaign-for-more-foster-carers
Folkestone & Hythe District Council Press Releases in October:
A monthly bulletin from F&HDC. October: Local Government Reorganisation, Bus Shelters, Green Grants, Folkestone – A Brighter Future, New homes, The Warren & Consultations.