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 September 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).
Meeting with Kent Highways and Hythe Town Council members on Monday 13th October to discuss the Hythe Highway Improvement Plan priorities.
- We asked Kent Highways to consider a 20mph limit in Horn Street from the area of Seabrook Vale to St Martin’s Primary School. KCC will conduct a review of the area and average speeds. If a permanent 20mph limit is not feasible, KCC to investigate the possibility of an advisory 20mph scheme around the school.
- The A259 Seabrook Road was also raised around the junction with Battery Point / by the BP Petrol Station, including a regular resident request for double yellow lines to be installed from the junction with Battery Point, to the end of the centre hatchings to the west. KCC to conduct a double yellow line assessment including a site visit. They will also assess the possibility of installing a dropped kerb crossing point or pedestrian island somewhere in this area to facilitate safer crossing to the seafront and the shop at the garage for residents.
- I raised the lack of available dropped kerbs for residents with mobility issues in the Spring Lane / Seabrook area to travel down to the A259 Installation of a series of dropped kerbs with tactile paving. KCC to establish feasibility and assess funding opportunities.
- Kent Highways committed to looking at signage, speed and safety issues in the Blackhouse Hill area. Additionally, they are considering the installation of a 20mph limit across Hythe in appropriate locations, and KCC will conduct an investigation to establish a 20mph limit proposal to bid for funding at the Local Transportation Plan bids in January 2027. KCC to conduct traffic surveys at numerous locations across Hythe to establish where this would be feasible, including through the centre of Saltwood further to discussions held there.
Attended a helpful 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. What was clear is that with ongoing costs rising, without a similar increase in income (via their slice of Council Tax) in the new financial year there will be significant pressure on services.
There was a meeting of the Selection and Member Services Committee scheduled for Tuesday 28th October, but it was cancelled apparently due to “lack of business”.
Continued to push KCC for a commitment to do the works required to open the Road of Remembrance in Folkestone, including emphasising the importance of the road for both connectivity and heritage reasons to Paul King, the Kent Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration. Paul met with District leader Jim Martin on Thursday 23rd, commenting “We are currently seeking legal opinion and discussing options. Feedback from the meeting yesterday was a willingness of Folkestone and KCC to work together on the solution.” I had understood the previous administration had committed to making the money available to reopen the road: I continue to question WHY that has been reneged on by the new administration.
News of Interest:
Government approves solar farm development near Ashford - The UK government has approved the Stonestreet Green Solar project in Kent, allowing Evolution Power to build a 474-acre solar farm that could power up to 42,000 homes. Despite support for its clean energy potential, concerns have been raised by local groups and officials regarding its impact on biodiversity and the rural landscape.
For further information: BBC News
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
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/kent-is-major-step-closer-to-international-rail-services
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/its-snow-joke-kent-county-council-is-winter-ready
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/pupils-to-find-out-their-kent-test-results-today
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-beginnings-for-gravesend-adult-education-centre
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/be-bright-be-seen-campaign-shines-a-light-on-road-safety
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.