Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: September 2025

30 Sep 2025

Back into the swing of meetings with a bang, although casework and action continued through August regardless!

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.

September 2025 Action List

On 3rd September the fourteen Kent Leaders, or their nominated representatives, met virtually to agree which two LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) models should be worked up to full business cases by November. Following extensive analysis of the seven potential models that had been short-listed from the long-list of ten, two models were agreed by consensus to progress:

The 3 unitary authority model – which puts F&H district in the East cluster with Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Ashford (known as the 3a model); and
A 4 unitary authority model – which puts F&H district with Ashford and Swale (known as the 4b model).

Other models of different configurations were proposed and discussed but did not have support from the majority to progress through the collaborative workstream co-ordinated by KPMG. However, separate discussions may be ongoing elsewhere in the county and separately funded models may be progressed, paid for by the / those authorities lending their support to those models.

Folkestone and Hythe is not supporting or paying for any additional modelling work.

I attended the Selection and Member Services Committee on 4th September, discussing a light agenda of appointment of Independent Persons (Standards) and representatives to outside bodies.

My main proposal (that representatives to outside bodies need not be proportional, but should see, where possible, local representatives appointed to organisations in the area they represent) was passed unanimously. https://kent.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1008841/start_time/1566000?force_language_code=en_GB

On 8th September attended a 3 hour CIPFA and audit training session with Kent Fire and Rescue Service (on which I sit as a County member). I also attended in the evening of the 8th September Folkestone and Hythe Joint Transportation Board meeting. That meeting has a regular report on forthcoming and proposed Highways works in the area: they are often worth a read.

On 9th September I attended the KCC Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee. It was a busy and productive meeting with a lot of ground covered, and all business proposed for approval on the agenda was passed, with key discussions including:

accepting tranche 5 and tranche 6 Government grants for new named walking and cycling schemes in the county;
going to tender for a new paper and carboard waste recycling contract;
the current highways performance dashboard (where it was noted that reports from the public repaired within 28 days had fallen under 80%. It was suggested that this was due to heavy rain in May / June: members made the counter suggestion that if our drains in key flooding areas were proactively cleaned more regularly, or at least on report, there may be less reason to complain).
agreeing to the principle of, and funding of, a new waste transfer station for the district near junction 11 of the M20 to replace the existing Ross Way which can no longer accommodate all waste streams;
supporting a new local nature recovery strategy;
extending the existing contracting framework for local bus and home to school transport;
a Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership Overview (where I learned the number of offences caught each year by each camera should soon be reported on their camera map at https://www.kmscp.co.uk/our-cameras/camera-map/ and also asked that the map made it clearer in which PERIOD those offences were recorded).

The meeting also agreed KCC endorsement to the "Transport Strategy for the South East" which has five Missions that the Strategy prioritises for achievement by 2050, namely:

Strategic Connectivity – to boost connectivity in the South East by enhancing strategic regional corridors to ensure all communities and businesses have access to high-quality, convenient and resilient transport links and key services, for people and goods.
Resilience – focuses on safeguarding and enhancing the resilience of the South East’s transport network to ensure reliable and smooth journeys for all users.
Inclusion and Integration – to create an inclusive, affordable, and integrated transport network across the South East, providing safe, secure, and seamless door-to-door connectivity for everyone.
Decarbonisation – supporting the South East’s transition to net zero by 2050 by enabling the shift to cleaner transport, promoting sustainable travel choices, and adopting new technologies that reduce emissions and improve quality of life — in a way that is affordable, fair, and accessible to all.
Sustainable Growth – to champion transport interventions that unlock investment, enable sustainable growth, and create healthy, vibrant, well-connected communities in the South East.

Attended KCC Full Council meeting on 18th September. I spoke on Local Government Reorganisation during the day, but was not called to speak on the administration's decision to rescind the Climate Emergency Declaration for Kent (with 81 Councillors, and the maximum length of the debate being 45 minutes, sometimes there just isn't time). If I had been called, I would have spoken strongly against.

On Friday 26th September attended an online briefing from the KCC Head of Finance at KCC on KCC debt management.

On 30th September attended the FHDC Bus Partnership District Focus Group meeting. I also helped launch the new Hythe Community Lottery (also open to organisations from Saltwood and Sandgate!) based on an idea I had brought to Hythe Town Council around a year ago. Lovely to see it delivered, up and running and raising funds for local groups!

News of Interest:

Council leaders in Kent are calling for Eurostar services to be brought back to Kent – Today (26^th September) leaders of Kent County Council, Medway Council and Ashford and Dartford borough councils gathered at Ashford to sign a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to fight for Eurostar services to be restored at Ashford and Ebbsfleet international stations.

For further information: BBC News / KCC News & Features

The ‘Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated’ campaign – The UK Health Security Agency is encouraging people to get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations ahead of the winter months. The latest national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report shows cases have been steadily increasing for several weeks, with COVID-19 positivity increasing from 7.6% to 8.4% in a week. COVID-19 hospitalisations have also increased from 2 per 100,000 to 2.73 per 100,000.

For further information: Gov.UK

New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK - The UK is introducing a free, secure Digital ID to streamline access to public services and enforce Right to Work checks, aiming to reduce fraud and illegal employment. It will be stored on users’ phones and will become mandatory by the end of the current Parliament. In designing the digital ID scheme, the government will ensure that it works for those who aren’t able to use a smartphone, and the public consultation will engage with groups who aren’t as experienced with the digital world.

For further information: Gov.UK

MPs support Devolution Bill to boost local powers - The debate saw 365 MPs back the Bill, with 164 members opposing the changes. Angela Raynor described the bill as a ‘new era’ for Britain, however Sir James Cleverly accused Ms Rayner of attempting a ‘power grab’ as he argued the Bill will strip power from local authorities.

For further information: Local Gov / The Standard

Over half a million children to benefit from funded childcare - The government has delivered its pledge to fund childcare for 30 hours a week – saving parents £7,500 a year per child.

For further information: Gov.uk

CQC takes action to protect people at Dover domiciliary care service - The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Qualified Care Ltd, a domiciliary care service in Dover, inadequate and placed it into special measures to protect people, following an inspection in July.

For further information: Care Quality Commission Report

Dartford Crossing price increase comes into effect - The standard charge for car drivers using the Dartford Crossing has risen from £2.50 to £3.50, while buses, coaches, vans and other goods vehicles with two axles, will need to pay £4.20. Journeys made between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00 will continue to be free.

For further information: BBC News - Dartford Crossing

Kent County Council Press Releases in September:

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kcc-asks-government-for-urgent-update-on-progress-of-two-special-schools-planned-for-kent

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/have-your-say-on-plan-for-hope

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/putting-kent-back-on-the-international-rail-map

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kcc-saves-2.5-million-in-home-to-school-transport-costs-through-smarter-planning

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/looking-to-quit-smoking-stoptobers-a-great-time-to-try

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/a-brave-and-significant-move-sees-50m-wiped-off-kccs-long-term-debt

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/meopham-windmill-restored-to-full-working-glory

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/building-on-the-legacy,-knowledge-and-expertise-of-locate-in-kent

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/here-comes-the-baton-of-hope-full-route-and-events-plan-announced!

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/headcorn-primary-school-update-following-the-roof-failure-at-headcorn-library