County Councillor Backs New Postal Service for Sandgate

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Apr 2010

Folkestone West County Councillor Tim Prater has personally funded the licence costs of a new postal service in Sandgate High Street from the increase in County Councillor Allowances he voted against last year.

The funding pays for the £500 annual collection licence for The Village Store on Sandgate High Street for post and parcels. The new service was introduced a few weeks ago, and Tim Prater is supporting the service as a major boost to the local area. The Liberal Democrats have campaigned against Post Office closures in Folkestone and Hythe, and the new service goes some way to reinstating those services locally.

Tim Prater explained:

"Almost the first act of the new County Council elected in June 2009 was to vote itself an 8% increase in Councillors Allowances. The Lib Dem group voted against the increase as it came at a time when services are increasingly under threat and County Council staff are facing zero increases in their pay.

"But after the Tories forced through the allowance increase, I was determined to see that additional money spent to the benefit of local residents. By paying for this new licence, Sandgate High Street sees post services return which is excellent news for local residents and businesses.

"I really hope local residents will use this facility in Sandgate High Street, the Enbrook Mail service in Golden Valley, and of course the Cheriton High Street Post Office."