Folkestone and Hythe District Councillors have up to £3,000 per Councillor they can agree as ward grants during the course of a year.

New for 2020 the forms and guidance notes to make an application to a Councillor are online at:

https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/community/community-funding/ward-budget

Some thoughts by Rob Bird, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Kent County Council

Earlier this month Minister of State, Simon Clarke, stated that the Conservative Government is pressing ahead with the publication of its Devolution White Paper in the Autumn. The Minister stated that the Government is aiming for 'many more elected mayors and more unitary councils following in the footsteps of Dorset, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.'

***Suspended until September 2020***

A regular meet-up on the first Wednesday of every morth for Liberal Democrat members, supporters and the Lib Dem curious in the Folkestone and Hythe area!

Simply come along for a social drink and a chat: no speeches, no leaflet delivery. It's a "buy your own" event (sorry!) but come along and say hello to our Councillors, campaigners, members and friends.

Minister admits that Government is planning for significant disruption in Kent at the end of the Brexit transition period

Earlier this week the Government completed the purchase of the so-called "MOJO" customs clearance site and lorry holding area next to Jct. 10a on the M20 near Ashford. The Government's plans first came to light last Friday week. They were previously kept secret from Ashford Borough Council and local residents, although the Cabinet Member has confirmed that Kent CC was aware of the Government's proposals.

Seagull proof sacks are now available to households in Sandgate (mainly the High Street / Esplanade areas and roads off) who have "purple bag" refuse collections. Stop the purple bags being pecked apart and waste pulled everywhere by putting your bags in the sack on collection days.

Full details of how qualifiying households can apply for their (one!) free sack are at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/2020/07/17/seagull-proof-sacks-for-refuse-collections-now-available-in-sandgate/

Kent Liberal Democrat councillor Antony Hook has asked Conservative-run Kent County Council to urgently clarify its approach to awarding big contracts.

At a meeting this morning of the county's Environment & Transport Committee, Mr Hook challenged Conservative Cabinet Member for the Environment Susan Carey to include green requirements when contracts are awarded to supply services to the county.

Liberal Democrats, the largest opposition party on Kent County Council, today put forward a motion against racism.

The Liberal Democrat motion said:

"This Council:

1. a) is mindful of the recent death of George Floyd in the United States and of the demonstrations that followed;
2. b) is aware of the depth of public concern expressed during recent weeks in Britain about ingrained institutional racism directed against non-white persons; and
3. c) is conscious of the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on black and minority ethnic residents.

In early June, after massive issues at the Lower Leas Coastal Park coming back out of lockdown (as in previous summers) and after ongoing and lobbying from me and others, a number of changes were made to the Lower Leas Coastal Park terms of use, including the Banning of BBQs, new bins, diversionary signage and overnight closure of one of the car parks to reduce the impact on local residents.