The Shepway Foodbank is an increasingly important service locally, with demand for its services increasing across the area. Demand for foodbanks is increasing nationally, and that's also evident locally.

As an example, from 1 January to 15 March, the Shepway Foodbank redeemed 287 foodbank vouchers, which has fed 600 individuals (a dramatic increase from the same period in 2018 - 91 vouchers redeemed, 357 individuals fed).

You spoke, we listened, and have got ACTION.

We had a HUGE response to one of our recent leaflets asking about YOUR parking concerns locally. THANK YOU.

We've taken your top local parking problems to Folkestone and Hythe Parking Services, and are reporting back.

In general, most feedback was that the extended CPZ had improved parking for local residents, but that there were still issues. That's what we're trying to address - ways to make the scheme better for all.

The Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrat Party and Shepway Green Party have agreed a cooperation deal for the May 2019 elections for Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).

This form of progressive alliance has been successfully adopted elsewhere in the country at previous elections by the two national parties and improves the chances of challenging the long-standing overwhelming Conservative majority on FHDC.

The Liberal Democrats have today revealed that the Conservative Government has not conducted any analysis of the impact of Brexit on sheep farming in the UK.

The Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael MP, branded Conservative Ministers "woefully irresponsible" for "failing to safeguard the sector from the impact of Brexit."

A progress chasing meeting in the month following an Executive Committee meeting, mainly for Local Party Officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurter, Secretary, Membership Development Officer, Data Officer) but any member is welcome to attend if they wish!

Papers for the meeting are available to members on request to mail@shepwaylibdems.org.uk

Action Fraud has received several reports where fraudsters are claiming to be landlords of properties offered for rent online.

How it works

• Prior to viewing a property, the criminal requests that the individual pays a deposit.
• After the victim pays the money, the scammer sends a bogus email purporting to be from a Tenancy Deposit Scheme confirming they have received their deposit.
• This email is false! The money was sent directly to the criminals' account.
• The victim is left out of pocket and without the home they thought they were renting.

The Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) now extends across much of Sandgate in a triangle from Sandgate High Street to Radnor Cliff and up to Enbrook Road.

But now the Sandgate CPZ is in place for most local residents, your Lib Dem team want to know if parking is now better or worse in YOUR road.

• Is it working for you?
• Are YOU finding it easier to park?
• Is more parking being pushed into roads outside the zone?
• Are the hours of operation right? Should they be changed?
• How easy is getting visitor permits? Should there be a "grace" period for trades?

A new parking area for up to 10 cars will be created this Spring at Sandgate Park on Military Road.

Sandgate Parish Council are building the car park as a part of their programme of improvements to the Park since taking on its running a few years ago.

The new parking will be free for up to two hours for park users. It will be accessed off Military Road and use some of the existing dog run, which will be repositioned and re-fenced. The dog run will end up a little squarer but much the same size.