Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the council held on 30 March 2022 and to authorise the Chairman of the Council to sign them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2022 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman gave an update on the events he had attended recently, which included:

1.       Normandy Vets - Sandgate Road Garden Remembrance,

2.       Lydd Club Day,

3.       Annual Civic Service - New Romney,

4.       Armed Services Flag Raising - Civic Centre,

5.       Armed Service - Folkestone Town Centre Luncheon,

6.       Civic Service - Sevenoaks Town,

7.       Canada Day Service - Shorncliffe Cemetery,

8.       LCH Concert,

9.       District of Sevenoaks Civic Service,

10.      This week he would be attending the New Romney Country Fair.

There were no petitions to be presented.

The following questions have been received:

1.   From Ms E Nicholson to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council

Bob Mouland is most closely associated with the Sidney Cooper Memorial Fountain, to preserve, maintain, and bring it to a much wider audience, and significance generally. We, his many supporters, therefore propose that the steps that are at the gardens entrance be called Mouland Steps to permanently mark his dedicated public spirited effects there. Therefore we ask, do you support this proposal, and if not, why not please?

2.   From Mr Gill to Councillor Field, Cabinet Member for Transport and Digital Transformation

When can it be expected that the on-going problems of parking, traffic congestion and danger to pedestrians along The Stade, Folkestone will be seriously addressed?

The questions asked, including supplementary questions (if any), and the answers given are set out in Schedule 1, appended to these minutes.

(Questions can be found on www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk from noon 2 days before the meeting, on Modern.gov, under the agenda for this meeting).

Up to 45 minutes is allowed for questions from councillors.

The questions asked, including supplementary questions (if any), and the answers given are set out in Schedule 2, appended to these minutes

The Leader gave the following announcements:

“Thank you Chairman and good evening to you all.

Tonight I want to continue to talk about the chaos on our roads last weekend which actually started Friday morning. There were two major causes of the disruption firstly a severe incident on the M20 which had to be closed and so the traffic was diverted off onto our local roads.

I went into Folkestone from Densole on that morning and at that time there were two lanes of mainly lorries at a virtual standstill on the A260 Canterbury Road Hill, I thought that I would be clever and come back via junction 12, go up Beachborough Hill and through Lyminge, but the junction was gridlocked with traffic moving at a snail’s pace trying to access the North bound M20.  After about an hour and covering 600yards I was able to escape through Peene to East Hawkinge and then onto home. I have just described this to give you some idea of the magnitude of the situation. I was stuck in it for about an hour, pity the people trying to access the tunnel and ferries who took up to 21 hours before they got away partly caused because at the start of the day only 4 of the French customs check points were manned.

Our officers were put on alert Friday morning and worked throughout the weekend to assist the Kent Resilience Forum and Kent Police.

This situation clearly cannot be tolerated, every time there is a holiday rush, there are severe weather conditions, customs delays or strike action. A comprehensive plan to alleviate the traffic congestion must be compiled.

The Leader of Dover District Council, Councillor Trevor Bartlett and myself have co-signed a letter to the Government demanding that they invest in East Kent’s road network including finishing the dualling of the A2 and sorting out Brenley Corner, developing a nationwide network of lorry parks, and create “Smart” travel corridors and efficient borders using new technology. In the meantime to provide greater resources to the Kent Resilience Forum and Kent Police so as to manage more effectively the disruption of our roads and enable proper welfare facilities to be provided.

Having said all of this, whilst travelling around Folkestone was a complete nightmare, I am able to report that not a single resident contacted our out of hours emergency lifeline 365 control centre nor any of our Community Hubs requesting immediate emergency support. I would remind members and our residents that these support routes are available should there be a need for immediate help that can’t be provided by the blue light services.

Lifeline can be contacted 24/7 (on 01303 242615) and during normal working hours:

Folkestone Community Hub (01303 316186).

Hythe Community Hub (01303 269602).

New Romney Community Hub (01797 208590).

It is my belief that the Kent Resilience Forum, Kent Police and our officers worked flat out to try and contain an impossible situation and I would like to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Labour Group has raised the following matter:

Council Notes

On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent.

In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill will increase by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022).

Ofgem has also stated that the price cap will further increase in October from £1,971 to £2,800.

That research by consumer group Which? has found that 57% of households have taken some form of action, including cutting back on essentials, taking out loans, and relying on savings or overdrafts to make ends meet due to the cost-of-living crisis.

The Government has suspended the pensions ‘triple lock’ for 2022/3, meaning Folkestone and Hythe’s 26,791 pensioners will see a rise of 3.1 per cent this year (instead of 8.3 per cent under the triple lock formula). This year, this will cost pensioners in Folkestone and Hythe hundreds of pounds.

In 2021/22 Folkestone and Hythe Foodbanks distributed 2983 food parcels to adults and children in need from its 3 centres. This is up from 481 parcels from 2016.

Countless other organisations access food from other sources such as supermarket schemes to distribute to residents on a daily basis.

Local residents even make use of apps that allow them to get free food from shops in the district to save money when possible.

That the decision taken in June 2022 to impose a ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super-profits of oil and gas companies and to redistribute this as a one-off payment of £400 to households later this year.

The welcoming of a further £650 cost of living payment to those residents receiving means tested support.

Council Believes

That the support currently on offer is not nearly enough for those residents in the district who will suffer the most with this current cost of living emergency.

That only by working in partnership with the many agencies within the district that currently offer all forms of support, can we reasonably address this emergency.

A collaborative plan to address the cost-of-living emergency should be in place by October.

Council Resolves

To declare a cost-of-living emergency for Folkestone and Hythe.

To build on the good work the council already carries out with regards to its collaboration with the voluntary sector and convene a cost-of-living summit within the district by October, looking at every possible way in which residents can be assisted through what will be a very tough winter.

This summit should involve all the voluntary organisations within the district who currently provide assistance to residents. As well as key organisations such as Kent Police, Citizens Advice, local GP’s, and the district school network.

The summit should provide a blueprint for residents to manage through the cost-of-living emergency with regards to, education, funding, and awareness.

To both lobby our local MP and call on the leader of the council to write to the secretary of state for work and pensions  ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor McConville, set out the Opposition Business which related asked that a cost of living emergency be declared for Folkestone and Hythe.

Proposed by Councillor McConville,

Seconded by Councillor Keutenius; and

RESOLVED:

That Option (c) (agree to examine the matter as part of a future scrutiny programme) be agreed for the business below:

·       To declare a cost-of-living emergency for Folkestone and Hythe.

·       To build on the good work the council already carries out with regards to its collaboration with the voluntary sector and convene a cost-of-living summit within the district by October, looking at every possible way in which residents can be assisted through what will be a very tough winter.

This summit should involve all the voluntary organisations within the district who currently provide assistance to residents. As well as key organisations such as Kent Police, Citizens Advice, local GP’s, and the district school network.

The summit should provide a blueprint for residents to manage through the cost-of-living emergency with regards to, education, funding, and awareness.

·       To both lobby our local MP and call on the leader of the council to write to the secretary of state for work and pensions for the following:

·       Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.

·       To increase the rate of universal credit and other support payments to a sum which is appropriate to the current level of inflation.

(Voting figures: 27 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).  

The following motions have been placed on the agenda in the order received; up to 60 minutes shall be allowed for debates on motions on notice:

1.    From Councillor Gane (Liberal Democrat Group)

The White Lion Public House building on Cheriton High Street has long been an iconic part of Cheriton's street scene. However, over the last 15 years it has been unused and fallen into disrepair and is now seemingly at risk of collapse.

Most residents would like to see any development keep the previously impressive frontage of the building. 

Council therefore calls on Folkestone and Hythe District Council to use compulsory purchase powers, or any other powers available and appropriate, to buy the building and redevelop the site. This Council believes that any such redevelopment should retain the historic frontage, be of an appropriate scale, utilise the ground floor for a community or retail use and the upper parts for social housing to help the community at large.

2.    From Councillor Whybrow (Green Group)

Residents are deeply concerned about water quality and the impact of regular wastewater discharge, which includes untreated sewage, into our local rivers and seas and the impact on wildlife and on human health.

Releasing sewage into our seas and rivers is no longer an emergency-only situation occurring as a result of severe storms, but an everyday occurrence even in ‘normal’ rainfall, and that we are in a situation of cumulative overload on the sewage and wastewater system.

According to the Rivers Trust in 2021 there were 20 spills in our district over a period of 164 hours.

Whilst there are long term commitments, there are no plans in place which will address the immediate unacceptable situation either locally by Southern Water or by national government.

Both the local and national planning policy requires a robust approach to both water quality and pollution and a recent legal opinion from the Environmental Law Firm confirms the need to consider cumulative impact. Yet planning consultation documents show that it has not been the practice of council planners to ask Water Companies to report on cumulative impact i.e. whether or not development may lead to any potential increase in ‘emergency’ discharge into rivers and seas.

This Council resolves to:

1.       Recognise this Council’s obligation to protect its rivers and seas, including from the cumulative impacts of pollution,

2.       Make sufficient resources available to work proactively with the statutory authorities to ensure that an evidence base is compiled that assesses the cumulative impact of sewage discharge so that this is factored into decisions made in new iterations of the local plan, including the overall level of future development.

3.       Seek to better understand the cumulative impact of wastewater discharge including untreated sewage on our local rivers, wildlife and the health of our residents.

4.       To take a lead on addressing this issue, working constructively with other agencies.

5.       Ask Southern Water, from this date onwards, in its planning consultation responses for major development, to clarify which treatment  ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

1.       Councillor Gane, Liberal Democrat Group, set out his motion which requested related to the disrepair of the White Lion Public house building.

          Proposed by Councillor Gane,

          Seconded by Councillor Keen;

          That FHDC use compulsory purchase powers, or any other powers available and appropriate, to buy the building and redevelop the site.

In accordance with the council procedure rule 17.5, five members present demanded a recorded vote.

FOR: Councillors Davison, Fuller, Gane, Keen, Keutenius, J Martin, McConville, Meade, Prater, Shoob, Wade and Wing (12).

AGAINST: Councillors Miss Carey, Collier, Field, Goddard, Godfrey, Hills, Mrs Hollingsbee, P Martin, Meyers, Monk, Mullard, Rolfe, Peall and Wimble (14).

ABSTENTIONS: Councillor Mrs Berry (1).

(Voting figures: 12 for, 14 against, 1 abstentions).

The motion was therefore LOST.

          Following the vote on this item, Councillor Miss Carey left the meeting.

2.       As Councillor Whybrow had given apologies for the meeting, the Motion she had proposed fell, and would be resubmitted to the next meeting of the Council.

This report seeks Council approval regarding the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2022/23 in accordance with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities latest guidance.

The report sought Council approval regarding the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2022/23 in accordance with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities latest guidance.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report C/22/14 be received and noted.

2.         That the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2022/23 be approved.

(Voting figures: 17 for, 9 against, 0 abstentions).

This report seeks agreement for the Council to allocate funding for the 10% financial contribution required by the government for the council’s Levelling Up Fund application.

The report sought agreement for the Council to allocate funding for the 10% financial contribution required by the government for the council’s Levelling Up Fund application.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor McConville; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That report A/22/15 be received and noted.

2.         That funds be allocated as outlined in paragraph 2.5 of the report to provide the 10% match funding financial contribution for the Folkestone – A Brighter Future project which is the subject of a round 2 Levelling Up Fund application to government.

3.         That the Medium Term Capital Programme be updated following a successful submission for Levelling Up Fund to include the total award for the scheme.

(Voting figures: 25 for, 0 against, 1 abstention).

This report sets out a summary of the need to review the political balance and membership of committees following the resignation of Councillor Brook to leave the Conservative Group and join the Folkestone and Hythe Independent Group, and Councillor Gane to leave the Conservative Group and join the Liberal Democrat Group.

The report set out a summary of the need to review the political balance and membership of committees following the resignation of Councillor Brook to leave the Conservative Group and join the Folkestone and Hythe Independent Group, and Councillor Gane to leave the Conservative Group and join the Liberal Democrat Group.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Wimble; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That report A/22/13 be received and noted.

2.    That the results of the review into the political proportionality of the Council and allocation of committee seats on a politically proportionate basis be noted.

3.    That Councillor Field be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

(Voting figures: 26 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

The constitution provides that, when an urgent decision is made by the Cabinet or Cabinet Member, for which any delay in implementation, likely to be caused by the call-in process, would seriously prejudice the Council’s or public interest, then the ‘Call-in Rules of Procedure’, Part 6.3, rules 1-6 do not apply.  Decisions, taken as a matter of urgency, must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency. 

The constitution provides that, when an urgent decision is made by the Cabinet or Cabinet Member, for which any delay in implementation, likely to be caused by the call-in process, would seriously prejudice the Council’s or public interest, then the ‘Call-in Rules of Procedure’, Part 6.3, rules 1-6 do not apply.  Decisions, taken as a matter of urgency, must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency. 

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

That report A/22/12 be received and noted.

(The recommendations were agreed by affirmation of the meeting).