To receive a report from the Leader of the Council on the business of the cabinet and on matters that the leader considers should be drawn to the council’s attention. The leader shall have 10 minutes to make his announcements.
Both opposition groups will have an opportunity to reply to the leader’s remarks. The opposition group leaders shall each have 5 minutes to respond after which the Leader of the Council will have a right of reply. Any right of reply will be for a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council made the following announcements:
“Good evening and welcome.
I have been extremely busy meeting all of the senior officers and Directors. I have also held meetings with Roger Gough the leader of KCC and Roger De Haan regarding the Seafront development in Folkestone. I have met with Damian Collins MP, I have had several meetings with Otterpool Park LLP.
I have also had meetings with residents, partners, schools and other stakeholders.
The subject of theses meetings can be generally grouped as follows: Finance, Governance, Prince’s Parade, Otterpool, Folca, the levelling up fund, Folkestone Seafront, Romney Marsh and Folkestone Town Centre.
I have been delighted to meet many of the 422 people employed by FHDC and be asked to present the Recognition Awards for Customer Service.
I have attended the Kent Leaders Forum, the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership meeting and a meeting of the East Kent Leaders Forum.
I joined Luke Douglas-Home, known as ‘The Coastal Runner,’ from Folkestone to Hythe on World Ocean Day – as Luke continues his run around the UK’s coastline, collecting litter.
I was delighted to open the Marsh Inspires Careers Fair at the Marsh Academy.
I will be meeting Stagecoach on Friday to discuss the impact of their cuts to bus services in the District.
My diary is currently full with more meetings, visits and discussions with residents, partners and stakeholders in FHDC”.
The Leader of the Labour Group responded to the announcements with the following:
“Congratulations on your appointment, and I look forward to working with you where possible and challenging you where needed. There is not much to say at this point. I’m sure it will get more meaty as the year goes on. In your meeting with stagecoach, just to stress how important those small and seemingly insignificant those routes are some of our vulnerable residents. It would be useful to know exactly what Stagecoach would need to keep these services running in some form. I look forward to some feedback on that in due course”.
The Leader of the Conservative Group also responded to the announcements and made points including the following:
“Congratulations on being elected as Leader and thank you for your report. I was pleased to hear you are having meetings with partners and stakeholders. This is very important, and is how we achieve good results. I am particularly pleased to hear about the Marsh Inspire event. I have a great affection for the Marsh, as I spent 20 years teaching at the Marsh Academy. I look forward to hearing further reports and decisions at your next Leaders announcements”.
The Leader of the Council then responded to the points raised by both Opposition groups, and stated:
“Indeed the last time I attended the Marsh Inspire event I was invited by you. It has grown and was a terrific event today. I also take on board all of Councillor McConville’s points. He shared some good ideas with me earlier, and I will certainly be communicating them in a calm way. We will see what the response is from them”.
Proposed by Councillor J Martin,
Seconded by Councillor Prater; and
RESOLVED:
That the announcements of the Leader be noted.
(The recommendation was agreed by affirmation of the meeting).