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.
The opposition groups will have an opportunity to reply to the leader’s remarks. Both opposition group leaders shall 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 made the following announcements:
“I have been very busy since my last update. I have had many meetings with representatives of Government, Kent County Council, Parish Councils and local stakeholders groups. I have held many meetings with Otterpool Park LLP.
I joined many other runners in the regular, weekly Park Run on the fantastic Folkestone Lees, which must rate as the Park Run with the most far reaching views in the Country.
I attended the flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre on Monday the 19th June. On Saturday the 24th June, I was proud and honoured to be invited by the Mayor of Hythe to join her in the celebration of the incredible men and women of our Armed Services during Armed Forces Day. I was equally please to attend the Armed Forces Day celebration on Sunday the 25th June, with the Mayor of Folkestone.
Following their announcement of cuts to local bus services I convened a meeting with Stagecoach to discuss. I can report a positive response and discussions continue. The Stagecoach Managing Director will be considering my further views and coming back to me.
I attended the Local Government Association Conference to learn what other local Councils are doing to overcome very similar problems to those we have in Folkestone and Hythe.
I have visited Dungeness Power station twice to join the discussions regarding the government's competition to find sites for 10 Small Modular Reactors.
I attended the Tall Ships Event at Folkestone Harbour. I have attended two meetings of the Kent Leaders Forum and also the meeting of the East Kent Leaders.
Finally, I have an appeal. This I hope will be an inclusive Council, and we all know that the problems of our district are often complex and multilayered. I therefore have a plea or a call for ideas, from individual Councillors to make propositions, suggestions or proposals that can advance our objective in making the district the best place to live or visit. I want to cut across political boundaries and ask members from all parties to make your suggestions to the relevant Portfolio holders, so they can be properly discussed with officers and I'm sure the resulting improvements, however small, will benefit everyone in the district”.
Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour group responded to the communications and stated the following:
“I’m very happy to engage with you on that last point, hopefully we can all work together to do what is needed. Obviously you have been very busy, it’s good that you are earning your pennies! While your meetings are very important, there is a lot more going on in our town, and I thought I’d share a couple of fantastic things that are going on that you might have missed due to pressing engagements. The fantastic Charivari, which this council supports year on year. Probably the best community engagement for the district, in terms of its noise and it’s colour. There were more people than I’ve seen at the event in the last 6 or 7 years, easily, maybe even 10,000, the streets were full. On Sunday we had another fantastic community day on the Leas, filmed by the BBC, so hopefully everyone will look forward to seeing this on the television later this year/early next year, the great work that local community people do in putting these events together. Just last night the fantastic Turner Schools students put on an art exhibition. It’s clear we have some really good emerging talent coming up in the district.
There has also been a number of consultation events. I think it’s great that we as a council do whatever we can to try and continue to facilitate and allow residents to engage in the many proposals either by us or our partners that are impacting the district”.
Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Leader of the Conservative Group also responded and stated:
“I’d like to welcome your last point in terms of members taking part and offering suggestions, and I’m sure my small group will be willing to do that. I was delighted that the toilets in the country park have now been opened which was a project started by the previous administration. I also like to say in terms of the Tall Ships Project, this is close to my heart and a very important project for the district. I echo the Chair’s comments. Of course, you have been very busy, as have many of us, and it's great to hear that you are again meeting a number of stakeholders and partners. I think that is important for this district.”
The Leader then responded to the comments of both opposition group leaders and stated “I have nothing to add, except that I’m sure with the experience and expertise in this room, we can come together to make small incremental improvements or large significant improvements. If we all work together, the synergy we have will be extraordinary”.
Proposed by Councillor Jim Martin,
Seconded by Councillor Prater; and
RESOLVED:
That the Leaders announcements be noted.
(The recommendations were agreed by affirmation of the meeting).