Decision details

Parish Hall - Building a Stronger Community in Central Folkestone

To make the facility fit for purpose for use by the wider community and address

some of the access and safety concerns that were previously raised by the

Council when it was used as a Polling Station.

For consideration of a contribution towards:

a) New signage for the Parish Hall

b) New lighting for the exterior of the Parish Hall and the access to it from

Guildhall Street and from Cheriton Road/Middelburg Square

c) To refurbish the exterior gate for the side entrance to the Parish Hall from

Guildhall Street

d) To mark out the car park area to enable the maximum use of available

parking for attending events at the Parish Hall

To provide funding of £1000 to the above project.

Reason for decision:

Extensive research has previously been undertaken including meetings, interviews and discussions with:

116 households, discussions with the Guildhall (North) Residents Association, Rainbow Centre, Social Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Shepway Youth Hub, Christchurch Primary School, Stella Maris Primary School, Kent Police, Shepway District Council (as it was known then), GP surgery – Guildhall Street, Guildhall Pharmacy, homeless persons, representatives of the residents migrant communities (Polish, Roma, Romanian), and church parishioners.

The Parish Hall sits within the Central Folkestone Ward. Central and key issues identified were:

• Unemployment

• Low level of qualifications, or none

• Poor levels of accommodation

• Debt

• Poverty

• Crime

• Health- physical and mental

• Loneliness and isolation

• Resident migrants who fit some or all of the above, and inclusion

• Lack of local facilities and local community provision

There was clear evidence of a need for an accessible, affordable, central facility to serve local people, and organisations serving the community in an informal environment.

From evidence accrued, the priorities of the community have been identified as:

1) Young people (particularly 13-16 yrs, then school leavers to 20 yrs, not in education or

employment)

2) Elderly

3) Homeless

4) Resident migrant population

5) Young parents (single parents, and young couples with young children)