Agenda and minutes

The committee must appoint a parish councillor to chair the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Jenny Hollingsbee

Seconded by Councillor Martin Sweeny

RESOLVED: 

That Councillor Frank Hobbs be appointed as Chairman for the meeting. 

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a) discloseable pecuniary interests (DPI)

b) other significant interests (OSI)

c) voluntary announcements of other interests

There were no declarations of interest. 

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021 were agreed.  The Chairman’s electronic signature will be added confirming approval. 

A presentation will be given to members by a representative of the East Kent Health and Care Partnership. 

A presentation was given to members by Ms Karen Sharp from East Kent Health and Care Partnership.  The presentation is attached to these minutes. 

Members comments and questions followed: 

·         Staffing, namely GPs in the area.  The statistics for staffing across all levels is not good, recruitment is a problem, however the establishment of the Medical School in Canterbury will hopefully encourage students to settle in the East Kent area. 

·         Care Homes.  Problems have occurred where patients are unable to be discharged from hospital wards due to the shortage of care staff.  Approximately 10% of the care workforce could have been lost due to non-vaccinated staff. 

·         Kent and Medway Medical School in Canterbury.  It is hoped this will attract students to this area who will then settle here.  Councillor Hollingsbee advised that this Council is supporting one medical  student.  There is a need to work more closely with schools, looking at apprenticeships, working within the care system and hospitals, for example health and wellbeing; nursing; physiotherapy and medicine. 

·         It was noted that the whole industry needs to attract more men into nursing, health and care. 

·         Otterpool Park – this development will include state of the art medical facilities and proposal to provide keyworker housing.  A comment made that it was hoped these facilities would not detract from other parts of the district at a GP level. 

·         A member mentioned an initiative of surveying residents with regard to health and wellbeing, how could Parish Councils integrate with East Kent Health?  The Hythe and Romney Marsh Hubs may be able to offer support and signposting.  

·         Using the volunteer sectors for help, neighbourhood plans, health and welfare of population, profiling. 

Ms Sharp ended the presentation and said how important it is to encourage young people to settle and work in the East Kent area, promotion of the area as a great place to live and work.  Both Ms Sharp and Mrs Jyotsna Leney were keen to encourage members to forward any ideas they may have in promoting the district, taking into account the close proximity of the Medical School in Canterbury. 

Members thanked both Ms Sharp and Mrs Leney for the informative presentation. 

A presentation to be given to members which will provide an update on progress and outline next steps and key milestones.

A presentation was given to members by the Director of Place, Mr Ewan Green and Chief Planning Officer, Mr Llywelyn Lloyd.  The presentation is attached to these minutes. 

Members noted there is a large amount of investment involved which has raised the hopes and aspirations of all.  Mr Lloyd commented that the quality of planning applications has increased due to the Place Plan. 

However, members did comment that more focus is needed on the Romney Marsh.  Mr Green, said that whilst  Folkestone has a pivotal role for the whole district,  the Council recognised the important role of the Romney Marsh area. This is  reflected in the Council's priorities. He went on to say that the Romney Marsh Partnership is in the process of producing an Action Plan for the Marsh aimed at taking forward a range of future projects, and  not forgetting the Council's investment in the  new business hub at Mountfield Road in New Romney and the proposed new visitor facilities and beach huts at Littlestone.  

Also, members were advised that the Core Strategy, to be adopted, mentions plans for Lydd and Dungeness. 

Overall members were very impressed with the Place Plan and thanked officers for their presentation.