Agenda and draft minutes

This session is limited to 30 minutes.

1.    From Mrs C Cooper to Councillor Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy

A new cafe has recently opened in Lydd but there are many shops that are closed.

With many more people working from home and wanting to shop locally what are the District Councils plans to regenerate the high streets in Lydd, New Romney and Dymchurch?

2.    From Mr B Rylands to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council

Will the council allow members of the public to fish the lake at Folkestone Racecourse and have it monitored by its water bailiff?

1.          From Mrs C Cooper to Councillor Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy

        A new cafe has recently opened in Lydd but there are many shops that are closed.

        With many more people working from home and wanting to shop locally what are the District Councils plans to regenerate the high streets in Lydd, New Romney and Dymchurch?

        ANSWER:

        Thank you for your question.

        FHDC is committed to supporting the high streets across the district, including those in Lydd, New Romney and Dymchurch. During 2019 the council 

        In addition to this initiative, FHDC is also supporting the Romney Marsh Partnership to develop new projects for submission to the Magnox Socio-economic fund.  One of these is potentially around enhancing the Dymchurch, Lydd and New Romney high streets, alongside funding from FHDC.

        I am very aware of Brew at 32, a new business in the high street, and in Lydd, Kerry’s kitchen. We can’t make people open their businesses, but we will do all we can to support these businesses.

2.          From Mr B Rylands to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council

        Will the council allow members of the public to fish the lake at Folkestone Racecourse and have it monitored by its water bailiff?

        ANSWER:

        Thank you for your question.

        The detail of this has not been worked through yet but it is the intention that the lake will be available for public use for a range of leisure activities as part of the first phase of the proposed development. Access is restricted at the moment, so we will have to wait until we get further along in the plan. 

This session is limited to 45 minutes.

1.    From Councillor Davison to Councillor Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy

Please can the leader of the council give an update on the promised review of how markets can contribute to the commercial life of the district, including the role of Folkestone's town centre market?

2.    From Councillor Meade to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities

With the colder weather and people still having to sleep rough on our streets can the Council please confirm that SWEP will be kept to one day of freezing weather this year and not the previous three days?

3.    From Councillor Meade to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management & Grounds Maintenance

On visiting some of our local play parks various equipment has been removed, I am assuming due to COVID distancing. However some of the equipment makes no sense for example only 1 swing out of four (two swings either end of the frame would have sufficed) in Canterbury rec, the removal of goalposts in Morehall, George Gurr gates locked and other around our district experiencing similar. Can you please confirm when this equipment will be reinstated and access to some of the parks reopened given that children are mixing in schools and should be under adult supervision in the parks whilst they play enforcing self-distancing?

4.    From Councillor McConville to Councillor Wimble, Cabinet Mwember for the District Economy

With the decision by Canterbury Council earlier this month to stop its Mountfield Park development due to water quality issues at the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve. What impact could the issues with Stodmarsh and the surrounding East Stour catchment area have upon the Otterpool development?

5.    From Councillor Keen to Councillor Godfrey,  Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Special Projects

Over the last week I have had a number of calls from residents that live on Marine Parade and Marine Crescent complaining about a number of issues, including suspension of parking spaces, closure of footpaths, speeding of construction traffic, dust from building works and confusing suspension notices.

We have a duty of care to these residents, to make sure that despite the development that their quality of life is not impacted.

As the local council can we please do something to improve the lives of the residents that live near the Sea Front Development?

1.          From Councillor Davison to Councillor Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy

        Please can the leader of the council give an update on the promised review of how markets can contribute to the commercial life of the district, including the role of Folkestone's town centre market?

        ANSWER:

        Thank you for your question.

        The Council is undertaking a review of current market operations alongside the development of a Place Plan for Folkestone. This review will outline a range of potential improvements, recognising that markets can play a role in creating successful town centres. Early October this year saw the introduction of a six month trial of a monthly Vegan Veganism market in Guildhall Street, delivered in partnership with Kent Food Hubs, and feedback from this will help inform future market development opportunities.

        SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:

        The National Market Traders Federation says that the majority of traders weren’t able to access the COVID discretionary grant scheme from earlier this year because it related to traders with fixed building costs, rather than those trading on the street.  This meant that our own traders in Folkestone town centre missed out. What support, both financial and practical can we offer to traders, as a matter of urgency at this time?  Could we look at things like adjusted rents, access to further grants, and practical ways to bring publicity and support to the market?

        ANSWER:

        I will talk to the team and report back to you with a full answer. I do know that anyone based within the district did have the ability to apply for additional funds outside the strict guidelines, for properties that automatically received rates grants.

After the meeting, the following response was given:

As part of the review that the council is undertaking of current market operations, consideration will be given to the financial and practical support that could be offered to traders in recognition of the role that markets can play in creating successful town centres.  The council has been regularly communicating and promoting the new Vegan market in Folkestone on social media and through other forms of communication and will continue to do so.

2.          From Councillor Meade to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities

        With the colder weather and people still having to sleep rough on our streets can the Council please confirm that SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Plan) will be kept to one day of freezing weather this year and not the previous three days?

        ANSWER:

        Thank you for your question. 

        I can confirm that the SWEP arrangements have not changed since last year, and will be kept to one day of freezing weather or below.

        SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:

        When will we be doing the rough sleeper count this year?

        ANSWER

        I believe it is November, I will confirm later.

        Following the meeting, Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee confirmed the date as Tuesday 24 November 2020.

3.          From Councillor Meade to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management & Grounds Maintenance

        On visiting some of our local play  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.