Your District Today Winter 2023

Cover

Cover picture: A drawing of a reindeer with baubles hanging off its antlers.

Page 2

Landlords we need you 

[Full page advert for Property Solutions and ABC Lettings]

Image: A row of houses in the area of The Leas in sunshine

Folkestone & Hythe District Council off­ers a unique service to suit all landlords

Property Solutions

A less stressful solution to keeping your property tenanted.

• ­Landlords working with us will receive an upfront incentive of £1000 for a 6-month tenancy, £1500 for a 12-month tenancy and £2000 for a 2-year tenancy (on receipt of a completed, signed tenancy agreement)
• Our applicants are looking for a tenancy with immediate start date (subject to all the necessary checks)
• One month’s rent in advance and deposit
• Extensive affordability and suitability checks on all applicants
• Working with a dedicated professional team we can offer support tailored to your needs, within a committed and trusted organisation
• All free of charge, no fee!

Telephone: 01303 853366 Email: housingoptions@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

ABC Lettings

Our fully managed service includes:

• ­A guaranteed rental income, paid monthly and in advance
• We tenant your property within two weeks (subject to all the necessary checks)
• Boiler breakdown cover and annual gas safety check
• Inventory/check-out
• 24-hour emergency repair support
• Routine property inspections and updates
• Tenancy renewals

Telephone: 01233 330811 Email: abclettings@ashford.gov.uk

Page 3

Home is where Christmas is

Image: The page is decorated with Christmas imagery - snow, icicles and Christmas stockings

Waste service

There will be some changes to your household waste and recycling collection dates over Christmas and the new year. They are as follows:

• Garden waste collections are taking their usual break for Christmas. The last collection will be on Friday 22 December 2023 and the service will resume on Monday 8 January 2024.
• If you are a garden waste customer you can leave your real Christmas tree next to your brown lidded bin when collections resume. If you are not a garden waste customer, visit our website in the first week of January for more details about how to request a real Christmas tree collection for free.
• Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/christmas for the latest information about council services over the festive period.

Free Christmas parking

Our district is the perfect place to find your Christmas presents – even more so with the gift of free parking!

Charges in our car parks and on-street pay and display bays are being waived on the three Saturdays leading up to the big day:

• Saturday 9 December
• Saturday 16 December
• Saturday 23 December

Limited waiting (free) and controlled parking zone restrictions are still in place on the days listed above.

This is to ensure people are able to park close to their homes and allow for a sufficient turnover of spaces.

Christmas safety

Some easy ways of having a great Christmas without the drama:

• Don’t broadcast holiday plans on social media, or leave boxes from gifts on display next to your bin
• Avoid clicking on any festive links or email attachments unless you know they’re safe
• Switch off and unplug Christmas lights when they’re not in use
• Save the number of a licensed taxi company on your mobile. If going out to let your hair down, plan your journey in advance and travel with others if you can

Side panel

Your District Today is produced twice a year and is distributed to more than 50,000 households in the district.

This magazine does not include loose inserts – any found inside have been placed there without the authority of Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

Your District Today is printed on recycled paper.

Front cover: A festive drawing by a 10-year old reader.

Editorial: Jane Walker, Dean Kilpatrick, Alice Pritchard, Thomas Aspinall

Design: Myah Susarte Dealbert

Printed by: Cliffe Enterprises Ltd

Advertising: folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/districttoday

Contact: communications@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

Facebook: /FolkestoneandHytheDC

X (Twitter): @fstonehythedc

Instagram: @fstonehythedc

LinkedIn: Folkestone and Hythe District Council

Page 4

Cheering on our great district

Image one: Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly wearing the chair of the chain outside the Civic Centre

Image two: Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly standing next to another dignitary inside a church building

Image three: Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly standing next to members of the Royal Air Force's Air Cadets

Seen someone wearing a chain at a local event recently and wondered what it all means? We sat down with Cllr Abena Akuffo-Kelly to find out more about the role of the chair of Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

Question: What does the chair of the council do?

Answer: There’s not an official job description, but I would say there are two main functions. Firstly, I chair full council meetings – setting the tone and pace of meetings, ensuring the agenda is followed and that all members have the opportunity to speak on items concerning the communities they represent. The second part is to act as an ambassador and representative of the district by attending weekly engagements ranging from Remembrance Day events and gallery openings to fundraisers and community events.

Question: How does it feel to be chair?

Answer:It’s extremely special as someone who has lived and worked in the district for more than 23 years – got married and divorced here, raised my child here and have been involved in charitable events and community projects in and around Folkestone. The district is an area of outstanding natural and architectural beauty. We have beautiful churches, castles and historic buildings coupled with stunning beaches, marshland, green and verdant countryside – and even a wildlife park – so we really are spoilt for choice.

Question: What events and causes have you supported?

Answer: I truly believe in fulfilling my role to the best of my ability so I’ve attended events throughout the district to raise money for charities but also to raise awareness. There’s probably not enough space in this magazine to outline every single one – on average it’s three to four a week – but there have been some highlights for sure. I was honoured to be invited to a series of events held to commemorate the visit of Folkestone’s twin Nepalese town, Mechinagar. I marched at the front of the Folkestone Pride parade, the air display was a thrill and I loved my visit to the Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge. I often take charity leaders with me to events as my consorts. I want to share my engagements with the community but also help to raise the profile of local charities and provide them with the opportunity to network.

Question: How can we find out more about the chair?

Answer: You can follow @FstoneHytheChr on Instagram and X (Twitter) to see some of the community work I’ve been supporting. I also provide a short summary of my engagements at the beginning of full council. Please join us either online or in person to listen to upcoming developments in the district and ask questions of your council representatives.

Question: Can you attend my event in the district?

Answer: Of course! It is an honour for me to support events around the district. All residents, whether they’re from the largest town or the smallest parish, are important to me and I love celebrating the district with you. Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/fhdc-councillors/ chairman-civic-office to send me your invitations.

Boundary changes

Image: A photograph of a rural road in the Elham Valley area

New boundary lines have been drawn to balance the number of people voting for Members of Parliament across England.

As a result, voters within the wards of North Downs East and North Downs West will put their cross next to name of a candidate standing for the Ashford parliamentary seat at the next general election.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council will still collect council tax and provide local services for both wards as district, town and parish council boundaries are unaffected.

Page 5

Mobile food service clocking up the miles

Image: Rainbow Centre Food Services Manager Wendy Lehnert in the new food van

A new service providing a mobile foodbank and pantry service for areas of Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh has taken to the road.

It is operating in several locations across the district, giving easier access for people struggling to meet the increased cost of food.

A van has been kitted out with shelving, a fridge and a freezer and will be the mobile arm of the existing Shepway Foodbank operated by Folkestone’s Rainbow Centre.

It will help residents facing an emergency who have been referred by agencies to the foodbank for free food vouchers.

The van will also deliver a mobile version of the Hythe Pantry service which has been supporting its members by offering a weekly food shop for just £5 per week.

The combined mobile foodbank and food pantry service is understood to be the first of its kind in the country and the project has been progressed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council and the Rainbow Centre.

The van and service has been funded by central government through a grant secured by the council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Trussell Trust and the Folkestone Community Works programme have also supported the innovative project.

A money advice service and other cost-of-living support will be available at the locations visited by the mobile van.

Information will also be available about other schemes for financial and wider support through the council’s Household Support Fund and Home Essentials Fund.

The Folkestone Community Works Programme is part-funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-20 and is managed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

Need to know more about the service?

Call 07913 573403 to talk to food services manager Wendy.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can email enquiries@rainbow-centre.org or call 01303 850733. Visit rainbow-centre.org for more information.

The van will be at the following locations at the same time every week:

• Hawkinge Community Centre: Heron Forstal Avenue, Hawkinge, CT18 7FP on Wednesdays – 10am to midday
• Harbour Church Folkestone: Canterbury Road, Folkestone, CT19 5NR on Thursdays – 10am to midday
• Folkestone Academy: Academy Lane, Folkestone, CT19 5FP on Fridays –2.50pm to 4pm
• Hardy Hall: Skinner Lane, Lydd, TN29 9HN on Mondays – 10am to 11am
• Cheriton Baptist Church: Quested Road, Cheriton, CT19 4BY will be added early next year

Benefits and money advice

Folkestone & Hythe District Council runs a number of schemes, including some funded by the government, to help residents who are finding the rising cost of living challenging.

The quickest and easiest way to find out about these options is by visiting folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/cost-ofliving-support or calling customer services on 01303 853555. Residents without digital access can use our Customer Access Point in the Civic Centre to access our website.

We help provide confidential advice regarding your money, welfare, and benefits: folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/ help-and-support-with-your-finances

Our online calculator is the easiest way to find out what benefits you are eligible for. Just enter up-to-date information to find out what you can claim and how to go about this.

Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/ housing-benefit/how-it-works/how-to-claim and click ‘What help can I get?’.

Page 6

Looking to the future

Image 1: A drawing of what the Ship Street site could look like

Image 2: An animated photograph of four people on a magic carpet appearing to fly over Folkestone town centre

Image 3: A drawing of what an area of Otterpool Park could look like

Image 4: Folca on Sandgate Road on a sunny day with a number of people standing outside

Ship Street

A £2.5m boost has been given towards turning derelict land in Folkestone’s Ship Street into a high-quality, housing-led development.

It was announced recently that the former gasworks site had been awarded money from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund.

Construction of up to 150 homes is planned for the site.

A brighter future

The second opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposed levelling up plans for Folkestone town centre has been held.

Using virtual reality technology, visitors to the public engagement sessions in mid-November were able to ‘fly on the magic carpet’ across the phase two proposed changes to Middelburg Square and the bus station in Bouverie Square.

In response to residents’ comments at the public engagement in July, modifications have been made to the phase one plans, including removing the roundabout at the junction of Cheriton Road, Cheriton Gardens and Shorncliffe Road.

Otterpool Park

Joint funding options are to be explored to help ensure the vision for the district’s new sustainable garden town at Otterpool Park continues to evolve.

After seeking reassurance the council would remain a significant shareholder in any future agreement, cabinet members agreed a series of recommendations – covering the strategic direction, delivery and funding of the project.

Work to meet the aspirations for the development to be carbon net zero is ongoing.

Folca

Architects have been appointed to look at the best design options for Folca2, the area of the former department store with the art deco frontage.

Money to examine the best use of Folca2 was included in the council’s successful bid for levelling up funding.

Work is progressing with healthcare professionals and their representatives to bring a state-of-the-art medical centre to Folkestone town centre in the area of the site known as Folca1.

Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/regeneration-housing-projects for the latest updates on our exciting projects.

Page 7

Tenants feeling right at home

Image: Photo of residents, councillors and members of the Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel outside the newly-reopened Ross House

“It’s like its own little community now.”

Charlene Knight-Whitmore has now lived in the revamped Ross House, Folkestone, for nearly six months and is delighted to be back in what is the council’s first ‘net zero’ enabled residential block.

Retrofit work included externally insulating and rendering the building, insulating the loft and under floor voids, installing photovoltaic panels on the roof and adding more energy efficient air source heat pumps.

The block of 16 apartments was also redecorated and replacement kitchens fitted.

Charlene added: “I couldn’t wait to move back to Ross House as it is my home and I missed it terribly. Anyone who had not seen it would assume it’s a new build – and those who had would think it was a different building.

“Ross House now feels more secure, it feels safer, it is virtually soundproofed, the neighbours are fantastic. It’s just so nice to be back.”

The work was completed using funding from the first wave of the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, alongside match funding from Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

Elaine Cox, Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel chair, officially reopened Ross House in July at an event attended by tenants, councillors, staff and tenant representatives.

Housing Online

This is a service that provides tenants with 24/7 access to their own information via tablet, PC or smartphone.

It enables residents to view and update information digitally at their convenience via the council website.

After logging in, access will include:

• Viewing and updating contact and personal details
• Viewing rent balances and statements
• Making online payments
• Setting up a Direct Debit
• Requesting a repair
• Chasing the progress of a repair
• Viewing repair history
• Responding to surveys

You can access this service by logging into MyAccount and click the ‘council tenants’ button for more information. Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/myaccountinfo for more details.

Handyperson service for Council tenants

[Quarter page advert for Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Town & Country Housing]

We offer a handyperson service in partnership with Folkestone & Hythe District Council for council tenants aged 60 years or over, disabled or vulnerable.

We can help with tasks ranging from fitting hinges and adjusting internal doors to fixing drippings taps and fitting towel rails.

Hundreds of council tenants are supported each year with a range of small jobs and minor repairs.

All of our staff are carefully vetted with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

To find out more: Call us on 0800 028 3172 (option 2) or email eastkenthia@tch.org.uk

Page 8

A double-page spread showing the faces, names, email addresses and wards of the 30 district councillors elected in May 2023. All of the information can be found on the council's website.

Page 9

A double-page spread showing the faces, names, email addresses and wards of the 30 district councillors elected in May 2023. All of the information can be found on the council's website.

Page 10

Where in the district?

Images: A series of images inviting the reader to guess the locations. The answers can be found in the text below.

Think you know Folkestone & Hythe? Test your knowledge of the district with our picture quiz. We’ve picked some recognisable areas (and others slightly off the beaten track) – have a think but, if you get stuck, the answers can be found at the bottom of the page.

Answers (from the top, starting left to right): Lower Leas Coastal Park, Dymchurch beach, Step Short arch in Folkestone, The Old High Street in Folkestone, Dungeness, Kingsnorth Gardens, Greatstone beach, Hythe seafront, St Thomas à Becket Church on Romney Marsh.

Page 11

From rolling grasslands to shingle foreland – we have it all. What a district we live in…

Image one: The Royal Militaray Canal in Hythe in shadows caused by the overhanging trees

Image two: A long view of the white cliffs visible from The Warren

Residents know only too well how special our district is. How many districts can boast a tick list like ours?

• Woodland
• Cliffs
• Marshland
• Coastal areas
• Chalk grasslands

But did you know just how special?

• 150 bird species live on The Warren, Folkestone
• 57% of the district’s woodland is ancient – some dating back to the 1600s
• Dungeness, with its coastal vegetated shingle, is home to rare moths
• Medicinal leeches previously declared extinct in the UK, can be found on Romney Marsh
• Rare orchids can be found on the district’s chalk grasslands
• The Royal Military Canal is the third-longest defensive structure in the UK

To make sure that we do all we can to keep the district this special, the council has drawn up a Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy.

It is a fancy title but, put simply, it makes sure that all we need to know about the green areas of our district and its water environments is brought together in one place.

There are many things that individuals and partner organisations can do to protect and enhance our unique environment and in July 2023 councillors agreed what the council’s priorities should be, especially when considering plans for development.

These include:

• Maintaining a healthy stock of council-owned trees and increase the number planted, particularly to counter the effects of the loss of ash trees
• Enabling residents to experience nature close to where they live in parks and open spaces by improving accessibility
• Ensuring the historic natural environment, for which the district is so well known, continues to be respected

Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/planning-policy/green-blueinfrastructure-strategy to read the strategy.

And – in case you were wondering – Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke beat the Royal Military Canal as longer defensive structures!

Page 12

Working together towards net zero

Image one: A person speaking at the Folkestone & Hythe Sustainable Futures Forum, organised by the district's Carbon Innovation Lab

Image two: A photograph of electric vehicle charging points

Image three: A photo representing the sun hitting solar panels on top of a building

Image four: Coins planted in the ground with plants growing out of the top of them

Image five: A photograph of the construction of a home

Image six: A photograph of The Royal Military Canal taken on the Romney Marsh

Thank you to our residents and businesses who have commented and shared their views on the draft District- Wide Carbon Plan.

We really appreciate the time that many of you have taken to suggest further ways in which we can work together to reduce the district’s carbon emissions.

The council declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and committed to reducing emissions from our operations and estate to net zero by 2030.

Our emissions represent about 0.38% of the district’s total emissions and we are working our way through an action plan to reduce that still further.

But that leaves a major amount of emissions for us all to work to reduce.

In the plan, five areas to focus on in a district-wide campaign have been identified as:

• Road transport
• Residential
• Commercial and industrial
• Waste and water treatment
• Carbon absorption and biodiversity

Actions are listed against each of the areas, known as the priority pillars of focus. Some of the actions can be achieved by the council alone, some by collaboration and some can only be delivered by other organisations.

The campaign has begun and you can see some of the practical steps taken below.

Email DWCP.Consultation@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk if you have any ideas or want to read the District-Wide Carbon Plan.

What have the council being doing?

• Encouraging electric vehicle use by installing more than 100 electric vehicle charging points in the district’s car parks.
• Promoting the county-wide scheme Solar Together Kent helping householders to purchase solar panels and battery storage.
• Encouraging businesses to become more energy efficient by matching half of the cost with a green business grant.
• Developing a net zero carbon toolkit providing easy to follow guidance for those renovating homes or building new ones.
• Implementing a Green and Blue Infrastructure promoting bio-diversity. Find out more on page 11.

Page 13

Music videos filmed in the district

Image one: A photograph of the filming of Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy

Image two: A photograph of the filming of Love Again by New Hope Club

Image three: A black-and-white photograph of the filming of River by Ellie Goulding

Image four: A photograph of the filming of Walking With Elephants by Ten Walls

Image five: A photograph of the filming of Freedom by Nicki Minaj

Image one: A photograph of the filming of Surrender by Birdy

Did you know the sound of Folkestone & Hythe included Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding and The Prodigy?

Thanks to our vast landscapes, beautiful rural spaces and glorious coastline, our district has been the place for stars to film their music videos for years.

We’ve put together a playlist of just some of them, ranging from pop beats to rock anthems.

The most viewed Folkestone & Hythe music video on YouTube is Lighthouse Family’s High – the 1997 classic racking up nearly 40 million views.

If you remember the 90s, you’ll definitely recall A1’s Same Old Brand New You. This slushy boyband ballad has been watched over 14,000,000 times.

Laura Mvula brought her beautiful song Show Me Love to St. Eanswythe’s and The Warren, accumulating 1.2m streams on YouTube alone.

And – with Christmas just around the corner – it would be rude not to mention Ellie Goulding’s festive cover of Joni Mitchell’s River.

Even Ed Sheeran has tasted the creative vibe of our district, recording parts

of his Subtract album in a converted railway carriage in Dungeness.

Visit our YouTube channel for the ultimate Folkestone & Hythe music videos playlist.

Page 14

What's in a road name?

Image: A picture of the bottom of Dover Road, looking towards the F51 building and the town centre

You might think local road names are generated by picking random pieces of paper out of a hat – or maybe even artificial intelligence if you really want to get all 21st century about it.

But you would be wrong. It’s actually the work of the council’s street naming and numbering team.

When it comes to new developments in our district, a lot of effort goes into trying to link road names with the area’s history.

Recent examples include the second phase of the Martello Lakes project in Hythe, with 11 streets named after some of those listed on First World War memorials across the town. These include Bennett Close and Conley Way.

Many hours were spent trawling through official records to ensure the modern day had a very distinct nod to its past.

Not all new names have a special link – developers are not obliged to reference the area, although there is a set of rules to follow. Recent changes mean town and parish councils have more of a say.

Other examples of ‘themed’ areas include the name of planes and those that lost their lives in the Battle of Britain (Spitfire Way, Woodcock Gardens etc) in Hawkinge, while war poets are honoured at Shorncliffe (Blunden Drive, Ledwidge Road etc).

So next time you’re travelling around the district, keep an eye out for the road names on your route. There’s more to them than meets the eye.

We’ve picked out just some of our favourite Folkestone & Hythe road names:

• Milky Whey, Cheriton: This is probably the most original street name in the district. You might have already guessed it, but it was devised in honour of the site’s former use as a dairy factory.
• Odette Close, Sellindge: Just off Swan Lane, a number of roads were inspired by the ballet of a very similar name. Look out for others including Rothbart Place and The Cygnets.
• Duck’s Crossing, St Mary in the Marsh: Having found this street name listed in historical records, local residents suggested it made a return. And we were more than happy to oblige.

Page 15

Winter walks - something for everyone

Image one: A long view of the white cliffs visible from The Warren

Image two: A path, covered by the shadows caused by trees, which runs near the Royal Military Canal

Image three: A photograph of a giraffe from Port Lympne

Image four: A photograph of the sound mirrors and surrounding environment

Image five: An adult with two children playing in Lyminge Forest

Image six: A photograph of the beach huts that run along the Folkestone coastline

While the days are shorter and you may need to wear thermals, it doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to get outside and take in the district’s beauty.

Walking is proven to provide enormous health and fitness benefits – and also goes a long way in improving mental health and wellbeing.

There are loads of fantastic areas to take a stroll through in Folkestone & Hythe – we take a look at just some of the best places for a winter walk.

• The Folkestone Triennial route: We all know Folkestone is an art school – and there’s no better way to see that first hand than by taking a tour around the country’s largest urban contemporary exhibition. The best bit is they can all be seen for free!
• Royal Military Canal: Definitely one of the contenders for the most tranquil and beautiful parts of the area we call home. The Royal Military Canal offers great scenic views and enough history to keep non-walkers interested!
• Lympne: Get up in the world and overlook the vast expanse of the Romney Marsh in Lympne. Take a trek on the mix of country and road paths – you might even spot an animal or two as you make tracks past Port Lympne!
• Sound Mirrors: The Sound Mirrors are part of the RSPB’s Dungeness Nature Reserve – and they are big! Beautifully surrounded by a well maintained, bio-diverse reserve perfect for those who love country and coast!
• Lyminge Forest: Maybe you’re more of a woodland person – Lyminge Forest can offer you local wildlife in abundance and the soft sounds of leaves, twigs and bark under your feet. What’s not to love?
• Our coastline: Most of the district’s coastline is still a treat even when the weather isn’t perfect. We can’t be the only ones that love watching, cup of coffee in hand, as the waves crash against the shore.

Community Safety Partnership celebrates Safer Streets success

Folkestone streets will become even safer thanks to a £335,546.64 government grant.

The award is the result of a bid made by Folkestone & Hythe Community Safety Partnership (CSP), Kent Police and the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner for round five of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.

The fund is designed to allow forces and local authorities to invest in transformative crime prevention initiatives that focus on reducing levels of neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

This will mean the launch of new initiatives such as improvements to CCTV and radio networks in the town centre, increased patrols, education, as well as building on the work the CSP already does.

Visit saferstreetsfolkestone.co.uk for more information.

Page 16

Make perfect days only at Valeria Bay

[Full page advert for Moat Homes]

Image one: A CGI of what the homes will look like

Image two: A couple relaxing on a sofa in a home environment

Image three: A family playing and smiling on a sandy beach

Image four: Two people smiling as they cycle bikes through the countryside

Image five, six and seven: Representations of what inside the homes at Valeria Bay will look like

Logos: Moat Homes, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Help to Buy (backed by HM Government)

2-bed homes for shared ownership at Valeria Bay. Only a short walk to New Romney high street and a 5 minute drive to the beach. Book to view the show home, call 07718 581655.

Disclaimer: Eligibility criteria apply. Moat Homes Limited is a charitable housing association. Shared ownership is a form of leasehold ownership - please see Moat Homes website for further details. Travel times are provided by Google Maps.