Slow News Month at KCC
Let me tell you a story about long, long ago...
29 Jul 2026
Folkestone and Hythe News
A First In Kent: Folkestone and Hythe Gain Top Rating For Council Housing Standards
Folkestone and Hythe have been awarded the Regulator of Social Housing's highest consumer standards rating, C1, for its Council Housing service. It is the first council in Kent, and one of just 13% of councils nationwide, to hold the top grade.
29 Jul 2026
Reach the Beach for £1: Discounted bus travel to Folkestone Harbour this summer
Residents and visitors can Reach the Beach in Folkestone for just £1 this summer thanks to a special bus fare offer funded by KCC.
28 Jul 2026
Reporting Back
Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: July 2026
The July 2026 monthly update from Tim Prater as County Councillor for Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe East.
28 Jul 2026
Kent joins national call for residents to delay disposing of fridges and freezers where possible
Kent County Council is asking residents to delay disposing of unwanted fridges and freezers, or consider alternative options where appropriate, as a national shortage of treatment capacity reaches critical levels across the UK.
26 Jul 2026
Local Events
Sandgate District & County Councillor Advice Surgery: 1 August 2026
Lib Dem Councillors Tim Prater & Gary Fuller hold drop-in advice surgeries each month. No need for an appointment: just turn up. First Saturday of the month, 11-12.30pm at Sandgate Farmers Market, Chichester Hall, 70 Sandgate High St, Sandgate CT20 3AR.
26 Jul 2026
From Beach Huts to the Constitution: FHDC meetings Wednesday 23 July
23th July was something of a meeting marathon for some of us at Folkestone & Hythe District Council. From a Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds meeting at 4.30pm, then a Cabinet meeting, then Full Council running until 9.50pm: a lot of ground covered!
23 Jul 2026
Furious Reaction to Government Decision on Kent Local Government Reorganisation
Responding to news that the Government has decided that Kent will be divided into four new unitary authorities, Tim Prater, a Kent County and Folkestone and Hythe District councillor, has called the decision insane.
17 Jul 2026
Opening of the K&MFRA Ashford Live Fire Training Facility
I was honoured to be able to attend (alongside my colleague Mike Sole) the opening of the new K&MFRA Ashford Live Fire Training Facility today.
17 Jul 2026
Protecting Oaken Wood in Maidstone
Speaking at Kent County Council on 16th July, Tim Prater spoke to have the designated ancient woodland of Oaken Wood near Maidstone removed as a quarry site from the Kent Minerals Plan.
16 Jul 2026
Lib Dems: Grave Concerns as Reform-led Council Breaks Commitment to Make Summer Traffic Plan
Reform administration accused of letting down Kent families by delaying vital EES and holiday congestion planning until AFTER the summer.
14 Jul 2026
Save Oaken Wood
Maidstone's Oaken Wood is ancient woodland & irreplaceable habitat. You can't replace it once it's gone. Yet Kent County Council are voting on 16th July to allow it as a site for a quarry. Sign our petition against allowing Oaken Wood to become a quarry.
13 Jul 2026