Shepway Scrutiny Decision on Folkestone Leas Lift: Cabinet must think again on ceasing operation

31 Mar 2009

The Shepway District Council's Corporate Scrutiny Committee tonight considered the "call-in" of the Cabinet decision of 18 March to cease the operation of the Leas Lift with immediate effect and to terminate the Leas Lift lease.

The committee unanimously backed a motion, proposed by Corporate Scrutiny Chair Tim Prater and seconded by Cllr Paul Marsh, which said:

"This committee refers back to Cabinet the resolution of Cabinet to 'cease the operation of the Lease Lift with immediate effect'.

"This committee urges Cabinet to seek the continued operation of the Leas Lift for this year and beyond."

The decision was taken after a three and three quarter hour meeting held mainly in public, but with a private session where commercially confidential information was discussed.

Evidence was heard from the committee from a range of local people including Caroline Chambers from the Channel Chamber of Commerce, Chris Kirkham from Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, Lynne Beaumont from Folkestone Town Council and Charles Evans of Smith, Woolley and Perry representing the lift's owners the Radnor Estate.

After the meeting, Tim Prater said:

"Over the past few days, I've heard from hundreds of residents and businesses across Folkestone who were appalled that the Leas Lift may close. They don't hugely mind who runs it, but do massively care that this fantastic monument keeps running.

"The Corporate Scrutiny Committee do not have the power to overturn decisions of Cabinet, but it can ask them to think again, and ensure the decision is not implemented until it has been reconsidered. That is what the Scrutiny Committee have done tonight.

"I'm delighted that the operation of Folkestone Leas Lift has been secured through Easter, and I sincerely hope the Cabinet meeting of 15 April will agree to continue to keeping it running. Thinking creatively, whether on its own, with partners, or with an entirely different operator, I hope the 124 year operating life of the lift can be extended indefinitely."

Larry Ngan and Lib Dem Campaigners on The Leas, Folkestone

Sign up
for email updates

You can opt-out at any time
The Liberal Democrats may use the information you provide, including your political opinions, to further our objectives and share it with our elected representatives. Any data we gather will be used in accordance with our privacy policy: libdems.org.uk/privacy. You can exercise your rights and withdraw your consent to future communications by contacting us: data.protection@libdems.org.uk or: DPO, Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.

Donate
to fuel our campaigns

Larry Ngan, Daniel and Fry with "Build More Houses" t-shirt on The Leas, Folkestone

This website uses cookies

Like most websites, this site uses cookies. Some are required to make it work, while others are used for statistical or marketing purposes. If you choose not to allow cookies some features may not be available, such as content from other websites. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information.

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the website to function properly.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.
Marketing cookies are used by third parties or publishers to display personalized advertisements. They do this by tracking visitors across websites.