Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: May 2026
As a Councillor I try to be properly responsive to communication and WILL reply to casework, questions etc (as long as they are polite!). Although voicemail, Messenger, WhatsApp and the rest I try to keep on top of, the best will be to email to me, preferably to tim@prater.uk from where I can send it to the correct one of my 5 Councillor email accounts for action!
If you haven't had a reply back from me in a couple of WORKING days please come back to me (the person that emailed me New Years Day with a casework peeve some years ago did get a reply that day, but my Christmas holidays have improved since!). Certainly if you've had no reply at all in 4 working days, please do check the address you sent it to and re contact me - that's not the way I roll, so something may have gone awry. Finally, although I answer to Mr Prater, Cllr and a few other names, I'd much prefer Tim!
An update from me goes through (almost) all doors in the division 3 times a year, but you can also find more regular updates from me online at http://www.prater.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/timprater
Finally - sign up on the form at the bottom of https://www.fhld.uk/news/prater to receive monthly Councillor Updates from me and the Lib Dem team in Folkestone & Hythe. It's fast and free! This will sign you up only to local news from the area, NOT campaigns and campaigning events.
May 2026 Action List
5th May: attended Growth, Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee.
7th May: attended Selection and Members Services Committee and opposed almost all of a raft of constitutional changes put forward by and supported by every member of the Reform administration. On one hand changes that limit scrutiny of the Kent County Council Leader were put forward as a way of saving time in meetings, and simultaneously they backed proposals to say the Lords Prayer at the start of meetings and sing the National Anthem at the end, and to use Council resources and staff time to broadcast them.
On 13th May I had a site visit meeting with Kent Highways officers to discuss traffic speeds in Horn Street, Hythe. I have been pushing for a 20mph zone thought the central section of Horn Street (neat The Britannia Pub) after requests from many residents in the area. There are some technical difficulties with the rules here, around the length of restriction possible, and the average speeds either side of the area. The meeting was intended to look at those issues and look at options around them.
Speed checks on the approaching roads have been ordered, and officers are going away to look at options.
The 21st May brought the Kent County Council Full Council meeting. There was robust debate and opposition to Reform proposals to limit the time opposition parties can respond to the Leaders announcements, and also Reform proposals to introduce the Lords Prayer at the start of Full Council meetings and the National Anthem at the end. I opposed all of those proposals, as the huge majority of all opposition groups did on each item, but Reform voted each of them through.
Also at that meeting I moved a Liberal Democrat motion on seeking tools to manage tourist travel in Kent around the disruption likely for the new EES system going fully live at the Channel Tunnel and Port of Dover. I was delighted to see that motion pass with support from all groups and not a vote against.
My official meeting attendance at KCC can be seen alongside all other Councillors at https://www.local-democracy.uk/kent/councillors (to the end of April 2026, showing at 100%).
News of Interest:
Views invited on enforcing moving traffic offences in Maidstone and Sittingbourne: KCC has launched engagement on proposals to enforce moving traffic offences, including banned turns and box junctions, aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion. The proposals would give the authority new enforcement powers under national legislation.
For further information: KCC News & Features
MPs call for statutory social media ban for children to tackle “addictive by design” platforms - MPs are calling for a legal ban on social media for children and tighter limits on “addictive” features, arguing platforms harm young people and have failed to protect them, and urging stronger regulation treating online harms as a public health issue.
For further information: UK Parliament
The Chancellor is setting out plans, including free bus travel for under-16s over the summer to try and mitigate the increased cost of living ' - The UK government will temporarily cut VAT from 20% to 5% on various family activities—such as theme parks, cinemas, and children’s meals—over the summer to help ease cost‑of‑living pressures and encourage leisure spending. However, businesses are not obliged to pass on the savings, so the overall benefit may be limited, with average household savings estimated at around £10.
For further information: BBC News
New offshore wind environmental protection powering homes – The government has introduced new rules to speed up offshore wind development while strengthening environmental protections, allowing developers more flexible and strategic ways to offset impacts—such as protecting seabirds and restoring marine habitats—supporting both clean energy growth, energy security, and nature recovery.
For further information: GOV.UK
New watchlist published to put a spotlight on waste - The Environment Agency has published its first national watchlist of 117 waste sites to increase transparency and target waste crime, as part of a wider crackdown strategy. The initiative strengthens enforcement and encourages public reporting, helping authorities investigate and act against illegal waste activity.
For further information: GOV.UK
King's Speech 2026: LGA briefing - The briefing details the new Bills of relevance to local government and provides the LGA’s initial response to them.
For further information: LGA
Air pollution in the UK: sources of monitoring data - Air pollution data comes from monitoring stations that measure different pollutants in the atmosphere. Defra will be adding more monitoring networks to the data collection throughout 2026.
For further information: GOV.UK
LIVE - Streeting backs Burnham for Makerfield by-election, saying he has 'best chance of winning' - Streeting and Burnham are both seen as potential leadership challengers to PM Keir Starmer.
For further information: BBC News
South East Water boss quits after supply failures - South East Water’s chief executive, David Hinton, has resigned after widespread criticism over major supply failures that left tens of thousands without water. He will stay temporarily for a handover, as pressure mounts for leadership change and investigations by regulators continue.
For further information: BBC News
Southern Water unveils £42m sewage plan - Southern Water has announced a £42m investment programme to reduce sewage spills and pollution in Kent by upgrading treatment works, sewers and pumping stations through to 2030, following years of criticism and a major past fine for environmental breaches, with the aim of improving resilience and protecting rivers and coastal waters.
For further information: BBC News
Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know – UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel, so travel plans do not need to change. The government is closely monitoring the situation, supporting the aviation industry, and reminding passengers of their rights—such as refunds or rebooking if flights are cancelled—while advising them to check with airlines and ensure they have travel insurance.
For further information: GOV.UK
National Terror Threat Level increased to SEVERE following Golders Green attack – The UK terrorism threat level has been raised from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE for the first time since 2021, after a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green that police have declared a terrorist incident. Ministers say the public should remain alert but not alarmed, pointing to a broader rise in Islamist and far‑right threats, and have announced extra funding and increased police protection for Jewish communities.
For further information: BBC News / GOV.UK
Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law – The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has become law, creating a “smoke‑free generation” by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 and tightening controls on vaping to protect children. The legislation aims to prevent nicotine addiction, reduce smoking‑related illness and deaths, and support current smokers to quit through expanded NHS and local stop‑smoking services.
For further information: GOV.UK
'Disgusting' clinical waste dumped on Sheppey beaches - Hundreds of clinical waste vials have been found dumped on beaches across the Isle of Sheppey, sparking safety fears and outrage. Campaigners and the local MP are requesting an urgent investigation and clean‑up, warning the waste could pose a biohazard and is damaging a protected wildlife site.
For further information: BBC News
Kent County Council Press Releases in May:
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/high-sheriff-award-recognises-kent-prison-librarians-vital-support
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kent-brings-partners-together-to-tackle-flytipping
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kent-adult-social-care-reports-strong-performance-results
https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/new-50m-a-year-highways-contract-with-ringway-starts-in-kent
Folkestone & Hythe District Council Press Releases in May:
A monthly bulletin from F&HDC.
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/425/positive-steps-forward-for-otterpool-park
https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/news/article/424/green-investment-continues-for-council-homes