Tim Prater Reporting Back from KCC: September 2026

30 Sep 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.

September 2026 Action List

Chased yellow line installation in Highfield Close, Saltwood.

Chased for accident and repair record of pedestrian island on Cheriton High Street.

Chased on clearing of large drain, The Undercliff (it now has been, which is great, but more work resetting a grate is needed).

Meetings attended include:

8th September Selection and Member Services Committee (8 minutes long - little to see here!)
9th September Growth, Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee - a rather longer meeting, with discussion of Kent Highways repairs to our road network (although little recent data on the effectiveness of the new repair contract so far), a presentation from Southern Water on works to reduce emergency releases into the sea (although disappointingly no reference to Folkestone despite the works underway there) and more.
14th September Kent and Essex IFCA
14th September Folkestone and Hythe Joint Transportation Board. This meetings was, AGAIN, cancelled as almost all the REform County Council members who should attend sent their apologies. The reports that should have been heard, issues raised, and decisions to proceed therefore could not go ahead AGAIN. Some members said that fixing the roads was one of their top priorities on election. Since then they have regularly failed even to attend the local committee focused on making that happen.
I also had the pleasure of speaking at the Special Council meeting on 17th September in favour of the presentation of the Freedom of Kent to the Brigade of Gurkhas, and then attended the 17th September County Council meeting.

A Sandgate resident raised with me that they had been challenged when walking down the road by a resident of The Riviera who claimed that non-residents had no right to walk down the road.

That is simply not correct. Despite it being a private road, and non-resident vehicles prohibited, Kent Highways are absolutely clear non-residents are allowed to walk and cycle down there. Which makes sense, as otherwise the steps which are a Public Right of Way joining it halfway down would be...odd. I had confirmation of that from Kent Highways in April 2020 when it was raised then too.

Great to see new displays alongside new books in Sandgate Library. The library has been proudly run by Sandgate Parish Council on behalf of Kent County Council for years, significantly increasing opening times, adding facilities, leading a full refurbishment and making it one of the most welcoming libraries in the county (in my opinion!).

Promoted the Kent WeRoam app - a simple way to get active, explore your local area and discover somewhere new.

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News of Interest:

Autumn Budget 2026: LGA submission- The Local Government Association has published its submission to the Government ahead of the Autumn Budget speech. It sets out its ideas under 6 headings including devolution, financial stability, and health and care.

For more information: LGA

Complaints about adult social care rise - Complaints about adult social care in England increased by 22% in 2025/26, with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman receiving 3,938 complaints and enquiries and upholding 77% of investigated cases. The Ombudsman urged councils and care providers to learn from complaints and improve practice now, highlighting the importance of effective complaint handling, clear communication, and proper signposting for service users.

For more information: Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman

Thousands invited to register for public panel for independent commission on adult social care - Baroness Louise Casey’s independent commission on adult social care has launched a public panel as part of its “Big Conversation on Care”, with thousands of households across England being invited to register an interest in taking part. Around 125 participants will be selected to help inform recommendations on the future of adult social care, including who should receive care and how it should be funded.

For more information: GOV.UK

Protesters set to descend on Herne Bay as anti-immigration demonstration to coincide with counter-protest in October - An anti-immigration protest organised by the Kent Nationalist Movement is planned in Herne Bay for the 24^th October, with a counter-demonstration, “Herne Bay Together - United Against Hate”, scheduled to take place at the same time. Sir Roger Gale, MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, has criticised the protest and urged residents to ignore it, while Kent Police said officers will monitor both events and facilitate a peaceful protest.

For more information: Kent Online

Free rail travel expanded to bereaved veteran families this Remembrance weekend- The Government has announced that, for the first time, bereaved military families will be eligible for free National Rail travel during Remembrance Weekend (7 to 8 November 2026), enabling next of kin to attend commemorative events without travel costs being a barrier. Applications close on 16 October 2026.

For more information: GOV.UK

Warning issued following reports of police impersonation fraud – Kent Police has issued a warning after several residents reported receiving phone calls from fraudsters impersonating police officers and attempting to obtain personal information that could be used for financial fraud. Investigations are underway, and residents are being urged never to share personal or banking details over the phone and to independently verify any caller claiming to be from the police.

For more information: Kent Police

Reorganisation review must result in ‘material change of direction’, the County Councils Network argues – The County Councils Network (CCN) has urged the Government’s review of the local government reorganisation programme to lead to a “material change of direction”, warning that current proposals for multiple new unitary councils could be more expensive, less financially sustainable, and disruptive to key services such as social care. The CCN has called for a return to the original reorganisation criteria, including larger council populations and reduced boundary changes, while seeking greater transparency, certainty over timescales, and full funding of transition costs.

For more information: CCN

Devolution and LGR FAQs: MHCLG – For more information: LGA

Kent County Council Press Releases in September:

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/young-driver-road-safety-programme-expanded

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/kent-trading-standards-prosecute-doorstep-criminals-in-major-fraud-case

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/conference-to-promote-support-for-military-personnel

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/have-your-say-on-family-hubs-vision-for-kents-county-town

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/essential-ramsgate-road-footpath-improvements-to-begin-in-october

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/have-your-say-on-family-hubs-vision-for-kents-county-town

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/make-a-date-with-stoptober-to-stub-out-cigarettes

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/consultation-launches-on-plans-to-improve-walking,-cycling-and-road-safety-on-london-road-in-stone

https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/protect-your-child-with-the-mmr-vaccine2