By Cllr Jim Martin, Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park & Planning Policy
Leadership
By nature, I prefer evolution rather than revolution, and this is how I have approached change as the Leader of Folkestone and Hythe District Council. The first thing I changed was allowing Council staff to refer to me as Jim, rather than Leader, which was my predecessor’s preference!
The next thing I changed was taking on the responsibility of answering my own correspondence, then adopting an “open door” policy to people who wished to meet me, also agreeing to see people in their own homes if they requested it!
All small incremental evolutions but they amount to significant change in terms of accessibility, openness and transparency.
Another good example is the development of the council’s new Corporate Plan, an important document setting the direction for the council and how it should work to shape the future of the district for its residents and businesses for the rest of the decade.
The emerging plan is based on the 17 goals of sustainable development as published by the United Nations. While addressing all the local and regional issues it should, as all the other Corporate Plans previously published by the Council have, the council’s new plan will have its foundations firmly fixed in an internationally agreed set of principles.
Otterpool Park
I am the portfolio holder for Otterpool Park. This Garden Town development is due to provide 8,500 homes next to Westenhanger Station and Junction 11 on the M20. Otterpool will help the district deliver its increased housing target – set by the new government – and provide high levels of affordable housing as well as increasing biodiversity. Our aspiration is for it to achieve net-zero status.
Bringing a “green” focus to the development plans has invoked many changes and tweaks – again, evolution rather than revolution!
These changes are in line with the government’s thinking and their net zero ideas. Indeed, any housebuilder/developer we have discussed matters with, has completely embraced our net zero ambition. Purchasers of new homes expect zero carbon, low-cost homes. This evolution of purchasers’ requirements, reflects people’s move towards more sustainable choices and more environmentally responsible options, as choosing “Green” becomes mainstream.
The development of Otterpool will take over 20 years, so many people will succeed me in taking responsibility for its construction, but our Green influence will ensure that the landscape-led, Garden New Town of Otterpool will be an exemplar of sustainability.
Cllr Jim Martin planting trees in Hythe.
