Since their election to Folkestone and Hythe District Council in May, our Green Party district councillors have been busy making positive changes at the council, working hard for all residents in the district and fulfilling manifesto pledges made during the election campaign.
A major achievement was, of course, gaining control of the council, with Cllr Jim Martin elected as Leader of the Council. As the biggest political group on the district council, the Green group formed a power-sharing alliance with the Liberal Democrats and established a new cabinet, with new portfolio roles; there are nine cabinet portfolios in total, with seven held by Green Party councillors and two by the LibDems.
Delivering on our election manifesto pledge for a new democratic committee system for the district council, our Green councillors enthusiastically supported a motion at June’s full council meeting for the district council to adopt a committee system, replacing the current cabinet system. This is due to come into effect following the council’s annual meeting in May 2024.
This means that the current cabinet will remain for one year, providing an excellent opportunity for our Green cabinet portfolio holders to gain a depth of understanding about district council operations and make sensible decisions for the good of our community. Come May 2024, under the committee system, each committee and its chair will be proportionally representative of all political groups on the council. This, we know, will mean a fairer representation of all residents’ views in council decision making.
Until May 2024, your Green Party cabinet portfolio holders are:
Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration: Cllr Mike Blakemore
Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services and Building Control: Cllr Polly Blakemore
Cabinet Member for Place Plan, Heritage, Tourism and District Economy: Cllr Rich Holgate
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park and Planning Policy: Cllr Jim Martin
Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity: Cllr Stephen Scoffham
Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness: Cllr Rebecca Shoob
Cabinet Member for Assets and Operations: Cllr Jeremy Speakman
They are joined by Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Tim Prater (LibDem) who is the cabinet portfolio holder for Finance and Governance, and Cllr Gary Fuller (LibDem) who is the cabinet portfolio holder for Resident Engagement and Accountability. In a friendly agreement with colleagues from the Labour party, it was decided that Labour councillors would chair current committees of the council, such as Planning, Audit and Governance, and Overview and Scrutiny, until the new committee system comes into effect.
We will provide a more detailed update on how the new committee system will function in due course. You can see a list of current committees and working groups on the Folkestone and Hythe District Council website, here.
You can find all councillors, the wards they represent and other responsibilities they hold on the council website, here. This is also the best place to find your local councillors’ contact details.
More updates on our councillors’ wonderful achievements so far, to follow!
