By Cllr Mike Blakemore

When we campaigned for election in 2023, we had many doorstep conversations with residents who were very critical of the council. Some of this criticism was unfair but much of it was rooted in scepticism that the council was willing to listen to residents and a suspicion that the council was serving its own interests rather than theirs.

The single best – or worst – example was Princes Parade. The previous council leader was determined to press on with the unwanted seafront development in Hythe despite huge opposition, even ignoring a vote in full council.

Since taking over running the council in May 2023, we have worked hard to improve the relationship between the council and people in the district. Our councillors strive to respond promptly and meaningfully to residents’ emails, to meet with them, listen to their concerns, and follow up on these with council officers.

My Community & Collaboration cabinet portfolio, which covers community safety, health and wellbeing and community empowerment, brings me into regular contact with many of the community organisations which play such a vital role in making our district a great place in which to live and work.

The council supports many groups, including financially, and works in partnership with them, as it does with public agencies such as the police and NHS. Nevertheless, some groups felt they lacked a voice.

In Folkestone, we established a Community Forum so that groups with an interest in the town, including civic societies, could have a regular opportunity to meet with senior council officers and cabinet members to discuss significant developments such as the Folkestone A Brighter Future regeneration of the town centre.

Our councillors have been involved in establishing similar ways in which people can be consulted about the council’s plans and engaged in shaping them.

I have also been keen that the council joins with those in the community speaking out on issues such as bus cuts and cancellations, sewage entering our bathing waters, the closure of Grace Hill Library by Kent County Council, and KCC’s withdrawal of funding from Hythe youth club.

We know that, despite the change of government, public services – including those provided by local councils – will continue to struggle financially and it is essential we do all we can to support the voluntary sector. I was delighted to co-host the first ever Folkestone & Hythe District Excellence in Volunteering Awards. I have welcomed record numbers of groups to networking events in St Mary’s Bay, Hythe, and Folkestone and have supported a series of ‘Well’ events in New Romney and Folkestone (Hythe next time) which offer safety and wellbeing advice to the public while also bringing voluntary and public sector organisations together.

This is just the beginning, but it’s a good start on the road to supporting and empowering our community, listening to people and changing their view of the district council.

An ambitious consultation process has just been launched on the council’s new corporate plan, setting out its aspirations for the rest of the decade. Have your say here

Councillor Mike Blakemore helping grounds maintenance teams at Kingsnorth Gardens.