Cllr Jim Martin, Kent's first Green council Leader, highlighted some of Folkestone & Hythe District Council's achievements since May 2023, including balancing budgets while building more council homes, attracting millions in new funding and launching a youth forum.

New initiatives to capitalise on Folkestone's positive press with a district-wide tourism offer and a new strategy for protecting and enhancing local heritage assets are just part of current work within Rich Holgate's cabinet portfolio. Along with the regeneration of Folkestone town centre, these will contribute to efforts to boost the district's economy.

Shepway Green Party is fielding a formidable roster of candidates, across all six divisions covered by Folkestone & Hythe district, at the Kent County Council (KCC) elections on 1 May. It will be the last time voters get a chance to pass judgement on how the Conservatives have run KCC before it, and the district council, are replaced by a unitary authority. This is a vital opportunity to send a great new Green team to County Hall.

The climate crisis is global but we can all make a difference locally. Councillor Stephen Scoffham is working with those in the community committed to making a difference and now the district council has a new Green Grants scheme to boost projects large and small.

Roy Smith, a local artist and teacher, has been selected to contest Hythe West in May's county council elections. He has lived in Hythe for more than 30 years. Having worked with young people all his life, he wants to be a voice for them at Kent County Council. If elected, Roy will take on the seat from Jenni Hawkins, who won it in a by-election in 2023. Green Martin Whybrow represented Hythe West at Kent County Council for eight years before standing down in 2021.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council will be abolished as part of local government reorganisation. Here Cllr Jim Martin, who will be the council's last leader, shares what he knows and thinks about the impending changes and how Green councillors are striving to protect services for residents, including by making a difficult decision.

A new Green Grants scheme is being launched by Folkestone & Hythe District Council to support community initiatives large and small which promote climate resilience and enhance nature and wildlife. It's another way in which the Green Party's motion leading to the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 has led to action.

It's a wide-ranging brief that covers many of the areas of council work that touch all of us. Jeremy Croft writes about what he and the team at the Council have achieved, when it comes to improving the efficiency of waste collections, looking after parks and gardens and maintaining the council properties.

How did the Chair and three members of the Cabinet at Folkestone & Hythe District Council come to sleep outside one chilly night at the end of November? It was all for a good cause, as Cllrs Anita Jones, Jim Martin and Polly Blakemore explain.

It was never on her bucket list but Mayor of Hythe Penny Shepherd has had a remarkable year in office. It's included enjoying attending and organising many events but also making a real difference to the town through fundraising and even encouraging kindness.