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.

Our area is suffering a housing crisis but the district council is acting to increase the number of affordable homes. Rebecca Shoob is leading these efforts, and ensuring too that the council works with partners to help those experiencing homelessness.

Cllr Jim Martin, Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, shares how incremental changes, from a more open leadership style to the evolution of sustainable housing projects like Otterpool Park, are transforming the district. His approach, rooted in accessibility and transparency, is also guiding the Council's new Corporate Plan, centred on the UN’s sustainable development goals, while ensuring a greener future for local developments.

Councillor Polly Blakemore writes about her early impact as Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services, and Building Control, where she quickly made waves by responding promptly to residents' concerns. From tackling small issues like parking to addressing larger challenges such as inadequate bus services, Polly is bringing a fresh approach to local governance—one focused on listening and taking action. While major challenges remain, she is determined to ensure that residents' voices shape future solutions, emphasising that the job is far from finished.