News

Over the weekend our Chairman Tim Prater picked up on letters going out in the Enbrook Valley area to some houses regarding misconnections to the sewer, and requiring alterations.

We’ve been in touch with Southern Water this morning to get a clearer picture of the issue. Below is the information we have to date. We’re asking for more information from them, but thought it helpful to post what we have right now:

“Thank you for taking the time to get in touch this morning. I can fully appreciate any concern, the discovery of misconnections on Brambley Crescent has caused the residents affected.

“The Kent misconnections team have been surveying the Enbrook Valley catchment for 12 months now, finding 27 properties with misconnected pipework and 71 individual facilities that all connect to the surface water sewer which then outfalls into the Enbrook Stream.

“Misconnections are a problem across the Southern Water region and the UK. They can occur when moving facilities around the house, for instance when moving a washing machine into a utility room or garage. If correct checks are not done, the surface water drain can be mistaken for the foul sewer.

“Building an extensions could result in a misconnection if a builder doesn’t check the layout of the drains properly. However, in some cases the property has always been misconnected and the homeowner unknowingly inherited the issue when they first took over the property.

“The team that have been proactively surveying the area are David Booth & Darko Zlatarek. David, Darko and I are contactable Monday to Friday, should you or the homeowners have any questions or need support. We can arrange visits to demonstrate the issue or meet contractors when attending to scope the work needed to address the problem.

“I would encourage each property owner to make enquiries with multiple, trusted local contractors to acquire quotes. Then keep David, Darko or myself updated. I appreciate that it’s a less than ideal time to be told about a problem of this nature, so we are flexible in the time needed to rectify the issue. All that I ask is that we are kept updated with the progress being made.

“I completely understand that this news has come as a shock. Nobody knowingly wants to cause an issue like this to the local environment.

“Please get in touch if you have any questions or I / we can assist in anyway.

“Kind regards

“Rob Butson

“Misconnection Team Manager”

We understand the letters sent to residents have the contact details for Rob / David / Darko. Those affected are encouraged to contact them as soon as possible.

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As we approach Christmas, I just wanted to wish you all the best for a Happy Christmas and the New Year.

Despite the obvious and ongoing challenges, we will have seen Sandgate Library completely refurbished this year. The works have been funded from external grants, and made it much more welcoming and accessible to all (indeed, it’s a “Warm Welcome Space” https://www.warmwelcome.uk/ so good we’re even on the map twice!).

We’ve celebrated the Jubilee, planted two new orchards that will develop and grow over coming years, enjoyed a great Sea Festival, commemorated the death of the Queen and remembered her service to our country.

Sandgate has retained our Seaside Award status, and welcomed Ukrainian refugees in venues across the village.

It’s also great to see other organisations in the village thriving. The Chichester Hall continues to invest in refurbishment and renewal. The Sandgate Society and Sandgate Heritage Trust merger is almost complete. St Pauls Church celebrated its 200th anniversary with a huge range of events. The Sandgate Community Garden work on a seemingly ever increasing number of projects. And 2^nd Sandgate Scouts are growing and doing well, with their HQ on The Undercliffe looking better than for years.

Thank you to everyone involved in any way locally with making Sandgate what it is.

It’s been a privilege to work with you, and to have chaired the Parish since 2020. I hope you get a great break – wherever you are – and look forward to seeing you around the village over the holiday or in 2023.

Happy Christmas.

Tim

Tim Prater
Chairman, Sandgate Parish Council

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

We know that some groups are more likely to experience barriers in preparing for this change and may need support to access photo ID. Anyone who does not have an existing form of accepted photo ID will be able to apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

This guide is for staff and volunteers working at local authorities and charities in England who want to support those they work with to understand the change. It includes information on:

• Registering to vote
• Which forms of photo ID will be accepted
• Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate
• What voters can expect at the polling station
• Other ways to vote

Voter-ID-Resource_Staff-Guide-Web_May-23_Group-1

Visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call 0800 328 0280 for more information.

Folkestone and Hythe residents worried about meeting the rising costs of living may be able to get support to help with everyday costs.

Depending on their circumstances residents could be eligible for schemes from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Kent County Council or central government. There is also support available from local and national organisations and charities.

Details of the various options – including local support – have been collated at folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support and leaflets with this information have been distributed to community spaces.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee said:

“We’re lucky to have some wonderful local organisations in our district. I would urge residents who would benefit from additional help to visit our website and find out what support is available.”

To find out more about the support available please visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support and update the booklet online here.

Sandgate Library will close for carpet fitting on Monday 5^th and Tuesday 6^th December. We will re-open to the public on Thursday 8^th December.

Alternative libraries include Hythe, Cheriton and Folkestone.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is redrawing constituency boundaries in order to rebalance the number of electors represented by each MP, and a final consultation on proposed new constituencies is now open.

A new revised map of constituency proposals, which takes into account feedback sent in by the public on the initial proposals, has been published on the consultation website bcereviews.org.uk.

The proposed revisions to Folkestone and Hythe constituency leave the seat broadly as it is, but as it now contains too many electors removes the wards of Saxon Shore, North Downs West and North Downs East which are added to a new Ashford seat. These proposals have no impact on which Council a ward relates to, just which MP they vote for / are represented by in Parliament.

Saturday 26^th November between 10am – 12 noon in St Paul’s Church Sandgate John Hurd will be playing some of his own compositions accompanied by the soprano Tammy File. As usual refreshments will be provided.

Entrance and refreshments: Free.