News

Stop Loan Sharks

Stop Loan Sharks

Have you or anyone you know:

  • Been offered a cash loan without paperwork?
  • Been threatened when you couldn’t pay?
  • Had your benefit or bank card taken from you?
  • Had a loan which keeps growing even though you are making payments?

If you can answer yes to the above you may have been bitten by a Loan Shark.

For confidential help and advice contact the Illegal Money Lending Team: 0300 555 2222 (local call rate, including inclusive minutes from mobiles)

Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Text: 07860022116

Web: www.stoploansharks.co.uk

These resources are available in Slovak & Czech, Bulgarian, Polish, Urdu, Russian, Lithuanian, Portugese and Albanian below.

translated-posters-polish-russian-lithuanian-portugese.croplines-3mmbleed

Loan-Shark-Albanian-leafletpdf

Urdu-SLS-information

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Loan-Shark-BULGARIAN-1

Loan-Shark-Polish-1

Loan-Shark-Slovakian-Czech-1

Posted by Tim Prater in News
KCC FREE Covid-19 control advice and training for Businesses, Charities and Not-for-Profit

KCC FREE Covid-19 control advice and training for Businesses, Charities and Not-for-Profit

Now and during the coming months, it is important that COVID-19 and infection control continues to remain a priority. 

Kent County Council has recently commissioned a free COVID-19/infection safe training and advice service for sole traders with a Unique Tax Reference, small and microbusinesses registered via companies house, charitable organisations registered via the charity commission, and not for profit organisations that operate in the KCC Local Authority area.  

The free training sessions will last 3 hours, are being held on Zoom on 8, 14 and 18 September, and will aim to assist eligible organisations to: 

  • Ensure a safe place of work. 
  • Ensure clean and safe equipment.
  • Provide clear information, training and instruction, and supervision on how to manage infection control including COVID-19. 
  • Complete robust infection control risk assessments.

For more information and to book a free place, please visit https://sektraining.org.uk/training-courses/kcc-covid-19-safe-training

Posted by Tim Prater in News

Report of the External Auditor 2021

AGAR-2020-21-Notice-of-Conclusion-Sections-1-2-3

“On the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), in our opinion the information in sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirement.”

“Other matters not affecting our opinion which we draw to the attention of the authority: none.”

The report of the external auditor is as shown above, and is also available to inspect from the Sandgate Parish Council office during opening hours.

Posted by Tim Prater in Annual Returns and AGAR, Council, Finance, News, Resources

Home Office’s future use of Napier Barracks – update from Folkestone & Hythe District Council

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been advised that the government is intending to extend its use of Napier Barracks to house those seeking asylum in the UK until September 2025.

Responding to this announcement Councillor Jenny Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The council has not had any role in this decision as the government is using special planning regulations to extend the use on a temporary basis for another four years.

“We have not changed our initial view that Napier Barracks is not the right place so this is very disappointing news and not what we had been hoping to hear.  I have made it clear to the Home Office that if the use is to continue then it is our expectation that government will make further investment to improve facilities for those staying at the barracks.

“As a council we will continue to play an active role, alongside our partners, to monitor the use of the barracks. We have already held two online community meetings to enable questions from our residents to be answered and we shall continue in our role of holding to account both the Home Office and the operators who run the facility on its behalf.”

The statutory instrument which allows for Napier Barracks to continue being used to house asylum seekers can be read online.

Posted by Tim Prater in News

Folkestone & Hythe District Council Consultation: Have your say on proposed licensing policy

Residents and businesses have a chance to comment on a new licensing policy for the Folkestone & Hythe District until 27 October 2021.

Each licensing application is determined on its own merits but the council’s licensing policy provides guidance when evaluating these. The proposed updated version of the policy contains recommended opening hours as a guide.

This licensing policy is required to be refreshed every five years and the latest update will cover the period from 2021 – 2026.

Consultation on this licensing policy will be open for nine weeks after which time all feedback will be collated and considered and any amendments made to the document as appropriate. It is intended that this subsequent version of licensing policy will return to Planning and Licensing Committee and then full council in November 2021.

To view the draft of the Licensing Policy and find out how to comment please visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/consultations

Posted by Tim Prater in News

Join the Library, Borrow a Book: Maybe Win a Prize!

We’re really proud that Sandgate Library is the only “Parish run” library in Kent.

To celebrate, as part of the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival, we are having an Open Day this Sunday (29th August) from 10am-2pm.Anybody who either joins Sandgate Library on Sunday (its free – just turn up with a couple of forms of ID) or borrows a book (or more!) from the Library will be entered into a prize draw.

On Tuesday, two names will be drawn, with each winning a voucher for two Sunday Lunches at the Royal Norfolk Hotel – simple as that!

So drop in, say hello, sign up as a library member (if you aren’t already) and borrrow a book. We’d love to see you, and you might win a tasty prize courtesy of the Royal Norfolk Hotel. It would take 5 minutes: we hope to see you on Sunday!

Sandgate Library is on the ground floor of James Morris Court, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3RR

Posted by Tim Prater in News

Booking to visit a Kent Household Waste Recycling Centre Consultation

Kent County Council are currently consulting on the future use of a booking system for customers to access our Household Waste Recycling Centres (sometimes known as the ‘tip’).

They say: 

“Feedback since we started using the booking system suggests that many customers have found it convenient and useful but that some would still prefer to just ‘turn up and go’. 

“We are considering keeping the booking system on a permanent basis, but before this is considered by the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee we want to hear the views of Kent residents and other stakeholders.”

This consultation closes on Thursday 30 September 2021. Please visit our webpage to find out more and participate in this consultation.

Posted by Tim Prater in News

Sandgate Library’s Event Schedule from 6th September

We’re delighted to say that our library event schedule is returning from September 6th!

Clubs and events will restart from Monday September 6th 2021.

MondayBaby Rhyme Time10.15-10.45
Second Monday Of The MonthBook Club11.00-12.00
MondayScrabble1.30 – 3.30
Second & Fourth TuesdayKnit And Knatter10.00 – 12.00
ThursdayTalk Time2.00 – 3.00
FridayBaby Rhyme TimeSession 1: 10.15 – 10.45
Session 2 : 11.00 – 11.30

All events must be booked in advance via the library email Sandgate.library@kent.gov.uk or, only during library opening hours, by phone 01303 248 563, and the numbers of participants will be strictly limited to 10*.

*Baby Rhyme Time – 1 carer & 1 or 2 babies / toddlers would be considered as 1 participant.

Full details of Sandgate Library opening times are at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/library-opening-times/

Posted by Tim Prater in News
Opportunity to comment on the draft Folkestone Town Centre Place Plan

Opportunity to comment on the draft Folkestone Town Centre Place Plan

Final feedback on the actions and priorities included in Folkestone town centre’s draft Place Plan is being sought from residents and businesses.

The Place Plan sets the direction for a sustainable and vibrant future for Folkestone Town Centre. Folkestone & Hythe District Council commissioned this work to ensure we can create the best future for Folkestone town centre and for all those who live in, work in and visit it.

Urbanism consultants We Made That have led on the Place Plan project, supported by a wide range of experts from other organisations giving input on.

Work to develop the Place Plan has been ongoing since February and over this period multiple workshops, surveys and webinars have been held to encourage as much engagement as possible.

The Place Plan identifies six key missions to overcome “the grand challenge”. This challenge has been identified by We Made That as stemming decline within the town centre, attracting investment, bringing together community groups whilst addressing the climate emergency. The draft plan presents tangible and exciting proposals for possible future changes to the area such as improved access into and throughout the town centre, business and employment opportunities, potential for more homes, and more green spaces.

The actions – which have suggested prioritisations – are the ways in which the ambition set out in the plan will be achieved. The plan recognises that there is a role for the council, public sector partners, businesses, investors and the community to deliver these actions.

Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Cllr David Monk, said: “This project has progressed well and we want to give people the chance to submit any final comments on the priorities and actions that have emerged

Cabinet Member for the District Economy, Cllr David Wimble said: “I’m grateful to all those who have engaged with us through this project. All feedback and insights have been considered and this has helped shape the creation of final draft of this Place Plan.”

This final draft of the document will be going to Cabinet on 22 September 2021.

Residents and businesses have a chance to comment on the actions and priorities in the final draft of the Place Plan document until 20 August 2021. 

To view the final draft of the Place Plan and find out how to comment please visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/folkestoneplaceplan 

Posted by Tim Prater in News