This week Britain will have a woman Prime Minister for only the second time in its history. I am delighted that Theresa May has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party and I believe that she will give the country the direction it needs at a time when there are many challenges to be overcome. Mrs May has made clear that on the crucial question of our leaving of European Union that ‘Brexit means Brexit.’ There will be no suggestion of a second referendum or failing to deliver on the result of the vote on 23rd June. We must now focus on making a success of it.
I was recently asked by the Department for Communities and Local Government to speak at a special conference in Brighton on the regeneration of coastal communities. The conference was attended by the Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois, and representatives of coastal community teams from around the country; including our own from Folkestone. These teams work to bring together local councils, with businesses and other community groups to create plans to support the regeneration of coastal communities. The government has created a special fund to give a financial boost to these schemes and it expects to start making awards to the bidding towns in the autumn.
Folkestone is already regarded within the government as a coastal town that is making substantial progress and can be regarded a positive example for others. We have seen large amounts invested by the Roger De Haan charitable trust and the Folkestone Harbour company in the regeneration of the old town and seafront. Last Sunday, for example, when I was on the harbour arm, it was good to see the progress that is being made in completing the regeneration of the old Harbour station, which is expected to be open for next summer. However, alongside this has been considerable investment from other individuals and local businesses into the town. These have helped to increase the amount of activity in the centre and creative quarter, with new shops, cafes and restaurants open and doing well. Different community groups have also worked to improve the physical appearance of the town. For example, you can look at the Step Short First World War centenary arch on the Leas, or the murals commissioned by the Bradstone Road Residents Association for Sunflower House, and in Bradstone Road itself.
The success of the Coastal Communities Team initiative lies in recognising that success comes from different groups working well together, and thinking about their town, not just as residents, but also how visitors would see it as well. That is why smaller schemes, like the placing of the new signs and information boards around the town centre, can make such a positive difference.
I would like to thank the Folkestone Coastal Community team for all of their work so far, and I’m sure that they will be successful in attracting additional funding to support the ongoing regeneration of the town.