The redevelopment of the Folkestone seafront took a further step forward last week, with Folkestone and Hythe District Council approving some adjustments that had been requested to the outline planning permission. The changes asked for by the developer see an in increase in height of some buildings, in order to create more public space across […]
The educational landscape of Folkestone and Cheriton will change in September with the opening of the new Turner Free School, the successor to Pent Valley Technology College. Last Friday I met with Jo Saxton the chief executive of Turner Schools, who are responsible for the launch of the new free school, as well as running […]
Last weekend British forces, acting alongside our American and French allies, completed a series of surgical missile strikes against military targets of the regime of President Assad of Syria. This action was taken in response to an attack by the forces by the Syrian government on the city of Douma, to the north east of […]
Our local fishing industry is not just part of the heritage of our area, but significant to life on the Kent coast today. As well as creating jobs for local families, many of whom have sent generations out to fish in Hythe Bay, it also supplies restaurants, food wholesalers, and supports tourism and the visitor […]
On Tuesday this week the Chancellor, Philip Hammond delivered his spring statement. Now that the government's annual Budget has been moved to the autumn, this statement is not looking to raise or cuts taxes, rather to give an overview on the strength of the economy, and plans for future government spending. At the time of […]
The severe winter weather of last week put a great strain on the public infrastructure that we rely on every day. This kind of weather is an exception in Kent, but causes considerable disruption when it comes. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to try and support people through the snow and […]
There has been increased focus on the Brexit negotiations this week, and whether or not Britain should remain a member of either the European Single Market or the Customs Union, after we leave the European Union in March 2019. These discussions are of particular importance to everyone who lives and works in Kent, because we […]
For the last twelve years I have been pleased to serve as a trustee of the Folkestone Youth Project and to support the work delivered by its committed team of youth workers, led by Ruth Tyler. The Youth Project developed a strong following particularly among young people living in the eastern part of Folkestone and […]
For residents who live in and around Lydd, shingle extraction by the large aggregates companies has been a fact of life for many years. The process creates and sustains jobs, and provides necessary materials for flood defence work all along the Romney Marsh coast. It is also vital to supporting the building industry, and therefore […]
The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, suggested last week at the summit meeting between the Governments of the United Kingdom and France, that consideration should be given to the construction of a new channel crossing. As at Dartford, he has suggested that we should have a Channel Bridge, as well as a Channel Tunnel, although bridging […]