News

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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/

Having Fun with Art is an 8 week programme of creative workshops delivered by Strange Cargo Arts Company.

Exclusively for young people aged 55 and over our sessions offer a great opportunity to meet new people or come together with friends in a COVID-19 safe environment.

8-19 year olds could paddle for free on the Kayak and Paddleboard Award programme from Shepway Sporrts Trust in Folkestone Harbour.