Beach management work that helps protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses along the coast from flooding is to start next week.
The latest round of biannual recycling and regrading of shingle between Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe through Sandgate to Folkestone Harbour begins on Monday (30 October) and will take up to eight weeks to complete.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Bio Diversity – said:
“This work helps shield the sea wall, further reducing the possibility of flooding and coastal erosion over the five-mile stretch.
“Approximately 120,000 tonnes of shingle will be moved from east to west over the next two months. The longshore drift will then naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping and flooding during storm events.”
“Effects of the changing climate are bringing more severe and unpredictable storms to our area, so it is important we are as prepared as possible.”
Efforts will be made to keep any disruption to a minimum.
Safety advice for Halloween and Bonfire night taking place in the next few weeks.
Halloween – Trick or Treating
We want you to enjoy Halloween, but remember, not everyone wants to take part!
Here’s a few things to remember when you are celebrating Halloween.
10 top tips for staying safe this Halloween
1. Some masks can obstruct vision, a potential danger, when crossing roads. Consider using face paints instead.
2. If your children are trick or treating outside, make sure they are wearing visible clothing – consider using reflective tape and always ensure any costumes and masks are labelled as flame resistant.
3. When trick or treating, Children should go out in groups, younger children should be accompanied by an adult.
4. Older children should agree with parents or guardians in advance exactly where they are going and when they will be back.
5. Make sure children know not to enter anyone’s house and not to accept lifts in people’s cars.
6. Talk through the idea of trick or treat, and make sure your children don’t do anything to upset or annoy the people they visit.
7. Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross.
8. Stay in well-lit areas where there are plenty of houses.
9. Carefully check all the things children have been given. Sweets and food that are still in their original wrappers are safest.
10. Remember – have fun but be safe!
There are two posters below, If you have an elderly or vulnerable friend, relative or neighbour who does not enjoy callers at their door, help them display the ‘no’ poster clearly in the window. If you do receive an unexpected caller at the door, don’t feel pressured to answer if you don’t want to. If you are taking your children out trick or treating, please be considerate and avoid houses who are displaying the ‘no’ poster.
You are also welcome to display the ‘yes’ poster if you would like to make it clear to trick or treaters that you are taking part this Halloween.
Officers will be carrying out extra patrols in your area to keep you safe, however there are number of steps you can take to ensure a great Bonfire Night. Remember:
An organised display is the safest way to enjoy fireworks.
Fireworks are noisy (which can upset very young or elderly people as well as pets). They can cause damage and they can cause serious injuries if not used properly.
Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer.
It is an offence to buy fireworks by anyone under the age of 18. You can be fined or imprisoned for buying or using fireworks illegally.
Shops are not allowed to sell fireworks louder than 120 decibels.
It is an offence to let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am except on 5th November when the cut off is midnight and on Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year when the cut off is 1am. It is also an offence to set off fireworks in the street, onto a road or in a public place.
Anyone caught causing a nuisance with fireworks will receive an instant fine of £80 and any fireworks found on a person under 18 will be confiscated.
Always inform your neighbours if you are using fireworks and be considerate.
Keep bonfires small and manageable and build them away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees, bushes and vehicles.
Never use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire.
Avoid drinking alcohol whilst in charge of a bonfire or fireworks and particularly when supervising children.
In case of an emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.
Make sure your fireworks conform to British Standards BS 7114, EN 14035 or EN 15947.
Keep fireworks in a closed box and use/light them one at a time.
Light the firework at arm’s length using a taper or fuse wick and stand well back – never return to a firework once it has been lit.
Only children over the age of five are allowed to use sparklers and should be supervised by an adult at all times.
Remember, if you break the law on fireworks you could be sent to prison for up to six months or a child’s parents or carers could receive a fine.
Fireworks Code – Before they explode read the code!
1
Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
2
Never give sparklers to a child under 5
3
Buy fireworks marked BS 7114
4
Keep fireworks in a closed box
5
Follow the instructions on each firework
6
Light them at arm’s length using a taper
7
Stand well back
8
Never go back to a lit firework
9
Never put fireworks in your pocket
10
Never throw fireworks
11
Keep pets indoors
Safety Advice
Take Care With Sparklers
Sparklers can reach a temperature of up to 2,000°C, I’m sure you’ll agree that’s quite hot!
So when handling them, always wear gloves. And when you’ve finished, have a bucket of water which people can plunge them in. If you’re giving them to children, then make sure they’re observed at all times.
Children under five should never hold a sparkler. Instead, you can give them a glow stick so they don’t feel left out, and it will last a lot longer than a sparkler.
Have Someone In Charge
You need to delegate one person to be in charge of the display. Give them a hi-vis vest so everyone can easily identify and find them. They should abstain from drinking, at least until after the display.
Doing otherwise increases the risk of injury, and means they’re less able to supervise properly. Equip them with a torch to see what they’re doing and a hat, gloves and goggles to keep them protected.
Buying Your Fireworks
Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop. Don’t cut corners trying to save a few quid and don’t buy from places you’re unsure about. All fireworks that conform to British Standards should have BS 7114 written on the packaging.
Also, make sure you buy fireworks which are appropriate. Most fireworks in Categories 1 to 3 will be okay for a garden display. All Category 4 fireworks are only for professional displays.
Setting Off The Fireworks
Long before you set them off, you should have read the instructions and prepared in the daylight. Let your neighbours know and remember it’s better to be over cautious. Make sure the area is clear of animals and people, and that all your guests are stood well back. Only light one firework at a time and never return to a firework after you’ve lighted it.
Once lit, run to safety and watch the beautiful fireworks light up the sky.
And Just In Case
Unfortunately, things can go wrong from time to time. If someone does get burnt, then remain calm. Cool the burn with cold water, then cover and go to a hospital if it’s serious. Maybe have a small first aid kit to hand for such accidents.
Should someone’s clothes catch alight, then get them to perform the stop, drop and roll. Have a fire blanket which you can also wrap around someone will put out the flames. And having a 2kg powder fire extinguisher means you can act quickly and prevent a small fire escalating.
Who to contact to report suspicious activity or a crime?
If there is a threat to life or public safety, or you suspect a crime is in progress, call 999
To report a crime other than a crime in progress call 101 or visit the Kent Police website to access the ‘Live Chat’ facility.
A vacancy has arisen for the post of Deputy Parish Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) at Sandgate Parish Council.
The Deputy Clerk will be providing support to the Parish Clerk and Librarian and is one of the main points of contact for Sandgate residents.
The position is for 10 hours per week, to include Wednesday 9.30am-1.00pm – plus evening meetings. The salary is £13.40 per hour with a voluntary pension scheme.
The successful candidate will be entitled to 21 days holiday plus bank holidays.
Duties include:
Attending Parish Council meetings
Preparation of Agendas and Minutes
All Financial matters including preparation of financial statements for the Annual Audit
Maintaining the Parish Council website
Managing and interrogating the Parish CCTV
Assisting the Parish Clerk/Librarian in running the parish library
The ideal candidate will be a good communicator, with the ability to work on their own initiative or as part of the team.
The Deputy Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and will be responsible for all financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances.
Sandgate Parish Council broadcast all our full Council and Committee meetings online live (and able to watch back for some months following the meeting) at https://www.facebook.com/sandgatepc
We have had some feedback on, and have been monitoring, the sound quality of our televised meetings and concluded that it needed improvement.
We purchased some improved sound technology and used it last night for the first time. We hope that you will agree it’s a massive improvement: last nights meeting is at https://fb.watch/nKAcL-debK/ (and could compare it with a previous meeting such as at https://fb.watch/nKAD9ycX61/).
For reference, we replaced our previous “budget” desk microphone system with a pair of Anker Power Conf S500 Speakerphones https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08W24YDSC
What is even more impressive is that we only used one of those for the meeting last night: the second didn’t make it out of the box, but the sound quality is already so much better. We still have somewhere to go to improve further, but massive step forward.
“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.”
The 2023 report of the external auditor is as shown above, and is also available to inspect from the Sandgate Parish Council office during opening hours.
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Section 14(1), As Amended By The Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991
Kent County Council intends to make an Order the effect of which is to temporarily close Public Footpath HF8 for its entire length between Public Footpath HF59 & Public Footpath HF56 from the 01 October 2023.
The path will be closed for a maximum of six months.
Public Footpath HF8 is to be closed because development works are planned on or near them.
An alternative route is available from Public Footpath HF59 to Public Footpath HF56 and will be signed for the duration of the closure.
On the evening of Saturday 26th August 2023, we’ll be welcoming back the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival FREE fireworks display, sponsored by the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, from Granville Parade.
On Sunday 27th August there will be the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival, featuring live music, entertainment, stalls and great food on Sandgate’s Granville Parade, Castle Road Car Park and at businesses along Sandgate High Street.
Live music & stalls and our annual free firework display.
Live Music
GRANVILLE PARADE BEACH STAGE
The Liberators (8-10pm)
CASTLE ROAD CAR PARK
Terry Daniels (8-10pm)
SUNDAY (27 August, 10-5pm)
A fun day for all the family with live music, stalls and entertainment along Granville Parade & throughout Sandgate. Arts and Crafts Fair in the Chichester Hall, 70 Sandgate High Street.
Live Music
GRANVILLE PARADE BEACH STAGE
Gumboots Reggae 10am-12noon)
Rattlaz (12.30-2.30pm)
Steve Boltz (3-5pm)
CASTLE ROAD CAR PARK
A Jazz stage led by Roan Kearsey-Lawson and other musicians performing from noon.
THE SHIP INN
Steel And Strings Steel Band right on the seafront next to the restaurant (3pm onwards).
SANDGATE MEMBERS CLUB
Bill Palmer Disco & Karoake. Non-members welcome. (from 6pm)
The organisers would like to say a huge thank you to the generous sponsors of this event. Without their support it would not be possible to hold the festival: The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Sandgate Parish Council, Saga, Prater Raines, Joy-Bettany, Livingstone Homes & Smith Woolley Perry.
Can You Help Fill Our Barrow of Booze?
A key part of the Sandgate Sea and Food Festival each year is the draw to win a “barrow of booze”. That’s an eclectic collection of bottles, cans and more donated from across the village and conveniently served in a wheelbarrow to one lucky ticket buyer! All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the RNLI.
If you have a bottle or two you could donate to fill our barrow this year (unopened bottles only please!) then please drop them to Sandgate Library during opening hours or contact clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk to arrange delivery. Thank you!
Parking Suspension Advance Notice
Parking on Granville Parade, Granville Road East & West and The Parade will be suspended from Noon on Saturday 26th until 7pm on Sunday 27th to allow for the Sea Festival and stalls including drop off, set up and break down.
There is also a parking suspension in Castle Road Car Park from noon on Saturday 26th and all day until 7pm on Sunday 27th August, to allow for deliveries and set-up on the Saturday and the market and break-down on the Sunday.
Please do NOT park in those areas during suspended hours. There are a lot of deliveries, stalls setting up and people visiting: leaving your car there while that is going on makes it much harder to do (and you may get a ticket!).
Tenants have moved into a council-managed housing scheme in Sandgate which has undergone significant improvement works.
Work at Ross House forms part of a wider multi-million pound project to help keep tenants warm in winter and cool in the summer through the installation of energy efficient measures.
Ross House in Ross Way, Sandgate, is the council’s first ‘net zero’ enabled residential block. Retrofit work at this site includes externally insulating and rendering the building, insulating the loft and under floor voids, installing photovoltaic panels on the roof and adding more energy efficient air source heat pumps. The block of 16 apartments has also been redecorated and had replacement kitchens fitted.
The work was completed using funding from the first wave of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), alongside match funding from Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
Councillors, staff and tenant representatives spoke to tenants at the event and learned more about the efforts being made to improve the district’s social housing stock.
Cllr Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “It has been fantastic to see the work that has been undertaken to increase the energy efficiency of Ross House.”
“The work being done across our properties in the district will not only improve the comfort of our tenants’ homes but also reduce their carbon emissions.”
It will continue the progress made during the first phase, enabling the council to improve the energy efficiency of a further 300 homes over the next two years.
Using National Bus Strategy Funding provided by HM Government, throughout August, bus passes for Older and Disabled Persons will be accepted for travel in Kent and Medway before 9.30am. So you can now travel for free up until 11pm.
Using your pass before 9.30am is valid Monday to Sunday from 1 to 31 August from the first bus of the day up until 11pm for older persons and disabled persons bus pass holders only.
Sandgate Parish Council is defined as a “smaller authority” for the purposes of publication of its annual accounts and statements.
The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require that:
1. The accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested, during a period of 30 working days set by the smaller authority and including the first 10 working days of July.
2. The period referred to in paragraph (1) starts with the day on which the period for the exercise of public rights is treated as having been commenced i.e. the day following the day on which all of the obligations in paragraph (3) below have been fulfilled.
3. The responsible financial officer for a relevant authority must, on behalf of that authority, publish (which must include publication on the authority’s website):
(a) the Accounting Statements (i.e. Section 2 of the Annual Return), accompanied by:
(i) a declaration, signed by that officer to the effect that the status of the Accounting Statements are unaudited and that the Accounting Statements as published may be subject to change;
(ii) the Annual Governance Statement (i.e. Section 1 of the Annual Return); and
(b) a statement that sets out—
(i) the period for the exercise of public rights;
(ii) details of the manner in which notice should be given of an intention to inspect the accounting records and other documents;
(iii) the name and address of the local auditor;
(iv) the provisions contained in section 26 (inspection of documents etc.) and section 27 (right to make objections at audit) of the Act, as they have effect in relation to the authority in question.
All the required accounting statements, declarations, annual governance statement and additional statements are available in this 2023 Full Annual Return of Sandgate Parish Council. The declared period for the exercise of Public Rights is 27 June – 7 August 2023.
Scanned pdf documents do not comply with the Accessibility Regulations but the above documents can be provided in an alternative format or on alternative media, on request.
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