News

A new toilet block powered by solar panels and boasting a green roof planted with wildflowers has been officially opened in Folkestone’s Lower Leas Coastal Park.

The new facility provides an additional four toilets – including one with full disabled access – for residents and visitors to the park, as well as a small commercial kiosk, near the foot of the Zig-Zag Path.

Cllr Jeremy Speakman, Cabinet Member for Assets and Operations, said:

“With the popularity of the area continuing to grow, this investment of around £150,000 will help ease some of the queues for loos seen in recent years.

“With its solar panels and green roof, this is a great addition to the Coastal Park for residents and visitors alike.”

The solar panels on top of the block will generate enough energy to power the toilets, the hot water and the vast majority of electricity needed to operate the kiosk.

This is the latest upgrade to the Lower Leas Coastal Park, with the recent addition of the new children’s pirate ship and planned improvements to the accessible play area later this year.

Suggestions for a drop kerb to access the ‘Cow Path’ to and from the park have been also considered but had to be rejected due to accessibility experts’ safety concerns.

The new kiosk is being marketed through the Kent Business Portal. If you are interested, please register and submit your bid in accordance with the terms and deadlines advertised.

It is hoped the kiosk will be up and running before the school summer break begins. Enquiries can be sent to procurement@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

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.

Sea and Food Festival Stalls

Any local business or organisation that wants to be part of the Granville Parade Seafront market on Sunday 27th is more than welcome to do so: we’d love to see you!

Local businesses with your own premises we would love to signpost you as a venue for FREE. Host some entertainment, run a food special, be open during Festival hours: whatever your thing, talk to us and we can help tell people about your business! Email clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk with details or to discuss.

If you would like a seafront stall, please don’t hesitate but contact Julie Webb at clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk to discuss options. Stalls cost £70 for the day on Sunday for businesses, or are FREE for Charities and non-commercial organisations. All stall holders require Public Liability Insurance and depending on stall type may need other certification: Julie will confirm.

Please note that seafront market spaces are limited, and subject to restrictions. Granville Parade is really space limited, and we will give priority there to food and drink vans, which will be parked on road and NOT on the seawall.

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!).

This is to certify that Sandgate Parish Council has signed up to the Civility & Respect Pledge. The Council agreed to sign the pledge at the Full Council meeting of 21st March 2023.

Sandgate Parish Council believes now is the time to put Civility and Respect at the Top of the Agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.

Certificate Number 1224

Sandgate Parish Council will:

● Treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.

● Put in place a training programme for councillors and staff.

● Sign up to Code of Conduct for councillors.

● Have in place good governance arrangements in place including, staff contracts, and Dignity at Work Policy.

● Commit to seek professional help at early stages should civility and respect issues arise.

● Commit to calling out bullying and harassment when if and when it happens.

● Continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model / champion council e.g., via Local Council Award Scheme.

● Support the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.

Civility and respect should be at the heart of public life. Good governance is fundamental to ensuring an effective and well-functioning democracy.

There are growing concerns about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on Parish and Town councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the resulting effectiveness of local councils.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations have responded to this by setting up a Civility and Respect Working Group to oversee the Civility and Respect Project.

Election of 8 councillors to Sandgate Parish Council for the Sandgate Village Ward on Thursday 4th May 2023 [Elected without contest – 8 candidates for 8 vacancies].

• BARRETT Hazel-
• CLARIS Susan
• FITCH Michael
• FULLER Gary
• HORTON Simon
• MORRIS Rosalie
• PRATER Tim
• STEPHENS Tracy

Election of 3 councillors to Sandgate Parish Council for the Sandgate Valley Ward on Thursday 4th May 2023.

Turnout: 35.19%

Election of 2 councillors to Folkestone & Hythe District Council for the Sandgate and West Folkestone Ward on Thursday 4th May 2023.

Turnout: 42.56%.

A poll for the election of District Councillors for Sandgate and West Folkestone Ward will be held on
Thursday, 4 May 2023 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

The number of District Councillors to be elected is 2.

The situation of Polling Stations and the description of persons entitled to vote thereat are as follows:

• Wards Hotel – (Grimston Gardens Entrance), 39 Earls Avenue, Folkestone. Poll numbers: SWF1 1.000 to 742.000

• St Georges Church Hall, Audley Road, Folkestone. Poll numbers: SWF2 1.000 to 1048.000

• Sandgate Library, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate. Poll numbers: SWF3 1.000 to 2660.501

A poll for the election of Parish Councillors for Sandgate Valley Ward of Sandgate Parish Council will be held on Thursday, 4 May 2023 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

The number of Parish Councillors to be elected is 3.

The situation of Polling Stations and the description of persons entitled to vote thereat are as follows:

St Georges Church Hall, Audley Road, Folkestone. Poll numbers SWF2 1.000 to 1048.000