Although the vaccination progamme is now starting to have an impact, it's too soon to relax.

We're all finding it hard - but no-one should feel as though they are alone during this challenging time. There is support available, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In Folkestone and Hythe there are Community Hubs to help those who haven't got alternative support.

Along with all Folkestone and Sandgate residents, I've been delighted to see the fast progress being made on vaccinations locally.

An update from Dr Tuan Nguyen, from HNS Kent & Medway CCG, says that:

"...as of 1pm today [12 Feburary], we have vaccinated 16,872 residents of Folkestone, Dover & Deal across both sites at Dover Health Centre and Folkestone Civic Centre. This figure also includes care home residents and staff.

Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrats and the Shepway Green Party have agreed not to stand against each other in the six Folkestone and Hythe seats being fought in May's Kent County Council elections.

Shepway Green Party will not stand against Lib Dem candidate Tim Prater in Cheriton, Sandgate & Hythe East, where he came second in 2017 and was the clear challenger to the Conservatives.

At Kent County Council's 2021 budget meeting on Thursday 11th February the Liberal Democrats (the largest opposition group) challenged the fairness of the council tax system and called for council tax to be abolished.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was proposed by Faversham councillor Antony Hook. It called for Kent County Council to write to the Government to ask for council tax to be reviewed and an alternative system used.

In the 2017 County Council elections in this area, Lib Dem Tim Prater came a clear second to the Conservatives.

In the 2019 District Elections, Tim took the formerly safe Conservative seat of Sandgate & West Folkestone with 55% of the vote. He's a proven winner.

As in 2019, the local Lib Dem and Green Party branches have agreed not to stand against each other to try to maximise our chances of bringing positive change, this time at Kent County Council. Shepway Green Party is backing Tim Prater to beat the Conservatives in Cheriton, Sandgate & Hythe East in the County Council elections this year.