Residents facing financial hardship this winter can now get support from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, if they qualify.

The council has been awarded funding from Kent County Council for the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is provided by the government and runs until 31 March 2022 (subject to fund availability).

There is a virtual event to launch the White Cliffs Community Rail Partnership next Thursday, 20th May, at 2pm. The partnership covers the nine stations between Westenhanger and Sandwich (including Folkestone West and Folkestone Central), and you can hear their exciting future plans and ideas.

The event is open to all with an interest in trains, railways, tourism, sustainable travel or has ideas how stations can play a bigger role in our community.

The following elections are taking place on Thursday 6 May 2021:

• Police and Crime Commissioner election
• Kent County Council elections
• Folkestone Council ward of Folkestone Town Council by election
• Sandgate Village ward of S andgate Parish Council by election
• New Romney Town ward of New Romney Town council by election

At the online Folkestone and Hythe District Council (F&HDC) meeting tonight (21 October), Lib Dems Tim Prater and Gary Fuller successfully moved a motion on fireworks that recevied wide cross-Party backing.

The motion sought to introduce measures to reduce the distress that fireworks cause to the elderly, children, pets and other animals, while also recognising the pleasure that fireworks bring to many. It also sought to ban the release of sky lanterns from F&HDC land.

Since 1974, applications have been welcomed each year around this time from residents of Folkestone to apply for the Town Mayor of Folkestone's Christmas Fund for assistance with their winter expenses. Prior to 1974 this was known as the Mayor's Coal Fund and gifts of coal were distributed to those eligible.

I've been asked by a number of local residents and licencees what checking was being made of Covid-19 arrangements such as Track and Trace, distancing and 10pm closure in pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants locally.

I received over the weekend the helpful update below on what the requirements being tested are, and what work is going on in those areas, and thought it would be useful to pass on!

It has been confirmed that a proposed new crossing of Shorncliffe Road to make access from Sandgate and West Folkestone to Folkestone West Railway Station has got the go-ahead and will be built this summer. The plan went to consulation with residents earlier this year.

Following consultation, the detailed plans have been slightly amended, moving the new crossing from one side of the Shorncliffe Road junction with Audley Road to the other, so that the crossing now is opposite St George's Church.

Due to further ingress of water through the ceiling, Sandgate Library is temporarily closed again. We hope that this matter will be resolved speedily. When it is known the date the Library will re-open, I will inform you.

Regarding tonight's main Sandgate Parish Council meeting, the venue will be Reading Room, upstairs at the Old Fire Station (next the the Provindence Inn). It will commence as usual at 7pm.

Saturday 14th December sees the return of the popular Sandgate Arts & Crafts Fair to the Chichester Hall, Sandgate High Street.

Opening at 10am, there will be a wide range of affordable art, crafts, jewellery, christmas gifts, decorations and wreaths, vintage homewares and more.

The full line up of stalls is: