06/05/2026
I’m proud to share my official outgoing Chair of FHDC photo. This evening I stepped down from the Chair and we elected Cllr Paul Thomas as the new Chair.
This was my final speech:
Thank you to everyone for the giving me the opportunity over the last two years to represent Folkestone & Hythe District Council as your Chair. It has truly been an honour! It has allowed me to discover more about our amazing, diverse and vibrant District and to support all the people who work hard to make it a fantastic place to live and work.
I have also had the opportunity to network outside of our District, which as we head towards LGR, is more important than ever. Our neighbours need to be our friends and we need to understand and learn from each other so that we can work together in the future to benefit all our residents.
One of my aims when I became Chair was to establish a Youth Forum in the District. I am delighted that we have now seen two Cohorts of young people from Secondary Schools across the whole District come together for our Youth Forum. The forums have covered a whole range of topics that interest and concern the young people, in addition to challenging us as councillors and scrutinising what we do. By engaging with this age group in this more meaningful way, we have grown in understanding as a council. Many other District and Borough councils have been interested in our Forum, and I hope that this will become a feature of the new Unitary Authority. Thank you to the team here that here supported the initiative and also the councillors who have taken part - particularly Cllr Mike Blakemore, Cllr Stephen Scoffam & Cllr Rebecca Shoob.
One of my Green aims as Chair was to plant more trees around the District. I have taken part in whip planting initiatives. Some more successful than others! Thank you to those of you who helped - I look forward to seeing the results over the forthcoming years.
I was keen to use this position to raise money and awareness for local charities. I set out two years ago that I would encourage members to bring a food donation to Full Council Meetings for the Rainbow Centre. Thank you to everyone for supporting this small but vital way of donating. It’s a good example to set - bringing a tin or packet often feels easier than donating money, but can make a big difference to the lives of many people in our District. I was also delighted that we raised a significant amount of money for the Rainbow Centre through our very cold sleep out (thank you to Cllr Jim Martin, Cllr Tim Prater & Cllr Polly Blakemore for joining me!), my Civic service and Chair Event in Dungeness. In addition, I was pleased to raise money for South Kent Mind alongside Cllrs Mike Blakemore & Cllr Tim Prater taking part in a firewalk. Cllr Jim Martin & I also raised money for Folkestone & Hythe Scouts & St Leonards Church by abseiling off the St Leonard’s Church Tower!
I have supported our five Town Mayors in their Charity Fundraising Events. We are lucky to have some amazing Mayors and councillors working hard in their Towns. I would like to thank the outgoing town Mayors and congratulate those who are currently being elected for the coming year.
I have lots of people to thank for helping and supporting me over the last two years. Firstly, my family. Steve and my two sons have taken turns to accompany me to a number of events. They have also put up with the unusual time commitments this position has required.
Thank you to Rev Micheal Darkins for leading us in prayers at the start of each Full Council. The prayers have been meaningful and reflective and set a good tone for the meetings.
Thank you to Jemma, Jake & Alex for supporting me with my diary bookings, council meetings and any other questions I have had. You’re a fantastic team.
Thank you to Dave for ensuring that I arrive at the right time in the right place! I know that my dog, Luna will particularly miss the handful of treats that Dave bought with him each time he picked me up!
I have given all of them gifts to thank them. Please forgive me for the cactus gifts - as you know, I am very fond of Green things that grow. I personally find houseplants challenging to keep alive - I hope that these should be resilient and long lasting!
Finally I would like to thank all the councillors for being an amazing group of people to work with. Despite our political differences, we have worked really well together over the last three years. Our common goal of working together for the good of our residents & communities is what has made us a strong and effective council. I am proud of all the work we have done together and plan to do in our final year.
