The Folkestone and Hythe Council meeting on 1 October 2025 was scheduled to address a range of topics, including a petition against solar farms on Romney Marsh, an update to the council's policy regarding the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and an update to the Statement of Principles related to the Gambling Act 2005. Councillors were also expected to discuss portfolio reports and address questions from the public and fellow councillors.

Petition to Stop Industrial-Scale Solar Sprawl on Romney Marsh

An e-petition, titled Stop industrial-scale solar sprawl on Romney Marsh , which had gained 414 signatures, was scheduled to be presented. The petition, submitted by Amanda Farrant, expressed concerns over the development of industrial-scale solar energy and battery storage projects on Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land¹. The report pack noted that one planning application (25/0542/FH) had been submitted to the District Council for consideration, and three further projects would be submitted to the Secretary of State as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). These included:

• South Kent Energy Park,
• Shepway Energy Park, and
• South Brooks Solar Farm.

The council was to consider possible responses to the petition, including noting the petition and taking no further action, referring it to the Cabinet or the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, examining the issues raised by debate, or examining the issues as part of a future scrutiny programme.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - Council Policy

The council was to consider its policy on the use of directed surveillance² and covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The report pack stated that the council is subject to regular inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office, and a recent inspection on 29 August 2023 found the council compliant with RIPA legislation. The council was asked to approve the RIPA policy and procedure, which is reviewed annually and forms part of the council's policy framework as set out in the constitution. The report pack noted that there were no substantive changes proposed to the policy, with minor updates relating to the list of Senior Authorising Officers and RIPA Management Structure.

Gambling Act 2005 - Update to the Statement of Principles

The council was asked to approve the updated Gambling Statement of Principles for the period 2025-2028. The Gambling Act 2005 requires the council, as the local licensing authority, to prepare a Statement of Principles related to the exercise of its gambling licensing functions, which must be reviewed every three years.

The main changes to the statement included:

• General updates to references, contact details and addresses.
• Updates to the 'Gambling Prevalence & Problem Gambling' section with information from the latest studies.
• New demographics data.
• Incorporation of the latest guidance on Gaming Machines in different commercial settings.
• Updates on Gaming Machines Categories including maximum stakes and maximum prizes.

The report pack noted that a public consultation period of 6 weeks ran from 30 June 2025 to 11 August 2025, and only two responses were received.

Portfolio Holder Reports

The council was scheduled to hear reports from Portfolio Holders, including:

• The Leader of the Council on Otterpool Park and Planning Policy,
• Councillor Tim Prater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance,
• Councillor Mike Blakemore, the Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration,
• Councillor Polly Blakemore, the Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services & Building Control,
• Councillor Gary Fuller, the Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Accountability,
• Councillor James Butcher, the Cabinet Member for Place Plan, Heritage, Tourism and District Economy,
• Councillor Stephen Scoffham, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Biodiversity,
• Councillor Jeremy Speakman, the Cabinet Member for Waste and Street cleansing and Corporate Health & Safety,
• Councillor Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, and
• Councillor Connor McConville, Cabinet Member for Assets and Local Government Reorganisation.

The reports covered a range of topics, including planning, Otterpool Park, the draft budget strategy, the council tax reduction scheme, temporary accommodation costs, community engagement, transport, the Folkestone - A Brighter Future scheme, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Rural England Prosperity Fund, town centre improvements, the former Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, the Heritage Strategy, bathing water quality, climate change initiatives, and local government reorganisation.

Councillor Polly Blakemore was scheduled to report that she and Councillor Stephen Scoffham had met with senior Network Rail representatives to offer support for plans to shift more freight to rail using excess Channel Tunnel capacity. Councillor Blakemore was also scheduled to report that she and Councillor James Butcher had met with Toby Howe, KCC's Highways & Transportation Strategic Resilience Manager, to discuss the EU Entry Exit System (EES).

Questions from the Public

Mr M Bradbury was scheduled to ask Councillor P Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services and Building Control: Could the Councillor please advise me of the primary purpose of Controlled Parking Zones?

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Apologies for Absence
• Declarations of Interest
• To receive the minutes of the council meeting held on 23 July 2025
• Chair's Communications
• Questions from Councillors
• Announcements of the Leader of the Council
• Opposition Business
• Motions on Notice