PRESS RELEASE

19th July 2017

There were plenty of honks and thumbs ups from passing vehicles, including police and ambulance workers, when protesters took to the Folkestone Civic Centre to make their voices heard tonight. Angry about the 15% pay rise that KCC Councillors awarded themselves, whilst Public sector workers are offered a hard fought for 1%, a group of 20 residents participated in the demonstration. It was organised by Facebook group, We Love Folkestone Politics, which is encouraging people to make the move from the internet and on to the streets, getting people out of their lounges and bedrooms to raise awareness of political issues. Founded by Danielle Anson and Sheree Bell, the group originally started as a way of encouraging voter registration in the local and national elections and quickly grew as a platform for people of all political persuasions in Folkestone to share news and discuss the things that matter to them.

At today's County Council meeting Kent's Conservatives voted to increase member allowances by 15%. Liberal Democrat and other opposition councillors voted against the proposal as did one Conservative. Nine Conservative councillors abstained.

Earlier in the debate Conservative councillors set aside the Liberal Democrat proposal that councillors should follow the advice of the independent Member Remuneration Panel which had recommended a modest 1.5% rise.

At Thursday's County Council meeting the Kent Liberal Democrats will propose that the allowances paid to members should follow the recommendations of the independent Member Remuneration Panel. The modest increases proposed by the Panel will restore member allowances to the 2009 levels and set an appropriate indexation for future years.

You can book your ticket now for the Liberal Democrat South East Regional Conference 2017.

The conference will be held on Saturday 11 November 2017 from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm at Reigate School, Pendleton Road, Reigate RH2 7NT

Speakers include:

• Tom Brake MP
• Lord Graham Tope
• Stephen Lloyd MP
• Catherine Bearder MEP
• Liz Leffman Chair of the English Party
• Antony Hook European Spokesperson.

Environment Committee meetings are usually held every 1st Tuesday of each month (except August) commencing at 7pm. However, please confirm date and time on the agenda of the next meeting. For more information visit http://www.sandgatepc.kentparishes.gov.uk/