Local authorities have been administering the Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) and the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) schemes on behalf of government since last November. Through the LRSG scheme mandatory grants have been awarded to eligible businesses in the district which are in the business rates system, while other businesses impacted by the pandemic have been catered for through the Folkestone & Hythe ARG discretionary scheme.

The Liberal Democrats will be fielding candidates in three divisions of Folkestone East, Folkestone West and Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe East. The Green Party will be fielding candidates in Hythe West, Romney Marsh and Elham Valley divisions.

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

A number of Hythe residents asked me to review and comment on planning application 21/0553/FH (Land Opposite 24, Station Road, Hythe). I have done so today, and my comments were as follows:

"I'm commenting in objection to application 21/0553/FH (Land Opposite 24, Station Road, Hythe).

"Although the land has been included in the Local Plan for development, this application exceeds the number of properties specified for the site in the Local Plan. Although they attempt a justification based on plot size, given the recent passing of the plan, to now exceed the numbers in that plan seems excessive and arbitary. If the authors of the Local Plan thought it was a reasonable site for 44 dwellings they should, and presumably would, have said so.

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/

Liberal Democrat County Council Candidate for Deal and Walmer, Penelope James, backs the six priorities of Kent Liberal Democrats.

"Caring for our community, our environment and our residents are key priorities for Kent Liberal Democrats. They have never been more important than now as we emerge from the pandemic.