Remarkable things in challenging circumstances

While we are awaiting the publication of the Council’s Draft Statement of Accounts (DSoA) 23/24; which are the third set of accounts to be published late (2021/22 &  2022/23), the TEAM thought it would be a good idea to look at Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s published payment to supplier data, for the financial year April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.

Between April 1 to May 3 2023, the Council was led by the Tories. They lost eight seats. Then came the changing of the guard due to the local election results. The Council has since then, been led by the Greens, supported by the Lib Dems and Labour.

Each Cllr had a delegated budget of up to £3,000 per year to spend on community projects and activities that help deliver the Council’s strategic objectives. This is known as the Ward Budget Grant Scheme

Ward Budgets are intended to support projects or activities that benefit the community, preferably within a Ward Member’s own ward.

The maximum which was available for community projects or activities was, £90,000 in 2023/24.

Eighty community organisations through one hundred and fifty four payments, received £72,810.  This is the lowest amount awarded to community projects or activities from Cllrs ward budgets between the financial years 2017/18  –  2023/24.

The Council’s published data for 2023/24 says the following

It is not a statutory requirement to provide Ward Budgets. The Council and Cllrs choose to do this to help the communities of a district.

Did you know the Council are legally responsible under the s46 of the Public Health Act 1984, to undertake Public health funerals for people who have died and: 

• Have no next of kin  
• Or have family who are unable or unwilling to pay for a funeral

In 2023/24, according to the Council’s Published Data; which begins in 2014, they’ve buried people born in The USA, Singapore, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and Romania. Within the UK, people born in Alysham, Birmingham, Dover, Folkestone Guilford, Tooting, Tottenham and Westminster, had a public health funeral, as they all passed away in our district which they called home.

In 2018, an unidentified male washed up on Greatstone Beach, with nothing to identify him at all. The Council buried him. Regardless of the cost in 2023/24; which was £10,746, it was and has been money well spent.

In the Data it shows  thirty eight (38) people who have had a Public Health Funeral were referred to a genealogy company. Why, we know not.

But it doesn’t just stop at Grants or Public Health Burials.  

The Council are responsible for housing people and preventing them from becoming homeless. Such a service does not come cheap, given the rapidly rising tide of rent. It can be challenging to be informed the Council does not owe a duty to an applicant who has submitted the paperwork for help and assistance.

In 2023/24, they paid Paramount Independent Property Services Llp, the sum of £236,318. This was to house people who were homeless. The Council paid £85,874 to suppliers to prevent people from becoming homeless, through their dedicated Prevention Fund budget.

The Council do some truly remarkable things, sometimes in challenging circumstances.

Giving £90,000 to community projects and activities, burying the dead and trying to prevent homelessness are three remarkable things they do well, and the TEAM applaud them for that.

The Shepway Vox Team

The Velvet Voices of Voxatiousness