At a full meeting of Folkestone & Hythe District Council on 26 February 2025, Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) rose to ask a pointed supplementary question to Council Leader Cllr Jim Martin (Green), querying whether he was aware of a substantial offer for the controversial Princess Parade site.
“What I would ask is, is the Leader aware that, as I understand it, there is an offer on the table for Princess Parade for £21 million?”
Cllr Martin responded curtly:
“I am unaware.”
That response, however, is now under serious scrutiny. According to multiple well-placed sources within the Council, Cllr Martin had already discussed the offer in question with Ewan Green, Director of Place, as early as September 2023. We are aware that Andy Blazkowicz and Dr Susan Priest were also aware of the offer.
Further evidence suggests Cllr Martin was involved in additional discussions with individuals outside the Council in mid-October—weeks after the internal briefing. The bid, reportedly the second formal offer for the site, followed an earlier proposal made by developer David Pownceby.
Given this timeline, Cllr Martin’s denial cannot reasonably be construed as a misunderstanding or oversight. It was not merely misleading—it was demonstrably false. To put it bluntly: the Leader of the Council lied to the chamber.
Princess Parade, a prime seafront site long mired in public controversy and legal wrangling, has become emblematic of deeper tensions within the District Council. While former Leader Cllr David Monk was known for bending the truth to its outermost limits—and occasionally beyond—this incident crosses a far more serious line: a direct breach of public trust by the very person entrusted to lead with transparency.
This situation also raises concerns in relation to the Seven Principles of Public Life, which apply to all those who hold public office. These principles—selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership—are the ethical foundation of public service in the UK. A deliberate denial of material facts in a public forum violates not only the principle of honesty, but also undermines openness, accountability, and ultimately leadership itself.
To have a sitting Council Leader stand in the chamber and deny knowledge of a £21 million offer—when evidence exists he “discussed this proposal“—raises grave questions about integrity, accountability, and the standards expected of those in high office.
Whether Cllr Martin will acknowledge the falsehood or offer an apology remains unclear. As one councillor remarked privately: “We’re not holding our breath.”
The Shepway Vox Team
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