District Council Leader's Q&A Session and questions from the Labour Group

On 17th June 2020, Cllr David Monk, Leader of Folkestone and Hythe District Council, took questions from district councillors, as well as questions submitted from the wider public, via Zoom. The Labour Group on the council asked a range of pressing questions, holding Cllr Monk and his cabinet to account on a range of issues.
Cllr Jackie Meade noted that the District Council has temporarily housed 33 homeless people during the Covid-19 restrictions. She asked what plans the council has for these people, and for homeless people in the district more generally, once its source of funding for this temporary accommodation has expired. Cllr Meade expressed her concerns about a possible increase in homelessness in the coming months, exacerbated by issues connected to the long wait for Universal Credit and the actions of landlords.
Cllr Laura Davison asked what the District Council is doing on the issue of the implementation of free school meal schemes during the summer holidays, and how the District Council is responding to our community with respect to Black Lives Matter. She also asked how the council plans to address the impact of COVID-19 on the BAME community in the district.
Cllr Nicola Keen asked a series of important and locally-focused questions on the issues of replacement bins that are broken by District Council contractors, and on the problem of excessive dust and pollution near two large building developments in the district.
This was complemented by questions from Labour Group Leader Cllr Connor McConville on the issue of rat infestations and extreme damp issues reported by residents in East Kent Housing.
Finally, Cllr Michelle Keutenius pressed the council leader on when the District Council plans to re-instate (virtually) full council meetings, and when it plans to re-schedule the AGM which was due in May. She also asked an important question relating to local Play Parks and associated legal fees.
The Labour group continues to provide much needed, focused and strong opposition within Folkestone and Hythe District Council and looks forward to future opportunities to hold Cllr Monk and his cabinet to account.
To watch Wednesday’s Questions to the Council Leader, please see below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3vYnzd2Vk