Tim Prater

PCSO Mark Ball attended the One Stop in Cheriton Road in relation to a report of Robbery. From viewing the stores CCTV Officer Ball was able to ascertain the direction of travel before and after the event. From checking other local stores CCTV footage it was determined that the original target had been The Coop. Footage shows the male suspect attempting to enter the store just before they were scheduled to open and upon being unable to gain access proceeded to the One Stop. This investigation is currently on going.

Spokes East Kent Cycle Campaign have sent a questionnaire to all local Kent County Council candidates asking their views on cycling locally and how they would seek to improve it. Their questions, and my answers, are below.

1. Widespread 20 mph speed limits are increasingly being implemented across the country in places that people live, work, and shop. They provide a cost-effective means to reducing the number and severity of casualties and make our streets more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists whilst having smoothing traffic flow. Kent County Council regularly receive requests for widespread 20mph limits to be implemented. Will you act to support the adoption of widespread 20mph limits? If so, which specific actions do you plan to take? If you do not support widespread 20mph limits please explain why not.

As you may know, in a few weeks on May 2^nd there will be elections to Kent County Council. I've been honoured to serve as your Liberal Democrat County Councillor for the last four years. It really doesn't seem that long!

I remember how close the result was in Folkestone West in 2009. We overturned a Conservative majority of over 1,300 votes to take the seat with a majority of 11. Four years on, we are fighting to win again.

Award winning Kent political journalist Paul Francis has tipped the Liberal Democrats as likely to hold all its existing seats on Kent County Council - including the Folkestone West seat snatched from the Conservatives in 2009 by Tim Prater.

In his analysis of the prospects for the main parties in the forthcoming Kent County Council elections, Paul Francis sees the likely outcome that the Conservatives will retain control of the County Council but with a "significantly reduced majority", and that the Liberal Democrats are likely to hold its existing seats.

This is the update for the month of February, for Sandgate, Cheriton, and surrounding areas.

On Friday 1st February 2013 PCSO's Mark Ball and Gary Carr stopped a group of young persons who were reported to have been causing a disturbance in The Coop. As a result of their actions the group was subsequently banned from the store.

On Sunday 30th December PCSO Mark Ball attended One Stop in Cheriton Road in relation to a report of Shoplifting. From viewing the stores CCTV Officer Ball identified the male who was subsequently arrested.

On Friday 4th January 2013 PCSO Mark Ball and PCSO Gary Carr attended Bouverie Place Shopping Centre in relation to a report of nuisance youths who were verbally abusive to members of the public. The group were stopped and quickly identified and moved on from the area. Parents will be informed of their conduct.

The footpath from Caesar's Way is part of an off-road route from Cheriton to Junction 13 of the M20. But much of the path was muddy and overgrown and hard to use.

However, working with Kent's Public Right of Way team, Liberal Democrat Kent County Councillor Tim Prater has backed the work with funding from his Members Highways Fund to get it paved and overhanging "greenery" cut back.

Kent County Council are finalising proposals to remove over 3,000 streetlights across Kent, including over 200 in Shepway.

Kent justifies this decision (and they claim it is a decision, not a consultation) on the basis that it saves energy and money. They add that when the County Council budget was consulted on, many people backed the view that unnecessary streetlights, such as those on Thanet Way, should be removed.

This is the update for the months of November and December, for Cheriton, Morehall and surrounding areas.

On Wednesday 7th November 2012 PCSO Mark Ball attended the One Stop shop in relation to a report of a member of public attempting to buy items using £100 worth of counterfeit money. Upon viewing the stores CCTV, the identification of the suspect was ascertained. The case is currently on going.

This is the update for the month of October 2012, for Cheriton, Morehall and surrounding areas.

Education officers teamed up with local PCSO's Gary Carr and Mark Ball in order to conduct a truancy sweep throughout Folkestone town centre.

On Saturday 13th October 2012 PCSO Mark Ball hosted a Community Meeting at Cheriton Library. Residents from Chilham Road and local councillors attended. Issues surrounding criminal damage and Anti-social behaviour were discussed.