Folkestone & Hythe District Council: Future Plans Survey

Folkestone & Hythe District Council's councillors are making plans for the future of the district and we would like your views.

The vast majority of what the council does are things we have to do by law (e.g waste collection, determining planning applications, distributing housing benefit, helping people access housing etc). A small number of staff, as well as councillors, work on areas that are more than essential services, things that make our district better, and this is what we want to consult you on today.

We are developing a plan that is aspirational, with sustainability at its heart. Whilst acknowledging that we must live within our means, it’s important that the work of the council reflects the needs of our residents both now and in the future. The well-being of our communities, the health of the local economy, and concern for the environment are central to our ambition.

To underpin our plans for the future of the district, we are using the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals as a key guiding framework.

When answering these questions, we are asking you to respond based on the local area you live in.

This survey consists of nine questions and should take around ten minutes to complete. You don’t have to answer all the questions, you can skip those that are less interesting to you. Whatever opinions you'd like to share, we want to hear them.

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* 1. Please select the first part of your postcode from the dropdown menu below, so we know which area you are talking about.

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What do you think are the THREE most important things that make your local area a good place to live? For example: open spaces; safety; thriving town centres; clean streets; affordable housing.

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* 3. Please tell us the THREE things that would most improve your local area:

The council has identified five potential areas of focus for its work. Please read each area and choose the most important points for you.

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* 4. Focus area 1: A well-run, transparent and listening council that works closely with its partners.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Deliver a balanced budget that protects frontline services.

Ensure that we reflect a wide range of views by creating a new Committee system for making council decisions.

Use new ways to engage with people and ensure that everyone has the chance to be heard, particularly young people.

Deliver high quality services for all, especially the vulnerable, disadvantaged and people who struggle to access support.

Build strong partnerships with town and parish councils and voluntary organisations, based on local needs and local knowledge.

Use our influence and voice to make sure other organisations deliver the best facilities and services for our residents.

Invest council funds ethically, in ways that benefit people and the environment and demonstrate that we operate as a Fair Tax organisation.

Set a good example as an employer, treating employees fairly and equally.

None of the above

What are your views on these commitments? Please let us know what else (if anything) you would you like to see included in this section.

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* 5. Focus area 2: Building new homes and improving the quality of existing homes.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Build more council homes to meet the needs of our residents, including at the new community of Otterpool Park.

Seek to secure more affordable homes as part of private-sector developments, with homes that are genuinely affordable for local people.

Support new community-led and co-operative housing projects and identify plots for self-builders.

Reduce carbon emissions from our council houses and sheltered housing and ensure they are safe, healthy and well-maintained.

Work actively with our partners to prevent people becoming homeless.

Provide support throughout the year for people who are homeless, supporting them to find a permanent home wherever we can.

Work with landlords to improve the quality of rented homes, using our enforcement powers where necessary.

None of the above

What are your views on these commitments? Please let us know what else (if anything) you would you like to see included in this section.

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* 6. Focus area 3: Addressing climate change and enhancing the natural environment and local character.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Protect and enhance plant and animal life, especially in our downland, river, coastal and marshland habitats.

Ensure that our parks and green spaces are accessible and maintained in ways that benefit local people and wildlife.

Hold water companies to account for the quality of our drinking water, rivers and coastal waters.

Reduce the council’s carbon emissions and engage with our communities to support reductions in emissions across the district.

Help minimise the damaging effects of climate change, working with nature and landowners.

Ensure new developments are well designed, enhance heritage and local character, are energy efficient and make maximum use of renewable energy.

Improve recycling rates and work with voluntary groups to help people repair and reuse their household goods and appliances.

None of the above

What are your views on these commitments? Please let us know what else (if anything) you would you like to see included in this section.

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* 7. Focus area 4: Growing the economy in a sustainable way and creating opportunities for all.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Work in partnership to promote the district as a location for green technologies, high-tech, creative and tourist enterprises.

Support clean methods of generating energy that respect our protected landscapes and habitats.

Engage with small local businesses to promote opportunities to benefit from council contracts.

Support projects that encourage people to spend locally.

Support food production and land management initiatives that benefit the natural environment and the local economy.

Promote apprenticeships, training and job opportunities, particularly in growing industries that will help deliver a sustainable future.

Invest in Folkestone town centre through the 'A Brighter Future' project and encourage investment across the district, for example by building on the success of the Romney Marsh business hub.

None of the above

What are your views on these commitments? Please let us know what else (if anything) you would you like to see included in this section.

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* 8. Focus area 5: Improving people’s health, wellbeing and sense of community.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Work with partners to improve people’s health, wellbeing and safety, and target a reduction in anti-social behaviour.

Work with partners and local groups to provide support for residents, while aiming to reduce the reliance on food banks to meet people’s basic needs.

Through partnership working encourage people to lead more active lives by promoting and improving access to current and new sports leisure facilities for the district.

Promote walking and cycling, bus and rail services and other green transport measures to reduce carbon emissions from travel and connect people with work, services and leisure.

Work with voluntary organisations to bring people together, celebrate our diversity and enable residents to play an active role in their communities.

Engage with local groups to promote the district’s artistic, cultural, historic and tourist attractions and celebrate our special character, heritage and creativity.

None of the above

What are your views on these commitments? Please let us know what else (if anything) you would you like to see included in this section.

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* 9. Finally, have you got any other ideas that would increase the wellbeing of people or the environment?

The following questions are about you and will help us understand who the views we have collected have come from. You can choose not to say or leave some or all of the questions blank if you prefer.

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* 10. How old are you?

Under 18

18-24

25-44

45-64

65-74

75+

Prefer not to say

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* 11. What is your ethnicity?

White: English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British

White: Irish

White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller

White: Any other White background (please describe below)

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups: White and Black Caribbean

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups: White and Black African

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups: White and Asian

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups: Any other Mixed/Multiple ethnic background (please describe below)

Asian/Asian British: Indian

Asian/Asian British: Pakistani

Asian/Asian British: Bangladeshi

Asian/Asian British: Chinese

Asian/Asian British: Any other Asian background (please describe below)

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British: African

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British: Caribbean

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British: Any other Black/African/Caribbean background (please describe below)

Arab

Other ethnic group (please describe below)

Prefer not to say

Please describe your ethnicity below, if you wish

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* 12. What is your gender?

Female

Male

Prefer to self describe (e.g non-binary, gender fluid) please provide further details below if you wish

Prefer not to say

Please specify your gender below, if you wish

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* 13. Do you consider yourself to be disabled?

Yes

Prefer not to say

Please add any other comments you wish

Thank you for taking the time to share your views on the future of our local area.

The council has a legal duty to consider the needs of its diverse range of customers. As well as questions about our services we ask questions about you. Although you do not have to answer these questions, without this information the council will be limited in understanding whether views differ among different groups of people.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is the data controller of your personal data. Your personal information is processed under General Data Protection Regulations Article 6.1 (e) and Article 9.2 (g) in the performance of an official duty and to meet our Public Sector Equality Duty.

You have the rights to:

- access your personal data
- rectify or correct your personal data
- restrict the processing of your data
- complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office

You also have the right to object to our processing of your personal data.

The council's Data Protection Officer be contacted by email at data.protection@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk, or at the address below.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY.
Phone: 01303 853000.
Web: www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

Folkestone & Hythe District Council: Future Plans Survey

Question Title

* 1. Please select the first part of your postcode from the dropdown menu below, so we know which area you are talking about.

Question Title

* 2. What do you think are the THREE most important things that make your local area a good place to live? For example: open spaces; safety; thriving town centres; clean streets; affordable housing.

Question Title

* 3. Please tell us the THREE things that would most improve your local area:

Question Title

* 4. Focus area 1: A well-run, transparent and listening council that works closely with its partners. Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Question Title

* 5. Focus area 2: Building new homes and improving the quality of existing homes.Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Question Title

* 6. Focus area 3: Addressing climate change and enhancing the natural environment and local character. Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Question Title

* 7. Focus area 4: Growing the economy in a sustainable way and creating opportunities for all.Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

Question Title

* 8. Focus area 5: Improving people’s health, wellbeing and sense of community.Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

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* 9. Finally, have you got any other ideas that would increase the wellbeing of people or the environment?

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* 10. How old are you?

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* 11. What is your ethnicity?

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* 12. What is your gender?

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* 13. Do you consider yourself to be disabled?

* 4. Focus area 1: A well-run, transparent and listening council that works closely with its partners.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

* 5. Focus area 2: Building new homes and improving the quality of existing homes.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

* 6. Focus area 3: Addressing climate change and enhancing the natural environment and local character.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

* 7. Focus area 4: Growing the economy in a sustainable way and creating opportunities for all.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.

* 8. Focus area 5: Improving people’s health, wellbeing and sense of community.
Please select the statements that are most important to you and share any comments about the proposed commitments below.