Social Value Ideas for Folkestone and Hythe District Council

Non-compliance with mandatory Challenge 25 age verification policy

Little Stone Store systematically failed to implement the mandatory Challenge 25 age verification policy required under the Licensing Act 2003. Staff consistently failed to ask for ID from customers p…

“A trained and competent member of staff would have known to ask on every sale every time. No training logs were present to show that staff were traine…”

Licensing Act review application outcome - licence revoked

The Licensing Act Sub-Committee determined to revoke the premises licence for Little Stone Store, 41 Little Stone Road, Folkestone following a Section 51 review application submitted by Kent Police. T…

“In coming to this decision, we have considered representations made by Ken Police, 10 trainees down at New Rumpetal Council, Lightening Officers, the …”

Underage alcohol sales and breach of licensing objectives

Little Stone Store sold two bottles of Smirnoff vodka (700ml, 37.5% ABV) to two 15-year-old girls on 31 May 2025 without any age verification or ID checks. One child was hospitalised requiring intrave…

“On the 31st of May this year, two 15 year old girls walked into Little Stone stores and were sold not one but two bottles of vodka. No ID was asked fo…”

Draft licensing policy consultation

Members considered a renewed draft licensing policy under the Licensing Act, with only minor changes from the existing version. The policy will go out for an eight-week public consultation, then retur…

“The report in front of you is to deal with the new licencing policy. The licencing policy has been renewed every five years under the Licencing Act. T…”

Illegal employment of staff without right to work

A staff member employed at Little Stone Store was working on a visitor visa without legal right to work in the UK. The license holder's friend employed this individual around 20 June 2025 while the li…

“The premises licence at the Little Stone store includes several key conditions...Whilst there were some difficulties which are technical difficulties.…”

Licence Review Application - Sunshine Bistro

Home Office Immigration Enforcement submitted an application for review of the premises licence for Sunshine Bistro, Folkestone, following enforcement action. The Licensing Sub-Committee is required t…

“This is Report No. DC 2541 and this is an application for review of the premises licence in respect to Sunshine Bistro... The report outlines the appl…”

Late-night takeaway licence granted

The sub-committee decided to grant the premises licence application for late-night refreshment at Cappadocia BBQ Meze Grill, despite public objections. The decision was made after discussion with lega…

“We have decided to grant the application. Obviously, there will be the right to appeal. And there is also that you write to make any complaints to env…”

Training and guidance before go-live

The committee agreed that implementation support must be completed before the national scheme starts, including member training, communications with town and parish councils, and public-facing guidanc…

“There are five recommendations. To receive and note the report, the Audit and Governance Committee recommends to full council that proposed amendments…”

Planning delegation updated

Planning governance changes were proposed to reflect national appeal processes, clarify deferral rules, and introduce explicit delegations for nationally significant infrastructure projects, enforceme…

“We have also made some changes around how decisions are made and members involvement to appeal. That's mainly around changes at national level to how …”

Planning delegation overhaul

The committee recommended changes to the constitution and planning code so the council complies with the new national scheme of delegation. The changes are mandatory from 31 October 2026 and are inten…

“The national scheme of delegation is not a change that has been designed by officers, nor the change that the Council has chosen to introduce locally.…”

Traveller site approved

The committee approved retrospective planning permission for the travelling show people site at Littlestone, despite concerns about prior use without permission and summer occupation. The officer conf…

“So, Councillors, over to you. Does anyone need any clarification? Want to ask any questions? Councillor Horningsby. Yes, can I just cheque first of al…”

Approve roof and window amendment

Members approved a section 73 amendment at Sandbanks to vary conditions on an existing conversion scheme. The planning officer explained that the council was only considering the acceptability of the …

“This application seeks permission under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to vary condition two and condition eight of the approved…”

Holding objection to solar NSIP

The committee agreed to issue a holding objection and submit a formal consultation response on the South Brooks Solar Farm pre-application, while directing officers to incorporate the concerns and add…

“I think the only other bit that we'd add is that to the recommendation we've hired holding objection subject to the following being fully addressed in…”