Social Value Ideas for Folkestone and Hythe District Council

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 …”

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…”

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…”

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…”

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.…”

Lack of staff training records and documentation

Little Stone Store failed to maintain training records for staff as required by license conditions. Trading Standards officers on multiple visits (December 2023, February 2024, December 2024, July 202…

“There were no staff training records to show that any members of staff have been trained on the CCTV...No training logs were present to show that staf…”

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…”

Land stability and drainage risk

Speakers and members repeatedly raised concern that the Foxwood site sits on a steep, potentially unstable slope with springs and surface water issues. Officers confirmed that land stability and drain…

“The site is within an area identified as at risk of land slip. All local people know this, and all local people know about the springs that pop up all…”

Solar schemes return to scrutiny

The council declined to take a formal position against Romney Marsh solar schemes at this stage, because the proposals are still at pre-application stage and insufficient information is available. Mem…

“At present, there is insufficient information available to reach a definitive conclusion on any of the proposals. Officers are of the view, and theref…”

Councillor Cooper Elected as Committee Chair

Councillor Cooper was nominated and elected as chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee through formal show of hands. This is an administrative action establishing committee leadership for the meeting and…

“Happy to nominate Councillor Cooper. Happy to second. Thank you can I have a show of hands. Thank you Councillor Cooper you've been elected chair.”

Respectful politics and safety motion

The council adopted an amended motion on the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox's murder, reaffirming commitment to equality, inclusion, respectful public discourse, and challenging rhetoric that scapegoats m…

“So this motion has three actions associated with it which are not modified by the amendments. to mark the 10th anniversary of Joe Cox's murder by comi…”