We're seeking questions from the local community for a virtual community event about the use of accommodation in the district to temporarily house those seeking asylum in the UK.
The council is organising the online engagement event to answer resident questions around the Home Office's use of local accommodation, health and wellbeing, community safety and what support network is in place for those seeking asylum. This event will be streamed live on YouTube and will take place at 3pm on Friday 27 January 2023.
The meeting will be chaired by F&HDC Leader, Cllr David Monk and the panel answering questions will include Folkestone & Hythe MP Damian Collins. He will be joined by the Leader of Kent County Council, Cllr Roger Gough and representatives from the Home Office, Kent Police, KCC Public Health and other key partners have also been invited.
A council spokesperson said: "We understand residents may have questions around the use of accommodation in the district to house asylum seekers. We are keen to use our position to provide positive community leadership and facilitate this virtual meeting that will hopefully provide some answers for local people.'
Questions can only be submitted ahead of the meeting. These should be received by the council before 4pm on Friday 20 January 2023. These can be sent in online via https://fhdcformassembly.tfaforms.net/f/community-event or sent by post to Committee Services, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY.
In line with standard council practice enquiries considered to be defamatory, frivolous or offensive may be rejected. It may not be possible to answer every question individually so themes raised by residents may be discussed by the panel.
The public will be able to watch the event by visiting youtube.com/@folkestoneandhythemeetings