At its meeting last night, Dover District Council agreed its budget for 24/25.

DDC agreed that the district council part of the Council Tax bill for a Band D property will increase by 2.98%.  There are no major reductions in services proposed in the budget.  DDC is maintaining schemes to support households on low incomes and people in receipt of certain benefits.

A fully funded capital programme includes a whole range of projects, including the Dover Beacon project, (pictured).

• More on DDC Budget

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner election takes place on Thursday 2 May.

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post. If you aren’t able to post your postal vote in time, you can take it your polling station or to your local council on polling day.

From 2 May, you will be only able to hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station. Campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives, or someone they provide regular care for. 

• More on elections

The very first Dover District Sports Spectacular is coming to the Duke of York's Royal Military School on Thursday, 11 April.

This fantastic free event is being hosted by DDC in partnership with Active Kent and Medway, and will feature a whole range of workshops, taster sessions and exciting live sports demonstrations.

DDC has extended an invitation to sports clubs across the area to get involved.

• Dover District Sports Spectacular

DDC is supporting the Great British Spring Clean again this year, with a range of events set for the campaign, from 15-31 March.

As part of the campaign, we've announced the third year of our popular environmental awards scheme, the REACH Awards.

The awards acknowledge those who work tirelessly to make a difference, as well as businesses who put the environment at the top of their agenda. The closing date for entries is 6 May.  

• Great British Spring Clean

In April, there's a shining celebration on the way, as Dover District Council gets ready to mark its 50th anniversary!  

And in a year of special anniversaries, DDC and Places Leisure have also hailed the success of the Dover District Leisure Centre as it marked its fifth anniversary. 

Dover District Lotto has also celebrated its fifth anniversary.  The Dover Lotto has raised over £200k for local charities and community groups across the district.

• Dover District Leisure Centre

With spring upon us, don't forget to renew your subscription or sign up for DDC’s garden waste collection service.

This comes as DDC rolls out new wheeled bins for the garden waste collection service, which renews from 1 April 2024. The change brings DDC in line with other Kent councils. 

The change from garden waste sacks to wheeled bins is designed to make it easier and safer for householders and collection crews to move garden waste. 

• More on garden waste collections

DDC continues to work hard to pave the way for more affordable homes for the future across the district.

DDC is set to purchase six new properties to add to its affordable housing stock, following a decision by Cabinet in February. These latest new affordable homes are part of a planned 27-home development at the Old Malthouse in Nonington. 

For more information/notifications, please see our Keep Me Posted service and select the 'Affordable Housing' topic. 

• More on affordable housing

DDC continues to work hard to provide help for communities with the cost of living.

Community groups in the district have been given a key funding boost to help local people with the cost of living, with more than £86,000 awarded to 59 different groups.

DDC’s Cost of Living Community Impact Fund is providing funding to help local groups deliver their amazing work in our communities. 

• More on help available

DDC continues to provide a whole range of apprenticeship opportunities. Apprentices work across different service areas and there have been plenty of success stories. 

In National Apprenticeship Week in February, DDC announced that two new roles are coming up at the council, giving people the chance to earn as they learn. 

Since 2012, the council has offered a range of apprenticeships, graduate placements and work experience, and in 2018 launched its higher level apprenticeships at degree level. 

• More on apprentices