Candidates in the forthcoming Ashford Borough Council elections for the wards of Beaver, Norman and Victoria attended a hustings event organised by South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) on 22 April. They were supported by colleagues contesting other wards and Parliamentary candidates, Brendan Chilton (Labour Party) and Mandy Rossi (Green Party).
Bob Shrubb of SACF chaired the meeting at which subjects discussed included improving business prospects in the town centre, provision of more venues for culture and arts, making better use of the River Stour, problems created by current ward boundaries and improved support for community forums. Whilst the candidates were in general agreement on some issues, other subjects resulted in lively debate.
Forum members and other attendees gained an insight into the candidates’ views on a variety of issues and the politicians benefitted from face to face discussion that rarely takes place during district council elections.
South Ashford Candidates attending were: Jill Britcher (Labour candidate for Beaver), Aniko Szocs (Green, Beaver), Gordon Miller (Labour, Norman) ,Jenny Webb (Conservative, Norman), Dara Farrell (Labour, Victoria), Caroline Harris (Labour, Victoria).
L to R: Conservative – Bill Barret , Jenny Webb; Labour – Dara Farrell, Gordon Miller, Caroline Harris, Jill Britcher; Bob Shrubb (SACF); Green – Thom Pizzey, Aniko Szocs