Democracy
To vote in the Kent County Council elections on 4 May,SACF drafts response to LGBCE proposals
LGBCE Draft Recommendations for wards in South Ashford
South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) have reviewed the Draft Recommendations for wards for Ashford Borough Council, produced by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), and have drafted a response.
SACF is concerned because the LGBCE Draft Recommendations fail to address issues raised by them regarding the pattern of wards serving South Ashford. They also believe that inadequate provision has been made for new development in South Ashford and the town centre.
SACF has produced alternative proposals which address these matters. SACF’s response can be viewed on the South Ashford website under Local Information/Representation/Electoral Review and will be discussed at their meeting on 22nd March.
LGBCE fails to sort out South Ashford wards
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England have adopted Ashford Borough Council’s proposals for ward boundaries for Ashford. This leaves an amended Victoria Ward split by the main railway line through Ashford and isolates the Watercress area even more so than with the existing ward boundaries.
South Ashford Community Forum believes this is a lost opportunity to rationalise the wards and will comment on the proposals. Its proposals can be seen on its website https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/08/09/sacf-electoral-review-proposal/ .
The draft proposals can be seen on the LGBCE website http:// www.lgbce.org.uk
Overview and scrutiny in local government inquiry
Commons Select Committee for Communities and Local Government
Opens: 24 January 2017
Closes: 10 March 2017
The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee launches inquiry into overview and scrutiny in local government. The Committee will consider whether overview and scrutiny arrangements in England are working effectively and whether local communities are able to contribute to and monitor the work of their councils
Governance failings
Overview and scrutiny arrangements were introduced by the Local Government Act in 2000 as a counterweight to increasing decision-making powers of Leaders and Cabinets or directly elected mayors. Shortcomings have been exposed, however, following a number of high profile cases, including child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, poor care and high mortality rates at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and governance failings in Tower Hamlets. (more…)
ABC withdraw from merger plans
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has announced today (Wednesday 25th January), that it no longer intends to pursue discussions on the proposed creation of a single East Kent district council.
In July last year ABC’s Cabinet approved a Statement of Intent to explore a potential merger of the five East Kent district councils. Those five authorities – Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet – jointly commissioned the independent production of a business case to investigate the advantages, disadvantages and potential mechanisms for a merger.
Following receipt and independent examination of the business case, the authority has decided to not continue talks any further, but to retain flexibility to enable ABC to consider working with the other authorities and partners throughout Kent or those outside the county in the future.
A formal decision will be made in February when members consider a report put to Cabinet and then Full Council. (more…)
Consultation on ABC draft warding proposals
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has announced the dates for the public consultation on draft recommendations for warding for Ashford District as 7 February 2017 to 3 April 2017.
This will be the second stage of consultation during the Electoral Review of Ashford. South Ashford Community Forum’s proposal for wards for the unparished area of South Ashford can be viewed here: https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/08/09/sacf-electoral-review-proposal/. Other submissions can be viewed on the LGBCE website www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-east/kent/ashford
The aim of the electoral review is to recommend ward boundaries that mean each councillor represents approximately the same number of voters. The Commission also aims to ensure that the pattern of wards reflects the interests and identities of local communities as well as promoting effective local government.
We will post the announcement of the consultation.
Boundary Review recommendations delayed
Publication of draft recommendations for ward boundaries for Ashford Borough Council, which was due to today (5th November), has been delayed, The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has added an announcement to its website saying “New dates for the consultation on the Commission’s draft recommendations for Ashford District Council will be published shortly.”
Any decision on ABC wards could be superfluous if ABC merges with other East Kent district councils, a possibility currently being considered by the leaders of the councils of Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet.
Related stories:
- Council merger information evening 14 September 2016
- ABC Boundary Proposal to go to Council 3 September 2016
- Have your say on new council ward boundaries for Ashford 10 August 2016
Kent’s PCC launches policing survey
Policing in Kent 2017-2021: Autumn 2016 survey
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner
Opens: 10 Oct 2016
Closes: 2 December 2016
Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking people which policing priorities matter most to them.
As he prepares to write his Police and Crime Plan for 2017-2021, Matthew Scott has published a short public survey as part of a wider consultation process. The survey was launched on World Mental Health Day (10 October) in honour of the fact that mental health is the ‘golden thread’ that runs through the current plan.
Mr Scott said: ‘Mental health is not only an issue I care deeply about, but also one that has become much more important within the police and criminal justice system. It is estimated that a third of police time is now spent dealing with people who have a mental health issue and it is in everyone’s interests to ensure there is an effective response.
‘The existing Police and Crime Plan ends on 31 March 2017, to be replaced with a new plan for 2017 – 2021. I have a duty to consult with victims and the wider community so I want to know what matters most to you.
‘Please take the time to fill out my short survey and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to fill one in as well.’ (more…)
Council merger information evening
Yesterday evening, 6th October 2016, Canterbury City Council held evening to provide its residents with information on discussions about the possible merger of five district councils in East Kent. The councils involved are Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet.
Bob Shrubb, Chair of South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) attended the event and has prepared his own notes on the meeting. Bob says the notes include his own views and the matter has not been discussed at SACF.
Bob’s notes can be viewed here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8rLNXpJBFJ8R0ZBRHdSWHp6TUU
2018 Boundary Review initial proposals launched
Boundary Commission for England
Opens: 13 September 2016
Closes: 5 December 2016
The independent Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has published its initial proposals for new Parliamentary constituencies. The publication marks the start of 12 weeks of consultation, during which the Commission needs to hear from you to help shape the proposed new constituency boundaries.
Following a decision by Parliament to reduce the number of constituencies in the UK to 600 from 650, and to ensure that the number of electors in each constituency is more equal, the BCE has been asked to make independent recommendations about where the boundaries of English constituencies should be. The BCE must report to Parliament in 2018 and, if agreed by Parliament, the new constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled General Election in 2020.
Publication of the initial proposals today is the first time people get to see what the map of new constituencies might look like. The rules that the Commission works to are such that wide scale change is inevitable. Under the proposals announced today, only 68 of the existing 533 English constituencies remain unchanged.
The proposals for Ashford would see large parts of the west of the existing Ashford Constituency, moved to a new constituency named High Weald and a swathe of the existing Folkestone and Hythe Constituency moved to Ashford.
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- Existing Ashford Constituency
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- Proposed Ashford Constituency
The towns and villages that would be moved out of the constituency include Charing Heath, Egerton, Little Chart, Smarden, Bethersden, Biddenden, High Halden, Tenterden, Rolvenden, Small Hythe and Newenden. The villages moved into Ashford would include Hastingleigh, Brabourne, Smeeth, Aldington, Bonnington, Bilsington and Ruckinge.
Sam Hartley, Secretary to the Commission, said: ‘Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts – during the next 12 weeks we want people to take a look and tell us what they like and don’t like about our proposals. Parliament has set us tight rules about reducing the number of constituencies, and making them of more equal size, and we now need the views of people around the country to help us shape constituencies that best reflect local areas. Use our website to tell us what you think, or come along to one of our public events to give us your views in person.’
It is easier than ever to get involved, by using the BCE’s website at www.bce2018.org.uk or by coming along to a public hearing in your area. People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies. The consultation closes on 5 December 2016. There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2017. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the BCE will look at all the evidence received and make final recommendations to Parliament in September 2018.
The nearest public hearings will be held on 3-4th November at County Hall, Maidstone. Attendance must be booked in advance via the links from the BCE consultation page www.bce2018.org.uk/node/6488?postcode=TN234EY
Boundary Commission for England 12 September, 2016
http://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/2018-boundary-review-initial-proposals-launched/