Democracy

ABC Boundary Proposal to go to Council

3 September 2016 0 Comments

ABC warding proposal for South Ashford

ABC ward boundary proposal for South Ashford

On Thursday, Ashford Borough Councillors will be shown proposals for ward boundaries that are being submitted to the Local Government Boundary for England (LGBCE) by the Council. South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) believe that the ABC proposal fails to use the opportunity to address issues with the existing warding arrangement, identified in SACF’s submission and in some respects makes them worse.

The submission is the Councils’s response to the LGBCE’s consultation on warding arrangements, undertaken as part of an Electoral Review of the Borough.

Proposals have to be submitted to LGBCE by Monday, after which they will consider all submissions and produce their Draft Recommendations. A consultation on these is due to start on 8 November 2016.

The ABC proposal can be viewed on the Council Agenda page on the ABC website, https://secure.ashford.gov.uk/committeesystem/ViewAgenda.aspx?MeetingId=3030&MemberRef=23. We have shown an approximate representation of the proposal for South Ashford wards in the attached plan.

SACF’s submission can be viewed under Local Information / Representation / Electoral Review on the South Ashford website https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/08/09/sacf-electoral-review-proposal/

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, News, SACF

Have your say on new council ward boundaries for Ashford

10 August 2016 0 Comments

Proposed ward arrangement

Ward boundaries proposed by SACF

South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) want to know the views of residents of South Ashford on a draft proposal that they have prepared for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). The proposal is in response to a request from LGBCE for help in drawing up a new pattern of council wards for Ashford Borough Council.

The LGBCE is the independent organisation that provides electoral arrangements for English local authorities that are fair for voters and keeps the map of English local government in good repair.

The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the borough.

The Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 47 borough councillors in the future: four more than the current arrangements.

The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Ashford to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 47 councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Ashford.

SACF’s proposal can be viewed on the South Ashford website, under Local Information / Representation / Electoral Review, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/08/09/sacf-electoral-review-proposal/.

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Democracy, News

Result of Beaver Ward by-election

5 August 2016 0 Comments

Ballot boxRyan MacPherson has been elected as councillor for Beaver Ward. Beaver Ward is now represented by Ryan McPherson and Beverley Murphy.

The result of the Beaver Ward by-election, announced by Ashford Borough Council, is as follows:

  • Joanna Gideon (Conservative) 240
  • Caroline Harris (Labour) 243
  • Ryan MacPherson (UKIP) 373
  • Elizabeth Wright (Green) 31

The turnout was 21.3%

The declaration was made just after 11.10pm on 4th August

The political composition of Ashford Borough Council is now as follows:

  • 35        Conservative (C)
  • 2          Labour (L)
  • 3          Ashford Independent (AI)
  • 1          Liberal Democrat (LD)
  • 2          UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Ashford Borough Council 5 August 2016
www.ashford.gov.uk/news/result-of-beaver-ward-byelection-5th-aug-1432/

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, News

Beaver Ward Councillor retires

4 July 2016 0 Comments

Ashford Beaver WardJill Britcher, Borough Councillor for Beaver Ward has announced her resignation.

Following surgery earlier this year Jill and her husband have decided that they should move to a smaller house and garden they can manage better. They are moving out of Ashford to be near family.

Jill does not believe it is right for a councillor to live out of borough and so not be in touch with local issues and worries.

The returning officer for Ashford has announced the election for a new councillor, if contested, for Thursday 4th August. Nominations for candidates are open until 4 pm on Friday 8th July www.ashford.gov.uk/current-by-elections ➚

 

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, News

Where your money goes

15 June 2016 0 Comments

ABC CrestFollowing the report that Ashford Borough Council Cabinet members considered on 9th June, the Council is now making available for inspection its accounts for the 2015-16 financial year.

On a budget of £13m the Council reported a slight overspend of £27,000. Those accounts are now being made available for members of the public to view between 9am and 4.30pm from 16th June until 27th July 2016 at the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane, Ashford, or online at www.ashford.gov.uk/budgeting-accounts. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, Finance, News

SACF May 2016 Meeting

12 May 2016 1 Comment

The next meeting of South Ashford Community Forum will take place

  • at 6:30 pm
  • on 18th May 2016
  • at South Ashford Baptist Church
    Brookfield Road, TN23 4EY

The Agenda can be downloaded from the Minutes and Agendas page.

Representatives of of U+I Group, will attend this meeting to give an update and answer questions on ‘Victoria Way‘ and Powergen Site developments. The meeting time has been set at 6:30pm to allow the development proposals to be displayed before the formal start at 7:00pm.

The current proposals for the ‘Victoria Way‘ development can be downloaded from the dedicated website victoriaway.com. Our comments on the proposals can be viewed from the Publications page.

The planning application for the Powergen Site can be viewed on the Ashford Borough Council planning application search, using Case No. 15/01671/AS. Our comments on the Application can be viewed from the Publications page of the South Ashford website.

An Electoral Review of Ashford is in progress. Ashford Borough Council has proposed that the number councillors is increased. We will discuss what this could mean for South Ashford.

Democracy, News, Planning and Development, SACF

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Election

8 April 2016 1 Comment

ballotboxCandidates have been announced for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Election on Thursday 5th May 2016. More information can be viewed on the dedicated ‘Kentparo’ website. www.kentparo.org.uk The candidates are listed below.

To cast your vote you will need to register to vote by 18th April 2016 … /register-to-vote-for-pcc-elections

Ashford Borough Council 08 April 2016 www.ashford.gov.uk/news/kent-police-and-crime-commissioner-election-on-5th-may-1334/ (more…)

Crime, Democracy, News