the website of South Ashford Community Forum
A letter in the Kentish Express on Thursday 17th September has caused concern among voters that Community Councils will cause an unacceptable increase in their Council Tax. There were four responses to the letter including one from Bob Shrubb, Chair of South Ashford Community Forum: (more…)
Kent County Council has recently secured funding to convert all of its street lights to Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology.
As the new LED / CMS technology is more flexible, they have the opportunity to review the way that they provide street lighting. They want to hear your views on the options for street lighting across the county. Your responses will be used to inform the Council Members’ decision making process for a new street lighting policy.
They would like to know which of the following options you would prefer:
Along with these options they are also seeking your views on the dimming of street lights when roads are less busy.
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/streetlighting/consultationHome
It can be comforting to curl up in front of a warm, cosy, crackling fire on a cold winter’s night. But, before you light yours for the first time this year, it’s vital you make sure it’s in good working order and fit for the winter or you could be putting your family and home at risk.
Between 2010 and 2014, Kent Fire and Rescue Service tackled almost 1,350 chimney fires in Kent and Medway. One of the main causes is not having your chimney swept regularly. Dirty chimneys can cause fires which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people.
We know how busy life gets and that it’s all too easy to forget the important things in life. Sign up to our clean sweep alert and you can rely on Kent Fire and Rescue Service to send you a friendly reminder to get your chimney swept and inspected as well as useful tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Do you use an open fire, wood or log burning stove, Aga or other ‘real flame’ appliance in your home. Follow our top tips to help avoid a fire and keep your family and home safe: (more…)
Free NHS health checks and healthy living advice will be on offer at an event in Ashford later this month.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust will be carrying out the checks, which test lung function, blood pressure, pulse and cholesterol levels, on Wednesday 23 September between noon and 2pm.
They will also be offering advice on staying healthy, being active and stopping smoking at ‘the green’, opposite Trinity House, Upper Pemberton, Ashford.
Health checks are for people aged 40 to 74 and will determine whether you are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or diabetes in the future.
Find out more by visiting www.kenthealthandwellbeing.nhs.uk
If you provide or launder your own uniform or provide or maintain your own work equipment, you can make a claim for tax rebate against the cost. https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/uniforms-work-clothing-and-tools.
You don’t need to pay commission or fees to private companies like “Uniform Tax Rebate”
You may be entitled to 15 hours free childcare for your 2 year old. To find out if you qualify visit:
www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/free-childcare
The Kent and Medway Adults Safeguarding Board have launched a consultation regarding their Draft Strategic Plan 2015-2018. An online public consultation exercise is taking place for six weeks. Members of the public are invited to comment on the draft Strategic Plan.
In the next few days all voters in the unparished urban areas of Ashford will be receiving information from Ashford Borough Council regarding a proposed Community Council for their area and a ballot paper giving them the opportunity to vote for a Community Council
For more information:
Voters in South Ashford can attend the SACF meeting on Wednesday
Voters from all areas can meet the Community Forums at County Square on Saturday
Ashford Borough Council have an open evening
at the Civic Centre between 4pm and 8pm on 28th September.
Vote Yes for Community Councils
This opportunity is unlikely to be repeated in the next 10-15 years
Ashford Borough Council have declared the existing use of a South Ashford property as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as unlawful. ABC have decided that the applicant’s claim that the property had been used as an HMO from before a change of regulations in 2010 is unproven.
The decision can be viewed on the ABC Planning site
Planning Application
Mixed use development comprising of restaurants and cafes (Class A3), a hotel (Class C1), leisure and assembly, including a cinema (Class D2), a car park, associated highway works, vehicle access, infrastructure, plant, car and cycle parking and landscaping (Phase 1).
Decided: Permit
This application is for Phase 1 of the development, Application Ref: 15/01282/AS, to which our post of 12 October 2015 refers.