News

Respond to your Annual Enquiry Form

7 August 2018 5 Comments

The Electoral Registration Officer for Ashford has sent an annual enquiry to the addresses of all registered voters in Ashford.

You must respond to this form even if there are no changes to make:

  • by completing the hard copy and returning it,
  • completing the information online at the address given on the form
  • providing the information by phoning the number given

If you do not respond members of your household will be removed from the Electoral Register, so you will not be able to vote in future elections, and you could be fined £1000.

Did you know?

Many organisations rely on your being on the Electoral Register as evidence of your identity.

  • In one example a family were not permitted to stay in planned holiday accommodation because they were not on the Electoral Register.
  • You are unlikely to be able to open a bank account, take out a loan or mortgage or get a credit card if you are not registered to vote

Am I registered?

If you do not receive an Annual Enquiry Form or have any questions about Electoral Registration you can contact Electoral Services on 01233 330402. Please note Electoral Services will not discuss your registration with anyone else including family members.

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, News

Beware of bogus SSAFA collectors

25 July 2018 0 Comments

Please be aware that there are bogus collectors purporting to be from SSAFA, they are operating on a door to door basis in Kent.

  • SSAFA does not conduct door to door collections.
  • All SSAFA collections are conducted at organised events, never door to door.
  • All SSAFA volunteers carry photographic Identity Cards.

These bogus collectors are operating in the Dover and Folkstone area and there have been further reports of bogus caller activity from other areas of Kent.

In the event that these bogus operators call on you, this is the action you should take.

  • Politely decline to contribute whatever is requested.
  • If you feel afraid or threatened by a doorstep caller, phone 999. For non-urgent calls, phone Kent Police 101.
  • If someone knocks on your door claiming to work for SSAFA, report it to SSAFA directly on 01622 792363.

NEVER agree to work being done by or paying cash to someone you have just met on your doorstep.

Report it

If you have you fallen victim to a doorstep criminal? Report it to KCC.

For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact the Citizens Advice consumer service

Give safely to SSAFA

You can give to SSAFA

  • online at https://www.ssafa.org.uk/give
  • by telephone: 020 7463 9225
  • by post: send a cheque made payable to SSAFA toSSAFA
    The Armed Forces Charity
    4 Dunstan’s Hill
    London EC3R 8AD

SSAFA  16 July 2018

Charity, Crime, Finance, News, Security

Beware of internet banking scams

20 July 2018 0 Comments

Kent County Council (KCC) have received reports of fraudsters tricking people into giving them access to their internet banking.

The criminals pose as employees from broadband providers and claim that someone has hacked into their account, the user is then tricked into giving access to their computer and told to log into their internet banking.

So far, Police have identified 45 victims with a combined loss of £128,000.

A current trend is for victims to be sent an automated message stating that their router has been compromised. Please do not respond to this message but instead contact your broadband provider directly for advice.

Never allow a caller access to your computer. An internet provider will never ask for your bank details.

NEWSFLASH: Ashford man loses £21,000 to internet banking scam.
www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/man-conned-out-of-21k-in-cyber-scam-186590/

For more information on how to keep you and your family safe from scams, visit the KCC Public Protection website.
www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support/staying-safe/scams/types-of-scam

Report it

For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact

Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Online: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/

Kent County Council 20 July 2018
https://mailchi.mp/b5521017efa9/beware-of-internet-banking-scams?e=5d620a3416
(KCC distribute Consumer Alerts via Mailchimp)

Crime, Finance, Kent County Council, News, Security

Brookfield Court improvements underway

12 July 2018 0 Comments

… resurfacing work, is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days …

Resurfacing works at the Brookfield Court shopping area car park, located just off Brookfield Road, South Ashford is just one of many planned improvements in the area.

The changes are being driven by the Bybrook, Bockhanger and Ashford South Advisory Committee (BBASAC), which was established by Ashford Borough Council. Its remit is to engage and liaise with accredited local user groups, assess the needs and aspirations within their wards and then achieve both immediate and sustainable improvements within their local environment.

The Committee has been working hard to secure renovations at this site. Along with the much-needed resurfacing work, which is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days, it is planned that the broken tiles on the side of the main shop’s building will also be fixed.

Biffa, the external contractor, is currently conducting a thorough deep cleanse of the car park and footpath areas, which involves the removal of litter, spraying and removal of weeds. In order to address the ongoing litter problems, two litter bins will be relocated to positions that should increase their use and an additional litter bin will be installed at the alley way located between the Co-op and Budgens.

Aspire Landscape Management has cleared the moss from the cobbles at the front of the car park, removed the damaged knee rail from the grassy area and cleared the footpath next to Paddy Power. Planned future works include painting of the remaining knee rail, power washing of the paving slabs outside of all of the shops to remove the grime, the repair and planting of shrubs near to the Co-op, the removal of brambles and weeds in all areas on site, pruning of the trees near the entrance and the removal of the 1960s broken bike racks.

Cllr Bill Barrett, Vice Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “The Bybrook, Bockhanger and South Ashford Advisory Committee sought from its very inception to seek out the areas within its remit that were in need of attention and the Brookfield Court Shops complex  is a prime example of that. The group’s goal is to improve such areas quickly and efficiently; making best use of council assets and resources. I know the work undertaken will improve the shops for the local community and the businesses alike and I have been proud to have been part of the endeavour.”

Cllr Andrew Buchanan, Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “I hope that all users, be they local residents or regular visitors will notice and appreciate the hard work from everyone involved and enjoy their enhanced environment.”

Ashford Borough Council  12th July
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/brookfield-court-improvements-underway-12th-july/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Transport

Various frozen vegetable products recalled

6 July 2018 0 Comments

Greenyard Frozen UK Ltd has taken the precautionary step of voluntarily recalling various frozen vegetable products, sold under a number of brands, because they might contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Product details

 

Brand / Product Pack size Batch code Best before

Aldi
Aldi Four Seasons Frozen Vegetable Steamers All All All codes to Jan 2020
Aldi Frozen Four Seasons Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020
Aldi Four Seasons Supersweet Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020

Growers Pride
Growers Pride Mixed Vegetables 12x450g All July 2021
Growers Pride Mixed Vegetables 12x750g All July 2020
Growers Pride Supersweet Sweetcorn 12x450g All July 2021
Growers Pride Supersweet Sweetcorn 12x750g All July 2020

Iceland
Iceland Frozen Mixed Vegetables 900g All All codes to 22 June 2020

Independent
Independent Mix Vegetables All All July 2019

Lidl
Lidl Frozen Freshona Vegetable Mix All All All codes to July 2020
Lidl Frozen Green Grocer Supersweet Corn All All All codes to Jan 2020

One Stop
One Stop Frozen Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020

Pinguin
Pinguin Frozen Cut Beans All NA July 2020
Pinguin Frozen Mixed Vegetables 1×10 kg All July 2020
Pinguin Frozen Sweetcorn All All July 2020
Pinguin frozen Golden Rice and Vegetables All All July 2020
Pinguin Mixed Vegetable All All July 2020
Pinguin Supersweet Corn 1×10 kg All July 2020
Pinguin Supersweet Sweetcorn All All July 2020
Pinguin Sweetcorn 1×10 kg All July 2020

Ross
Ross Mixed Country Vegetables 10x1kg All July 2020
Ross Mixed Vegetables 10x1kg All July 2020
Ross Mixed Vegetables 12x450g All July 2021
Ross Sweetcorn 12x450g All July 2021
Ross Sweetcorn 10x1kg All July 2020

Sainsbury
Sainsbury Frozen Basic Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020
Sainsbury Frozen Carrot Broccoli and Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020
Sainsbury Frozen Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020
Sainsbury Frozen Rice Broccoli and Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020
Sainsbury Frozen Special Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020

Tesco
Tesco Broccoli Frozen Sweetcorn Peas and Spinach Steamer All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Broccoli, Carrot and Sweetcorn Steamer All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Every Day Value Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco frozen Mixed Vegetables and Peppers All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Sweetcorn All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Growers Harvest Carrot Peas and Sweetcorn Steamer All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Frozen Growers Harvest Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020
Tesco Growers Harvest Frozen Mixed Vegetables All All All codes to Jan 2020

Waitrose
Waitrose Essential Mixed Vegetable E1kg All All up to Dec 2019
Waitrose Essential Supersweet Sweetcorn E1kg All Oct 2019 Nov 2019 Aug 2019
Waitrose Fine Cut Vegetable Steamer E640g (4x160ge) All All up to Jan 2020
Waitrose Love Life Vegetable Medley Steamers E640g (4x160ge) P6163 P7021 P7080 May 2018 Jul 2018 Sep 2018

 

No other Greenyard Frozen UK Ltd products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

The products listed above might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.

Action taken by the company

Greenyard Frozen UK Ltd are recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought any of the products listed above.

Advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return the product to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

Food Standards Agency  5 July 2018
https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-35-2018

Government, News, Safety

Reports on the stroke consultation published

29 June 2018 0 Comments

The NHS in Kent and Medway have today published two reports arising from the recent consultation on changes to urgent stroke services, describing the consultation activity that was delivered and summarising the key themes from the responses received.

Urgent stroke services across Kent and Medway don’t consistently meet national quality standards and outcomes for people who have had a stroke aren’t always as good as they should be, despite the hard work of dedicated staff.

Earlier in 2018 the NHS in Kent and Medway, along with some parts of East Sussex and south east London held a public consultation on the future organisation of urgent stroke services in Kent and Medway.

Following the consultation, the NHS is publishing two reports today, one describing the consultation activity that was delivered and one detailing the responses to the consultation:

(more…)

Health, News, STP

KCC reports on the future of Kent

29 June 2018 0 Comments

A report into what the future could hold for the county and how it will handle the growth in population and new homes has been published by Kent County Council.

The Kent and Medway Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF) helps KCC, Medway Council, local planning authorities and the government understand what services and infrastructure are required to support that growth.

The GIF provides a picture of planned growth across Kent and Medway to 2031, as well as starting to examine the challenges and opportunities likely to face Kent and Medway to 2050.

Kent and Medway is expected to see 396,300 new people, 178,600 new homes and 170,300 new jobs with a total infrastructure cost of more than £16 billion.

The report also shows a 14.3% increase in the number of vehicles on major roads in Kent between 2006 and 2016 and an increase of 42% in people using trains in the past 10 years.

As the county continues to grow, pressure increases on the existing infrastructure, and the GIF highlights the challenges to Government, infrastructure providers, district councils, parish councils, local communities, Kent and Medway businesses and developers.

KCC Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste Mike Whiting said: “Kent and Medway are embracing growth. We recognise the benefits business and housing growth brings to the county in terms of new jobs, new facilities, and new communities.

“New approaches are required to secure the additional public and private investment needed and the GIF includes a forward-thinking action plan to begin to close the investment gap.“However, the GIF makes it clear that the current mechanisms in place for the planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure are not sufficient for accommodating the level of growth planned for Kent and Medway.

“Over the coming year, we will be looking to develop a GIF Implementation Plan to take forward these actions.

“The GIF identifies a shortfall in meeting the infrastructure costs associated with housing growth up to 2031. With only 76% of the infrastructure cost either secured or expected, the county is left with a funding gap of £3.96 billion.”

Since the original GIF was published in September 2015, the authorities and infrastructure providers across Kent and Medway have worked collaboratively to secure £120 million of Local Growth Funding from central government for a range of schemes.

  • There is a commitment from government to deliver a new Lower Thames Crossing, with identification of significant private sector interest in its financing.
  • Government support and funding in excess of a million for Otterpool Park Garden Town.
  • Since 2015, £121,449,009 has been secured for KCC services through section 106 planning contributions.
  • Over two years, 15,068 new homes have been built in Kent and Medway (2015/16-2016/17).

Kent County Council  27 June 2018
https://kccmediahub.net/kcc-reports-future-kent745

Kent County Council, News, Planning and Development

Public Rights of Way strategy consultation

29 June 2018 0 Comments

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028

Kent County Council

Opened: 20 Jun 2018 at 09:00
Closes: 12 Sep 2018 at 23:59

Kent residents are being asked for their opinions on the Kent County Council’s plans for maintaining and improving public footpaths and bridleways.

KCC has launched a 12-week consultation on its Public Rights of Way strategy for the next 10 years.

The vision outlined in the council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan is: “To provide a high quality, well-maintained PROW network, that is well used and enjoyed. The use of the network will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.”

The plan identifies the following themes:

  • Active lifestyles – how use of the network has the potential to improve health and wellbeing;
  • Evolution of the network – changes required to meet current and future needs;
  • Knowing what’s out there – how the provision of information removes barriers to use;
  • Well-maintained network – how poorly maintained public rights of way act as a barrier to use;
  • Rights with responsibilities – responsible management and use of the network promoting good relationships;
  • Efficient delivery – why the Public Rights of Way and Access Service must use resources available to secure the greatest benefits for the public.

However, members of the public have the chance to say whether these themes are the correct priorities and make other suggestions.

The consultation is open until 12 September, and the questionnaire can be completed online at www.kent.gov.uk/rightsofwayimprovementplan. To request hard copies of any consultation materials, residents can email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or telephone 03000 421553.

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Our Public Rights of Way and Access Service looks after a network of about 4,300 miles of footpaths and bridleways, giving the public access to the county’s wonderful countryside and coastline.

“Officers have been carrying out detailed research and analysis to produce this plan, which builds on the achievements of the past 10 years.

“I hope the public will take the opportunity to give us their views on how much they value the service and offer their own ideas on its future plans.”

Have your say

The vision of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is to provide a high quality, well maintained Public Rights of Way network, that will support the Kent economy, encourage active lifestyles and sustainable travel choices, and contribute to making Kent a great place to live, work and visit.

The plan set out our vision for the Rights of Way network and how KCC will work towards delivering this over the next 10 years. KCC would like your views on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018 – 2028 to ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of Kent residents.

The draft Strategy is available to download from the ‘Documents’ section below. Please let KCC know your thoughts by completing the online questionnaire (via the ‘Respond to this Consultation’ section below).

KCC have published a copy of our Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for you to read and make comments on via the consultation questionnaire.

Your responses will be compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Please note this consultation closes at midnight on 12 September 2018. 
(more…)

Consultation, Kent County Council, Leisure, News, Transport

New rules on multiple occupation

20 June 2018 0 Comments

Landlords with properties across the Ashford borough are being urged to prepare for changes to the rules governing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

From 1 October 2018, all HMOs with five or more people comprising of two or more family units will require a licence to operate. Currently an HMO licence is only required if a property is over three or more floors, so the main change is the removal of the number of storeys from the HMO definition.

The changes are contained in The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018. The government estimates that the changes will mean an extra 160,000 properties will need to be licensed in England, with Ashford Borough Council estimating that up to 150 properties will need to be licensed across the borough.

The new legislation will also introduce minimum space standards for bedrooms. Rooms sleeping one adult must be no smaller than 6.51m2. And any rooms sleeping two adults must be no smaller than 10.22 m2. Rooms slept in by children aged 10 or younger must be no smaller than 4.64 m2.

Where minimum space standards are not being met, councils will be able to grant a period not exceeding 18 months to rectify the situation. Landlords must also provide adequate receptacles for the storage and disposal of household waste produced at the property.

Landlords are required to apply for a licence before 1 October and comply with any changes needed to be made. If, after this period you have not complied with the new scheme, you could face serious penalties, including hefty fines and criminal prosecution.

For more information on the changes and to make an application, contact Ashford Borough Council on privatesectorhousing@ashford.gov.uk

Ashford Borough Council  19 June 2018
www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/storey-time-for-landlords-under-new-rules-on-multiple-occupation-19th-june/

Ashford Borough Council, Housing, News, Planning and Development