News

Have your say on getting around in the county

8 August 2016 0 Comments

Local Transport PlanThe people of Kent are being asked whether they agree with Kent County Council’s priorities for the future of transport in the county.

A public consultation of the Local Transport Plan launches today (Monday) and runs until October 30.

The plan is broken down into five main sections:

  • Transport in Kent – sets out KCC’s achievements so far, anticipated growth in the county and the background to transport issues.
  • Strategic priorities – sets out KCC’s priorities which include A2 Bean and A2 Ebbsfleet junction upgrades and Crossrail extension, a new Lower Thames Crossing, splitting Dover port traffic between the M20/A20 and M2/A2 routes as well as expansion of the port, journey time improvements in Thanet and a parkway rail station, Ashford International Station signalling, and general rail and bus improvements.
  • Kent-wide priorities – sets out KCC’s approach to road safety, highway maintenance, home to school transport, and its policy on aviation.
  • District priorities – sets out district transport schemes that have been identified as necessary in each district.
  • Funding Sources – sets out what funding sources are available and alternative funding strategies.

(more…)

Consultation, Kent County Council, News, Transport

SACF responds to Local Plan

6 August 2016 0 Comments

Help shape our Local Plan

South Ashford Community Forum have submitted five representations to the Draft Local Plan published by Ashford Borough Council.

Extracts from the Local Plan have been included on the website under Local Information / Planning and Development / Local Plan. Each section is a separate post allowing you to make comments. A link is provided to open the relevant part of the Plan online so that you have access to the full text. You can, of course, make your own submissions via the Council’s Consultation Portal but comments need to be in the form of an objection with justification showing that the part of the Plan concerned is not ‘sound’.

Ashford Borough Council’s consultation on the plan closes on Wednesday,10th August, after which no more comments can be submitted.

The representations SACF have submitted relate to the following parts of the Plan:

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

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

Case for change for health services in Ashford

4 August 2016 0 Comments

Ashford Clinical Commissioning GroupPlans to transform local health and care services in Ashford stepped up a gear today (Thursday 4 August 2016) as local NHS and social care organisations published a new document, Better health and care in east Kent: time to change, setting out hard-hitting reasons why services need to be transformed if they are to be fit for the future.

Over the last six months, local NHS doctors, nurses, clinicians, social care workers and leaders have been getting together to talk about what needs to change and share thinking about ways to make that happen.  Better health and care in east Kent: time to change is the result of these conversations and presents a comprehensive view of how despite their best efforts, health and social care organisations are under real strain to deliver the services that local people need, to the standards that they should expect. (more…)

Health, News

Roadworks Chart Road 15 August

1 August 2016 0 Comments

Chart Road Gas Mains ReplacementSouthern Gas Networks are undertaking gas main replacement in Chart Road between 15 August and 26 August 2016. During the works, that will be taking place opposite the Brunswick Road Junction, two-way traffic signals will be used to control the flow of traffic and Bruswick Road will be closed at the junction.

/www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/roadworks

Kent County Council, News, Transport, Utilities

Local Plan Representations

28 July 2016 0 Comments

Help shape our Local PlanDuring a review of the Draft Local Plan published by Ashford Borough Council, we have extracted those parts of the Plan that we think are most relevant to those who live and work in South Ashford. These extracted sections can be reviewed on the South Ashford website under Local Information / Planning and Development / Local Plan.

We have now prepared five representations on the Plan. Representations can only be made on the Soundness or Legality of the Plan, as explained in the Council’s  ‘Guidance Notes for submitting a representation’ and ‘Guidance note on Legal Compliance and Soundness’ that can be downloaded from Consultation page on the Council’s website. The representations we have prepared relate to the following parts of the Plan:

The representations have been added as comments under the extracts from the relevant part of the Plan. We welcome your views on these representations and suggestions you have for further representations.

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

Big Boys Do Cry

28 July 2016 0 Comments

We're in your cornerA new initiative has been launched by Ashford Samaritans, supported by Ashford Borough Council, which aims to reduce what has been called the ‘silent epidemic’ of men’s suicide within the borough.

Men are almost three times more likely to take their own lives than women and more middle-aged men are killed by suicide than by cancer, heart disease or traffic accidents.

The campaign, Big Boys Do Cry, aims to break down the barriers preventing men from seeking help when it seems there is nothing left to live for. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Health, News, Wellbeing

Fake text messages targeting parents

27 July 2016 0 Comments

Mobile phone imageFraudsters are sending out distressing messages to parents in the hope that they will reply and send mobile phone top-up voucher codes.

Victims initially receive a text message from a loved-one which says they are in hospital and that the only way that they can make contact is via text message.

One example message reads: “Mum i did try and phone from some else phone signal is really bad, there has been a terrible car accident. I’m in the ICU ward in hospital my phone ain’t switching on and needs charging. I’m on this mobile number please make sure you reply to this number, my friend didn’t make it he died before we got to hospital and his sister’s fighting for her life. Mum i had my seatbelt on, i’ve got a head injury but i’m ok. Going into Xray to be seen, please make sure you message me back and don’t phone cause mobile phones aren’t allowed here so please text in case I’m in there. I will go outside and phone you mum its really bad i need you to do me favour before it’s too late, as soon as you get my text please reply by text i need you to do me a favour mum, time is running out and i need you to do something mum”. (more…)

Crime, News

Take a stand against doorstep scams

27 July 2016 0 Comments

doorstepscansProtect yourself from doorstep crime
If you are not sure don’t answer the door
Top 5 tips to take a stand against against doorstep stands
  1. Use a door chain to check who’s calling
  2. Don’t trade on the doorstep
  3. Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice on reputable traders
  4. Display a no cold calling sticker outside your door
  5. Always report suspicious activity
Remember
  • if you’re not sure get advice
  • always report a scam

Consumer, Crime, News

SACF Local Plan Representations

26 July 2016 0 Comments

Web bannerSouth Ashford Community Forum have commenced preparation of Representations on Ashford Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan. The Drafts of these representations are available on the South Ashford website, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/category/planning-and-development/planning-policy/local-plan/.  Your comments on these representations and any suggestions for additional representations are welcome.

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy