News

Release the pressure

11 March 2016 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilLife can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. A highly trained and experienced team waiting to provide you with support to get you back on track. So if you are beginning to feel the pressure, don’t suffer in silence.

Prefer to chat online rather than over the phone? A web chat service, is also available. http://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in Kent. If you know someone who’s starting to feel the pressure ask them to call 0800 107 0160

Support is free and confidential, provided by an independent charity and funded by Kent County Council.

Health, News

Get your dog microchipped

8 March 2016 0 Comments

You must make sure your dog is fitted with a microchip by the time it’s 8 weeks old.

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn’t microchipped by 6 April 2016

https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped

Your dog’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional

Ashford Borough Council, Government, News

Victoria Park Masterplan

4 March 2016 1 Comment

Victoria ParkFollowing the presentation by Chris Dixon at the South Ashford Community Forum September 2016 Meeting, Chris with other officers and consultants employed by Ashford Borough Council have produced a Draft Masterplan for the development of Victoria Park. The Draft Masterplan will go before ABC’s Cabinet on 10th March for adoption.

The first part of the proposals that will be developed is based on the heritage of the Park, focused on the Hubert Fountain. A Heritage Lottery Fund bid is planned to finance this part of the work. The first stage of the bid will be submitted this month, to fund Development of the heritage proposals. If the bid is successful, the Development Phase is expected to take a year to complete, after which a further bid will be made to fund Delivery (implementation) of the Proposals. The Delivery is expected to take 15 – 18 months from March 2018, completing between July and September 2019. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Planning and Development, Victoria Park

ITL recognised for charity support

1 March 2016 0 Comments

KM Partnership AwardsSouth Ashford based firm, International Technologies, was one of fifty organisations honoured at the inaugural KM Charity Team Partnership Awards staged last week. The winners received accolades for playing a key role in helping the KM Charity Team deliver its range of services for schools and good causes.

Representatives from businesses that had supported the charity’s work past and present received a KM Charity Team Partnership Award trophy and framed certificate.

The Kent and Medway Charity Team was founded in 2001. At the start the organisation was called the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group. It changed its name and logo in 2009 to reflect a broader range of services delivered. The charity works alongside the KM Group, Kent’s biggest multi-media publisher, to support the organisation’s charitable work whenever the objectives of the two organisations are shared.

Business, Charity, News

South Ashford Community Forum Meeting

1 March 2016 0 Comments

A copy of the Draft Victoria Park Masterplan will be available to view before the start of this meeting
This meeting is open to those from outside of the SACF Area who have an interest in Victoria Park

Please join us

at 7:00 pm
on Wednesday 9th March
at South Ashford Baptist Church
Brookfield Road TN23 4EY

All who live or work in the unparished area of South Ashford are welcome

Agenda includes:

  • Police Report
  • Victoria Park
  • Council Tax
  • M20 Junction 10A

Full Agenda available from the Minutes and Agendas page

News, SACF

ADT Security Scam

29 February 2016 1 Comment

Stop the ScammersThere are reports of people, claiming to be from ADT Security knocking on doors in Ashford saying that they are undertaking security surveys. We are not currently sure of the reason that these people are knocking but it appears very suspicious. They could be rogue traders, scammers or criminals looking for burglary opportunities.

Do not allow these people into your home.

The Community Safety Unit have been notified but

Consumer, Crime, News

‘Building Better Places’ report welcomed

27 February 2016 0 Comments

Civic Voice - talking civic senseA House of Lords Committeee have released a report titled Building Better Places

Civic Voice have welcomed the report in a press release, emphasising the recommendations for maintaining and improving local control and community engagement in the planning process, and preservation of the historic environment:

The House of Lords Committeee on National Policy for the Built Environment have released a Report of Session 2015-16 titled Building Better Places last week. The report (which is available here) covered areas such as the recent trends in the built environment, creating better places through design, quality and standards, building for the long-term, delivering more housing and local leadership, delivery and skills. Members of the committee included Baroness Andrews, who works with Civic Voice to raise our issues in the House of Lords. (more…)

Democracy, Government, Localism, News, Planning Policy

Young People’s Sculpture Trail for Victoria Park

27 February 2016 1 Comment

Victoria Park avenue and Hubert FountainFunding to create a new Young People’s Sculpture Trail in Victoria Park has been granted to Ashford Borough Council by Tesco as part of the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme.

In a bid to engage young people and families in the natural heritage of Victoria Park, officers from the council proposed creating an exciting new sculpture trail in the heart of the borough. The outdoor trail will take people on a journey of discovery, telling stories of the park’s past, and encouraging learning and engagement in green spaces management.

The sculptures will be created by local young people with the help of artists and craftsman, through school workshops, youth groups and open drop in sessions. Youngsters will learn woodland craft skills and create a sculpture trail across the park and Watercress Fields. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, Heritage, News, Victoria Park

Council Tax rise confirmed

26 February 2016 0 Comments

ABC CrestAs expected, Ashford Borough Council have agreed the rise of £ 4.55 in Council Tax recommended by the Cabinet, for a Band D property. ABC is the last of the authorities whose charges contribute to Council Tax in the unparished areas of Ashford to confirm their charges for the 2016/17 financial year.

We published the figures for each authority and the total in our post of 17 February.

Below are the total Council Tax rates for each Band (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Finance, Kent County Council, News