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

Mars Recall

24 February 2016 0 Comments

Mars logoHave you purchased chocolates that are part of the Mars Recall

– http://www.mars.com/uk/en/press-center/press-list/news-releases.aspx?SiteId=94&Id=7028

“Mars Chocolate UK takes the precautionary step of recalling products produced in the Netherlands (Veghel) due to possibility of plastic contamination in our products”

We understand that some retailers are advising that you should return to the store from which they were purchased, whilst others are telling you to contact Mars.

Remember that your contract is with the retailer from who they were purchased. They are obliged to give you a refund or replacement. (more…)

Consumer, News

College open as normal on strike day

23 February 2016 0 Comments

Ashford College logoAshford College is opening as normal during a planned strike by UCU and Unison. The college have issued the following statement via their Facebook page:

“Our primary concern is in ensuring we are providing a consistent, undisrupted educational service to our students. We do not have extensive union membership across the Hadlow Group and historically, very few members of staff have participated in strike action. We will work to ensure we minimise any disruption to students and expect all students to attend their timetabled classes.” (more…)

Education, News

Community Council Campaign – Close-out letter

23 February 2016 0 Comments

The following letter has been sent to all residents in the unparished area of South Ashford:

 

Dear Resident

Early in December of last year, Ashford Borough Council completed a review of how local communities in Ashford are represented and governed. If you are a registered voter living in South Ashford you would have had the opportunity to vote in the ballot on whether or not you wanted a Community Council for South Ashford. Voters in the other unparished areas of Ashford also voted on whether they wanted a Community Council in their areas. In South Ashford, of 9,220 voters, 906 voted for a Community Council and 1,492 voted against. Although the Council stated that the results of the ballot were non-binding they have decided not to create a Community Council for South Ashford.

For sixteen years South Ashford Community Forum has been representing the views of people living and working in the unparished area of South Ashford and helping to communicate those views to Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council and other statutory organisations. Following the decision of the Council we will continue to provide that representation and will be redoubling our efforts to ensure that we are representative of as many of those who live and work in South Ashford as possible. To do this we need to hear your views and invite you to our next meeting. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Communications, Community Councils, Democracy, News, SACF

Electricity Rebate Deadline 28 February

22 February 2016 0 Comments

Don’t miss out on the £ 12 Electricity Rebate

Prepay customers may have to take extra steps to claim rebate

The Government Electricity Rebate (GER) is a £12 government contribution to help lower the impacts of these Government environmental and social policy costs on consumer energy bills.

Most households will not need to take any action to receive the rebate. If you pay by Direct Debit or on receipt of a bill (e.g. quarterly) you will see a credit automatically applied on the next bill.

However, if you pay for your electricity through a pre-payment meter, you may need to actively redeem the rebate.

Your supplier should inform you about how you can claim the rebate but is likely to be one of two methods:

  • You may be sent a voucher (likely with a barcode) to be redeemed for electricity credit when you next top up at your usual retail outlet. This voucher must be redeemed at a pre-payment vending site within the validity period stated on the GER voucher. You will need to show a valid form ID along with the voucher.
  • Alternatively, you may receive the rebate automatically as your supplier will have sent an electronic credit which you will pick up when you next top up.

Arrangements for how pre-payment customers receive the GER will depend on suppliers.

What to do if you think you have not received your rebate

The GER should have been paid to eligible domestic electricity customers over the course of the autumn from the 11 October 2015.

If you pay for you electricity by cash, cheque or direct debit you will have this applied directly to your account and will be notified of receiving the rebate on your next bill or statement.

If you are a pre-payment customer – you should have received a letter from your supplier between October and November which should include either a £12 GER voucher or instructions to take your pre-payment key to a pre-payment vending site to collect your £12.

If  you have still not received your GER, you should get in contact with your electricity supplier.

Suppliers must attempt to provide the rebate during the payment period (11 October– 27 November 2015) but can extend this to 28 February 2016 (the cut-off date) if required.

Consumer, Government, News

Save up to £200 on your energy bills

20 February 2016 1 Comment

Free Energy Advice

Sure Steps, Kennington

Wednesday 2nd March

9am – 10.30am and 11am – 12.30pm

Willow Centre (South Ashford)

Thursday 3rd March

9.30am – 11am

Energy ChampionYou could save up to £200 on your bills and stay warm

If you

  • have not switched energy tariffs in the last two years, or
  • are uncertain of what you bills mean or how you are being charged.

Bring your electricity and gas bills with you

If you know anyone who does not have internet access, is confused by bills or finds it difficult to deal with utility companies do recommend that they attend one of these sessions (more…)

Community Energy, Consumer, Environment, News, Wellbeing