Community Council Campaign

 

	Vote Yes for a Community Council
	Democracy: We want to improve democratic representation in South Ashford	Identity: We want to strengthen the identity of South Ashford by putting it on the local government map.	Investment: We want to invest in initiatives that directly benefit our community with the money we raise.
Give South Ashford a Voice We believe that the South Ashford can be better. And we think that the people who are best placed to make it better are those who live here. We want to empower our community to deliver positive change and have a real voice in how we are governed. Every community in England and Wales has the power to set up a local council if they want one. There are over 10,000 local councils in England and Wales and 300 across Kent.
Ashford’s Urban Community Forums

Community Council for South Ashford a step closer

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has brought creation of Community Councils for South Ashford and the other unparished areas of urban Ashford a step closer, by including proposals in the Draft Recommendations published under its Community Governance Review.
The Community Governance Review was started in February after Willesborough Community Forum submitted a petition requesting that the Borough considered creating a Community Council for North Willesborough. Kennington Community Forum and South Willesborough and Newtown Community Group also submitted petitions with the required number of signatures.
All of the Urban Community Forums submitted proposals for Community Councils for their respective areas. The Borough Council have now considered those submissions and produced its own proposals for Community Councils in the urban areas.

Read more about the ABC Draft Recommendations on our Community Governance Review Page

Why is SACF supporting the proposal for a Community Council?

South Ashford Community Forum believes that South Ashford can be better and that the people who are best placed to make it better are those who live here. We want to empower our community to deliver positive change and have a real voice in how we are governed.

Every community in England and Wales has the power to set up a local council if they want one. There are nearly 300 local councils across Kent.

Democracy:

We want to improve democratic representation in South
Ashford

All towns and villages in the Borough including the newer developments of Park Farm and Singleton, but not the urban areas of Ashford, are represented by Local Councils. We want to bring the same level of representation to South Ashford

Identity:

We want to strengthen the identity of South Ashford by putting it on the local government map.

South Ashford does not exist. It has no boundaries, no legal personality, and no status in the eyes of the Government. We want put our community on the local government map by creating a statutory body to represent the South Ashford.

Investment:

We want to invest in initiatives that directly benefit South Ashford with the money we raise.

We want to give local people a say in how public funds are invested in our area. A community Council would be able to raise money to fund grants and initiatives, as chosen by the community. Other Local Councils have invested in: community events, cleaning up public spaces, improving footpaths and green spaces, neighbourhood planning and community and youth clubs.

How can I support creation of a Community Council?

Ashford Borough Council are carrying out a ballot of all voters in the affected areas.

We are asking all residents of the South Ashford to vote for the creation of a Community Council for South Ashford. This is your chance to gain a level of representation already enjoyed by 60% of the Borough.

The opportunity may not arise again for 10 – 15 years.

Do respond to the consultation. Don’t leave it for others to do

Vote Yes for a Community Council

Read more about Community Councils