News

Step 3

18 May 2021 0 Comments

COVID-19:
Restrictions in England
From 17 May

Government guidance remains that you should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 metres apart.

Meeting OthersOvernight staysEducationWork and business
You can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people. You can meet indoors in groups of up to six people or two households.

You don’t have to stay 2m apart from friends and family, but consider the risks to you and those you are with.
Domestic overnight stays are allowed, in groups of up to six people or 2 households.Schools, colleges and universities fully open.

Regular testing provided
You should continue to work from home if you can.
Retail and personal careBars, Pubs and RestaurantsAccommodationLeisure and sporting facilities
Open.Open.

Groups of up to six people or two households allowed indoors.

Groups of up to 30 allowed outdoors		All holiday accommodation open, including hotels, hostels and B&BsOpen indoors and outdoors, including gyms, indoor sports
facilities, swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms.

Organised sport and group exercises allowed.
EntertainmentLarge EventsResidential CareShielding
Open indoors and outdoors, including cinemas, bowling alleys, zoos and theme parks.Events, including live performances, business events and sporting events can proceed with capacity
limits, indoors and outdoors.		People who live in a care home can have ‘low risk’ visits out of the home without the need to isolate
when they get back.

Residents can also name up to five visitors.		If you are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) you do not need to shield, but should continue to take extra precautions such
as shopping at quieter times of the day. You can follow the same advice on meeting friends and
family as everyone else
Domestic travelOverseas travelPlaces of WorshipWeddings and Funerals
Travel safely. Plan ahead and avoid the busiest times and routes if you canCheck whether your destination is on the red, amber or green list. You should not travel to red and amber countries. If you are travelling to a green country, check the rules in your destination
as testing or quarantine requirements may be in place.		Open. You can attend in groups of 6 people or 2 householdsWeddings, receptions, life events and wakes can take place with up to 30 attendees, indoors in a COVID-Secure venue, or outdoors.

No limit on funeral attendees, subject to how many the venue can safely
accommodate with social distancing.

For more information and detailed guidance visit: gov.uk/coronavirus

Health, News

Census scam

13 May 2021 0 Comments

Kent residents targeted by UK Census text scam

Kent residents are being targeted by a text scam, pretending to be from the UK Government Census 2021. The text will say that information is missing from your application.

What happens:

You receive a text message pretending to be from UK Government Census.
The text will say that information is missing from your application.
You will be directed to a website to update your details to avoid a £1,000 penalty.

What to do:

This is a SCAM

Do not click on any links. The website is designed to steal your personal and financial details.

Report scams to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.

Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.

Report it

Read about how and why you might be contacted by officials working for the ONS on the census website:

The Census does not ask for your telephone number, email address or bank details.

Remember Do not click links in emails, social media posts or messages (text, What’s App, Messenger etc.),unless you are sure they are legitimate. Type web addresses into your browser for official websites of banks, government departments etc..

Kent County Council Public Protection
https://mailchi.mp/kent/residents-targeted-by-census-scam?e=5d620a3416

Crime, News, Security

Powergen Plots 1 & 2 begin

12 May 2021 0 Comments

  • CGI Aerial View from above Victoria Park
  • CGI View from Leacon Road
  • CGI View from Victoria Park
  • Plots 1 & 2 Site Plan
  • Works on Plot 1
  • Works on Plot 2
Plot 1
Studio Flats17
1-Bed Units 130
2-Bed Units110
Total Plot 1257
Plot 2
Studio flat 16
1-bed Units 41
2-Bed Units 84
3-Bed Units 2
Total Plot 2 143
Total Plots 1 and 2400
Plots 1 and 2
Accommodation Schedule

Construction of the proposals for Powergen Plots 1 and 2 has commenced in the last few weeks.

Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee voted to permit the proposals in June 2016 for 400 apartments, with final approval being granted in November 2016, as part of hybrid application 15/01671/AS. The application included full details for Plots 1 and 2 while Plots 3,4 and 5 were in outline.

The accommodation proposed is tabulated to the right:

The completion of this development will be a valuable contribution to Ashford Borough Council’s Five Year Housing Land Supply which was 295 dwellings short in July 2020.

Land ownership

A subsidiary of the UK arm of Scandinavian letting company ‘Neighbour’ had purchased the land for plots 1 and 2 and it was intended that they would be built before Plots 3, 4 and 5. In the event the land for Plots 3,4 and 5 was purchased by GRE Assets, who commenced the construction, have completed a number of blocks, with work on those remaining ongoing.

In December 2018 the name of the company owning Plots 1 and 2 was changed from Neighbour Ashford Ltd. to Victoria Road Developments Limited.

In August 2019 the company that financed the purchase of the land, Lendinvest Security Trustees, obtained an order to appoint a receiver for Victoria Road Develepments.

In October 2019 the an application was made to Ashford Borough Council for a certificate  confirming that access works were undertaken lawfully to implement a start of the approved development of the site. The application was been submitted to confirm that the planning approval has not expired hence allowing the site to be sold with planning permission.

However, on 21 April 2021 Victoria Road Developments remained the registered owners of the site and Lendinvest the Lenders.

Previous proposal

The previous proposal for the site, the Zedhome scheme, was permitted on appeal. It included 519 dwellings on Plots 1 and 2 sites plus 8000m2 of commercial and other non-residential uses. in blocks up to the equivalent of 16 storeys. The whole development (including the Plots 3, 4 and 5 sites comprised 1000 dwellings plus commercial and other uses.

  • Zedhomes Site Plan
  • Zedhomes Elevation on Plot 1
  • Zedhomes view from Park

News, Planning and Development

PCC Election result

11 May 2021 0 Comments

The result of the election for Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Police Area is:

Name of Candidate

Description

Number of Votes

SCOTT, Matthew RichardThe Conservative Party Candidate237,278
OYEWUSI, Omolola Joanna
Known as Lola Oyewusi		Labour and Co-operative Party103,807
COLLEY, Graham DavidLiberal Democrats69,464

Democracy, News, Security

South Ashford Election Results

7 May 2021 0 Comments

The results of the elections for posts representing South Ashford held on 6th May 2021

Name of Candidate

Description

(if any)

Number of Votes

Kent County Council

Ashford South Division

ROSS, DirkThe Conservative Party Candidate1407 Elected
FARRELL, DaraLabour Party1319
PIZZEY, Thomas PaulThe Green Party263
BEHRENS, Wilhelm HeinrichLiberal Democrats232

Kent County Council

Ashford East Division

CAMPKIN, Steven RobertThe Green Party1854 Elected
GALPIN, Graham HaroldThe Conservative Party Candidate1428
JOSEPH, SojanLabour Party596
HARRISON, Garry GeorgeIndependent149
STROLZ, Samuel JohnLiberal Democrats136

Ashford Borough Council

Beaver Ward

BROOKS, TrevorThe Conservative Party Candidate468 Elected
JONES, Dylan AlexanderLabour Party402
HARRISON, Garry GeorgeIndependent105
PIZZEY, Thomas PaulThe Green Party70
STAMP, Jacqueline MaryLiberal Democrats64

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, Kent County Council, News

How to vote if you are self isolating

5 May 2021 0 Comments

Ways to vote

If you can’t get to a polling station because

and you were not aware of the circumstances on 20th April, you can apply for am Emergency Proxy Vote.

You should ask somebody you trust to vote in accordance with your wishes to vote on your behalf.

Download the appropriate Emergency Proxy Voting Application (use links above) complete it and arrange for it to be delivered to the Civic Centre. You should apply as soon as possible but this can be any time up to 5pm on polling day.

Ask your Proxy to go to the polling station named on your polling card (see our post regarding polling stations in South Ashford), and tell the staff that they are voting on your behalf by Emergency Proxy. Tell them who you want to vote for in each election in which you are voting: Police and Crime Commissioner, Kent County Council and, if you live in the ward, Ashford Borough Council Beaver Ward (see our list of candidates).

Your vote is yours alone

Remember: Your Vote is Yours Alone

You must not allow somebody else to use your polling card or vote on your behalf unless they have been nominated on a Proxy Voting Application.

Only nominate somebody you trust to vote in accordance with your wishes.

If you need information about voting:

Democracy, News

South Ashford Polling Stations

3 May 2021 0 Comments

The following is a list of polling stations in South Ashford.

Your polling card will give your Electoral Register Number but if you don’t have it use the map above.

You do not need your polling card to vote but must be on the electoral register.

If you applied to vote by post and have received your postal voting form you must post it or deliver it to the Civic Centre by 10pm on Thursday 6th May or hand it in at any polling station on polling day (6th May). You must not vote at a polling station if you have voted by post.

You will not be able to vote if you did not register to vote by 19th April 2021. If you have not done so, Register to Vote now for future elections.

Do not allow anybody else to use your polling card or your postal voting form if you have not applied to vote by proxy.

Situation of Polling Station StationNumberRanges of electoral register numbers of
persons entitled to vote thereat
Beaver Green Primary School, Cuckoo Lane4BE1-1 to BE1-1451
South Ashford Baptist Church, Brookfield Road5BE2-1 to BE2-2032
St Francis Church Hall, Cryol Road6BE3-1 to BE3-1248
Gateway Church, The Riverside Centre, Clockhouse71VI2-1 to VI2-742
Ashford Community Church, Francis Road73VI4-1 to VI4-1939
St Francis Church Hall, Cryol Road7BE3X-1 to BE3X-6
United Reformed Methodist Church, Cade Road45NO1-1 to NO1-1195/1
Christchurch Community Hall, Christchurch Road46NO2-1 to NO2-893/1
Polling stations in South Ashford

Democracy, News

Local election candidates

21 April 2021 0 Comments

Ballot box

Below we list the candidates standing to serve South Ashford in elections to be held on 6th May for:

  • Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Police Area
  • Kent County Council member for Ashford South Division
  • Ashford Borough Council member for Beaver Ward

We have requested election statements from all parties / candidates. Those that we have received can be viewed by clicking the candidate’s name.

Police and Crime CommissionerKent Police Area
Colley, Graham DavidLiberal Democrats
Oyewusi, LolaLabour and Co-operative Party
Scott, Matthew RichardThe Conservative Party Candidate
Kent County Council
Ashford South Division
(includes area served by ABC Beaver and Victoria Wards)
Behrens, HeinLiberal Democrats
Farrell, DaraLabour Party
Pizzey, ThomThe Green Party
Ross, DirkThe Conservative Party Candidate
Kent County Council
Ashford East Division
(includes area served by ABC Norman Ward)
Campkin, SteveThe Green Party
Galpin, GrahamThe Conservative Party Candidate
Harrison, Garry GeorgeIndependent
Joseph, SojanLabour Party
Strolz, Samuel JohnLiberal Democrats
Ashford Borough CouncilBeaver Ward
Brooks, TrevorThe Conservative Party Candidate
Harrison, Garry GeorgeIndependent
Jones, Dylan AlexanderLabour Party
Pizzey, ThomThe Green Party
Stamp, Jacqueline MaryLiberal Democrats

Ashford Borough Council, Crime, Democracy, Kent County Council, News

Step 2

14 April 2021 0 Comments

COVID-19:
Restrictions in England
From 12 April

Meeting OthersOvernight staysEducationWork and business
You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.
You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households.
Domestic overnight stays are allowed, but you must only stay with members of your household or support bubble.Early years settings, schools and colleges are open for all students.
Students on practical university courses can return. Students and staff will be regularly tested. Other Higher Education students should continue to learn remotely.		You should work from home if you can.
Retail and personal careBars, Pubs and RestaurantsAccommodationLeisure and sporting facilities
All retail open. Hairdressers, beauty and nail salons open.Open outdoors for groups of six people or two households. Those that serve alcohol must provide table service.
Closed indoors.		Campsites and self-contained holiday accommodation open for visits with your household or support bubble only. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs closed.Gyms, indoor sports facilities and spas open for use on your own or with your own household or support bubble.
Saunas and steam rooms closed.
EntertainmentPublic BuildingsResidential CareShielding
Outdoor settings and attractions, such as zoos and theme parks open for visits of two households, or in a group of up to six people.
Drive-in-events open for visits with your household or support bubble.
Indoor entertainment closed.		Libraries and community
centres open		People who live in a care home in England will be allowed two named regular indoor visitors.Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England are no longer
advised to shield, but should continue taking extra precautions such as minimising social interactions and shopping at quieter times of the day.
Domestic travelOverseas travelPlaces of WorshipWeddings and Funerals
You should minimise travel as much as possible. Avoid the busiest times and routes – plan your journey and what you need at your destination ahead of timeYou must not go on holiday abroad. You could be fined £5,000 for travelling abroad without a legally permitted reason.Places of worship open and communal worship is permitted, but you must not mix indoors with anyone outside your household or support bubble.Funerals can continue with up to 30 attendees. Weddings, outdoor receptions, and commemorative events such as wakes can take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open).

For more information and detailed guidance visit: gov.uk/coronavirus

Health, News

Complete the Census

15 March 2021 0 Comments

The census tells government, local authorities, the health service and other statutory service providers what our needs are now, and what they’re likely to be in the future. Information you give informs where billions of pounds of funding is spent on things like transport, education and health.

Every household will have received a letter, or will receive one this week, telling them to complete the Census and giving a Household Access Code.

If you cannot complete it online you should request a paper copy by calling 0800 141 2021 (automated service) or asking somebody to request one for you at census.gov.uk.

You can complete it as soon as you get the letter (or paper form) but the information needs to be accurate for Sunday 21st March. You can start filling in details and save your answers to complete the rest of the questions later.

You should complete it on 21 March or as soon after as later.

The form asks questions about your household and about individuals within it. If you want to complete your individual information separately from others within your household you can request an individual access code.

Contact from the ONS.

Neither the ONS support team or their contractors will call or visit you on or before 21 March to collect information.

If you do not complete the census they may contact you to encourage you to submit your form.

The ONS census team will carry out the Census Coverage Survey after the census date to sample the accuracy of the census data. The survey is not to test that individual households have given true information. You will receive a card beforehand and the interviewers will provide identification if they call. You are not obliged to participate in the survey.

Data security and privacy

The census in England and Wales is run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS and the statistics they generate are independent from government.

Government departments dealing with any applications you’ve made, or any payments or services you receive, cannot see your census information. For example, it cannot be used to influence benefit claims, a residency application, immigration status or taxes. Landlords, or any private organisation, will not be able to see your personal information either.

Census records will be kept secure for 100 years. Only then can future generations view them, for example, those interested in family history.

Government, News