Kentish Express Ashford & District
Borough expects huge growth but less funding
Council sets priorities and outlines challenges it faces
Council bosses say Ashford’s population is set to soar with the delivery of new infrastructure, jobs and homes in the next 15 years.
The number of people living in the borough is expected to increase by more than 20%, from 122,000 to 150,000, by 2031.
The figures have emerged in a council report which outlines the challenges it will have to address in its five-year corporate plan.
The report will be presented to the council’s cabinet for discussion tonight, and states the number aged 65 and over will reach 35,000, while more than 12,000 new jobs will be created.
In the report, council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson discussed some of the challenges facing his team in the coming years, as funding from central government is expected to be cut.
He said: “It is a five-year period which is likely to change the face of local government as we know it, with local authority funding becoming less certain and councils being expected to fend for themselves by generating income and becoming selfsufficient.
“Ashford, of course, has a growing population, which means greater demands on services while we are coping with ever-reducing funding and the challenges of finding ways to generate income.
“This document sets out our priorities for the future… and our aspirations to have a borough where people do want to live and where businesses do want to locate.”
Mr Clarkson said the council is developing trading companies with the aim of generating income which can be used to support business in the borough.
He also said there is the prospect of further collaboration with other agencies in the public sector, either already in the borough or with other boroughs in order to cut costs.
The main focus will be to keep on track with the “big eight” projects in Ashford, which i ncludes schemes like a new junction 10a, the Designer Outlet expansion, the proposed commercial quarter and developing Elwick Square with a cinema, hotel and housing.
Mr Clarkson also admitted the council would need to find ways to “up our game in rural areas”.
The report will be discussed at a cabinet meeting to be held in the council chamber at the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane tonight (Thursday) at 7pm.