Council Talk

Last week the council held its Building Design and Construction Awards, which recognise and compliment Ashford’s best new properties and developments. The delivery of quality housing, schools and business premises is an important element in the development of our borough. It was a pleasure to spend the evening with those shortlisted for their high quality design and building construction.

By officially recognising the very best in design and architecture we are helping to build a reputation for high standards in our borough. The Awards for Design and Building Standards, together with five Special Commendations were presented by our Mayor, Cllr George Koowaree. I am pleased to say the overall winner was Goat Lees Primary School, designed by Pellings.

The council has formally proposed a draft budget for the next financial year and we are seeking views on this from residents, businesses and other interested parties by February 8. Views can be expressed by reading a summary document, available via www.ashford.gov. uk/budgeting-accounts, which details the main points as well as how to respond. The budget will be considered by Full Council in February 2017.

It should be noted that we are in a relatively strong financial position and are therefore able to recommend a council tax rise of only £4 a year.

It is critical to us that we continue to deliver cost-effective services, while keeping our council tax the lowest in Kent and one of the lowest in the country. It is worth reminding residents that we take just 10p out of every £1 of council tax collected with the rest being distributed to Kent County Council, the police, the Fire & Rescue Service and the parishes.

The dynamics of town centres are changing and Ashford is no exception. Our residents had for some time been calling for something to be done to improve Park Mall, of which about a third of its 34 shops were empty. In June 2015, the council stepped in and bought the complex.

This purchase, along with others we have made, means that the council owns them on your behalf; they are your buildings and assets and the income we generate commercially actually helps us to keep the council tax down.

The changes since we bought Park Mall must be evident to everyone.

Ten new quality independent retailers have opened shops in Park Mall. As a result residents are voting with their feet and have increased footfall by almost 7%.

This has led to a further six existing Park Mall businesses renewing their leases, and other retailers such as Wilko stating they are seeing a sustained increase in customers each week.