Kentish Express Ashford & District
Councillors pat themselves on back for ‘near perfect’ budget
Councillors have dubbed the latest budget ‘close to perfect’ after just one resident responded to the consultation.
Residents were invited to have their say on Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) plans for the next financial year in a boroughwide consultation.
But just a solitary resident replied to the proposals on the draft, leaving councillors to believe their work is as good as it gets.
At a Cabinet meeting last Thursday, Cllr Neil Shorter, ABC portfolio holder for finance, said: “I would like to express a degree of disappointment that for the whole of the borough we have had one comment.
“I reason from this, that everyone is delighted with the budget.”
Deputy council leader, Cllr Neil Bell, added: “No one has rung in to complain about the draft budget and that’s about as good as it gets.
“It is testament that we are close to perfect, I think.
“It’s great that we are deliver- ing proper services in a great way.
“Previous Cabinet reports have indicated that the council is in a strong position financially, through its policy of good asset management, planning ahead and investing in long-term assets that produce a net income.
“Our approach is to earn money through our commercial approach, rather than just taking
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk from central government or our residents. These assets are giving our finances resilience, enabling us to deliver our services across the whole of the borough.
“This shrewd approach, including the commercial agreement reached on Elwick Place, is precisely what is needed in the current financial climate.”
The latest draft budget proposals, which are for the year from April 2017 to March 2018, were approved by Cabinet members and will be discussed at the full council meeting tonight (Thursday) at the Civic Offices.