Council Talk

Once again Ashford Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a woman involved in an incident where domestic rubbish was found dumped in a country lane.

She has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,251.50 by magistrates. Responding to reports in January 2019 about three separate fly-tips of rubbish in Criol Lane, north of Shadoxhurst, council officers investigated and at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on July 23, lawyers representing the council brought two successful charges.

We have a zero-tolerance attitude towards fly-tipping.

It is a scourge of the countryside and we are determined to do all we can to stamp it out.

If anyone has information about flytipping, please contact www.ashford.gov. uk/report

■ Ashford Borough Council is asking for your views on proposed changes to the council tax reduction scheme from April 2020.

The changes to the scheme are designed to make it easier for claimants to manage their finances and budget by simplifying the process of claiming.

The council is proposing 10 changes to the current scheme, and a full explanation of the changes is available online and can be read before completing the consultation which runs until the end of September. Please visit www.ashford.gov.uk/ counciltaxreduction

■ Calling cake and dog lovers. LoveAshford is pleased to present the very first Great British Bark Off, an exciting event combining cake and canines in a fun, free family event in Ashford town centre.

The event will kick-off at the bandstand from 12pm on Saturday, August 31.

For more details visit the LoveAshford website.

■ I have really enjoyed visiting the new Picturehouse cinema and have just booked to see Downton Abbey in September where they are combining it with an afternoon tea prior to the film.

There have also been some other popular screenings, including Take That and

Andre Rieu, alongside Hollywood blockbusters.

If you have not been yet, I would recommend taking a visit and enjoying the nice surroundings.