Council Talk

People can look forward to significant investment in leisure facilities following the council’s appointment of Freedom Leisure as the new operator to run the borough’s main leisure facilities.

The move will provide an opportunity to improve the facilities and the way they are provided, which I’m sure will boost participation and improve the health and wellbeing of our growing population.

This is a real opportunity to provide firstrate leisure facilities for residents.

We feel strongly that our leisure offer must evolve to meet demand and ensure Ashford remains active.

We look forward to working with Freedom Leisure to provide active recreation and healthy lifestyles.

Another area where the council is investing is at the Ashford Monitoring Centre, where we provide trusted, reliable and professional 24/7 CCTV monitoring services to a range of private and commercial clients as well as public services.

An increasing number of users are turning to the AMC, who monitor town centres, historical buildings, tourist attractions, car showrooms, industrial depots and factories.

The AMC provides a vital service and all income generated goes back into the local community and to improving our services to you. To find out more visit www.ashford.gov.uk

I was pleased to see Ashford listed as one of Britain’s “thriving communities” in an article in The Times last week. Our town was among 20 places where economies are growing, and house prices buoyant.

The paper was quoting from research by leading estate agents Savills.

Savills studied nearly 450 settlements and used a range of criteria to identify the towns where places are not just surviving, but are thriving.

Ashford’s fast reliable rail links to London are highlighted, while healthy rise in population and employment growth over the past decade also contribute to our allround success.

With the nights drawing in our thoughts inevitably drift towards Christmas and I can reveal there are exciting plans in the pipeline for Ashford’s town centre which are guaranteed to amaze and entertain people in a never before seen festive spectacular. More details will be unveiled soon…