New homes, more voters

Many people have looked at the decision to allow the creation of large scale housing developments in Barton/ Mountfield and Thanington as essentially planning and environmental matters. But they also pose political and administrative questions, especially for the south of the city, now that the city council is holding its Community Governance Review.

Should the many new voters be added to existing parishes including Thanington, Lower Hardres and Chartham? Or should they be added to the city where presently, there is no third-tier authority to represent them? Or should we think about re-organising governance in some other way?

These are not arcane matters only of interest to a handful of anoraks. They will affect the quality of life of everybody who does, or will, live in the greatly enlarged southern parts of the city.

To allow people to consider these questions the Campaign for Democracy in the Canterbury District (CDCD) and other interested organizations have arranged a public meeting on Monday, September 18 at 7.30 pm in the Ashford Road Community Association Hall in Ashford Road. Clive Church, CDCD, New House Lane, Thaningon Without