Local people before national politics

People 1st -
means local people before national politics

Our aim is to use the success of the 2007 Elections to continue to influence the way the Council is managed and to work towards electing more Independent Councillors at the 2011 Elections

Each Independent councillor is encouraged to represent the best interests of their local electorate and together the group is able to provide a positive contribution towards the running of the Borough .
Individual Councillors identify local issues by talking to local residents direct and then providing help .
We collectively determine the overall policy of the Association for the Borough as a whole by discussion and agreement which can be summarised as follows;

The Independent 12 Point Plan

1. Press for the work of the Council to be more open and democratic

2. Monitor Ashford's Future Development Plan and press for democratic control of the Ashford Future Board and SPV

3. Support demands for promised Government funding for infrastructure costs to be in keeping with the jobs-led house building programme

4. Press for the retention of at least 2 Overview and Scrutiny committees at ABC to maintain democratic checks and balances in the new form of local Government

5. Press for low Local Taxes (Rates) but to be commensurate with the maintenance of essential services

6. Support plans to build a Learning and Skills education centre in Ashford and the plans to maintain Wye College as a higher educational establishment.

7. Support Planning Policy to retain rural employment sites

8. Promote and support provision of better sports facilities in the Borough including a Water Sports Centre at Conningbrook.

9. Promote and support the provision of a Railway Museum , and a peoples Theatre and Arts Centre.

10. Press for a resolution of the Lorry Parking problem.

11. Campaign to maintain European train services from Ashford International Station, and to have a review of the provision of Ashford bus services.

12. Press for better recycling services for household waste, particularly for plastics,cardboard and heavy publications such as telephone directories.

Our mission is to represent the best interests of the Borough as a whole and to unite the local requirements of both rural and urban areas to make Ashford a better place in which to live, work and play.

Take the national politics out of Ashford Borough Council

Vote Ashford Independent - put local people before national politics

Promoted by -Keith Brannan-Monkery Cottage-Bethersden on behalf of Ashford Independent- edited by Jack Cowen 02/01/2010