What a Lib Dem Run Ashford Borough Council would mean

9.38.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

Chris Took (Singleton South) and Barry Wright (Tenterden North) out campaigning for the local elections

A Liberal Democrat run Ashford Borough Council would have a clear commitment to pavement politics. It is not good enough simply saying 'we want more people at council meetings.' To engage more with people we would re-introduce monthly "coffee with a Councillor" meetings and extend it to all areas of the Borough.

A Liberal Democrat run Ashford Borough Council would be committed to increasing the level of recycling across the district. It is not good enough simply saying 'we want to recycle 30% of waste by 2010.' We have one of the most innovative recyclers in the country in WyeCycle and one of the most successful districts in terms of recycling on our doorstep (Canterbury). We have to put into practice district wide procedures, such as collecting more in the blue boxes, to push our recycling figures up.

A Liberal Democrat run Ashford Borough Council would communicate to all areas of the district the numbers of their Public Safety Unit and Police Community Safety Officer. It is not good enough having contact numbers if people are not aware of them. We support the greater use of PCSOs in urban areas and Community Wardens in rural areas.

A Liberal Democrat run Ashford Borough Council would show strong leadership. It is not good enough saying 'the growth of Ashford is being pushed upon us by government.' Strong leadership is to demand higher levels of social housing, higher levels of environmental construction and higher levels of additional facilities when major developments are being discussed.

In short, a Liberal Democrat Council would be a listening council, a greener council, a safer council and a stronger council.

Please vote Liberal Democrat for all change in Ashford on May 3rd.