Ashford Liberal Democrats

Current Ashford Liberal Democrat Chair Ian Stone has been elected onto Kingsnorth Parish Council, beating five other candidates.

Both Ian and his wife Gill Stone have been delivering leaflets in their local area for many years, building a local name and reputation. Ian is delighted to hold this position and he see looks forward to working for the people of Kingsnorth.

It's been two and half years since the full scheme opened and most of indications from local residents are largely positive. However, at a recent meeting at the council, concerns were raised about maintenance, pedestrian/traffic and the future of the flume. Bank Street is becoming a patchwork quilt of tarmac.

Plans will be going to Full Council for approval of a small railway museum within the Church Yard. I welcome the proposal to turn the Old Tourist Information Centre into a Railway Museum. There are many people in our town who hoped that a major Railway Museum could be created within the Klondyke Railway Shed or somewhere else in the Newtown Works. This, however, is unlikely for the foreseeable future due to funding.

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

This £1.84 million project is now completed. The auditorium space in the nave is now flexible with improved disabled access, sightlines, increased seating capacity and is capability of being reconfigured to host small and large-scale events.

The staging, heating, lighting and sound systems are of the highest quality for concerts and events. The additional toilets, kitchen and catering facilities enable the church to operate to meet the needs of many new audiences.

The new Gateway Plus building is now open. The building offers a range of public services for residents, all under one roof. The £7.56m new Gateway brought together the work of Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council and several voluntary organisations. All of the services from the original Gateway, including Ashford Borough Council's Customer Services, payment machines and free Internet use are available at the new location.

Ashford Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Campaigner Chris Took has welcomed a political campaign by a new Independent residents group, with a caution not to fall foul of local council rules and regulations. Below is a copy of his letter to the Kentish Express from Thursday February 24th