Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council have a 'fair' track record in managing the growth of Ashford for the benefit of the whole community. That's the verdict of an independent report released today (Thursday 13 January) by the Audit Commission.
On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the councils a 'fair', one-star rating and said the prospects for improvement were 'promising'. This was because the councils' track record in delivering growth in Ashford is positive overall. There has been major investment in the necessary infrastructure to support the development of Ashford as a large sustainable town. Both councils share, and are acting on, a clear ambition to balance growth in affordable homes with jobs for local people and a sustainable economy.
However, the pace and quality of development to date has not been in line with the expectations of local people. The councils are not sure whether projects offer value for money, despite high levels of public investment. And the impact of development projects is not clearly identified or reported.
Claire Bryce-Smith, Audit Commission senior manager, said:
'These councils have been working hard to ensure all the right foundations are in place to support future growth in Ashford. These include investment in road infrastructure, improvements to water and sewerage capacity, and enabling the construction of new homes. But the focus on physical development has been at the expense of social and economic benefits, such as developing community schemes that will help to improve quality of life in the area. As a result, the councils have not been able to demonstrate the benefits of growth clearly enough to local people, or show that projects are good value for money.'
Strengths include:
- The councils have made good progress in putting in place the foundations to support future sustained growth.
- They have a clear, shared ambition to balance growth in affordable homes with jobs for local people and a sustainable economy.
- The two councils work well together when responding to the fundamental changes in funding, planning and economic development policy.
Weaknesses include:
- Local people are frustrated with the pace of improvement and the lack of social and community facilities.
- The councils don't know whether development schemes provide value for money.
- Arrangements to manage performance and project risks are weak.
To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:
- Prioritise the proposals for the area, based on political and local community views.
- Make sure local people, community groups and businesses can get involved in the development of Ashford.
- Implement a clear action plan to handle the change from the way Ashford's growth is currently managed to any new arrangements - placing value for money at its heart.
The scale of the proposed growth in Ashford means that no single organisation is able to oversee planning and delivery. Ashford Borough Council is responsible for the development of planning policy, granting planning permission and securing financial contributions from developers for the provision of affordable housing and community infrastructure. Kent County Council is responsible for economic development, education and skills development and transport infrastructure and services. Many of these services are provided in partnership between the two councils.
Copies of the report are available from Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council or from the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports
Notes to editors
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers.
- On 13 August 2010 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced that he plans to disband the Audit Commission. His intention is to have new arrangements in place for auditing England's public bodies by 2012/13.
For more details about the role of the Audit Commission visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk
For further information, or for a copy of the full report, please contact: Callum Collins, Senior Regional Communications Manager (Southern) Tel: 0844 798 8844