Photo: Chris Whippet · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on Ashford Borough Council
Ashford is run by Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council. No party holds a majority on Ashford Borough Council. Reform UK has a majority on Kent County Council. Most of Ashford is in Ashford (MP Sojan Joseph, Labour); 1% of residents are in Weald of Kent (MP Katie Lam, Conservative).
£2,374
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Ashford’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Ashford Borough Council
The Conservatives, the largest group, hold 19 of its 47 seats as elected, 5 short of the 24 needed. Labour holds 11, Ashford Independent 9 and the Greens 8. Who’s in charge ↓
Kent in 2025
Kent County Council, which runs schools, social care and roads, has a Reform UK majority at the May 2025 election: Reform UK won 56 of 82 seats. Kent ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Ashford is £2,343 for 2026–27; Ashford Borough Council keeps 9% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 57% in ten years, in line with England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats on Ashford’s councils
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 24 of Ashford’s 47 or 42 of Kent’s 82 seats to run the council alone.
- Conservative19
- Labour11
- Ashford Independent9
- Green8
Latest election: May 2023.
- Reform UK56
- Liberal Democrat12
- Conservative6
- Green6
- Labour2
Latest election: May 2025.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
Two tiers of council, and a parish tier
Ashford has two tiers of council: the county runs the big services, the district the local ones.
The parish council for the part of Ashford inside Kennington parish.
13% of Ashford’s residents · Band D precept £29
The parish council for the part of Ashford inside Kingsnorth parish.
Who runs Ashford: same source as Who runs Ashford, above.
The parish council for the part of Ashford inside Great Chart with Singleton parish.
Who runs Ashford: same source as Who runs Ashford, above.
The parish council for the part of Ashford inside South Willesborough & Newtown parish.
Who runs Ashford: same source as Who runs Ashford, above.
Bins and recycling, planning, housing, environmental health, leisure, and collecting council tax.
Website ↗Schools, social care, roads and transport, libraries and waste disposal.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: in two-tier areas the district or borough runs local services and the county the big ones.
52% of Ashford’s residents live outside any parish, with no parish council.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the parish to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Ashford, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish6 parish councilsKennington parish councilKingsnorth parish councilGreat Chart with Singleton parish councilSouth Willesborough & Newtown parish councilStanhope parish councilBoughton Aluph parish council
- 2Ashford Borough Council21 wards · 27 councillorsLabour 11 · Green 7 · Conservative 6 · Ashford Independent 4 · all 28
- 3Kent County Council6 divisions · 6 councillorsPamela Ann WilliamsDean Edward BurnsBill BarrettNick WibberleyJeremy EustaceBrian Philip Collins
- 4Police and crime commissionerKent Police · elected May 2024Matthew Scott
- 5House of CommonsSplit between 2 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
27 councillors for 21 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Kate LeaveyLabour · May 2023
- Lyn SuddardsLabour · May 2023
- Tania Jane Simpson GauderLabour · May 2023
- Charles SuddardsLabour · May 2023
- Steven CampkinGreen · May 2023
- Liz WrightGreen · May 2023
- Thom PizzeyGreen · October 2024 · by-election
- Sojan JosephLabour · May 2023
- Al ArnoldGreen · May 2023
- Euan Fergus AnckornLabour · May 2023
- Andrew BuchananConservative · May 2023
- Matthew ForestConservative · May 2023
- Bernard HeyesConservative · May 2023
- Heather Angela HaywardAshford Independent · May 2023
- Brendan ChiltonLabour · May 2023
- Alan Edward DeanLabour · May 2023
- Jo GamblingGreen · May 2023
- Sally Ann GathernLabour · May 2023
- Winston Russel MichaelAshford Independent · May 2023
The other 9 wards
- Peter FeaceyConservative · May 2023
- Katrina GilesGreen · May 2023
- Bill BarrettConservative · May 2023
- Clive John HallettLabour · May 2023
- Ben TownendAshford Independent · May 2023
- Dawnie NilssonGreen · May 2023
- Diccon SpainLabour · May 2023
- Nathan IliffeConservative · May 2023
- Katy PauleyAshford Independent · May 2023
Show as a table, with Kent County Council’s 6 divisions (6 councillors)
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverall in Ashford · 7,499 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Kate LeaveyLyn Suddards | May 2023 |
| Victoriaall in Ashford · 7,173 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Tania Jane Simpson GauderCharles Suddards | May 2023 |
| Willesboroughall in Ashford · 6,718 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Steven CampkinLiz Wright | May 2023 |
| Aylesford & East Stourall in Ashford · 6,559 residents2 seats · October 2024, May 2023 | 2 | Thom Pizzeyby-electionSojan JosephAl Arnold | October 2024, May 2023 |
| Furleyall in Ashford · 6,334 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Euan Fergus AnckornAndrew Buchanan | May 2023 |
| Reptonall in Ashford · 5,028 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Matthew ForestBernard Heyes | May 2023 |
| Romanall in Ashford · 3,449 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Heather Angela Hayward | May 2023 |
| Stanhopeall in Ashford · 3,407 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Brendan Chilton | May 2023 |
| Bybrookall in Ashford · 3,364 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Alan Edward Dean | May 2023 |
| Normanall in Ashford · 3,059 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Jo Gambling | May 2023 |
| Singleton Westall in Ashford · 3,037 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Sally Ann Gathern | May 2023 |
| Goat Leesall in Ashford · 2,852 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Winston Russel Michael | May 2023 |
The other 9 wards
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godintonall in Ashford · 2,845 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Peter Feacey | May 2023 |
| Park Farm Southall in Ashford · 2,699 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Katrina Giles | May 2023 |
| Singleton Eastall in Ashford · 2,682 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Bill Barrett | May 2023 |
| Washfordall in Ashford · 2,512 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Clive John Hallett | May 2023 |
| Park Farm Northall in Ashford · 2,485 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Ben Townend | May 2023 |
| Highfieldall in Ashford · 2,447 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Dawnie Nilsson | May 2023 |
| Bockhangerall in Ashford · 2,422 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Diccon Spain | May 2023 |
| Kenningtonall in Ashford · 2,277 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Nathan Iliffe | May 2023 |
| Conningbrook & Little Burton Farmall in Ashford · 2,104 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Katy Pauley | May 2023 |
Kent County Council: county divisions
| Division | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford Central EDall in Ashford · 29,443 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Pamela Ann Williams | May 2025 |
| Ashford East EDall in Ashford · 18,783 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Dean Edward Burns | May 2025 |
| Ashford Rural South EDmostly in Ashford · 12,336 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Bill Barrett | May 2025 |
| Ashford South EDall in Ashford · 10,906 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Nick Wibberley | May 2025 |
| Ashford Rural West ED35% in Ashford · 5,719 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Jeremy Eustace | May 2025 |
| Ashford Rural East ED32% in Ashford · 4,956 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Brian Philip Collins | May 2025 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Ashford Borough Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Ashford council election, May 2023
Results in the wards that make up Ashford, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
21 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Ashford’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗1,844 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
2,297 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,067 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
Every ward’s result (18 more)
1,958 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
2,444 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,638 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
596 votes for candidates
277 votes for candidates
776 votes for candidates
582 votes for candidates
507 votes for candidates
616 votes for candidates
635 votes for candidates
580 votes for candidates
471 votes for candidates
518 votes for candidates
497 votes for candidates
787 votes for candidates
513 votes for candidates
702 votes for candidates
621 votes for candidates
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Ashford is split between 2 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
99% of Ashford’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 1,779 of 46,975 votes (3.8%): the 75th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024
1% of Ashford’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 67% (England 60%).
Majority 8,422 of 50,712 votes (16.6%): wider than in 59% of England’s 543 constituencies.
46,975 votes for candidates · majority 1,779
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 46,975 votes from 76,233 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,779 of 46,975 votes (3.8%): the 75th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Weald of Kent
50,712 votes for candidates · majority 8,422
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 50,712 votes from 75,987 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 8,422 of 50,712 votes (16.6%): wider than in 59% of England’s 543 constituencies.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Ashford’s Band D council tax is £2,343 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Ashford Borough Council keeps £199.37 of a Band D bill (9%); the rest goes to Kent County Council, the Kent police and crime commissioner and the Kent Fire and Rescue Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,374 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
Ashford’s Band D bill has risen 57% in ten years, from £1,539.58 in 2016–17, in line with England’s average (56%). It was £493.88 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Ashford, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Kent’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included; the 11 nearest of 13. Bars start at £2,200.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Kent
| Ashford + Kent | Ashford’s councils | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £505 | £492 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £262 | £266 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £60 | £49 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £60 | £41 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £147 | £132 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £31 | £49 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £18 | £29 | £26 |
| Public health | £58 | £61 | £78 |
| Running the council | £76 | £74 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £6 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,215 | £1,200 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Both tiers added: Ashford per its residents plus Kent per the county’s. Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Kent and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Ashford is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
ashford.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
ashford.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Ashford is run
Which council runs Ashford?
The county council runs schools, social care and roads; the district runs bins, planning and housing.
Does Ashford have a town council?
Parts of it do: Kennington parish council, Kingsnorth parish council, Great Chart with Singleton parish council and South Willesborough & Newtown parish council.
Who is the MP for Ashford?
Ashford is split between 2 constituencies: Ashford (Sojan Joseph, Labour) and Weald of Kent (Katie Lam, Conservative). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Ashford have?
27 ward councillors represent Ashford’s 21 wards, and 6 county councillors its county divisions.
When are the next elections in Ashford?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Ashford’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Ashford?
Band D council tax in Ashford is £2,374 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Ashford Borough Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Conservative 19 · Labour 11 · Ashford Independent 9 · Green 8 of 47 seats; a majority needs 24. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who controls Kent County Council?
Reform UK has a majority: 56 of 82 seats as elected.
Who won the 2023 council election in Ashford?
In Ashford’s wards on 4 May 2023, Labour 11 · Green 6 · Conservative 6 · Ashford Independent 4 of the 27 seats up. Labour had the largest share of votes, 32.9%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.