%PDF-1.7 Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. .news-img { width: 40%; height: auto; float: left; margin-right: 20px; } @media only screen and (max-width: 470px) { .news-img { width: 100%; height: auto; float: none; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px;} }. The Town Hall co-working initiative which opens up additional space inside, released from digital automation for start-up & small businesses. Cllr Dawlings said that council staff numbers had been cut by 30% in recent years, so there was 20,000 square feet of office space that could be rented out, with the hope of bringing 300 new office workers into the centre of the town. Ooi, erstwhile the representative for Southborough and High Brooms ward, had distanced himself from the national Labour government during his campaign, calling on the electorate to support a continued opposition to Tory rule in the borough. "Nominations for the new leader will be proposed at the council meeting on Wednesday. The SER line to Hastings passes through Tunbridge Wells; here there was once a further branch connection south-eastwards to Groombridge, and at Paddock Wood is the southern terminus of the Medway Valley Line to Maidstone. Delivery of the Amelia Community Centre opening in April. Cllr Dawlings said there was cross-party support for efforts to upgrade the existing Town Hall building. On the Speldhurst and Bidbrough by-election result, Cllr Dawlings said the result was hugely disappointing and the Conseratives had had an admirable candidate in Rowena Stanyer who took 46% of the vote. Chapelard stated his intention to reduce the councils budget deficit, which he claimed would cumulatively amount to 20 million by 2028. In a major upset for the Liberal Democrats, the Conservative Party won every single seat that the Lib Dems were defending in the election, providing the party with a majority in the borough, which was seen as traditionally pro-Tory, once more. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! In the 2016 European Union referendum, Tunbridge Wells was the only district in Kent that voted to remain in the EU (54.89%). On [], Read More from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Alasdair can usually be found on his bike either coaching, competing or cycling local routes. The draft budget recently received unanimous approval at Novembers Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and will be published for public consultation in December. Cllr Dawlings emphasised that the bulk of the Council Tax collected by the Borough is passed onto Kent County Council, Police, Fire services and for Parish and Town Councils. Cllr McDermott says Tom Dawlings, the new head of the Tory party, has attempted to arrange to meet the other three party leaders to strike a deal, a claim denied by Tunbridge Wells Alliance leader David Hayward, with negotiations all set to continue during this week's council meeting. APOLOGIES CAB155/22 Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. See here @BenChapelard's (Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) response. Over the next five years if we dont do anything about it we will have another 20 million hole in the council finances. "In accordance with the councils constitution, the new leader will be elected for a four-year term. He is keen to hear their voices and learn of the contributions they are making that benefit their communities and society at large. Great article by Cllr Victoria White assessing the outcome of the Lib Dem - Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and Liberal Democrats Council Group Leader. "I think that Tom is more capable in terms of engaging with the opposition," he said. Speaking about his appointment Councillor Dawlings said: I would like to thank Members for electing me to lead the Council. On the state of shops in Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Dawlings noted that the Pantiles area was currently buzzing and he expressed optimism that the empty BHS store would soon attract a new retailer. The partnership is made up of Liberal Democrats, Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA) and Labour councillors, and the independent councillor for Paddock Wood (East). Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. Local News; National News; Tunbridge Wells Conservatives . Posted in Local Elections, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 1.1 The report relates to the Council's commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030 and promote and carry out positive actions for the conservation and enhancement of our local environment. Sadly my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the Full Council meeting on 26th May were rebuffed. All rights reserved. 2 0 obj Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. It comes a month after the conservatives lost nine seats in the council elections leaving no party with enough councillors to rule with a majority. As is customary, the mayor chooses a charity to support during their term of office and Cllr Woodward will be supporting Mental Health Resource, a mental health charity. Labour doubled their representation on the council, and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA), contesting their first election, increased their seat count from 1 to 6. Cllr Dawlings said the recent speech where Boris Johnson suggested that green fields should be protected from development had not yet turned into revised government policy, so the existing Local Plan including the new development at Capel was continuing its approval process and was currently with government-appointed planning inspectors. Celebrating Tunbridge Wells Women in Business to recognise International Womens Day. A new plan for Tunbridge Wells borough was approved by Full Council on 1 March 2023 Book a bulky or electrical item collection, Homeless, vulnerable or at risk of homelessness, Setting up your business in Tunbridge Wells, Genuinely affordable housing and social rental housing, Digital access, transparency and local democracy. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. Councillor Tom Dawlings (above) said the plan, which earmarks land across the borough for housing, employment, leisure and infrastructure, would be submitted, as scheduled, to the . This page is not available in other languages. Show only. Brilliant! Cllr Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk. from A Green In The Room Will Make The Difference, from Co-Leader Carla Denyer Visits Goudhurst, from A Green in the Room Makes a Difference, West Kent Radio Interview with Tunbridge Wells Green Party. The Tunbridge Wells Alliance, a local party formed in opposition to the cancelled Calverley Square development, have 9 councillors, whilst the Labour Party hold 7 councillors. Mike Calvert writes climate breakdown is the most important challenge we will face in our lifetimes. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d . endobj The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. One year of the Lib Dem - Alliance coalition: what have they done for Tunbridge Wells? In 2021, the Conservatives, who made significant gains across the country in that years local elections, continued to lose ground to the other parties in the council. The new administration has five key priorities, their Focus on Five: To deliver on the administrations Focus on Five the following members will serve in the Councils Cabinet: Cllr Wendy Fitzsimmons (LD), Leisure, wellbeing and culture Cllr Andy Hickey (LD), Finance and performance Cllr Justine Rutland (LD), Tunbridge Wells town and local areas Cllr David Hayward (TWA), Governance and transparency Cllr Nancy Warne (TWA), Rural communities and deputy leader Cllr Hugo Pound (Lab), Housing and planning Cllr Luke Everitt (Lab), Environment, sustainability and carbon reduction Champions. endobj What's for dinner? Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. The Boundary Commission is about to start an investigation to balance up the wards sizes across the Borough which inevitably will lead to many changes. After 1976, when the council was re-elected, the Conservatives controlled of seats. Conservative Tunbridge Wells Council Leader Tom Dawlings outlines key achievements and upcoming 2022 delivery in the Tunbridge Wells Times newspaper news article published on the 2nd February. He said the idea was really exciting and could improve the attractiveness of the town. Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . In November of the same year, a by-election was held for one seat in Speldhurst and Bidborough ward, in which the Tories lost to TWA candidate and local businessman Matthew Sankey. Required fields are marked *. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FINDINGS. The district was formed on 1 April 1974, by the merger of the municipal borough of Royal Tunbridge Wells along with Southborough urban district, Cranbrook Rural District and most of Tonbridge Rural District. The Conservative Party maintained their control over the council. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. Cllr Dawlings said he was unsure quite what might now happen if the Conservatives were outvoted in full council, noting that Tunbridge Wells had no recent experience in coping with a political group having no overall majority. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has voted in the head of the Lib Dem group as the authority's new Council Leader, ending two decades of Conservative rule. The leader of The Alliance on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council hopes the ABC cinema site can be put to community use until development takes place. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Please see the Times of Tunbridge Wells (https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news) news article attached below which covers: New emergency accommodation for rough sleepers. LEADERS INTRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CAB154/22 There were no announcements. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. 4 0 obj It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. The Full Council elects the. Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. Having brought the building up to a high standard, the council would be renting out unused space to bring in new income streams and reduce costs for the council. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. In 2007, the Labour Party was completely pushed out of the council after losing its last councillor, Ronnie Ooi. "We have major matters to address the local plan; the climate emergency and our net zero target for carbon emissions by 2030; our property assets and completion of the Amelia Scott. By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. During his speech to his new council he revealed a full audit on the councils finances has been launched and that the council would bid for levelling up funding later this year. A statement from the council says Alan McDermott (Con), councillor for Brenchley and Horsmonden, stepped down on Sunday and a new leader of the council will be appointed this Wednesday. Cllr Chapelard said: We have come together to form this administration with one single and only objective: doing the best for our residents and our borough.. No overall control. Tunbridge Wells borough council (TWBC) took aim at Sunak's comments over the summer, when a video emerged of him speaking to Conservative activists in the area during the previous Tory . Tunbridge Wells Social has been created to establish an online sense of community across our borough and to help combat the social isolation and loneliness we can all feel sometimes. Discussions between the Lib dems, Labour and the TWA started soon after and lasted six days, the new leader revealed. The pandemic has seriously impacted on the Councils income so there are some major financial decisions to take to balance our revenue budget and replenish reserves. Are Any of the Walls of the Royal Victoria Hall Collapsing? Announcing a new cabinet he revealed that four seats had gone to the Lib Dems, while both Labour and the TWA will have two each. The major issue now confronting the council is the budget. This caused the Conservatives to lose their majority, creating a minority administration. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. He said the cabinet system of running councils meant that after the full council appointed him for a four year term as leader last May, he then appointed the cabinet, which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions in the council. Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. Nick Pope, deputy group leader of the TWA, said that there were 'some minor details to hammer out', but that everything was 'pretty much in place'. Matthew Sankey (pictured below) won the Speldhurst and Bidborough seat last week for the Tunbridge Wells Alliance Party by just 58 votes with a 50% share of the vote. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council May 2022 - Present1 year Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom Student Voice/Communicating for meaning. It comes after the Conservatives failed to secure the 10 seats they needed to retain overall control at the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections earlier this month. The new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. The Building a Better Borough: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Plan 2022-24 sets out the priorities for 2022-24 with the overarching aim of 'doing the best for our residents, our businesses and our borough'. 5mo. Western Assistant Team Leader Ruth Chambers Assistant Team Leader Claire Thompson Principal Planning Officer Lynda Middlemiss part-time Senior Planning Officer Nancy Redgrove Cllr Pound believes Cllr Dawlings will be a better leader of the council than Cllr McDermott was. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. At the same full council meeting today, Chris Woodward (Con), the deputy mayor, was elected as mayor of Tunbridge Wells. Dont take my [], Read More from A Green In The Room Will Make The Difference, We were delighted to welcome Carla Denyer to Tunbridge Wells last Saturday to help us launch this years local election campaign. Council control after election. #GrubbyGreg . Your email address will not be published. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. The new deputy mayor is Godfrey Bland (Con), ward member for Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. "The pandemic has seriously impacted on the councils income, so there are some major financial decisions to take to balance our revenue budget and replenish reserves. Read more:Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant. Leader Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) Deputy Leader & Portfolio holder for Rural Communities Nancy Warne (TWA) Portfolio holder for Tunbridge Wells Town and Local Areas Justine Rutland (Lib Dem) Portfolio holder for Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Luke Everitt (Lab) Portfolio holder for Housing and Planning Hugo Pound (Lab) Portfolio holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and Culture Wendy Fitzsimmons (Lib Dem) Portfolio holder for Governance Transparency David Hayward (TWA) Portfolio holder for Finance Performance Andrew Hickey (Lib Dem), Get more Tunbridge Wells news from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE, Ben Chapelard, who is leader of the Lib Dem group on the council is now leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, (Image: Kent and Sussex Courier/Kent Live). There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Councillor Dawlings (Cons), ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook,. It felt like an extended family around the table all deciding whether they want to go in this or that direction. The Conservative Party won a majority. yDYQCXy:?eQUJZ[HZI_5&[(vPHpdMb The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. Following the local elections on 5 May the Liberal Democrats held 16 of the 48 seats making them the largest Group in the Council. <> 1 0 obj This plain is part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. "But whether that will influence the others in his group, I dont know.". Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. The Sherwood ward councillor said: "It was not unexpected but, for the Conservative group to assume still, they are the leading party is arrogant. Full Council Executive (Cabinet) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council operates under executive arrangements, also known as the 'Leader and Cabinet' model. Celebrating Tunbridge Wells Women in Business to recognise International Womens Day. A new plan for Tunbridge Wells borough was approved by Full Council on 1 March 2023 Book a bulky or electrical item collection, Homeless, vulnerable or at risk of homelessness, Setting up your business in Tunbridge Wells. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. Apart from Tunbridge Wells itself, places of interest in the Borough include: Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}510744N 01539E / 51.12889N 0.26083E / 51.12889; 0.26083, 1990s: Liberal Democrat Rule and Conservative Reclamation, 2000s: Continued Conservative Rule and Labour Decline, 2022: End of Conservative Administration and Formation of Coalition, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of places of worship in Tunbridge Wells (borough), "Coalition to run Tunbridge Wells council to be agreed after Conservatives lose power", "Tunbridge Wells result - Local Elections 2022 - BBC News", "PRESS RELEASE: Coalition discussions yet to start", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Borough_of_Tunbridge_Wells&oldid=1144226138, facilities for rock-climbing at the 'High Rocks', 2 miles west of Tunbridge Wells, This page was last edited on 12 March 2023, at 14:43. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. What's for dinner? It threatens our security and the very foundations of our society. The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose many seats, although they retained their majority. Beyond the walls of the council chamber he said he was attempting to cut down his hours as a languages teacher at Gravesend grammar school to focus on being leader. The Conservatives are still in control of the council with their majority. Councillor Ben Chapelard, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, chalked the Tories huge losses up to not just dissatisfaction with the national Conservative governments response to the cost-of-living crisis and anger over Partygate, but also frustration with the local Tory governments pattern of spending, including 10.8 million spent on the cancelled Calverley Square development, and concern over a waste collection contract. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. There's a fantastic opportunity for a planning specialist TWBC. On 13 May 2022, the TWA released a statement claiming that negotiations with the Liberal Democrats on forming a new administration had not begun, rejecting claims by Chapelard in the Kent and Sussex Courier that discussions were ongoing. "Despite the initial rebuff, I hope the opposition group leaders will now be prepared to discuss establishing good working relationship because that is what our residents and businesses both need and deserve.". TBD. If you would like to get in touch with a board member, read How to Contact the Board of Directors.. Steven D. Black, Chairman, Wells Fargo & Company ; Mark A. Chancy, Retired Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Operating Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc. ; Celeste A. Clark, Principal, Abraham Clark Consulting, LLC, and Retired Senior Vice President . Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. In 1994, the council came under no overall control (NOC). As is customary the Mayor chooses a charity to support during their term of office and Councillor Woodward will be supporting Mental Health Resource, a local mental health charity. In an interview with Southborough News, Cllr Tom Dawlings (pictured below) said he spoke regularly with the opposition group leaders. Hub plans win over Tunbridge Wells Planning Committee, Multiple Errors of Fact in Planning Officers Report supporting Hub, say critics, Southborough Society Pledges Full Support for Council Hub Scheme, Key Planning Decision Next Week as Hub Project Team Ignore Petition, Petition Against Current Hub Plans Reaches 1,000 signatures: Local Priest says pay attention, Heritage Asset Status awarded to Royal Victoria Hall But Only Just, Soccer Club on Ridgewaye says Trust in Hub Project Team Has Evaporated, Backstage Pictures Reveal Secrets of Condemned Royal Victoria Hall amid New Delay to Planning Verdict, 84% of Planning Comments Still Oppose Hub Plans, Tunbridge Wells Theatre Boss Calls For Old Southborough Theatre to be Demolished, Hub Project on Track says Southborough Council, Six Reasons to Save the Superb Royal Victoria Hall, Sport England says No to Hub building plans. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? All rights reserved. "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has . Alasdair wants to help the borough council make more sustainable decisions especially about local transport [], Penny is a local gardener, small business owner and mum to a primary aged daughter. The council is planning to draw on reserves to cover the budget shortfall caused by a loss of income from charges (as a result of the Covid pandemic) and rising costs of staff, utility bills, waste collection and parks maintenance. Following the 2022 election, the council remains under no overall control (NOC). It means a deal needs to be struck somewhere but this still has not yet been done. "The boundary commission is about to start an investigation to balance up the wards sizes across the borough which, inevitably, will lead to many changes. #GrubbyGreg . 3 0 obj m8#KL.$]s58r5mreW#V>mpOay[`c:\Clt=P#GEV The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. Thats why Ive created a cabinet post for government and transparency (David Hayward) so we look at how we govern. The main roads through the borough are the A21 London to Hastings road and in the east, the A229, which runs from the A21 at Hurst Green through Cranbrook to Maidstone. endobj The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors.

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