Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. After 1976, when the council was re-elected, the Conservatives controlled of seats. Tunbridge Wells council eyes up buildings and car parks to sell as budget gap looms 'But we have obviously got to rationalise some of our property assets to make the best use of them and that is going to be a major factor as we address this budget shortfall,' said council leader Tom Dawlings 16 December 2021 By Mary Harris The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. They remain the biggest party on the council, with exactly half the seats, but secured only 37% of the overall vote, meaning no party holds overall majority. Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. Cllr Dawlings, who was first elected to the council in 2014 and has been portfolio holder for finance and governance since 2019, says he approached each leader of the opposition groups last week but was unable to arrange to meet ahead of the full council meeting. In recent years she has been hands-on with house restoration. Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . Brilliant! Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! 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. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. He said: "I got an early indication they wanted a meeting. "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. 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 leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned.. A statement from the council says Alan McDermott (Con), councillor for Brenchley and Horsmonden, stepped down on Sunday and a new . Were standing in all 16 wards so anyone who wants []. He said: Matthew and volunteers were out canvassing and leafleting every day for 3 weeks across the ward. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 1984-2002: Fourteen years experience in IBM mainframes with blue chip companies and a further 5 years client/server database experience in the private education sector. At the same full council meeting today, Chris Woodward (Con), the deputy mayor, was elected as mayor of Tunbridge Wells. endobj At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. To be responsible for the Rough Sleeper Initiatives operating in both TW and T&M council areas and effectively direct and co-ordinate the various projects/activities, ensuring that use of the initiatives are maximised for the benefit of verified rough The deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. % 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. It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". Read Pascack Press 4.24.23 by The Press Group Community Newspapers (New Jersey) on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. 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. 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. Alison Broom, Chief Executive William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place Mark. In a by-election in Culverden ward held later that year, the Conservative Party lost another seat to the Liberal Democrats. [1], The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. The Conservatives were displaced as the largest party by the Liberal Democrats following the 2022 election, with Mayor Chris Woodward losing his seat and Leader of the Council Tom Dawlings seeing his majority significantly reduced in his ward. 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. 3 0 obj Council control after election. This caused the Conservatives to lose their majority, creating a minority administration. The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. The Full Council elects the. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". 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. "They want to wait until the full council meeting on Wednesday.". All rights reserved. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. 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. 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). "This late addition to the agenda comes after councillor Alan McDermott resigned from the post on Sunday, May 23. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. The Conservatives have all seats on the cabinet, all committee chairs and all committee vice-chairs. Show only. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has . There's a fantastic opportunity for a planning specialist TWBC. Maidstone Borough Council Stuart Jeffery has been voted in as Maidstone Borough Council's first Green councillor In Tunbridge Wells the Conservatives lost eight seats and are no longer. As part of the deliberation process, the Administrative Committee has conducted extensive discussions and . Great article by Cllr Victoria White assessing the outcome of the Lib Dem - Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Nick Pope said: It is up to Tom Dawlings, the Leader of the council, to decide what he should do. The day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. Cllr Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. The borough of Tunbridge Wells lies along the south western border of Kent, partly on the northern edge of the Weald, the remainder on the Weald Clay plain in the upper reaches of the rivers Teise and Beult. All rights reserved. Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. Penny is passionate about protecting our planet for future generations. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Council structure Cabinet 6 Portfolio Holders Joint Meeting of the Area Committees when necessary Planning Committee Eastern Area Standards . The Liberal Democrats were also criticised by the Conservatives for their plans to use parts of the Common for cycle and bus lanes. 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.. [1] Political control The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the Conservatives failed to secure the 10 seats they needed to retain overall control at the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections. from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! Vibrant Focal Point or Plastic Lunch Box? Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. No overall control. Following the local elections on 5 May the Liberal Democrats held 16 of the 48 seats making them the largest Group in the Council. 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 government's response to the cost-of-living crisis and anger over Partygate, but also frustration with the local Tory government's pattern of spending, including 10.8 Brilliant! History of Salomons Estate Explained in Heritage Open Day Tour, MP calls SE Waters Crisis Planning Bad and Chaotic, Greg Clark to Contest Next General Election, Reduced Bus Fares: 2 Single Ticket to Continue, BBC Strike Over Local Radio Cuts Takes Regional TV News Off Air, Lib Dem Mike Martin Bids to Become Local MP, Dog Attack in Southborough Sends Woman to Hospital, Dog Attack in Southborough (Initial Version), Queen Jokingly Advised Kent Resident: You Jolly Well Better Behave!, Lib Dem Win in Southborough North as Conservative Vote Crumbles in Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells Council Leader calls for Collaboration between Parties, Borough Council Defeat for Conservatives in Bidborough ward By-election, Tune to 95.5 and 106.7 FM for West Kent Radio, Official Opening of Southboroughs New Civic Centre, Conservatives Lose Overall Majority on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Conservative Peter Oakford Wins His County Council Seat by Just 1%, Financial Boost for West Kents New Community FM Radio Station, Caution And Hope After 80% Drop in Covid-19 Cases in February, Thursday Update: Local Covid-19 Cases Edge Higher, Sunday Update: Covid-19 Virus Out of Control, Local Cases of Covid-19 Surged in November, Southborough Mayor says People Must Stay Vigilant, New Community FM Radio Station Approved for Tunbridge Wells, Greg Clark returns as Local MP with 55% of Votes, Thousands of New Homes Possible in Southborough if Local Plan isnt Opposed, Plan to Replace Fields with New Housing Between Southborough and Tonbridge, Greg Clark Will Be Conservative General Election Candidate, Tunbridge Wells Council Tax Payers Dodged a Bullet, Calverley Square Theatre Project Abandoned, Building of Southborough Hub Starts Soon Amid Concerns About the Cost, Crunch Council Vote on Calverley Project Postponed, New FM Radio Station Could Start Transmissions from Southborough in Two Years, Cancellation of 90m Calverley Project Predicted Within Two Months, Conservatives Agree to Pause Calverley Square Theatre Plan, Diana Blackwell Elected to Lead Southborough Society with Renewed Focus on Younger Members, Labours Alain Lewis is New Mayor of Southborough, Trevor Poile is Back on Borough Council for Southborough After 12 Years Away, Calverley Grounds 90 million Civic Project Unlikely to Happen After Slump in Conservative Vote, Conservatives Defeated Heavily on Town Council but too late to stop Hub, Emmetts Garden Provides Springtime Inspiration for Gardeners, Scaled-back Southborough Hub Plans Win Approval from Planners, Local Priest says Southborough Hub: Could Turn into a Complete Disaster, Angry Town Meeting Calls for More Consultation About Southborough Hub, Public Meeting on Tuesday as Critics say Southborough Hub will be a Dysfunctional Building, Council Responds to Public Concerns About Southborough Hub Design, New Hub Images Released as Theatre Experts Warn of Grave Mistake, Southborough Hub: Design is Great says leading Conservative, New Look for Southborough Hub to be Unveiled Tonight, Campaigner Brian Dury Takes on Role as Southborough Society Chairman, Voters Revolt Over Conservative Councils Plans for 80 million Debt, Greg Clark MP Sees Sense of Optimism and Confidence at Bus Depot Opening, Southborough Hub Community Facility Promised by Summer 2020, New Spring Arriva Timetable Suggests Fewer Late Buses from Tonbridge, New Bus Depot Will Mean Improved Service for Southborough, says Arriva, Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils Biggest Ever project approved, Southborough Norths Two Conservative Councillors At Odds Over Civic Complex, Critics Say Council Services Will Be Cut to Pay Back Loans For New Civic Centre, Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Wants Changes to Design of New Town Hall, New Tunbridge Wells Civic Centre Will be a Place Making Cultural Investment, Conservative Councillor to Vote Against His Partys New Civic Centre Plan, Labour Celebrate Town Council By-election victory, Liberal Democrat Candidate Wants Clean Up of Our Toxic Air, Labour insists: Southborough Town Councillors Should Live in the Town, Arriva Bus Bosses Promise More Reliable Services, Utility Firms Blamed For Delay to Southborough Hub Clearance Work, Southboroughs Best View Threatened By New Housing, Royal Victoria Halls Valuable Bricks are For Sale in East Farleigh, RVH Plasterwork Decorations are Too Expensive to Salvage, Bus Firm Requests Cash From County Council Amid New Cuts and Higher Fares, Conservatives Promise to Publish Business Plan as Demolition Continues, Conservatives win Southboroughs County Council Seat with 42% of vote, Southboroughs Angry Voices at Annual Town Meeting 2017, Key Local Election Vote for Southborough on Thursday, Pledge that Southborough Hub Means No Increase in Council Tax Bills, Traffic Gridlock and Polluted Air Set to Continue After Disappointing Bus Review, Hunt Begins for Southboroughs Lost Windmill, Southborough Council Holds Final Meeting at its Home of 140 Years, By-election Vote to Test Support for Southborough Hub Plans, Row Over How to Spend Southboroughs One Million Pound Windfall, February 9th Vote Confirmed as Demolition Funds Secured, Southborough Hub Gets Final Planning Approval from Government, By-election Vote Called as Councillor Condemns Outrageous Secrecy. after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years, after the conservatives lost nine seats in the council elections, Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant, I was scared of losing my baby' says Tunbridge Wells mum left to feel 'invisible' by nurses, The tragic story of a Tunbridge Wells sea cadet and how he is being remembered, A21 crash: Suzuki motorcyclist killed in May bank holiday tragedy, The crash towards Hastings also "seriously" injured his pillion passenger who has been taken to hospital, A21 reopens after motorcyclist dies in crash near Tunbridge Wells, The crash involved a motorbike and car on Hastings Road, southbound, and caused the road to close, A2 closed as multi-vehicle crash causes oil to spew across road - as it happened, National Highways says there are delays and congestion following the crash, Kent coastal areas people advised to avoid amid sewage warnings as more people head to the beach, Swimmers have been told to avoid these places, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury and every other Kent area's May bank holiday bin collection dates, Some of the countys districts will see a slightly revised collection timetable due to the bank holiday, A260 crash seriously injures cyclist with road forced to close all afternoon, Kent Police and paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene with traffic heading into Folkestone heavily impacted, Kents best pubs with a beer garden to make the most of this spring, Theres a reason our county is known as the Garden of England, Celebrate King's coronation with afternoon tea on steam train through Kent, Air ambulance lands after 'serious' crash near Tunbridge Wells, Coin found in pile of pennies in Kent home worth thousands, The owner thought the coin was fake but it turned olut to be 400-years-old and extremely valuable, Kent to be just as hot as Venice on May bank holiday, Its looking to be a very warm bank holiday here in the Garden of England, Celebrate coronation with afternoon tea on steam train through Kent, Major Kent road closed in one direction after crash, A20 Westbound closed, slow traffic due to accident, two cars and a lorry involved from A260 Canterbury Road to M20, New map shows latest Arcturus Covid cases in UK, A surge in cases of the Arcturus variant has been recorded in over 30 countries, 'Inflation is making it harder to grocery shop on a budget - even at Aldi', Some items at Aldi - like many other stores - have increased in price over the past months, Stunning Spanish galleon ship heading to Kent, It is the only ship of its kind to sail in the present day, Father-of-six among those remembered by loved ones in Kent's death notices. 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. There are also 3 seats belonging to Independents.[6]. "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. "I think that Tom is more capable in terms of engaging with the opposition," he said. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . 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. #GrubbyGreg . The Green Party 2006 - 2023 | Manage Cookies, from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, from West Kent Radio Interview with Tunbridge Wells Green Party, from Making Paddock Wood Fairer and Greener. 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. 4 0 obj The Government insists that this is [], Read More from A Green in the Room Makes a Difference, We hope everyone had a good Christmas even if their water had to be trucked into Tescos carpark for collection Water played a big part in shaping a year [], Read More from A fairer and Greener New Year. [7], On 16 May 2022, the Liberal Democrats, the Tunbridge Wells Alliance, the Labour Party, and one independent councillor, Rodney Atkins, agreed to form a coalition to run the council. The council stands at Conservatives 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 5, Labour 5, Independent 1. 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. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. <> All 24 opposition councillors voted against Cllr Dawlings Conservative succession as leader but the vote was carried after new mayor, Cllr Woodward, used his casting vote to carry the motion forward. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w "Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. Planners Want Evidence from Public that Royal Victoria Hall has Historic Value, TV Architect Ptolemy Dean Condemns Hub Design as Poor, Theatre Experts are Concerned About Southborough Hub Plans, Parking Zone May Be Way Forward in Pennington Road, Apathy as Royal Victoria Hall set for demolition, Southborough Doctors Will NOT Move to Car Park for Now, Southborough Doctors Confirm Move to Car Park, Councillors Still at Odds over New Southborough Hub, Hopes and Fears over Hub as Scheme Heads to Planning Stage, July 11-17: Final Hub Public Consultation, Southborough Society calls for Town Museum and debates Library, Local Election on Thursday: Party Pledges, Lloyds Bank Southborough: Closure Seems Inevitable, Town Council says its Intention is to Preserve Remaining Ridgewaye Fields, Labour Supporters Ask for More Protection for Remaining Ridgewaye Fields, Refurbishing the Existing Theatre is Cheaper Option, Insists Save RVH Campaign, Glenn 3: Demolishing the Royal Victoria Hall. [5] Eight wards are within Royal Tunbridge Wells itself: Broadwater, Culverden; Pantiles & St Marks; Park; Rusthall; Sherwood & St John's and St. James. Councillor Dawlings (Cons), ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook,. Nick Pope (pictured below) emphasised the recent slide in Conservative support, pointing out that just 3 years ago, the Conservatives had a massive majority, holding 43 out of 48 seats on the Borough Council. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. Main Responsibilities 1. A Green In The Room Will Make The Difference. endobj "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? 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. 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. His theme for the Mayoral year is The Rising Generation, the children and young adults who will become the leaders of the future. Last week I approached each Leader of the Opposition Groups. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. Read More from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! Councillor Ben Chapelard Title: Leader of the Council Party: Liberal Democrats Ward: St James' Other councillors representing this Ward: Councillor Rob Wormington More information about this. "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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "But whether that will influence the others in his group, I dont know.". Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. 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. Chapelard stated his intention to reduce the councils budget deficit, which he claimed would cumulatively amount to 20 million by 2028. 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. 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. The Liberal Democrats more than doubled their presence. The major issue now confronting the council is the budget.
Dirtiest Soccer Players 2021,
American Force Lug Nut Covers,
Indigo System Lightning 12,
Condolence Message In Gurbani,
Articles L