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, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM. 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 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. Cllr McDermott said: "We thought they had it all arranged but they decided they didn't want to do it. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells council has been defeated by a new party set up in protest to a multi-million pound development. 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. The Town Hall co-working initiative which opens up additional space inside, released from digital automation for start-up & small businesses. There's a fantastic opportunity for a planning specialist TWBC. The largest party, with 16 councillors, are the Liberal Democrats. 4 0 obj The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. Kent areas with worst pollution amid controversial ULEZ expansion, Current plans would see the Ultra Low Emissions Zone expanded this summer, Arrest after man has neck cut in 'serious assault', Police are now appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward. 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. New leader selected for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 19 - KentLive 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. 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. The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. Browse Committees - Borough of Tunbridge Wells What's for dinner? Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? Everybody had their input, it was all very grown up, no Punch and Judy politics.. Tunbridge Wells ABC cinema site could be used for pop-up markets and No overall control. Debs has a keen interest in conservation and local wildlife. Tunbridge Wells Council votes in a new leader as Lib-Dem led coalition Meanwhile, the Conservative leader Cllr Tom Dawlings said he wanted to look at new options for a cycle and pedestrian route linking Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. 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 day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. He said: Matthew and volunteers were out canvassing and leafleting every day for 3 weeks across the ward. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> 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. The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. Leadership and Governance - Wells Fargo 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. Martin: Voters in Tunbridge Wells [], Read More from West Kent Radio Interview with Tunbridge Wells Green Party, Trevor Bisdee writes Im really pleased that for the first time the Green Party is standing a candidate in every one of the sixteen Wards across the Borough, giving people [], Read More from Making Paddock Wood Fairer and Greener, Tunbridge Wells Green Party is proud to announce our candidates for the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections on May 4th. Something went wrong, please try again later. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. <> 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.. Political control of the council since 1973 has been held by the following parties:[2], The leaders of the council since 1998 have been:[3]. 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. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. Tunbridge Wells council eyes up buildings and car parks to sell as TW Social - We're in this together There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ousted council leader says building offices "still a good proposition It doesnt reflect the balance in the council.". Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections - Wikipedia At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. "Sadly, my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the full council meeting were rebuffed. 'Not our lived experience': Tunbridge Wells leaders rubbish Sunak New Leader and new Mayor elected - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council After last Thursdays by-election defeat, the Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Council has called for all political parties to work together in collaboration in the interests of the Borough. Cllr Dawlings outlined new proposals including an electric vehicle mini-bus service for the centre of Tunbridge Wells as well as a potential new cycle and pedestrian route from Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. 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. After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Wealden councils respond after Boris 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. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose many seats, although they retained their majority. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. At the same full council meeting today, Chris Woodward (Con), the deputy mayor, was elected as mayor of Tunbridge Wells. 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. Full Council Executive (Cabinet) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council operates under executive arrangements, also known as the 'Leader and Cabinet' model. The Conservative Party won a majority. "I think that Tom is more capable in terms of engaging with the opposition," he said. Kent election results 2022: Conservatives lose control of Maidstone Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Plan All rights reserved. rough sleeping in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling areas. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council | LinkedIn The deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. I would like to praise my predecessor, Alan McDermott, who was appointed Leader in May 2019. Tory Tunbridge Wells leader Bob Atwood loses seat to UKIP Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. APOLOGIES CAB155/22 As Leader he has played a full role in the measures the Council has taken so successfully in supporting residents and businesses during the pandemic - it has been a very difficult time but our Conservative-run Council has performed with great distinction. Western Assistant Team Leader Ruth Chambers Assistant Team Leader Claire Thompson Principal Planning Officer Lynda Middlemiss part-time Senior Planning Officer Nancy Redgrove