https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. Tory Tunbridge Wells leader Bob Atwood loses seat to UKIP . Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. x]o8=@EDIInqe,$B')N"KCpC_U~7U/j:{b*;im~v=}$`>%iOlyzryszr`"`7w'3"p8T7 :fktzy'a?NOFG-X8 H!OYp ZI\ '|!v.\M39K+G,|6bv3 GkS"y0]L1S;CY8cL(yG}BApz+SIxwM[LF$KY8Y/vY tI17S=sxq ce. Wxr/?p{EOx&vVk5},\L3zj08z|)smC)~._:Xcq1sufksCF j)cFA*p ~r&BD()RG)d4u_}9|y. There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We knew it could only be won by working hard and speaking to as many people as possible.. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. 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. He said: Ive been on the council for nearly 12 years and the advice I was given was as a leader of the opposition you think you know your way around the council, but when you become leader there will be things you werent aware of that sometimes crop up. "Sadly, my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the full council meeting were rebuffed. The Conservatives are still in control of the council with their majority. The Council is composed of 48 councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. "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. It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. The Conservatives 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. 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. 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. 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. By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. 53m of covid recovery grants sourced from central government distributed to local retail and businesses to support recovery post pandemic. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. But Cllr Hayward, a councillor for Pembury, said: "We have desperately been trying to get a response from Alan.". 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. TW Social - We're in this together [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. 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. After last week being appointed the new Tory leader, Cllr Dawlings, who represents Benenden and Cranbook, said he contacted the leaders of the Tunbridge Wells Alliance, Labour and the Liberal Democrats on Thursday morning. Show only. 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. Are Any of the Walls of the Royal Victoria Hall Collapsing? Carla met Geoff Mason our candidate in Goudhurst and [], Read More from Co-Leader Carla Denyer Visits Goudhurst, With less than 3 months to go to the May local elections, this year youll need to show photo ID before you can vote. PDF TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CABINET Present: Councillor Ben David Jukes lost out to Lucy Willis of the Tunbridge . yDYQCXy:?eQUJZ[HZI_5&[(vPHpdMb Describing the poor performance of his party in the elections as a real disappointment, he announced his resignation as council leader. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. Councillor details - Councillor Ben Chapelard - Borough of Tunbridge Wells The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. Cllr Dawlings said: I believe that most of the priorities I set out when I was appointed leader of the council in May are uncontroversial and my intention is to continue to work on those priorities in the best interest of the town and borough.. Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. 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. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. 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 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. Browse Committees - Borough of Tunbridge Wells Your email address will not be published. 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. Heres what he had to say. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? 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. Following the local elections on 5 May the Liberal Democrats held 16 of the 48 seats making them the largest Group in the Council. "It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. Required fields are marked *. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. Terry Hughes - Community Safety Manager - Tunbridge Wells Borough Cllr Dawlings also noted that the Borough Councils Local Plan covered more than housing. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Delivery of the Amelia Community Centre opening in April. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". 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. 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. At the same full council meeting today, Chris Woodward (Con), the deputy mayor, was elected as mayor of Tunbridge Wells. He argued that the cross-party collaborative agreement on plans to rent out the surplus space in the Town Hall for co-working showed that the different groups were able to work effectively together. But in the balanced state the Council is now in (24 Conservative Members, 24 Opposition Members) working more closely together is all the more important. "They want to wait until the full council meeting on Wednesday.". "In accordance with the councils constitution, the new leader will be elected for a four-year term. 2023 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election - Wikipedia The council is working to improve its energy efficiency and catch up with a backlog of maintenance including repairs to the leaking roof and repainting of the windows. About TW Social. Chapelard stated his intention to reduce the councils budget deficit, which he claimed would cumulatively amount to 20 million by 2028. 28 Apr 2023 14:36:17 "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. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. 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. 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. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! They stated that the Alliance and the Labour Party had both contacted the Liberal Democrats to start talks, but that they had been told negotiations could only begin on 15 May 2022, which the TWA stated was only two days before many decisions need[ed] to be made and submitted. 1 0 obj Cllr Blackwell 2: Plans for Hub Theatre are Very Unrealistic, Cllr Blackwell 1: Cllr Oakford is incorrect on State of Victoria Hall, Shock Resignation of Conservative Town Councillor, Cllr Oakford 2: Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall to Run Hub Theatre, Cllr Oakford 1: Confident of Overcoming Sport England Objection. Ousted council leader says building offices "still a good proposition "But in the balanced state the council is now in, working more closely together is all the more important. Tunbridge Wells ABC cinema site could be used for pop-up markets and In addition to Cabinet members there are four champions to help deliver the Focus on Five: Cllr Peter Lidstone (LD), Walking and cycling champion Cllr Mark Ellis (LD), Town market champion Cllr Matthew Sankey (TWA), Local business champion Cllr Alex Britcher-Allan (Lab), Charities and voluntary sector champion. Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. 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. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. The new deputy mayor is Godfrey Bland (Con), ward member for Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. 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. Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of UKIP . Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. PDF Job Description and Person Specification Common Council | Summit, NJ 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 . 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. 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). Tunbridge Well Borough Council Jobs | Indeed.com In 1994, the council came under no overall control (NOC). 4. In a by-election in Culverden ward held later that year, the Conservative Party lost another seat to the Liberal Democrats. There are also 3 seats belonging to Independents.[6]. 28 Apr 2023 19:27:21 [1] This will be on the same day as other local elections . 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. After the return to in-person Common Council meetings earlier this summer, a small group of residents asked Council to consider holding hybrid meetings (allowing public participation both in-person and by remote video conference). However, the Liberal Democrats lost their majority before the next election due to defections, which emboldened the optimistic Conservatives during the local election campaign of 1998. 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1976, 1973 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1976 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1979 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1980 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1982 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1983 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1984 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1986 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1987 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1988 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1990 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1991 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1992 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1994 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1995 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1996 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1998 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1999 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2000 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2002 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2003 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2004 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2006 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2007 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2008 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2010 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2011 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2012 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2015 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2016 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2018 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2019 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2021 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2022 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, "Council's Tory group selects new leader", The Kent (District Boundaries) Order 1987, The East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent (County Boundaries) Order 1992, The Kent and East Sussex (County Boundaries) Order 1993, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Changes) Order 2001, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2006, "Tories romp home in Tunbridge Wells by-election", "Declaration of result of poll Sherwood ward", "Election results for Southborough North, 10 September 2015", "Election results for Culverden, 14 November 2019", "Local Elections Archive Project Speldhurst and Bidborough Ward", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tunbridge_Wells_Borough_Council_elections&oldid=1143429079, This page was last edited on 7 March 2023, at 17:32. The Conservatives have all seats on the cabinet, all committee chairs and all committee vice-chairs. 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. 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.. 4 0 obj View the profiles of our Wells Fargo Board of Directors. 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. He said: Matthew and volunteers were out canvassing and leafleting every day for 3 weeks across the ward. The borough became one of the first to introduce a system of elections by thirds under section 7 (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, as one of 44 non-metropolitan districts to have passed a resolution requesting the change.
