By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. Brilliant! "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. #GrubbyGreg . 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 Wells Borough Council - BBC News Delivery of the Amelia Community Centre opening in April. 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. Despite the strong campaign against development around Capel, Cllr Dawlings continued to argue the case for satisfying central Government housing demands by developing a new settlement and including new infrastructure for road improvements, new schools and medical and recreational facilities. He said: Matthew and volunteers were out canvassing and leafleting every day for 3 weeks across the ward. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. 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. This plain is part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. Mike Martin on Twitter: "This is something that I was never expecting 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'. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. Having accepted the Leadership Cllr Chapelard announced his administration will be called the borough partnership. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. Earlier plans for an active travel route along the A26 which Borough Council officers had worked on for some time and for which Government funding had been secured had had to be abandoned when these failed to get the support of Kent Highways officials due to safety concerns. The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Council structure Cabinet 6 Portfolio Holders Joint Meeting of the Area Committees when necessary Planning Committee Eastern Area Standards . 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. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. 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. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? 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. This caused the Conservatives to lose their majority, creating a minority administration. [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. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. 2023 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election - Wikipedia Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. 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. 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. 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 . Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. 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. Are Any of the Walls of the Royal Victoria Hall Collapsing? In recent years she has been hands-on with house restoration. The remainder are rural wards covering the other main towns and villages. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Plan 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. rough sleeping in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling areas. "Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. 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.. <> It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. "Sadly, my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the full council meeting were rebuffed. New leader selected for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 19 - KentLive $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. 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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. 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. Brilliant! The Liberal Democrats more than doubled their presence. 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. Tunbridge Wells ABC cinema site could be used for pop-up markets and 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. 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. 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. 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. Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. Were standing in all 16 wards so anyone who wants []. This state lasted for two years until 1996, when the Liberal Democrats gained a majority in the borough for the first time in its history. Tunbridge Wells Alliance leader David Hayward this week said he had been trying to get hold of former leader Cllr McDermott in the hopes of striking a deal and feels all opposition parties are united in wanting what is best for the area. Cllr Dawlings also noted that the Borough Councils Local Plan covered more than housing. I would like to praise my predecessor, Alan McDermott, who was appointed Leader in May 2019. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> stream As part of the deliberation process, the Administrative Committee has conducted extensive discussions and . 4 0 obj The new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. There is a railway line across the clay plain in an almost unbroken straight line between Redhill, Tonbridge and Ashford, Kent. 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. Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. Even the former leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said "I really don't know" if the Calverley Square scheme will survive the aftermath.. Work was timetabled to start in five months but with a Conservative majority now of just eight and opposition parties along with some Conservatives preparing to oppose the scheme, this day may never come. I have been encouraged and flattered by some of the messages of support I have received since being appointed Leader of the Conservative Group last week. New Leader and new Mayor elected - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council PDF TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CABINET Present: Councillor Ben Cllr Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. 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. 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. [1] This will be on the same day as other local elections . The budget will be addressed by the full council in February. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is proud to announce our candidates for the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections on May 4th. The Conservatives 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. The new deputy mayor is Godfrey Bland (Con), ward member for Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d 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. After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. 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 council stands at Conservatives 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 5, Labour 5, Independent 1. Since 2016 the Community Safety Manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council following eleven years experience as the Council's Anti-social Behaviour Officer. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. 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. But despite the changes to the new-look chamber, they remain deadlocked 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. 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. 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. View the profiles of our Wells Fargo Board of Directors. endobj 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. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. 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. When I first started there were four Lib Dems and 44 Conservatives so weve had to invest a huge amount of emotion and energy into winning the trust of residents. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". Read more:Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant. treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk. 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. 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. Thats why Ive created a cabinet post for government and transparency (David Hayward) so we look at how we govern. New leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and new mayor elected