Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. TBD. 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. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. 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). A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. The council plans to increase its element of Council Tax by 2% (or 5 mimimum per household). 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 presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area. The deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. The remainder are rural wards covering the other main towns and villages. 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. Vibrant Focal Point or Plastic Lunch Box? Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Council structure Cabinet 6 Portfolio Holders Joint Meeting of the Area Committees when necessary Planning Committee Eastern Area Standards . This caused the Conservatives to lose their majority, creating a minority administration. "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. 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. 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. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. APOLOGIES CAB155/22 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. 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. [1] Political control Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council May 2022 - Present1 year Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom Student Voice/Communicating for meaning. There's a fantastic opportunity for a planning specialist TWBC. Since 2016 the Community Safety Manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council following eleven years experience as the Council's Anti-social Behaviour Officer. He said this was less damaging than adding more houses to existing villages where the infrastructure was already overloaded. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. 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. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in 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. Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. 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. 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. P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? 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. Alison Broom, Chief Executive William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place Mark. Published and promoted by Chris Rose on behalf of the Green Party, both at The Green Party, PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ. endobj 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. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. 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. 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. 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. He is keen to hear their voices and learn of the contributions they are making that benefit their communities and society at large. 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 seat returned to Labour in 2014, bringing the party back to the council. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. 2,541 followers. 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 . As part of the deliberation process, the Administrative Committee has conducted extensive discussions and . This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. 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 The Conservative Party maintained their control over the council. 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 day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. What's for dinner? Penny is passionate about protecting our planet for future generations. 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. In depth news and views about the town of Southborough in Kent in England 27,000 visitors to site since 2016! 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. This plain is part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. Cllr Dawlings said there was cross-party support for efforts to upgrade the existing Town Hall building. There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Nominations for the new leader will be proposed at the council meeting on Wednesday. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FINDINGS. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? Sadly my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the Full Council meeting on 26th May were rebuffed. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? 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. The Liberal Democrats more than doubled their presence. On [], Read More from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Alasdair can usually be found on his bike either coaching, competing or cycling local routes. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. Following the 2022 election, the council remains under no overall control (NOC). The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said the draft Local Plan will not be derailed by Boris Johnson's comments against house building on "green fields". 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. A Green In The Room Will Make The Difference. 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'. The Conservative's 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. "It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. 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. Cllr Woodward, who has represented Broadwater since 2006, has also replaced previous mayor Joy Podbury. 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. %PDF-1.7 What's for dinner? It felt like an extended family around the table all deciding whether they want to go in this or that direction. "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". 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. Is it a Hill or a Slope on the Northern Ridgewaye Fields? At Wednesday's (May 25) Full Council meeting, the first since the May 5 elections that saw the Lib Dem group overtake the Tories as the largest party at TWBC, Cllr Ben Chapelard . 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 . 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 Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. 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. Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. He said the idea was really exciting and could improve the attractiveness of the town. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. 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. Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> The Conservative Party won a majority. By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. 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.. 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. He will lead a new coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour group and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). 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. 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. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. Heres what he had to say. 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. 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. The budget will be addressed by the full council in February. 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'. Brilliant! Local News; National News; Tunbridge Wells Conservatives . This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. In an interview with Southborough News, Cllr Tom Dawlings (pictured below) said he spoke regularly with the opposition group leaders. 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. m8#KL.$]s58r5mreW#V>mpOay[`c:\Clt=P#GEV One year of the Lib Dem - Alliance coalition: what have they done for Tunbridge Wells? Speaking about his appointment Councillor Dawlings said: I would like to thank Members for electing me to lead the Council. 2 0 obj 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. 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. 1 0 obj 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. [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. More. Over the next five years if we dont do anything about it we will have another 20 million hole in the council finances. Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. 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. Describing the poor performance of his party in the elections as a real disappointment, he announced his resignation as council leader. About TW Social. 3 0 obj 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. 28 Apr 2023 14:36:17 We pay our respects to Kent residents who have died in recent weeks. The Full Council elects the. The chair of Tunbridge Wells Alliance Nick Pope told Southborough News that the seat had been won by his party after relentless campaigning. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting service, Cllr Chapelard said: We all know from Calverley Square the councils reputation has been absolutely savaged by residents and we need to rebuild that trust. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". Debs has a keen interest in conservation and local wildlife. Read more:Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant. 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 . . The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. His theme for the Mayoral year is The Rising Generation, the children and young adults who will become the leaders of the future. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> 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. He said the Council was looking at ways of helping the local economy by connecting the top and bottom of Tunbridge Wells more effectively. 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. Weve all come to serve our residents. 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. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. Your email address will not be published. .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;} }. View the profiles of our Wells Fargo Board of Directors. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. [5] Eight wards are within Royal Tunbridge Wells itself: Broadwater, Culverden; Pantiles & St Marks; Park; Rusthall; Sherwood & St John's and St. James. 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. Discussions between the Lib dems, Labour and the TWA started soon after and lasted six days, the new leader revealed. Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. 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. "I think that Tom is more capable in terms of engaging with the opposition," he said. The draft budget recently received unanimous approval at Novembers Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and will be published for public consultation in December. Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections One third of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent, England, is elected each year, followed by one year without election.