leader of tunbridge wells borough council

"It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. In 1994, the council came under no overall control (NOC). National government has destroyed local government in terms of cuts, so the council receives no revenue support grants, and weve had COVID and things havent recovered to pre-COVID levels.. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d 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 idea was really exciting and could improve the attractiveness of the town. % 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. 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. [5] Eight wards are within Royal Tunbridge Wells itself: Broadwater, Culverden; Pantiles & St Marks; Park; Rusthall; Sherwood & St John's and St. James. The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. As part of the deliberation process, the Administrative Committee has conducted extensive discussions and . The Town Hall co-working initiative which opens up additional space inside, released from digital automation for start-up & small businesses. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. Cllr McDermott said: "We thought they had it all arranged but they decided they didn't want to do it. At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. 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. <> Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. 2 0 obj Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. 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. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. Following the 2022 election, the council remains under no overall control (NOC). The major issue now confronting the council is the budget. What's for dinner? 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. On [], Read More from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Alasdair can usually be found on his bike either coaching, competing or cycling local routes. Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. Are Any of the Walls of the Royal Victoria Hall Collapsing? 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. m8#KL.$]s58r5mreW#V>mpOay[`c:\Clt=P#GEV Western Assistant Team Leader Ruth Chambers Assistant Team Leader Claire Thompson Principal Planning Officer Lynda Middlemiss part-time Senior Planning Officer Nancy Redgrove $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. 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. 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. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Cllr Pound believes Cllr Dawlings will be a better leader of the council than Cllr McDermott was. 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. Cllr Dawlings said he was now discussing alternative routes using existing Public Rights of Way but away from the A26. 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. Show only. David Jukes lost out to Lucy Willis of the Tunbridge . It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. 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. 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. 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. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. The Full Council elects the. The new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. 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. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> endobj 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. No overall control. The day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. . 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. "They want to wait until the full council meeting on Wednesday.". ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FINDINGS. [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. Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. 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. After last Thursday's 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. The remainder are rural wards covering the other main towns and villages. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. There's a fantastic opportunity for a planning specialist TWBC. #GrubbyGreg . In the 2016 European Union referendum, Tunbridge Wells was the only district in Kent that voted to remain in the EU (54.89%). Despite the initial rebuff, I hope the Opposition Group Leaders will now be prepared to discuss establishing good working relationship because that is what our residents and businesses both need and deserve.. 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. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w 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. 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. There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Council control after election. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. 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. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has . The Conservatives are still in control of the council with their majority. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is proud to announce our candidates for the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections on May 4th. Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Mike Calvert writes climate breakdown is the most important challenge we will face in our lifetimes. "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. Cllr Dawlings said the recent speech where Boris Johnson suggested that green fields should be protected from development had not yet turned into revised government policy, so the existing Local Plan including the new development at Capel was continuing its approval process and was currently with government-appointed planning inspectors. Brilliant! 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. 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. 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. 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. I suggested that even without a hung Council, my aim would be to have good relations with opposition groups mainly because we would be in full agreement on most of the services the Council provides. The council plans to increase its element of Council Tax by 2% (or 5 mimimum per household). As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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.. Read More from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! TBD. 1 0 obj The Conservatives 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. 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. View the profiles of our Wells Fargo Board of Directors. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". . "Despite the initial rebuff, I hope the opposition group leaders will now be prepared to discuss establishing good working relationship because that is what our residents and businesses both need and deserve.". Main Responsibilities 1. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? "Councillor McDermott was elected leader in May 2019. 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). Discussions between the Lib dems, Labour and the TWA started soon after and lasted six days, the new leader revealed. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! 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. 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 use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. stream 28 Apr 2023 19:27:21 Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. We knew it could only be won by working hard and speaking to as many people as possible.. 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'. 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. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. 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. 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. 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. The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose many seats, although they retained their majority. Council control before election. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. 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 . Cllr Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. 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. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May - a full slate! 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. Councillor Dawlings (Cons), ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, was first elected to the Council in 2014 and has been portfolio holder for Finance and Governance since 2019. There is a railway line across the clay plain in an almost unbroken straight line between Redhill, Tonbridge and Ashford, Kent. 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. Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. "In accordance with the councils constitution, the new leader will be elected for a four-year term. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. "But in the balanced state the council is now in, working more closely together is all the more important. Read more:Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant. The new administration has five key priorities, their Focus on Five: To deliver on the administrations Focus on Five the following members will serve in the Councils Cabinet: Cllr Wendy Fitzsimmons (LD), Leisure, wellbeing and culture Cllr Andy Hickey (LD), Finance and performance Cllr Justine Rutland (LD), Tunbridge Wells town and local areas Cllr David Hayward (TWA), Governance and transparency Cllr Nancy Warne (TWA), Rural communities and deputy leader Cllr Hugo Pound (Lab), Housing and planning Cllr Luke Everitt (Lab), Environment, sustainability and carbon reduction Champions. Cllr Dawlings pointed out that his partys share of the vote was an improvement on the May election result when the Conservatives had held the seat. The Council is composed of 48 councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. It threatens our security and the very foundations of our society. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. There are also 3 seats belonging to Independents.[6]. Since 2016 the Community Safety Manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council following eleven years experience as the Council's Anti-social Behaviour Officer. About TW Social. 2,541 followers. 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. 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. The council stands at Conservatives 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 5, Labour 5, Independent 1. 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. This plain is part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. 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. The chair of Tunbridge Wells Alliance Nick Pope told Southborough News that the seat had been won by his party after relentless campaigning. The deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. Cllr Woodward, who has represented Broadwater since 2006, has also replaced previous mayor Joy Podbury. 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has voted in the head of the Lib Dem group as the authority's new Council Leader, ending two decades of Conservative rule. "I think, in all honesty, if you go to any borough council leader, they will say the last year or two years has been the hardest they have had. 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. He said: "I suggested that, even without a hung council, my aim would be to have good relations with opposition groups mainly because we would be in full agreement on most of the services the council provides. 5mo. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 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. 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]. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . %PDF-1.7 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 . In recent years she has been hands-on with house restoration. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Council structure Cabinet 6 Portfolio Holders Joint Meeting of the Area Committees when necessary Planning Committee Eastern Area Standards . "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". "Tunbridge Wells Borough Council members will be electing a new leader at the annual meeting of the full council on Wednesday, May 26," a council statement read. Heres what he had to say. 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. 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. Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. We're standing in all 16 wards so anyone . 28 Apr 2023 14:36:17 The 2023 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election will take place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent, England. "Sadly, my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the full council meeting were rebuffed. 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. Penny is passionate about protecting our planet for future generations. 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. treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk. It felt like an extended family around the table all deciding whether they want to go in this or that direction.

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