The major issue now confronting the council is the budget. Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council May 2022 - Present1 year Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom Student Voice/Communicating for meaning. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. 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). The council stands at Conservatives 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 5, Labour 5, Independent 1. 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 new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. Your email address will not be published. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? 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]. Planners Want Evidence from Public that Royal Victoria Hall has Historic Value, TV Architect Ptolemy Dean Condemns Hub Design as Poor, Theatre Experts are Concerned About Southborough Hub Plans, Parking Zone May Be Way Forward in Pennington Road, Apathy as Royal Victoria Hall set for demolition, Southborough Doctors Will NOT Move to Car Park for Now, Southborough Doctors Confirm Move to Car Park, Councillors Still at Odds over New Southborough Hub, Hopes and Fears over Hub as Scheme Heads to Planning Stage, July 11-17: Final Hub Public Consultation, Southborough Society calls for Town Museum and debates Library, Local Election on Thursday: Party Pledges, Lloyds Bank Southborough: Closure Seems Inevitable, Town Council says its Intention is to Preserve Remaining Ridgewaye Fields, Labour Supporters Ask for More Protection for Remaining Ridgewaye Fields, Refurbishing the Existing Theatre is Cheaper Option, Insists Save RVH Campaign, Glenn 3: Demolishing the Royal Victoria Hall. 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. 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). 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. Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. 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. Council control after election. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. 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. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d 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. After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. More. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. Tunbridge Wells Social offers something for everyone - entertainment and activities for all ages, tips and workshops for healthy living and . "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. 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. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! "This late addition to the agenda comes after councillor Alan McDermott resigned from the post on Sunday, May 23. 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.. 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. The new deputy mayor is Godfrey Bland (Con), ward member for Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. 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. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! The day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. Read More from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! But Cllr Hayward, a councillor for Pembury, said: "We have desperately been trying to get a response from Alan.". 4 0 obj Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. "I think that Tom is more capable in terms of engaging with the opposition," he said. What's for dinner? Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. Tom Dawlings, who led the Conservative group in the council, disagreed with Chapelards accusations of council maladministration and complacency and arrogance, naming as some of his administrations successes 54 million in grants distributed to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and the construction of the Amelia Scott building in the town centre. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Council structure Cabinet 6 Portfolio Holders Joint Meeting of the Area Committees when necessary Planning Committee Eastern Area Standards . 3 0 obj Cllr Dawlings said he was now discussing alternative routes using existing Public Rights of Way but away from the A26. 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. Cllr McDermott said: "We thought they had it all arranged but they decided they didn't want to do it. He says he feels all opposition parties are united in wanting what is best for the area. Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. 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. After last Thursdays by-election defeat, the Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Council has called for all political parties to work together in collaboration in the interests of the Borough. Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The Conservative's 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. Full Council Executive (Cabinet) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council operates under executive arrangements, also known as the 'Leader and Cabinet' model. View the profiles of our Wells Fargo Board of Directors. In an interview with Southborough News, Cllr Tom Dawlings (pictured below) said he spoke regularly with the opposition group leaders. 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. 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. Thats why Ive created a cabinet post for government and transparency (David Hayward) so we look at how we govern. 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'. Having accepted the Leadership Cllr Chapelard announced his administration will be called the borough partnership. 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. On [], Read More from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Alasdair can usually be found on his bike either coaching, competing or cycling local routes. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Alison Broom, Chief Executive William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place Mark. Chapelard stated his intention to reduce the councils budget deficit, which he claimed would cumulatively amount to 20 million by 2028. 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. The budget will be addressed by the full council in February. He said the Council was looking at ways of helping the local economy by connecting the top and bottom of Tunbridge Wells more effectively. 1 0 obj Main Responsibilities 1. Show only. He said: "I got an early indication they wanted a meeting. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and Liberal Democrats Council Group Leader. Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. 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: 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.. 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. 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. 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. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. "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. A Green In The Room Will Make The Difference. Tunbridge Wells Social has been created to establish an online sense of community across our borough and to help combat the social isolation and loneliness we can all feel sometimes. "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. 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The Sherwood ward councillor said: "It was not unexpected but, for the Conservative group to assume still, they are the leading party is arrogant. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. 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. Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of UKIP . 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. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. 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. 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. "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. 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'. "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. 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. "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. 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. On May 4th, vote for [], Read More from Penny Peerless Paddock Wood East, Geoff Mason our Chair was interviewed by Martin Webber at West Kent Radio ahead of next Thursdays Borough Elections. The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose many seats, although they retained their majority. 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. See here @BenChapelard's (Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) response. 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. Read more:Fresh plans for new health spa and accommodation at popular pub and restaurant. treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk. 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 deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. 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. endobj "But in the balanced state the council is now in, working more closely together is all the more important. 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. Nick Pope said: It is up to Tom Dawlings, the Leader of the council, to decide what he should do.

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