leader of tunbridge wells borough council

Tory Tunbridge Wells leader Bob Atwood loses seat to UKIP 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? Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . 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. It doesnt reflect the balance in the council.". Western Assistant Team Leader Ruth Chambers Assistant Team Leader Claire Thompson Principal Planning Officer Lynda Middlemiss part-time Senior Planning Officer Nancy Redgrove 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. Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 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. Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. In 2021, the Conservatives, who made significant gains across the country in that years local elections, continued to lose ground to the other parties in the council. On the state of shops in Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Dawlings noted that the Pantiles area was currently buzzing and he expressed optimism that the empty BHS store would soon attract a new retailer. The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells council has been defeated by a new party set up in protest to a multi-million pound development. There are also 3 seats belonging to Independents.[6]. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. 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 "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. new Audience Development & Programmes Manager Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 4.2 Royal Tunbridge Wells 40,375 a year "This late addition to the agenda comes after councillor Alan McDermott resigned from the post on Sunday, May 23. Cllr Dawlings said there was cross-party support for efforts to upgrade the existing Town Hall building. In a by-election in Culverden ward held later that year, the Conservative Party lost another seat to the Liberal Democrats. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1976, 1973 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1976 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1979 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1980 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1982 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1983 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1984 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1986 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1987 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1988 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1990 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1991 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1992 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1994 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1995 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1996 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1998 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 1999 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2000 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2002 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2003 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2004 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2006 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2007 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2008 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2010 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2011 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2012 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2015 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2016 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2018 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2019 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2021 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, 2022 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election, "Council's Tory group selects new leader", The Kent (District Boundaries) Order 1987, The East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent (County Boundaries) Order 1992, The Kent and East Sussex (County Boundaries) Order 1993, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Changes) Order 2001, The Borough of Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2006, "Tories romp home in Tunbridge Wells by-election", "Declaration of result of poll Sherwood ward", "Election results for Southborough North, 10 September 2015", "Election results for Culverden, 14 November 2019", "Local Elections Archive Project Speldhurst and Bidborough Ward", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tunbridge_Wells_Borough_Council_elections&oldid=1143429079, This page was last edited on 7 March 2023, at 17:32. The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose many seats, although they retained their majority. "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. 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. At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. "The amount of hours I was putting in last year was unbelievable. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". 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. This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. Mike Martin on Twitter: "This is something that I was never expecting Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. The Conservative's 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. 28 Apr 2023 14:36:17 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. 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. 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. A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. Last week I approached each Leader of the Opposition Groups. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. Penny is passionate about protecting our planet for future generations. "It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. Council control before election. It was a decision which left Hugo Pound (Lab), leader of the Labour group, frustrated. Delivery of the Amelia Community Centre opening in April. "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 Boundary Commission is about to start an investigation to balance up the wards sizes across the Borough which inevitably will lead to many changes. 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. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. He has continued to oversee the production of the new Local Plan with the Full Council approving the Pre-Submission Local Plan now out for consultation. He said this was less damaging than adding more houses to existing villages where the infrastructure was already overloaded. The council stands at Conservatives 24, Liberal Democrats 13, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 5, Labour 5, Independent 1. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! Cllr Dawlings said he was now discussing alternative routes using existing Public Rights of Way but away from the A26. 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. The council plans to increase its element of Council Tax by 2% (or 5 mimimum per household). $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. The Council is composed of 48 councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. I would like to praise my predecessor, Alan McDermott, who was appointed Leader in May 2019. 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.. The Liberal Democrats were also criticised by the Conservatives for their plans to use parts of the Common for cycle and bus lanes. He will lead a new coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour group and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). 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. "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. The seat returned to Labour in 2014, bringing the party back to the council. More. % By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. RT @ThreshedThought: This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. This page is not available in other languages. 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. rough sleeping in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling areas. 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 content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. About TW Social. 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. 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. Tunbridge Wells Council votes in a new leader as Lib-Dem led coalition Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and Liberal Democrats Council Group Leader. PDF Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Town Forum 2 0 obj Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. Pascack Press 4.24.23 - issuu.com Is it a Hill or a Slope on the Northern Ridgewaye Fields? yDYQCXy:?eQUJZ[HZI_5&[(vPHpdMb endobj Following the 2022 election, the council remains under no overall control (NOC). Sadly my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the Full Council meeting on 26th May were rebuffed. 4. He said: "I got an early indication they wanted a meeting. 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. 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. "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.". In recent years she has been hands-on with house restoration. The major issue now confronting the council is the budget. 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. Tunbridge Wells Council Leader calls for "Collaboration" between Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. "Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. 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 day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. The draft budget recently received unanimous approval at Novembers Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and will be published for public consultation in December. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. 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 budget will be addressed by the full council in February. 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. Weve all come to serve our residents. New Leader and new Mayor elected - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [1] Political control It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. His theme for the Mayoral year is The Rising Generation, the children and young adults who will become the leaders of the future. Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. 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 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. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? The Conservatives have all seats on the cabinet, all committee chairs and all committee vice-chairs. Ousted council leader says building offices "still a good proposition 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. 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. "They want to wait until the full council meeting on Wednesday.". Mike Martin on Twitter: "RT @ThreshedThought: This is something that Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-news. Council control after election. 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. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". In 1994, the council came under no overall control (NOC). Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Ben Chapelard - Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Tunbridge 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 new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. 2023 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election - Wikipedia 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. m8#KL.$]s58r5mreW#V>mpOay[`c:\Clt=P#GEV Having accepted the Leadership Cllr Chapelard announced his administration will be called the borough partnership. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d To be responsible for the Rough Sleeper Initiatives operating in both TW and T&M council areas and effectively direct and co-ordinate the various projects/activities, ensuring that use of the initiatives are maximised for the benefit of verified rough A record 662 new homes were built in the last 12 months, including 272 affordable homes. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May - a full slate! The Conservative Party maintained their control over the council. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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.. Discussions between the Lib dems, Labour and the TWA started soon after and lasted six days, the new leader revealed. 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 . 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. Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . Were standing in all 16 wards so anyone who wants []. 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. Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of. 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. endobj A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. 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". Mike Calvert writes climate breakdown is the most important challenge we will face in our lifetimes. Debs has a keen interest in conservation and local wildlife. Everybody had their input, it was all very grown up, no Punch and Judy politics.. 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. It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. It means a deal needs to be struck somewhere but this still has not yet been done. Cllr Pound believes Cllr Dawlings will be a better leader of the council than Cllr McDermott was. Kent election results 2022: Conservatives lose control of Maidstone This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. PDF Job Description and Person Specification 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. 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.

Lafayette Avenue Station Flooded, Articles L