leader of tunbridge wells borough council

from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. David Hayward has already been in touch with the company which last month announced, subject to planning permission, it was poised to buy the 1.5 acre site which has stood unused since 2000. 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. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May - a full slate! It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. Required fields are marked *. A statement from the council says Alan McDermott (Con), councillor for Brenchley and Horsmonden, stepped down on Sunday and a new leader of the council will be appointed this Wednesday. 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 . We knew it could only be won by working hard and speaking to as many people as possible.. 1 0 obj 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. The Full Council elects the. "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. 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. Debs has a keen interest in conservation and local wildlife. On the Speldhurst and Bidbrough by-election result, Cllr Dawlings said the result was hugely disappointing and the Conseratives had had an admirable candidate in Rowena Stanyer who took 46% of the vote. 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. Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. LEADERS INTRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CAB154/22 There were no announcements. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. 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. 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. As part of the deliberation process, the Administrative Committee has conducted extensive discussions and . 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 largest party, with 16 councillors, are the Liberal Democrats. There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! 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. More. 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. TBD. "Nominations for the new leader will be proposed at the council meeting on Wednesday. The Liberal Democrats more than doubled their presence. 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. <> Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . 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. Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. Speaking about his appointment Councillor Dawlings said: I would like to thank Members for electing me to lead the Council. "Councillor McDermott was elected leader in May 2019. 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. He says he feels all opposition parties are united in wanting what is best for the area. The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. 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. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! 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. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The draft budget recently received unanimous approval at Novembers Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and will be published for public consultation in December. 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. The seat returned to Labour in 2014, bringing the party back to the council. At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader. 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. 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.. It is all change as a new leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a new mayor have been elected. 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. 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 new administration was confirmed at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2022.[8]. "The amount of hours I was putting in last year was unbelievable. endobj 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 Council control before election. 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. 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. The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. 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. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d But Cllr Hayward, a councillor for Pembury, said: "We have desperately been trying to get a response from Alan.". Cllr Dawlings emphasised that the bulk of the Council Tax collected by the Borough is passed onto Kent County Council, Police, Fire services and for Parish and Town Councils. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> [1] This will be on the same day as other local elections . 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. 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. "I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside. 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. "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 depth news and views about the town of Southborough in Kent in England 27,000 visitors to site since 2016! 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. The pandemic has seriously impacted on the Councils income so there are some major financial decisions to take to balance our revenue budget and replenish reserves. #GrubbyGreg . %PDF-1.7 Your email address will not be published. Following the local elections on 5 May the Liberal Democrats held 16 of the 48 seats making them the largest Group in the Council. There is a railway line across the clay plain in an almost unbroken straight line between Redhill, Tonbridge and Ashford, Kent. Vibrant Focal Point or Plastic Lunch Box? One third of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent, England, is elected each year, followed by one year without election. 2,541 followers. 4 0 obj 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". Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of. 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 . Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. "Sadly, my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the full council meeting were rebuffed. Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. Cllr McDermott admitted it had been a tough two years in charge, dealing with the impact of the coronavirus health crisis. Tunbridge Wells Social offers something for everyone - entertainment and activities for all ages, tips and workshops for healthy living and . 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. Copyright 2023 Tunbridge Wells Conservatives. "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. 2 0 obj 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. 4. "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. 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. Everybody had their input, it was all very grown up, no Punch and Judy politics.. This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. Posted in Local Elections, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The email also includes a reminder for your bin collection day and tells you when new planning applications have been submitted near your house. The Boundary Commission is about to start an investigation to balance up the wards sizes across the Borough which inevitably will lead to many changes. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Kent areas with worst pollution amid controversial ULEZ expansion, Current plans would see the Ultra Low Emissions Zone expanded this summer, Arrest after man has neck cut in 'serious assault', Police are now appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward. 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. 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.. What's for dinner? Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. 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. The Conservatives have all seats on the cabinet, all committee chairs and all committee vice-chairs. "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". 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 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). We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Maidstone Borough Council Stuart Jeffery has been voted in as Maidstone Borough Council's first Green councillor In Tunbridge Wells the Conservatives lost eight seats and are no longer. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. Cllr Dawlings said there was cross-party support for efforts to upgrade the existing Town Hall building. He is keen to hear their voices and learn of the contributions they are making that benefit their communities and society at large. He will lead a new coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour group and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). Cllr Dawlings said he was now discussing alternative routes using existing Public Rights of Way but away from the A26. The council plans to increase its element of Council Tax by 2% (or 5 mimimum per household). 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 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The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. In 2007, the Labour Party was completely pushed out of the council after losing its last councillor, Ronnie Ooi. 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.

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