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. 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. Mike Martin on Twitter: "RT @ThreshedThought: This is something that 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. "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. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? 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. Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. 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 . There is a 20 million deficit forecast over the next five years and thats got to be addressed. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d Following the local elections on 5 May the Liberal Democrats held 16 of the 48 seats making them the largest Group in the Council. 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.. Council Leader Ben Chapelard said: 'The Council is a force for good. 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. 28 Apr 2023 14:36:17 Last week I approached each Leader of the Opposition Groups. 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 . Thats why Ive created a cabinet post for government and transparency (David Hayward) so we look at how we govern. 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. Published and promoted by Chris Rose on behalf of the Green Party, both at The Green Party, PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ. 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. stream 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. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May - a full slate! 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.. 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 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. The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Plan 2022-24 "Building a Better Borough" contains a commitment to develop a pesticide & herbicide policy. Having accepted the Leadership Cllr Chapelard announced his administration will be called the borough partnership. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. "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. His theme for the Mayoral year is The Rising Generation, the children and young adults who will become the leaders of the future. Your email address will not be published. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. 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. Ousted council leader says building offices "still a good proposition 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. 5mo. 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. Last August, Cllr McDermott survived a leadership challenge at the Conservative AGM, beating off competition from Cllr Paul Barrington-King. Since 2016 the Community Safety Manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council following eleven years experience as the Council's Anti-social Behaviour Officer. After 1976, when the council was re-elected, the Conservatives controlled of seats. Ooi, erstwhile the representative for Southborough and High Brooms ward, had distanced himself from the national Labour government during his campaign, calling on the electorate to support a continued opposition to Tory rule in the borough. 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. 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. 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. Council control before election. We pay our respects to Kent residents who have died in recent weeks. The restricted area[clarification needed] immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. 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. Tunbridge Wells ABC cinema site could be used for pop-up markets and Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. 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.. The Conservatives are still in control of the council with their majority. Brilliant! 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. "It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. It threatens our security and the very foundations of our society. 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. What's for dinner? Speaking about his appointment Councillor Dawlings said: I would like to thank Members for electing me to lead the Council. The largest party, with 16 councillors, are the Liberal Democrats. Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Councillor Dawlings (Cons), ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook,. Tunbridge Wells Council votes in a new leader as Lib-Dem led coalition APOLOGIES CAB155/22 "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. 53m of covid recovery grants sourced from central government distributed to local retail and businesses to support recovery post pandemic. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections - Wikipedia The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. <>/Metadata 143 0 R/ViewerPreferences 144 0 R>> He said this was less damaging than adding more houses to existing villages where the infrastructure was already overloaded. 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. :D6hs%#^_G1NG.2S\)me{u "It's not going to be Alliance-led, Labour-led or Lib Dem-led. All rights reserved. The Conservative's 23 council seats are now outnumbered by the 25 seats held by opposition parties. See here @BenChapelard's (Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) response. 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. 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. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. He will lead a new coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour group and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). 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. 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. Posted in Local Elections, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. Main Responsibilities 1. The deficit last year was 944,000 which has been plugged by reserves so in the old administration that wouldve been balanced. In 2007, the Labour Party was completely pushed out of the council after losing its last councillor, Ronnie Ooi. RLL E(hr&I&OIK%V#S+:){))| w 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. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area. 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. Brilliant! 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. 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. Tunbridge Wells Council Leader calls for "Collaboration" between . 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. On [], Read More from Debs Keech Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Alasdair can usually be found on his bike either coaching, competing or cycling local routes. In a by-election in Culverden ward held later that year, the Conservative Party lost another seat to the Liberal Democrats. Kent election results 2022: Conservatives lose control of Maidstone 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. LEADERS INTRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CAB154/22 There were no announcements. The content is clear and concise and you do not need to wade through a load of reading. 2 0 obj 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. Pascack Press 4.24.23 - issuu.com In 1994, the council came under no overall control (NOC). We will be taking cabinet on a tour to meet residents so we can be accountable to them. 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. Terry Hughes - Community Safety Manager - Tunbridge Wells Borough Placemaking is fundamental to the Council and as the new Planning Policy . Describing the poor performance of his party in the elections as a real disappointment, he announced his resignation as council leader. We knew it could only be won by working hard and speaking to as many people as possible.. About the Council | Maidstone Borough Council Cllr Dawlings, who was first elected to the council in 2014 and has been portfolio holder for finance and governance since 2019, says he approached each leader of the opposition groups last week but was unable to arrange to meet ahead of the full council meeting. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. 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 is keen to hear their voices and learn of the contributions they are making that benefit their communities and society at large. "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. See here @BenChapelard's (Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) response. I would like to praise my predecessor, Alan McDermott, who was appointed Leader in May 2019. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. Vibrant Focal Point or Plastic Lunch Box? There are also 3 seats belonging to Independents.[6]. Alison Broom, Chief Executive William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place Mark. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The major issue now confronting the council is the budget. 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. 3 0 obj After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. Then-leader of the Liberal Democrats Paddy Ashdown visited the area to help campaign for his party, who were quite confident in their ability to retain the borough administration. yDYQCXy:?eQUJZ[HZI_5&[(vPHpdMb 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. Ben Chapelard of the Lib Dems, the party with the most councillors, will now head up the council. 4 0 obj The leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has resigned. Cllr Dawlings said there was cross-party support for efforts to upgrade the existing Town Hall building. rough sleeping in the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling areas.

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