A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn. Cllr Dawlings also says he wants to look at improving the refuse services in the area. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Published and promoted by Chris Rose on behalf of the Green Party, both at The Green Party, PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ. 1984-2002: Fourteen years experience in IBM mainframes with blue chip companies and a further 5 years client/server database experience in the private education sector. endobj Discussions between the Lib dems, Labour and the TWA started soon after and lasted six days, the new leader revealed. 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.. 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. endobj 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. Cllr Pound believes Cllr Dawlings will be a better leader of the council than Cllr McDermott was. The draft budget recently received unanimous approval at Novembers Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and will be published for public consultation in December. new Audience Development & Programmes Manager Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 4.2 Royal Tunbridge Wells 40,375 a year Debs has a keen interest in conservation and local wildlife. [1], The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. 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. 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.. But Cllr Hayward, a councillor for Pembury, said: "We have desperately been trying to get a response from Alan.". Tunbridge Wells Council Leader Update All rights reserved. There is a railway line across the clay plain in an almost unbroken straight line between Redhill, Tonbridge and Ashford, Kent. 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 means a deal needs to be struck somewhere but this still has not yet been done. In a by-election in Culverden ward held later that year, the Conservative Party lost another seat to the Liberal Democrats. 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. Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and Liberal Democrats Council Group Leader. At the same meeting Councillor Chris Woodward (Cons) was elected as Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. he first Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was elected prior to the boroughs official formation, in the 1973 United Kingdom local elections. "This late addition to the agenda comes after councillor Alan McDermott resigned from the post on Sunday, May 23. % Are Any of the Walls of the Royal Victoria Hall Collapsing? 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'. 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]. It felt like an extended family around the table all deciding whether they want to go in this or that direction. "Then, on Friday, I got an email, saying they didn't want to meet.". Vibrant Focal Point or Plastic Lunch Box? 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. Announcing a new cabinet he revealed that four seats had gone to the Lib Dems, while both Labour and the TWA will have two each. 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. Nick Pope said: It is up to Tom Dawlings, the Leader of the council, to decide what he should do. <> Ben Chapelard - Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Tunbridge It threatens our security and the very foundations of our society. Tory Tunbridge Wells leader Bob Atwood loses seat to UKIP Among the issues fought over were plans for traffic calming and widening the A21. New Leader and new Mayor elected - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cllr Chapelard is the ward member for St James' and. The Conservatives have all seats on the cabinet, all committee chairs and all committee vice-chairs. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Plan "All the opposition wants what's best for the borough," he said. %PDF-1.7 Great article by Cllr Victoria White assessing the outcome of the Lib Dem - Alliance - Labour coalition's first term running Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Thats why Ive created a cabinet post for government and transparency (David Hayward) so we look at how we govern. m8#KL.$]s58r5mreW#V>mpOay[`c:\Clt=P#GEV Posted in Local Elections, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. "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. Required fields are marked *. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has . from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! He will lead a new coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour group and the Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA). Some of the services provided by our major contractors are presently less than satisfactory. Sadly my approach to sort out some matters in advance of the Full Council meeting on 26th May were rebuffed. [5] Eight wards are within Royal Tunbridge Wells itself: Broadwater, Culverden; Pantiles & St Marks; Park; Rusthall; Sherwood & St John's and St. James. 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. Ousted council leader says building offices "still a good proposition Debs previously worked in main government, then local government. It was the first election in which the Conservatives did not win a majority in the borough. Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council May 2022 - Present1 year Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom Student Voice/Communicating for meaning. By Geoff Mason | 13 April 2023. 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 Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? Councillor Woodward has represented Broadwater since 2006. Delivery of the Amelia Community Centre opening in April. 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. Our plan is about where we can make the biggest difference . [1] Political control Heres what he had to say. He argued the plans for Kingstanding Way on the North Farm Industrial estate provided: wonderful business and employment opportunities.. 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. 1 0 obj "We are all interested in what's best for the people of the borough.". 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. 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. 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. 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. "Following elections earlier this month, there is currently no overall control in the council with Conservatives and opposition parties holding 24 seats each.". Brilliant! 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. 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 is composed of 48 councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. Councillor details - Councillor Ben Chapelard - Borough of Tunbridge Wells 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. It is likely that little will change until the May elections.. 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. This is something that I was never expecting to have to write: @GregClarkMP has written a newspaper article that is full of lies. stream "The amount of hours I was putting in last year was unbelievable. 2023 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election - Wikipedia Over the next five years if we dont do anything about it we will have another 20 million hole in the council finances. A good team leader able to build confidence in colleagues of all skill . 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 . A new Tunbridge Wells council leader has been elected after the conservatives lost their majority for the first time in 22 years. PDF Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - Town Forum TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CABINET MINUTES of the meeting held at the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RS, at 6.30 pm on Thursday, 20 April 2023 . The Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been unseated by a UKIP candidate. Tom Dawlings (Con), a ward member for Benenden and Cranbrook, has replaced Alan McDermott who has stepped down. This state lasted for two years until 1996, when the Liberal Democrats gained a majority in the borough for the first time in its history. . One year of the Lib Dem - Alliance coalition: what have they done for Tunbridge Wells? Council control before election. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FINDINGS. 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. Chapelard stated his intention to reduce the councils budget deficit, which he claimed would cumulatively amount to 20 million by 2028. There were no local elections held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 day-to-day management of the council and its services is carried out by the Corporate Leadership Team. Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May. In depth news and views about the town of Southborough in Kent in England 27,000 visitors to site since 2016! The remainder are rural wards covering the other main towns and villages. Leadership and Governance - Wells Fargo Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells. Main Responsibilities 1. 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. Read More from Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! "It has been a very, very difficult two years with Covid," he said. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May a full slate! "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. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? Cllr Dawlings also noted that the Borough Councils Local Plan covered more than housing. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area. Cllr Woodward, who has represented Broadwater since 2006, has also replaced previous mayor Joy Podbury. 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.. TW Social - We're in this together The Town Hall co-working initiative which opens up additional space inside, released from digital automation for start-up & small businesses. The Conservatives are still in control of the council with their majority. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! "But in the balanced state the council is now in, working more closely together is all the more important. In 2007, the Labour Party was completely pushed out of the council after losing its last councillor, Ronnie Ooi. LEADERS INTRODUCTION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CAB154/22 There were no announcements. 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. Speaking about his appointment Councillor Dawlings said: I would like to thank Members for electing me to lead the Council. Former leader of the opposition, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), was voted through with 31 votes in favour, but all 13 opposition conservatives abstained. 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. Conservative leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Alan McDermott Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of UKIP . After the election, they held 24 of 48 seats. 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. In recent years she has been hands-on with house restoration. 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. Tunbridge Wells Council votes in a new leader as Lib-Dem led coalition P!JcT+hRh+A@`td{(=U>`7Y\g-y``bG6E+mu R 9e6,>zz:8-\(|r? 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. 3 0 obj More. 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. This page is not available in other languages. Following the 2022 election, the council remains under no overall control (NOC). Local News; National News; Tunbridge Wells Conservatives . #GrubbyGreg . Your email address will not be published. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can send you a weekly email packed full of interesting news and features. Tunbridge Wells Green Party is standing 16 candidates on 4th May - a full slate! 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. "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. The Conservatives, who were the largest party and leaders of a minority administration prior to the 2022 election, have 13 councillors. APOLOGIES CAB155/22 Bob Atwood, who was elected leader of the council in January 2011, lost to Piers Wauchope of. Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 48 councillors have been elected from 20 wards. 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. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - BBC News 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. Beyond the walls of the council chamber he said he was attempting to cut down his hours as a languages teacher at Gravesend grammar school to focus on being leader. ju1GDcsl}P'JEcJI>M*bSF~}*FQbD*F~Byjze|c@ h{cqeD?lNSe.]71.\=AP.d $0.P&4t3I"dYx^),JyWKPy#/-*FyN.. 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.
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