The Alliance represents a new kind of politics

Paul Curry

I was elected Councillor in May 2023.

Nearly a year on, I'd like to share with you how things have shaped up over my first year in the exciting world of TWBC, and what it's like - because I want to encourage you to get involved, too! Now, more than ever, candidates in my age range are coming forward and being elected. Even with full-time jobs, we find it rewarding work.

In my case, I first got involved with Speldhurst Parish Council. I really enjoy how locally-focused an organisation like this is - the work has a direct impact on our immediate community. From there, my interest grew to wider local politics - decisions at TWBC were affecting the community I live in. Why not have a voice there too?

The Alliance stood out as the best party - they are a good fit to my values and work ethic. I didn't want to join a national party, and I wasn't prepared to stand alone without support - I had no prior experience of Borough politics! Having a broad range of like-minded councillors to talk to while I found my feet was reassuring, a time-saver when figuring things out, and gave me context for complex decisions which came before I joined.

Further, with no whip, my vote always represents the interests of my neighbours who voted for me, which is very important to me. After hitting the campaign trail, meeting plenty of dogs behind letterboxes, and listening carefully to resident's concerns, to my delight, I was elected.

Learning how local government operates by being part of it is an eye-opening experience. You get to see just how much of what local government provides is devolved to wider government. You soon learn which department or person is best to handle issues and enquiries, which can be surprisingly effective for getting matters resolved. Residents have a wide range of enquiries. It's very fulfilling being able to help your neighbours and being an important part of decisions that affect your ward and wider borough.

Ultimately, I really like people representing their local area in local government. Things start to get a little murky when larger parties stand candidates in areas they don't live anywhere near, or when they oblige their Councillors to vote in a certain direction which doesn't work for their constituents. That, to me, isn't what local politics should be.

As a growing party, we are paving the way for the next generation of government; breaking free from outdated stereotypes. I can honestly say that it is exciting at times!

To that end, The Alliance is hosting a winter warmer with jacket potatoes, hot chocolate and mulled cider by the fireside. Join us for a chat or if you are interested in standing to represent your local community! Come along for some food and fun at Hawkhurst Scout Hut on Sunday January 21 from 5pm to 7pm. It's free to attend, with fabulous prizes available in a raffle and a sparkler or two.

paul@twalliance.org

This article appeared in the Times of Tunbridge Wells, 17th January 2024.

Democracy Week: 14th to 20th of October

Ellen Neville

As we see election campaigns taking shape and the chess board being set, I can say emphatically that getting elected is not the end of the story, but the beginning. To effect significant change, it takes collaboration and councillors who are not afraid to change the traditional relationship with residents. They must be prepared to embrace far-ranging discussions about what their village or town want and then to be creative in how to get there. This will sometimes mean that there are very, very difficult and complex decisions to be made, especially in the foundation days when inheriting a council administration that has been under the same national party’s control for decades.

The Alliance’s ever-evolving journey into local politics has highlighted a lot of things; most notably that our residents are interested in the politics where they live, but not the confrontational politics of Westminster. It is off-putting.

Greater resident participation is an Alliance goal throughout the municipal year and we seek to do this because by empowering the community together we can make it a better place to live. That’s a local priority for everyone. However, we shouldn’t ignore the fact that we now have entrenched austerity forcing us to accept less and dwindling our reserves financially, physically and mentally. My question to all is: ‘Is this the best we deserve?’ 

With the population of the borough remaining stable, not growing or declining, we face a shifting demographic that could alter the face of our communities. Our young adults are leaving for a number of reasons. We want to make our young people feel heard and invested in their communities which is why we are celebrating Local Democracy week 9th-15th October this year with young people in mind.

Local Democracy Week promotes and fosters democratic participation at a local level through public initiatives which involve citizens. It is a pan-European event targeted specifically at local authorities and associations.

On 10th October 2023, The Alliance will be hosting The Gen Z Youth Debate. This is a free event for young people between the ages of 15 and 19 who go to school in the borough. It takes place in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

24 students from 3 local schools will debate three topics with members of the Council on the panel and our Deputy Mayor will Chair the meeting in his robes. The topics will have some background information with the very real scenario that budgets have been cut and services are under pressure.

The hypothetical topics debated and voted on for the day will be:

• The council is proposing to shut Calverley Grounds in order to continue funding the local swimming pools.

• A new tax on chewing gum sales is proposed to help pay for street cleaning.

• Should we change the voting age to 16yrs with a cap at 80yrs?

If you want to know more about our local priorities and the work we do as independent Councillors then please contact me: ellen@twalliance.com. 

I will always speak up for local business

Matthew Sankey

As one of the Borough Partnerships new innovations has bene to introduce “Champions” – These are sector specific roles design to help the council better understand and connect with a specific issue or sector within our borough.

I was delighted to accept Ben Chapelard’s invitation to become The Small Business Champion. As this is a brand new role, I have been able to make it my own in a very short space of time.

Fundamentally I am the conduit between small local businesses and the local authority and its members/Councillors. It’s a two-way role, I help both officers and members understand specific pressures that small businesses face, helping them to understand dhow any given policy may or may not affect them. I am also hands on communicating with local business if they have any questions council related. My phone number is on the business page of the council website, and I am aways available to help out.

I have always thought there was a disconnect between the council and the business around it and I have worked hard to try to bridge this.

During my first few weeks, It was very obvious that we have a very talented and dedicated Economic Development team at TWBC. These are unsung heroes, working hard in the background to on projects and initiatives to support and grown the local economy in the borough.

I’ll be honest before I became a councillor I had never even heard of this department, so my first task was to try to help this team elevate its profile within the town’s business sectors. It’s not a particularly hard task as the team produce some great results.

I was also concerned that TWBCs website lacked much information for business, it was all in there, but it was difficult to find. We now have a dedicated Business portal on https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/.

In addition, I was concerned that new businesses, or businesses relocating to the area found it hard to discover their obligations to the local authority, how to access help or who to turn to for guidance. The ED team have this week produced a Business Welcome pack that will be sent directly to any newly registered business in the borough.

Connecting the town to the surrounding village sis also important, and very recently I met with the team who will be designing the cycle path I have bene campaigning for from Langton Green through Rusthall to the commons in Tunbridge Wells. This has been a huge task ensuring that the various stakeholders, politicians and officers are all aligned, work is well underway and I look forward to the results.

What else do I want to work on, The Bus gate or PR2 as we call it in the Town Hall is clearly an issue. Whilst the officers are confident of the legal side of it all, it is obvious that people are still very unhappy with it and we should be concentrating in improving the area for all users. Making it clear to those who should be there and taking advantage of the reduced traffic. Politically this will be a hot potato, but I shall be right on top of it at all times. I started at the last F&F committee meeting where I was able to confirm with the finance officer that the fund raised by the fines could legally be spent on improving that area. The ball is rolling.