The Borough Partnership is good news for residents and businesses

Today’s article by Cllr David Hayward:

Five years ago, there were no independent councillors elected to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Now there are twelve, nine of whom belong to the local party, The Alliance, which was founded just four years ago in 2018.

Nationally, the number of independent councillors has grown by around 50% since 2017. Our council is part of this trend with an increasing number of councillors free from the reins of a national party, focussing on local services and local issues.

Why is this happening? Many independent parties have their roots in residents’ groups formed when people have become disillusioned with the way their council is run. Their focus is purely on local issues and their motivation is to make their Borough a better place to live. Many who vote for independents in local elections will vote differently in general elections. Others may be disillusioned with national politics. Either way, there is a growing realisation that local and national issues are very different.

Last month, the Conservative Party lost control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to the new Borough Partnership made up of 16 Liberal Democrats, 7 Labour, and 10 independents – the 9 Alliance councillors and the independent councillor for Paddock Wood East. This is good news for residents and businesses in Tunbridge Wells.

Why? It will no longer be possible for the council to push through schemes without proper consideration and scrutiny. 30% of the Borough Partnership is made up of independent councillors who are free from national party influence and whipping and whose allegiance is only to the residents in their wards.

The Leader of the council is no longer an autocratic role; the Cabinet of 8 councillors have to work closely with each other to set the strategy and direction, and to make decisions that have cross party support.

As well as improving democracy within the council, the new administration of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is pushing to increase engagement with residents and businesses. One of the first steps is to take the Cabinet meetings on the road and move the scheduled time from mid-week mornings to evenings so that more members of the public are able to attend. The first Cabinet meeting is due to take place tomorrow evening from 6.30pm in Cranbrook.

My role in Cabinet is to improve transparency and engagement with residents. I am also responsible for overseeing governance – how our council is managed – something many have questioned over recent years. Governance spans all areas of the council and across the responsibilities of all Cabinet members. There is a lot of work to do, and this job is best done by a councillor who is fully independent, free from the control or influence of a national party.

We are honoured that residents have placed their trust in us and we are all working together to repay that trust by delivering a better run council.

The full paper can be read here: http://timeslocalnews.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE: Coalition discussions yet to start

PRESS RELEASE

13 May 2022

The Alliance group are very pleased with the results in the recent local elections. We now have 9 councillors representing residents across a large area of the Borough of Tunbridge Wells. Our focus will always be on local issues and services, free from the constraints and control of a national party whose eyes will always be on the next general election.

There is a growing movement across the country towards local parties that focus on improving how a local council operates. The Alliance will continue to work hard for residents in the borough.

There have been newspaper reports that negotiations have begun with the Liberal Democrats. One week on from the election, discussions have yet to start. The Alliance and Labour groups have been contacting the LibDems to start talks as soon as possible. Sunday 15th May, 10 days after the election, has been given as the earliest date the LibDems can meet, even though many decisions need to be made and submitted two days later.

We do not recognise Ben Chapelard’s comments in today’s Kent & Sussex Courier where he is quoted as saying that the Liberal Democrat “group is currently in negotiations with other parties” and goes on to tell the newspaper that “we are in discussions in order to form a close-knit administration which will work speedily and effectively for the benefit of the residents across the borough.”

Alliance hold 2 seats and win 3 more

The Alliance held on to the 2 seats up for re-election and won 3 more seats on the council, taking the total number of seats from 6 to 9.

Nick Pope, the first Alliance councillor completed his first 4 year term, stood for re-election and successfully defended his seat.

Matthew Sankey, who won a by-election in November last year, successfully defended his seat winning with 65% of the vote.

Suzie Wakeman won the Paddock Wood (East) seat.

Steve McMillan won the Brenchley & Horsmonden seat.

Ellen Neville won the Hawkhurst & Sandhurst seat.

Congratulations to our successful candidates, and commiserations to those who did not succeed. And a big thank you to all our volunteers and supporters.