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Borough Council Manifesto Pledges – May 2026

PLANNING & HOUSING

•    Protect the High Weald National Landscape in all planning decisions.
•    Prioritise genuinely local housing needs in new developments.
•    Ensure fair developer contributions that deliver borough-wide infrastructure benefits.
•    Support small-scale, community-led housing such as CLTs and co-housing.
•    Promote positive town planning and neighbourhood plans shaped by local people.
•    Maintain balanced rural–urban representation on the Planning Committee.

WASTE & RECYCLING

•    Support national action on single-use plastics and non-recyclable packaging.
•    Help residents recycle locally by promoting repair cafés, reuse, and second-hand schemes.
•    Support community initiatives to reduce food waste and cut CO₂ emissions.
•    Run regular public campaigns on littering and fly-tipping.

ROADS & TRAFFIC

•    Remove unnecessary street clutter and prioritise pavements and verges.
•    Divert HGVs away from rural lanes and villages.
•    Reduce excess traffic caused by on-street parking searches.
•    Simplify car park fees while avoiding borough-wide subsidies.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

•    Lead action on air pollution and environmental quality.
•    Introduce modern methods to clean and cool towns.
•    Improve public rights of way, cycling, and bridleway networks.
•    Protect and enhance safe, accessible green spaces.

COMMUNITY

•    Work with councils, groups, and partners to promote safer neighbourhoods.
•    Protect and develop community assets such as community centres.
•    Restore CCTV monitoring, with police funding contributions, to tackle crime.
•    Embed the Community Support Scheme for its remaining years.
•    Regenerate remaining civic buildings for public benefit, guided by public input.
•    Progress licensing for a full market in Calverley Road to boost footfall and businesses.
•    Champion inclusion and dignity for all ages and residents with special needs.

CLIMATE CHANGE & SUPPORTING FARMERS

•    Push for higher building standards and energy efficiency.
•    Promote sustainable development and biodiversity recovery.
•    Hold the council to account on its 2030 carbon commitments.
•    Expand EV charging on council property.
•    Support nature-friendly farming and increase local food production.
•    Involve schools in food growing and preparation.
•    End bee-harming pesticides and back best farming practices.
•    Fast-track farm infrastructure such as reservoirs and glasshouses.
•    Expand the SolaronRoofs campaign, prioritising rooftops and brownfield sites, with solar on most new homes by 2027.

BUYING & PROCUREMENT

•    Reform procurement to prioritise quality and service, not just cost.
•    Apply LGA disclosure guidelines.
•    Use contract expertise to challenge poor provider performance.

DEMOCRACY

•    Select candidates who listen to and respect their communities.
•    Make consultations clearer, simpler, and more accessible.
•    Give residents proper time to raise ideas, ask questions, and debate.
•    Expand opportunities to engage in committees and council meetings.
•    Increase transparency so residents can see how decisions are made.

FULL BOROUGH APPROACH

•    Put Infrastructure First, with fair investment for towns and villages beyond Tunbridge Wells.
•    Ensure rural and out-of-town voices shape borough-wide decisions.
•    Work closely with town and parish councils through regular liaison.
•    Use neighbourhood plans to identify local priorities.

HOLD KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TO ACCOUNT

Roads

•    Lobby for full funding to repair Kent’s roads.
•    Expand and promote “Report It” schemes.

Litter

•    Crack down on organised waste crime with tougher penalties.
•    Reclassify littering as antisocial behaviour in schools.
•    Roll out “Adopt a Street” across all parishes.

Rural Buses

•    Tackle transport-related isolation in rural areas.
•    Enable funded, community-supported rural bus services.
•    Deliver an integrated, county-wide bus strategy.

Secondary School for Cranbrook

•    Run a formal, inclusive consultation.
•    Plan for future demand driven by housing growth.
•    Ensure infrastructure planning reflects long-term needs, not just current ones.