New Leader for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

Cabinet portfolio holders also announced

Cllr Matt Boughton was elected Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 13 July 2021.  He will serve as Leader of the Council until the next Borough Council election in 2023.

Matt Boughton is 28 years old and lives in Tonbridge. He has represented Medway Ward in Tonbridge, on Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council since 2019.

Matt was born in Maidstone and attended Oakwood Park Grammar School before graduating from the University of Sussex. For the past seven years, he has worked in politics and has provided policy advice and support in Parliament.

Outside of work he has been a qualified football referee for the past 14 years and can often be found refereeing around Kent.

New Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Boughton, said:
‘It is an honour and privilege to have been elected Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Nicolas Heslop, who has worked so hard and made a huge difference to residents across the borough over the past 9 years in the role.

‘This is a new administration and this Council will be an authority which listens to everyone across the Borough. There are many challenges to tackle and we will do so fairly. But there are also exciting times ahead and many changes to make for communities across the area. I am looking forward to getting going.’  

After being elected, Cllr Boughton announced the appointment of portfolio holders to the Cabinet as follows:
 

Portfolio                                                                                            Cabinet Member                

Leader                                                                                                Cllr Matt Boughton

Deputy Leader and

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure                Cllr David Lettington

Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change                    Cllr Robin Betts

Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration                                   Cllr Vivian Branson

Cabinet Member for Technical and Waste Services                         Cllr Piers Montague

Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property                    Cllr Martin Coffin

Cabinet Member for Community Services                                        Cllr Des Keers

Cabinet Member for Housing                                                            Cllr Kim Tanner         

There were two new appointments made; Cllr Des Keers and Cllr Kim Tanner.

The Council also appointed Members to the Council’s various committees and advisory boards.  A full list of these new memberships will be available shortly on the Council’s website at www.tmbc.gov.uk or by contacting Committee Services on committee.services@tmbc.gov.uk.