Tonbridge Town Council Consultation

Tuesday, 1 July 2025 15:40

By Martin Webber

A consultation on whether to have a new Town Council for Tonbridge closes soon, with supporters arguing that it would enable local people to create the best outcomes for the town.

Meanwhile, the Tonbridge Civic Society says it remains neutral on the issue of whether a new council will be needed.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is due to be abolished and merged into a new West Kent Unitary Authority in the next few years. The West Kent authority would likely be headquartered in Maidstone.

Kent County Council would also be abolished, although the county may get an elected mayor.

Green Party Borough councillor, Anna Cope (pictured below), told West Kent Radio: "We need people who know the town are connected to the town and want the best for Tonbridge. And make sure the people of Tonbridge have their say on what's happening in terms of planning, what services are being provided in Tonbridge".

Anna Cope continued: "I know the people of Tonbridge are really ambitious for the Town and a Town Council is one way that we would be able to harness that ambition to get the best possible outcomes for Tonbridge".

Listen to Julia Neal's News Report here:

Tonbridge Civic Society recently held a drop in session to inform residents about the proposed Town Council. The Civic Society says it was neutral on whether a Town Council is a good ideas the best solution, as its members disagree on what's best.

A Facebook page opposing the Town Council has raised some concerns about duplication of services and increased costs from a extra layer of local government.

The consultation runs until 5pm on Monday 14th July.

https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/voting-elections/tonbridge-town-council-review

The Town Council would cover the only area of Tonbridge and Malling Borough which does not currently have a parish or town council.

For more details of the issue do check out our story from February by clicking here:
https://www.westkentradio.co.uk/news/west-kent-news/petition-hits-target/