borough of Tunbridge Wells
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| timezone = GMT
| utc_offset = 0
| timezone_DST = BST
| utc_offset_DST = +1
| settlement_type = Borough and non-metropolitan district
| subdivision_type = Sovereign state
| subdivision_type1 = Constituent country
| subdivision_type2 = Region
| subdivision_type3 = Non-metropolitan county
| subdivision_type4 = Status
| subdivision_type5 = Admin HQ
| subdivision_name = United Kingdom
| subdivision_name1 = England
| subdivision_name4 = Non-metropolitan district
| government_type = Non-metropolitan district council
| leader_title1 = MPs
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| population_density_km2 = auto
| blank1_name = ONS code
| blank2_name = GSS code
| blank3_name = OS grid reference
| official_name = Borough of Tunbridge Wells
| image_skyline = Tunbridge Wells skyline - geograph.org.uk - 799699.jpg
| imagesize = 280px
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Tunbridge Wells skyline
| image_shield =
| shield_size =
| shield_alt =
| shield_link =
| image_map = Tunbridge Wells UK locator map.svg
| mapsize = 150px
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Tunbridge Wells shown within Kent
| subdivision_name2 = South East England
| subdivision_name3 = Kent
| subdivision_name5 = Royal Tunbridge Wells
| established_date1 = 1 April 1974
| governing_body = Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
| leader_name1 = Mike Martin
Helen Grant
| area_total_km2 = 331.3
| area_rank = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000116}} (of {{English district total}})
| population_total = {{English district population|GSS=E07000116}}
| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}
| population_rank = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000116}} (of {{English district total}})
| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity (2021)
| demographics1_footnotes = {{NOMIS2021|id=E07000116|title=Tunbridge Wells Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}
| demographics1_title1 = Ethnic groups
| demographics1_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 91.5% White
| 4% Asian
| 2.6% Mixed
| 1% Black
| 1% other
}}
| demographics_type2 = Religion (2021)
| demographics2_title1 = Religion
| demographics2_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 49.7% Christianity
| 40.3% no religion
| 6.3% not stated
| 1.7% Islam
| 1% Hinduism
| 0.5% other
| 0.4% Buddhism
| 0.2% Judaism
| 0.1% Sikhism
}}
| blank1_info = 29UQ
| blank2_info = E07000116
| blank3_info = {{gbmappingsmall|TQ5817739112}}
| name =
}}
The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The borough also contains the towns of Paddock Wood and Southborough, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Large parts of the borough fall within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The neighbouring districts are Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone, Ashford, Rother and Wealden.
History
The town of Tunbridge Wells had been governed by improvement commissioners from 1835.{{cite web |title=Tunbridge Wells Improvement Act 1835 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Will4/5-6/72/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=3 October 2023}} The commissioners' district was reconstituted as a local government district in 1860, which in turn became a municipal borough in 1889.{{London Gazette|issue=22401|page=2543|date=6 July 1860}}{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Kent |date=1913 |location=London |page=712 |url=https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/62456 |access-date=3 October 2023}} That first borough of Tunbridge Wells was renamed "Royal Tunbridge Wells" in 1909 following a petition from the borough council to Edward VII.{{cite news |title=Royal Tunbridge Wells |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=3 October 2023 |work=Kent and Sussex Courier |date=10 April 1909 |location=Tunbridge Wells |page=7}}
The modern district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the whole area of three former districts and parts of a fourth, which were all abolished at the same time:{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=27 September 2023}}
- Cranbrook Rural District
- Tonbridge Rural District (except parishes of Hadlow and Hildenborough, which went to Tonbridge and Malling)
- Royal Tunbridge Wells Municipal Borough
- Southborough Urban District
The new district was named Tunbridge Wells after the area's largest town, but without the Royal prefix.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}} The district was not initially granted borough status.{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |access-date=27 September 2023 |date=28 March 1974}} The council resolved to petition for it in June 1974 and a borough charter was received on 20 December 1974, allowing the chair of the council to take the title mayor.{{cite news |title=Big vote for borough go-ahead |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=3 October 2023 |work=Kent and Sussex Courier |date=28 June 1974 |location=Tunbridge Wells |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Borough status |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=3 October 2023 |work=Kent and Sussex Courier |date=20 December 1974 |location=Tunbridge Wells |page=3}}
Governance
{{Infobox legislature
| name = Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
| logo_pic = Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.svg
| logo_res = 220px
| house_type = Non-metropolitan district
| body =
| foundation = 1 April 1974
| preceded_by =
| leader1_type = Mayor
| leader1 = Nancy Warne
| party1 =
Tunbridge Wells Alliance
| leader2_type = Leader
| leader2 = Ben Chapelard
| party2 =
Liberal Democrats
| election2 = 25 May 2022{{cite web |title=New Council Leader elected |url= https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/news/2022/may/new-council-leader-elected |website=tunbridgewells.gov.uk |access-date=25 May 2022 |language=en |date=25 May 2022}}
| leader3_type = Chief Executive
| leader3 = William Benson{{cite web |title=Chief officers |url=https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/council/councillors-and-meetings/how-the-council-works/chief-officers |website=tunbridgewells.gov.uk |access-date=20 August 2021}}
| party3 =
| seats = 39 councillors
| structure1 = Tunbridge_Wells_Borough_Council_2024.svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| structure1_alt =
| political_groups1 =
; Administration (22)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats}}|border=darkgray}} Liberal Democrats (22)}}
; Other parties (17)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Conservative (7)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (5)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Tunbridge Wells Alliance}}|border=darkgray}} TW Alliance (4)}}
: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (1)
| committees1 =
| joint_committees =
| term_length =
| voting_system1 = First past the post
| last_election1 = 2 May 2024
| next_election1 = 7 May 2026
| session_room = Tunbridge Wells Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 4853245.jpg
| session_res =
| session_alt =
| meeting_place = Town Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1{{nbsp}}1RS
| website = {{URL|http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/}}
| footnotes =
}}
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Kent County Council. Much of the borough is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}
=Political control=
The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since the 2024 election.
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Tunbridge Wells" in search box to see specific results.){{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/council/html/3779.stm | title = Tunbridge Wells | access-date = 2010-11-21 | work = BBC News Online | date=19 April 2009}}
| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2|Party in control | Years |
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} | 1974–1994 |
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} | 1994–1996 |
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} | 1996–1998 |
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} | 1998–2021 |
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} | 2021–2024 |
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} | 2024–present |
=Leadership=
The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Tunbridge Wells. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1998 have been:
=Composition=
Following the 2024 election, the composition of the council was:{{cite news |last1=Esson |first1=Daniel |title=Liberal Democrats take control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council at 2024 local election |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tunbridge-wells/news/liberal-democrats-take-control-of-borough-council-306208/ |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=Kent Online |date=3 May 2024}}
| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party ! Councillors |
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}
| align=center|22 |
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| align=center|7 |
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}}
| align=center|5 |
| {{Party name with colour|Tunbridge Wells Alliance|full=yes}}
| align=center|4 |
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}}
| align=center|1 |
| colspan=2|Total
! align=center|39 |
|---|
The next elections are due in 2026.{{cite web |title=Tunbridge Wells |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=tunbridge_wells |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=10 March 2025}}
=Elections=
{{also|Tunbridge Wells Borough Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2024 the council has comprised 39 councillors representing 14 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council being elected each time for a four year term of office. Kent County Council elections are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no borough council elections.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Tunbridge Wells (Electoral Changes) Order 2024|year=2024|number=2|access-date=7 July 2024}}
In the 2016 European Union referendum, Tunbridge Wells was the only district in Kent that voted to remain in the EU (54.89%).
=Premises=
The council is based at Tunbridge Wells Town Hall on Mount Pleasant Road, which had been completed in 1941 for the old Royal Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.{{cite web|url=http://www.visitoruk.com/tunbridgewells/20th-century-T2923.html|title=Timeline History of Tunbridge Wells|publisher=Visitor UK|access-date=23 February 2021}}
Geography
The borough of Tunbridge Wells lies along the south western border of Kent, partly on the northern edge of the Weald, the remainder on the Weald Clay plain in the upper reaches of the rivers Teise and Beult.
Much of the borough lies within the High Weald, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area.
The Weald Clay plain along the northern edge of the borough forms part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn.
Transport
The main roads through the borough are the A21 London to Hastings road and in the east, the A229, which runs from the A21 at Hurst Green through Cranbrook to Maidstone.
There is a railway line across the clay plain in an almost unbroken straight line between Redhill, Tonbridge and Ashford, Kent. The SER line to Hastings passes through Tunbridge Wells; here there was once a further branch connection south-eastwards to Groombridge, and at Paddock Wood is the southern terminus of the Medway Valley Line to Maidstone.
Media
The BBC has its regional centre at the Great Hall on Mount Pleasant Road in Royal Tunbridge Wells. It is the base of BBC Radio Kent and for BBC South East regional programmes, the complex contains studios and offices. ITV Meridian also covers the area but broadcast from its studios in Whiteley in Hampshire. Other radio stations that broadcast to the area are Heart South, Gold, and community based radio stations: KMFM West Kent and West Kent Radio. {{Cite web |url=https://www.westkentradio.co.uk/|title=West Kent Radio|access-date=16 July 2024}} The area is served by the local newspaper, Kent and Sussex Courier.{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-se/kent-sussex-courier/|title=Kent and Sussex Courier|date=29 April 2014|website=British Papers|access-date=16 July 2024}}
Places of interest
Apart from Tunbridge Wells itself, places of interest in the Borough include:
- Bedgebury Pinetum
- Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst for leisure water pursuits and outdoor conferences
- Sissinghurst Castle gardens: the home of Vita Sackville-West
- facilities for rock-climbing at the 'High Rocks', 2 miles west of Tunbridge Wells
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk}}
{{Royal Tunbridge Wells}}
{{Tunbridge Wells}}
{{Kent}}
{{SE_England}}
{{coord|51|07|44|N|0|15|39|E|display=title|region:GB_type:city_source:nlwiki}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tunbridge Wells, Borough of}}
Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Kent