Listen Live

Reduce Local Councillor Total?

Monday, 26 July 2021 17:40

Should local elections be just once every four years?

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has launched a consultation, seeking views on local elections and the number of councilors.

At present, there are 48 councilors in the borough and, at present these are divided 24 Conservatives and 24 from other parties.

Electoral system
The Council is considering moving to 'all out' elections. This means that over the four-year term, elections would only be held in year one for all Councillors at the same time. Currently, one-third of the council is up for election in each of three years, with no elections in year four. Moving to a single election every four years would save the borough in the region of £50,000 in election costs. One potential downside is that a large number of councilors could change on one day, where currently, there is some continuity with the one-third option.


Number of Councillors
The Council is considering how many Borough Councillors it should have in the future. There are currently 48 Borough Councillors in 20 wards. Some wards have only one Borough Councillor to represent them, whilst others have up to three.

The consultation is open until 5 September 2021, with details on how to complete the consultation, which can be found on the council website.

Share

More from WEST KENT NEWS

  • Huge Queues at Primark

    Primark has opened its brand new store in Tunbridge Wells with hundreds of enthusiastic shoppers queuing to be the first through the door at 10am.

  • Boil Water Notice Lifted

    South East Water announced at 3pm on Friday that its instruction to boil tap water before use had been lifted for customers in Tunbridge Wells.

  • World Record Achieved in Tonbridge

    A tug of war involving 500 children from the Tonbridge Juniors Football Club has just been certified as an official Guinness world record.

  • Water crisis may cost firms £20m

    Businesses in Tunbridge Wells are calling on shoppers and local residents to support them in the run up to the festive season.

  • MP Calls For £18million Fund

    The MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, has written to the Water Minister calling for Covid-style emergency cash for local businesses who've suffered through the town's water crisis.

  • Tonbridge MP 1974-2015 Has Died

    Tributes have been paid to the former Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling, Sir John Stanley, who's died aged 83 after illness.

  • St Mark's Field: Developer's Plans

    The developer Esquire has submitted a planning application to reclassify St Mark's recreation ground as a "Biodiversity Enhancement area."

  • Torrington Car Park Development

    A colossal town centre multi-storey car park in Tunbridge Wells could be reworked into homes and businesses.

On Air Now Mona Channet 8:00am - 10:00am
Now Playing
Fairytale Of New York The Pogues Featuring Kirsty Maccoll
Recently Played
  • News West Kent Radio 8:59
  • Take On Me A Ha 8:56
  • Dancing In The Street Martha Reeves And The Vandellas 8:54

COMING UP

  • Liz Batham

    10:00am - Noon

    Mid Mornings

  • Giselle Streeter

    Noon - 2:00pm

    Sunday Lunch - sponsored by Rusthall Lodge Care Home

SOCIAL MEDIA