Thank you to everyone who took part in the first and second stages of the Community Governance Review (CGR) assessing support for the creation of a town council for Tonbridge.
With a majority of responses in favour of the proposal, we invited further views on key aspects of how a town council could operate. These included whether the town council area should be divided into wards, the number of councillors that should be elected and whether the town should have a mayor.
The results of the consultations and the agreed final recommendations will be presented to a full meeting of borough councillors due to take place on 24 February 2026.
The meeting will be invited to vote on a set of recommendations proposed by a cross-party group of councillors who have overseen the community governance review process.If the decision is made to establish a town council, it is anticipated that the first elections would take place in May 2027.
Second consultation results
The consultation on the proposal was held during November and December 2025 and attracted 897 responses.
- 69% of people that responded stated that they would like the area to be divided up into wards.
- How many councillors should a town council have?
- 41% favoured 13 councillors
- 37% favoured 18 councillors
- 10% favoured 30 councillors
- 12% favoured a different number
- 62% of people that responded stated they believe the town council should have a mayor.
First consultation results
The consultation ran from June to July 2025, and we received 3,257 responses, representing approximately 12% of the eligible population.
- 72% of respondents supported the creation of a town council for Tonbridge. While 23% were opposed, and 5% were unsure.
- The most common reasons for support included:
- Giving residents a stronger voice in local decisions (47%).
- Improving local facilities and support (31%).
- Enhancing the status of Tonbridge (19%).
- Those opposed raised concerns about:
- Additional costs to council tax bills (41%).
- Duplication of services already provided by the Borough Council (27%).
- Increased local bureaucracy (27%).
About the review
Following a decision made at full council in February 2025 and the submission of a valid petition, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council consulted residents on whether a town council should be formed in Tonbridge to provide some local services.
Community Governance Reviews (CGR) are a process where councils can consult on local governance arrangements, including the creation of new parish or town councils.
Tonbridge currently does not have a parish or town council. Services for the town are provided directly by both Tonbridge and Malling Borough and Kent County Councils.
The review will consider:
- Whether a town council should be established
- Potential boundaries for the town council
- Electoral arrangements, including the number of councillors
The final decision will be made by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council following completion of the review process.
What would a town council do?
A town council has the same powers as a parish council. It has elected councillors and works to serve the interests of the local community . It would:
- Be a separately elected body of councillors representing the community
- Have powers to deliver local services or support initiatives, subject to available resources
- Have the ability to raise a precept (an additional amount added to council tax) to fund its activities
Proposed area served by a town council for Tonbridge
