Thank you to everyone who took part in the first stage 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 are now inviting further views on key aspects of how a town council could operate. These include 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 consultation runs until 12 December.
The results of the consultation will feed into a year-long review process with the final decision on whether to establish a town council due to be taken by a meeting of borough councillors in February 2026.
First consultation results
The consultation ran from 2 June to 14 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
