Review into a town council for Tonbridge

Working group recommendations

The following are the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review Member Working Group.

That the results of the Community Governance Review consultations BE NOTED.
That the creation of a new parish within Tonbridge BE APPROVED.
That the naming of the new parish as ‘Tonbridge’ BE APPROVED.
That the new parish has a parish council called ‘Tonbridge Town Council’ BE APPROVED, comprising:
- the division of the Town Council area into six wards, that are the same as the existing six borough wards: Cage Green and Angel; Higham; Oast (areas of the unparished parts of Hildenborough); Judd; Trench; and Vauxhall.
- 18 councillors sitting on the Town Council:
  1. Cage Green and Angel – 4 Councillors
  2. Higham – 3 Councillors
  3. Oast – 1 Councillor
  4. Judd – 3 Councillors
  5. Trench – 3 Councillors
  6. Vauxhall – 4 Councillors
That the change taking effect for electoral purposes ahead of the publication of the revised register planned for the 01 December 2026 BE APPROVED.
That the parish coming into effect from 01 April 2027 for administration purposes BE APPROVED.
That the first election for the Town Council taking place on 06 May 2027, and every four years thereafter, BE APPROVED.
That the delegation of authority to undertake the proposed next steps as set out in section 7 being given to the Electoral Registration Officer BE APPROVED.
That support for a Mayor that carries out ceremonial duties and chairs meeting BE NOTED.