Community Governance Review

New town council paused

At Full Council on 14 October, the council paused plans to create a new town council for Royal Tunbridge Wells while it waits for more information from the government about Local Government Reorganisation.

Royal Tunbridge Wells is the only part of the borough without a town or parish council. Following a Community Governance Review, a new town council covering the wards of Culverden, Park, Pantiles, Sherwood, St James' and St John's was due to start operating on 1 April 2027.

Because Local Government Reorganisation could lead to changes in local councils in the future, the council has decided to pause these plans until there is more certainty about what those changes may be.

Cllr Ben Chapelard, Leader of the Council said:
"The government pausing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) was a total surprise to us and other councils across Kent. The decision to pause is a major change in government policy. It is therefore prudent to pause our local plans to set up a new town council whilst we wait to hear about the government's new plans to abolish councils and create new ones in Kent."

We will provide a further update when more information becomes available.