About this review
We are carrying out a Community Governance Review (CGR) of the six unparished areas of Tunbridge Wells.
An unparished area is one that is not represented by a parish or town council. Instead, all council services are delivered directly by either Tunbridge Wells Borough Council or Kent County Council.
This CGR will consider if a new parish and/or town council(s) should be created to represent the six unparished areas. The unparished areas of Tunbridge Wells are the borough wards of:
- Culverden
- Pantiles
- Park
- Sherwood
- St James'
- St John's
You can check our online map (opens in a new window) to see if you live in one of the six unparished areas.
Our frequently asked questions page contains information about:
- what a CGR is and what it can and cannot do
- parish and town councils
- when any changes would take effect
Consultation and engagement
Public consultation
We are running two phases of public consultation:
- Phase one (open now) - Monday 2 June until Sunday 3 August
- Phase two - Monday 22 September until Sunday 23 November
Please take the time to tell us what you think. Your opinion is important and will help shape our proposals.
Further details about how to send us your views can be found on our have your say page.
Engagement events and meetings
Details of future public engagement events will be added to this page over the coming weeks. Please check back for details.
If any community groups would like to meet a council officer to discuss this review, please email us at cgr@tunbridgewells.gov.uk with your details so we can arrange a suitable time with you.
Why are we carrying out this review?
We are carrying out this review because:
- we have a duty to carry out periodic reviews of parished and unparished areas
- we are responding to increased calls locally to undertake a CGR
- there is potential for the reorganisation of local government in Kent
Our duty to review
Government guidance advises that it is good practice for principal councils (such as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) to carry out a Community Governance Review of parished and unparished areas at least every 10 to 15 years, and to keep areas under review in the interim. Keeping areas under review helps to ensure that local governance continues to be effective and convenient and reflects the identities and interests of local communities.
Local Government Reorganisation
It is an important time to have your say, as the Government has proposed that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) should happen in Kent and other parts of the country.
If Local Government Reorganisation goes ahead, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council (KCC), and all other borough and district councils in Kent would cease to exist. They would be replaced by a small number of larger unitary authorities that would provide all services currently delivered by KCC, borough and district councils.
Should Local Government Reorganisation not go ahead, we will continue with this CGR.
Page last updated: 28 May 2025