A new look for Cabinet meetings
A new way of holding Cabinet meetings is being introduced by the Borough Partnership.
Meetings will now be held in the evening and in different venues across the borough, beginning in Cranbrook at Vestry Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday 23 June.
Council Leader Ben Chapelard explained the new approach saying: ‘The Cabinet is going on tour around the borough, coming to a venue near you! Our new administration wants to meet and listen to residents.
Transparency and local democracy are one of our Focus on Five priorities. Within minutes of my election as Council leader, I said our administration wanted to relentlessly engage with residents and businesses. Community engagement is one of our Cabinet’s top priorities and that is why I have already been on visits across the borough during the Jubilee weekend.
The Cabinet on Tour is about a deep and genuine willingness to listen on our part. Under previous administrations, I think it is fair to say, residents felt unheard and disempowered about the council’s decisions. Our new borough partnership is determined to engage with residents and businesses. We will not lose sight that this is who the Council works for.’
Following each meeting Cabinet members will hold an informal question and answer session with residents to hear about their local concerns and issues. There will also be a notice board for residents to post written comments and suggestions for the Cabinet to consider.
Cabinet meetings usually take place monthly. The formal part of each meeting will continue to be live-streamed as they are currently. The agenda can be seen in advance in our TWBC Extranet and a link to view the meeting will be available with the agenda on the day of the meeting.
The Borough Partnership
The Borough Partnership which leads the Council following the local elections in May is made up of Liberal Democrats, Tunbridge Wells Alliance (TWA) and Labour councillors, and the independent councillor for Paddock Wood (East).
The Cabinet
Councillor Ben Chapelard, Leader
Councillor Nancy Warne, Rural communities and deputy leader
Councillor Luke Everitt, Environment, sustainability and carbon reduction
Councillor Wendy Fitzsimmons, Leisure, wellbeing and culture
Councillor David Hayward, Governance and transparency
Councillor Andrew Hickey, Finance and performance
Councillor Hugo Pound, Housing and planning
Councillor Justine Rutland, Tunbridge Wells town and local areas
