News

Tunbridge Wells car club expands, now with nine cars available for use by Co Wheels Car Club members.

We’re asking residents aged 18 and under to provide an A4 drawing of their ideal town centre – there are no limits, let your imagination run wild...

Grants will make a difference to residents

Holocaust Memorial Day will be commemorated at the war memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells on 27 January from 10.45am.

Following the Local Plan examination hearings that took place in 2022 the Inspector wrote to the Council setting out his initial findings.

Refurbishment work has begun on four properties the council owns on Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Council Leader Ben Chapelard has appointed Councillor Mark Ellis to the position of Cabinet member for Finance and Governance with effect from Tuesday 2 January 2024.

A Christmas message from the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Councillor Hugh Patterson

A Christmas message from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ben Chapelard.

The ceremonial planting of an oak tree took place on Tunbridge Wells Common on 30 November 2023, to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Councillors hear about the achievements of local young cricketers.

The Amelia Scott in Royal Tunbridge Wells is proud to announce that it has welcomed its 500,000th visitor.

Councillor Christopher Hall has resigned from his post as Cabinet member for Finance and Governance with effect from Monday 18 December 2023.

Cllr Ellen Neville explains more about Environmental Services and the role they play in residents' lives.

Information about Council services at Christmas, including bin collections.

There’s free Sunday car parking for visitors to Royal Victoria Place and Meadow Road car parks, Royal Tunbridge Wells, on each of the five Sundays in December 2023.

Rural businesses and communities can apply for funding to support jobs and growth, improve local facilities and reduce their carbon footprint through the West Kent Rural Grants Scheme.

Armistice Day Saturday 11 November and Remembrance Sunday 12 November 2023

Congratulations to the Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom team who achieved an amazing Gold award at the Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2023.

The completion of legal agreements means the next phase of the Council’s partnership with Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq) to create a coworking space in the Town Hall can begin.

The council is pleased to report that it is one of only a handful of councils who have been able to publish their 2022/23 accounts by the required date of 30 September 2023.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has agreed to acquire the Long Leasehold ownership of Royal Victoria Place from British Land.

Parking charges are being introduced at Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells from 16 October 2023.

Former Tunbridge Wells Borough Council member James Scholes has been made Honorary Alderman of Tunbridge Wells at an event in the Town Hall on Thursday 28 September.

We are consulting on our new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2023 - 2028.

The council thanks volunteers.

Another opportunity for Tunbridge Wells residents to join a Solar Together group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage is now available.

The council is now the proud holder of a RSPCA PawPrints Gold Award for its work in animal licensing. The PawPrints scheme recognises good practice in relation to animal welfare.

Help us create a strategy that works for your business and community.

A new bus service, the KW1, will run between Knights Wood and Tonbridge Station from Monday 4 September in the morning and evening peak periods.

A project is running to help people move into training, work and permanent accommodation.

TWBC is carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ to identify available and suitable development sites.

The public toilets at Crescent Road car park, Royal Tunbridge Wells will be permanently closed from 2 October 2023.

Cllr Nancy Warne explains what Vibrant and Safer Towns and Villages look like to TWBC.

The Council is partnering with the housing association Town & Country Housing (TCH) on a project to add 15 new homes to local social housing stock.

It’s good news for Tunbridge Wells as we learn that the Council’s award-winning parks and green spaces have retained their Green Flag Award for another year.

We have had a great response on our residents' survey so far, but we'd love to hear from more young people.

Cllr Jayne Sharratt explains the Council's need to prioritise Carbon Reduction.

TWBC is carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ to identify available and suitable development sites to deliver the strategy and vision for Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre over the next 15 years until 2040.

Cllr Hugo Pound sheds some light on our priorities for housing and planning across the borough.

The Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Tunbridge Wells was granted to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust on Wednesday 5 July.

It is now over a year since The Amelia Scott opened its doors in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

A Tunbridge Wells street artist has taken inspiration from The Amelia’s collections to transform the underpass at Grosvenor Bridge off Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Cllr Christopher Hall explains what safeguarding finances means for the council and for residents.

We have opened a survey for residents to tell us what they think about the services the council provides, the council’s current priorities and what they should be in the future.

Co Wheels, the social enterprise car club in Tunbridge Wells, now has eight cars available locally for use by members.

The Council is backing the call from the Association of Tree Officers encouraging people to water their trees.

We are looking for an exercise instructor to run sessions at three of the outdoor gyms in Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ (from 6 June to 21 July 2023) to identify available and suitable development sites to deliver the strategy and vision for Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre over the next 15 years until 2040.

Find out more about volunteering at The Amelia Scott

Councillor Hugh Patterson is the new Mayor of Tunbridge Wells after being elected at the Annual Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 24 May 2023 Council Leader Ben Chapelard confirmed that the Borough Partnership established following the 2022 elections will continue.

The TWBC Culture and Visit Tunbridge Wells Team share their top tips to throw a Royal-themed party to celebrate the Coronation in Tunbridge Wells.

Royal Tunbridge Wells resident, Dr Philip Whitbourn OBE PhD, FSA, FRIBA, FRTPI has been awarded the honour of the Freedom of the Borough.

From 1st June 2023 The Housing Allocations Scheme and how you apply for the housing register  is changing

Cut carbon emissions and save on energy bills.

Vehicles that contravene the bus gate/lane restriction on Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells will now receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in the post (from 20 March 2023).

At least 15 new homes are to be added to the Council’s housing stock following a decision to participate in the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund programme.

Monday 13 March is Commonwealth Day 2023

Celebrating Tunbridge Wells Women in Business to recognise International Women’s Day.

A new plan for Tunbridge Wells borough was approved by Full Council on 1 March 2023

Dr Philip Whitbourn OBE PhD, FSA, FRIBA, FRTPI is to receive the honour of the Freedom of the Borough from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

A new flagpole donated by members of the Tunbridge Wells Branch of the Royal British Legion has been installed at the War Memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Our latest budget survey (2023/24) received over 1,000 responses, which is a record-breaking number for this survey.

Free event for private sector landlords and letting agents

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom is a finalist in Britain in Bloom.

The first grants from the Council’s new £100,000 Community Support Fund have been awarded.

The War Memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells was unveiled 100 years ago.

A special tree will be planted in Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells in honour of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

New recycling and waste vehicle fleet proposed for waste partnership.

The Council is hosting an event outside the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge on Wednesday 8 February to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week which runs from Monday 6 February until Sunday 12 February

The Council is going to receive £25,000 from Active Travel England’s Capability Fund grant to Kent County Council.

Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday 27 January was marked by a short ceremony at the War Memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells, following by readings, reflections and music in The Amelia Scott.

Friday 27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day.

Was that Mary Beard in Tunbridge Wells? Yes it was! Find out more about her visit and listen to what she has to say about Royal Tunbridge Wells in a new podcast series...

Lift and staircase structural survey

Do you have a view on how the Council should manage its money and balance its budget?

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ben Chapelard and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Councillor Godfrey Bland send you their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

The Kent & Sussex Crematorium and Tunbridge Wells Cemetery have been visited twice in recent weeks by Council Leader Ben Chapelard as he gets to know the work of different departments.

Finding out about the work of the Street Cleaning team was ticked off his to-do list by Council Leader Ben Chapelard recently when he joined a crew on their daily rounds.

Details of events in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Council Leader Ben Chapelard spent some time working in the Council’s contact centre (call centre) as he continues to explore how front-line teams operate on a day-to-day basis.

Didn’t they do well! Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom came home from the annual South and South East in Bloom awards on Friday 23 September 2022 with an impressive haul of medals.

Council Leader Ben Chapelard recently welcomed Simon Miller from Southborough and District Wheelers cycling club to the Town Hall.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Kent and Sussex Crematorium has donated £12,000 to Jigsaw (South East).

Council Leader Ben Chapelard has completed a fact-finding visit to Utrecht to find more about why some people call this city in the Netherlands the cycling capital of the world.

Council Leader Ben Chapelard joined a recycling and waste crew.

The gym in Dunorlan has officially opened.

The Love Where We Live community awards celebrate the people who make the borough of Tunbridge Wells a great place to live and work.

Flags are flying in parks across Tunbridge Wells following the news on 26 July 2022 that six of our parks and green spaces have retained their Green Flag Award for another year.

A Cabinet meeting took place on Wednesday 20 July 2022.

The Visit Tunbridge Wells team and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together are attending Pub in the Park this weekend (8-10 July) with a stand to support our local businesses.

Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Godfrey Bland was a special guest of the Rotary Club of Tunbridge Wells at their recent Centenary Dinner.

A new way of holding Cabinet meetings is being introduced by the Borough Partnership.

At the Annual Meeting of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022 Councillor Ben Chapelard was elected as Leader.

Councillor Godfrey Bland is the new Mayor of Tunbridge Wells after being elected at the Annual Meeting of the Council on Wednesday 25 May 2022.

The council has announced its new coworking partner: Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq).

A new Changing Places facility in partnership with Forestry England at Bedgebury National Pinetum.

The council’s leisure partner Fusion Lifestyle has announced upgrade plans for three leisure centres in the borough.

Monday 14 March was Commonwealth Day 2022.

Garden waste collections will resume from Monday 21 March 2022.

A successful prosecution resulted in a £1.1m fine for a company.

A statement of support for the people of Ukraine, and their family and friends living in the Tunbridge Wells borough.

The Boundary Commission for England is holding an independent review of all constituency boundaries in England, and invites you to have your say on its proposals.

The World Cup really is coming home in 2024

The Council has been successful in bidding for money from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.

A Tunbridge Wells resident has been nominated for a Civic Medallion.

Neighbourhood Plans for Benenden and Goudhurst have been voted on.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been shortlisted in the 2022 Hearts For The Arts Awards.

The Mayor will lay a wreath for Holocaust Memorial Day.

Tunbridge Wells’ winter attraction Skate saw record attendance for the 2021 season as nearly 50,000 visitors took to the ice and enjoyed the fun of skating and Bavarian curling.

A new pattern of wards is being developed for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Create a memory leaf that describes your experience of the pandemic.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Tom Dawlings and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Councillor Chris Woodward send you their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Our online budget consultation survey is open until 14 January 2022 and we are keen to hear your views.

Tackling rent arrears and supporting landlords.

From Thursday, 25 November, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will be lighting the arched window over the entrance to the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells orange in support of the United Nation's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign 2021.

New £1.4m South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) grant given to The Amelia Scott.

Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday will be commemorated at ceremonies taking place in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Find out more about how you can be involved in the Queen's Green Canopy tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

We held our annual Love Where We Live Awards... in real life! A huge thank you to all those that attended and made the evening special. Find out who won in each of our eight categories.

The Council is one of the first in England to get a clean bill of health for its 2020/21 accounts.

Councillor Julian Stanyer 1943-2021. It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Councillor Julian Stanyer, Conservative ward member for Speldhurst and Bidborough.

Although there was no awards ceremony to attend again this year Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom and the Council achieved great results in the 2021 South and South East in Bloom competition.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government visited Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday 1 September.

The Council is leading the way in protecting office and business space in the borough from being converted to residential use.

The Council has pledged to help find homes for five Afghan families as part of the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.

Completion of a project to renovate three empty Council-owned properties and turn them into six self-contained homes for homeless people.

Garden waste collections are temporarily suspended.

The red and white barriers in the High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells are being removed in readiness for new planters and parklets to be installed.

We would like to hear your views about proposed changes to the existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

Monday 5 July 2021 marked the first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day and the Mayor, Councillor Chris Woodward, hosted a number of events to commemorate the occasion.

A new report from The National Lottery Heritage Fund features Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, Tunbridge Wells as a case study.

The Council’s Planning Committee has unanimously approved a planning application for accommodation and teaching space for medical students at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Members of the Council elected Councillor Tom Dawlings as new Leader at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 26 May.

We need your help to plan the future provision of electric vehicle chargers in our car parks. Let us know what you think by taking a short survey.

The Love Where We Live Awards 2021 are now open for nominations. Celebrating local volunteers, groups and individuals across the borough. Who gets your nomination?

Local residents and visitors are to be encouraged to support the shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and salons in four of the Tunbridge Wells borough high streets when coronavirus restrictions ease.

A grant of £271,500 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund puts the Council among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The Council now has a reporting tool for residents to report near-misses on our roads.

Waste and recycling collections will take place as normal on Good Friday and Easter Monday so please have your bins out by 7am on your collection day.

A new business park on land east of Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells has been given the go ahead by the Council.

Homeschooling was the inspiration for an innovative project designed to get young children in primary schools across Kent thinking about the air they breathe while encouraging their parents to do the same.

Members of the Council agreed to increase their part of the Council Tax bill by 2.7 per cent (£4.99) for the year 2021/22 when they met on Wednesday 24 February.

A recent carbon emissions audit carried out for the Council showed a 43 per cent reduction in its total carbon emissions in 2018/19 compared with the figure for 2013/14.

Snow and icy conditions during the week beginning 8 February have had an impact on services across the borough.

Wednesday 27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day, and the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Disability friendly signage has been installed in all the Council’s public toilets making it easier for those with hidden disabilities to use the facilities without fear of criticism.

Read the full message from Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan McDermott, about Tunbridge Wells moving to Tier 4 of local restrictions from Sunday 20 December.

Please be aware that on Thursday 26 November all our payment systems will be unavailable due to essential maintenance, between 10am and 3pm.

Watch the private Remembrance Sunday service in Royal Tunbridge Wells on the Council’s website twbc.online/remembrance. View the Order of Service for the event.

See our guidance and advice on bonfires and fireworks.

Once again Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, St John’s Park, Dunorlan Park, Calverley Grounds, Woodbury Park Cemetery and The Grove have retained their Green Flag for another year.

Results from the first detailed review looking at the one-way scheme in the High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells show that three quarters of businesses questioned are in favour or have yet to form an opinion about the scheme.

The Council has been successful in bidding for government funds to continue to help people sleeping rough who were housed during the pandemic to stay in accommodation. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will receive around £153,000 and is one of a number of councils across the south east which will receive funding to ensure interim accommodation and support for the most vulnerable people in the community.

Tickets are now on sale for Skate 2020, the popular ice rink that is returning again this year to transform Calverley Grounds in Royal Tunbridge Wells into a magical festive destination.

We’re excited to announce that along with our new website to keep you updated, we will soon be sending email alerts. Be the first to know what’s happening in your area with the latest news and events from the borough direct to your inbox, from us.

The Amelia team have taken their popular school holiday activity programmes, Discovery Days and Park Safaris online this summer.

A family adventure guide to help local families get out and about across Tunbridge Wells has been launched through TW Social.

Time In activity packs have recently been delivered to vulnerable and isolated residents across the borough.

Following the successful reopening of high streets in the borough of Tunbridge Wells the Council is exploring how it can make some changes to roads and pavements to enable people to maintain social distance and queue safely for shops.

The latest edition of Local, the Council’s magazine for residents has been published and is being distributed to households across the borough from Monday 15 June 2020.

Plans for a safe return to trading for Tunbridge Wells borough’s high streets are being finalised as many retailers get ready to reopen on Monday 15 June.

When the Covid-19 pandemic first struck and restrictions were imposed on residents, businesses and Council services we jointly wrote to express our concerns for those affected, to set out the impact of the crisis on the Council and to thank all local residents, businesses and voluntary groups who have stepped up to help support our communities and protect the vulnerable.

A new group, Covid-19 Panel, has been set up by the Council, to oversee the borough-wide recovery process following the coronavirus lockdown, met online for the first time on Tuesday 26 May 2020.

This week (18-22 May) is Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK.

The Council‘s Love Where We Live Awards 2020 are now open for nominations.

A Positive Postcard to boost wellbeing.

An update on Council meetings.

Garden waste collections will resume across Tunbridge Wells borough from Monday 18 May.

The Council’s help and support for residents during the coronavirus emergency offers more than just food parcels.

The Council has launched a new community website Tunbridge Wells Social to help combat the social isolation and loneliness many people are experiencing during lockdown.

The Council has launched a crowdfunding appeal to help three local charities that we are working very closely with during the current national emergency: Nourish Community Foodbank, Mental Health Resource and Age UK Tunbridge Wells.

With garden waste services temporarily suspended we would ask residents to consider their neighbours and to refrain from having bonfires in their gardens.

I am very conscious that you have a lot to think about at the present time, and there is a constant flow of information coming towards you.

A 24-hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.

Garden waste collections have been suspended from 25 March for the foreseeable future.

Monitoring vehicles going through Mount Pleasant Road near the war memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells, where recent public realm works have been completed, begins this week.

Monday 9 March, was Commonwealth Day 2020.

Public Health England and the NHS are leading on the health response to coronavirus.

Further rain is forecast across Kent up to and including Monday and the Met Office have issued amber weather warnings for rain.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, along with our partners in Tonbridge and Malling, recently notified Urbaser of our intention to trigger financial penalties in the waste and recycling contract.

Reduced Cost Parking on Sundays in Royal Tunbridge Wells continues in January and February.

Further rain is forecast across Kent up to and including Saturday and the Met Office have issued yellow weather warnings for rain. If you live in a known flood risk area, please adopt a self-help approach by purchasing sandbags from your local builders merchants, making up a flood kit, and knowing where to turn off your gas and electricity.

There will be temporary changes to your recycling and refuse collection days over Christmas and New Year.

Not responding to a Community Protection Warning letter has resulted in a local shop being closed down.

Some changes are being proposed for Torrington Car Park in Royal Tunbridge Wells and we would like to hear what you think about the proposals.

Captain Safety visited Royal Tunbridge Wells and Hawkhurst and entertained more than 700 primary school-aged children earlier this month during Road Safety Week.

Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) schemes are set up to tackle underage drinking and the resulting harm to young people and the communities they live in.

You are invited to the service of Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Dedication which takes place at 10.45am on Sunday 10 November at the War Memorial in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Presented at a ceremony at the Assembly Hall Theatre on Wednesday 9 October 2019.

Extension to 5pm on 15 November 2019.

At the Extraordinary Full Council meeting on Tuesday 8 October 2019 members debated the delivery of the Calverley Square project.

If you're 10 or over, you can learn to drive at Crescent Road Car Park.

Multiple awards for Royal Tunbridge Wells and its parks.

Reduced Cost Parking on Sundays in Royal Tunbridge Wells for a 3-month trial period.

An article in the Kent and Sussex Courier suggests that there may be problems associated with the start of the new recycling and waste service in the borough which begins on 30 September.

Tunbridge Wells Council secured funding to establish a Rapid Rehousing Pathway.

Tunbridge Wells residents are being asked to try and make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier for everyone with a new anti-idling campaign.

New waste contractor, Urbaser, reunite visitor with lost wedding ring.

Nominate by 26 July 2019!

The Planning Inspectorate has approved the Council’s planned compulsory purchase of land and acquisition of rights over land for its Calverley Square development.

Update

Tunbridge Wells residents will see new recycling, waste collection and street cleaning vehicles and crews out and about on the streets from 30 March as waste management company Urbaser Ltd begins its collection and cleaning services contract for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The Council is delighted to receive a positive feedback report in response to the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge follow-up visit.

This month's #TWBiz newsletter covers 11 tangible ways to help your business prosper in the Tunbridge Wells borough.

Monson Road closed until Tuesday 23 April 2019.

A briefing for election agents and those standing for local elections in 2019

Safer Internet Day 2019 will take place on Tuesday 5 February with the theme ‘Together for a better internet'.

The Council’s community grants scheme will give a boost to local groups.

Civic Way to close from Monday 28 January 2019.

Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day at the War Memorial, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Surveying in Calverley Grounds taking place in January 2019

Following the announcement of the date for the public inquiry to consider the Council’s compulsory purchase order (CPO) for its Calverley Square development, a dedicated inquiry website has been launched.

Following the Paddock Wood Town Council meeting held on Wednesday 19 December 2018, a Parish Poll has been requested.

The email newsletter sent on 17th February 2022 contained an item about Jason Dormon, recipient of a Civic Medallion in 2019. The item and link should have referred to the award of the Civic Medallion to Mrs June Bridgeman CB. The details of this award can be found on our website. Our apologies to Mrs Bridgeman for the error.Members of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will award a Civic Medallion to Jason Dormon, co-founder of The Forum, the independent music venue in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Refurbishment work in Crescent Road Car Park has restarted. The project has been extended because during earlier work it became apparent that more repairs were needed than originally anticipated. These unforeseeable repairs were hidden within the concrete structure, and as a result additional time to complete the work is necessary.

The public inquiry to consider the Council’s compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for its Calverley Square development will begin in February 2019.