Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Democracy and Standards

Councillors

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is composed of 48 Councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. One third of the Council is elected each year except when a County Council election takes place once every four years. Councillors are democratically accountable to residents of their ward, and can be found in our find your councillor pages.

After the election on 3 May 2012, the political composition of the Council is:

• Conservatives 37
• Liberal Democrats  5
• Independent 2
• Labour 2
• UK Independence Party 2 

At its annual meeting the Council elects the Mayor and the Leader of the Council, and appoints the Deputy Mayor for the following year. The Council also appoints members of the Cabinet on the Leader's recommendation. Decisions are also made by Councillors who meet as various committees and boards.

Key members of the Council are:

• Chairman of the Council (The Mayor) -  Cllr J Smith 
• Vice-Chairman of the Council (The Deputy Mayor) - Cllr Dr R Basu  
• Leader of the Council and Conservative Group - Cllr D Jukes
• Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group - Cllr D Neve
• Leader of the Labour Group - Cllr Ms D Hill
• Leader of the UKIP Group - Cllr V Webb
• The Cabinet:
• Councillor D Jukes – Leader of the Council
• Councillor Mrs J March – Tourism, Leisure and Economic Development
• Councillor P Barrington-King – Sustainability
• Councillor J Scholes – Finance and Governance
• Councillor J Cunningham – Housing, Health, Wellbeing and Rural Communities
• Councillor A McDermott – Planning and Transportation

Councillors' Annual Reports and Register of Member's interests

The purpose of the Annual Report is to provide an opportunity for Councillors to demonstrate their engagement with, and on behalf of their communities, in community development, consultation and promoting cohesion.

The Register of Member's Interests includes interests Councillors' may have as a result of their Council role such as representing the Council on outside bodies but also interests that they may have external to their role on the Council - for example, Councillors may hold business or professional interests, belong to political parties or be members of certain organisations.

To view each Councillors' interests and annual report please visit the Individual members page.

Members' Allowance and Expenses Scheme

The Council has an allowance and expenses scheme for members consisting of: a basic allowance paid to all members; a travel and subsistence allowance; and a special responsibility allowance.

Please click on the link for more information Allowances and Expenses

How to become a Councillor

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor you may find our 'Becoming a Councillor' leaflet useful.

A link to the Local Government Association might be of interest too.

Complaints about Councillors

If you wish to make a complaint about a councillor please complete the Complaint Form. Details of the procedure for making a complaint about a Borough, Parish or Town Councillor can be viewed on this link Arrangements for Dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints. For further advice please contact the Monitoring Officer via email monitoring.officer@tunbridgewells.gov.uk or telephone 01892 554257.