Tonbridge Bean

Councillor Chris Brown has been elected as the new Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, marking a significant moment in the borough’s leadership. The announcement was made during the council’s annual meeting on May 13, 2025.

Representing the Kings Hill ward, Cllr Brown steps into the role following his tenure as Deputy Mayor. He succeeds Cllr Steve Hammond, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to health reasons. During his term, Cllr Hammond raised over £1,000 for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), an organization that was also honored with the Freedom of the Borough for its support to armed forces veterans and individuals with disabilities.

With a cumulative 18 years of service on the council, first from 2003 to 2015 and then from 2019 onwards, Cllr Brown brings a wealth of experience. His involvement spans various committees, including planning, licensing, scrutiny, and finance. Residing in Kings Hill with his wife Joanne, their three sons, his mother, and brother, Cllr Brown is deeply rooted in the community. He actively supports his sons’ participation in local sports clubs, such as the Kings Hill Football Club and the Larkfield Swimming Club, which he and his wife help manage.

Expressing his gratitude, Cllr Brown stated, “It’s a huge honour to represent Tonbridge and Malling as Mayor, and I’m looking forward to supporting the many organisations and individuals who make our borough special.” He also acknowledged the contributions of past Mayors James Lark, Sue Bell, Roger Roud, and Dave Davis for their support during his transition into the mayoral role.

During his mayoral term, Cllr Brown has chosen to support the British Heart Foundation and Hospice in the Weald as his designated charities, reflecting his commitment to health and community welfare.

The council meeting also confirmed Cllr Kim Tanner as the new Deputy Mayor. Additionally, Cllr Matt Boughton was reaffirmed for another term as Council Leader. He announced his cabinet, introducing a new role focused on infrastructure and Tonbridge regeneration. The cabinet members and their portfolios are as follows:

• Cllr Matt Boughton – Executive Leader
• Cllr Martin Coffin – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Waste, and Technical Services
• Cllr Robin Betts – Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment, and Economy
• Cllr Des Keers – Cabinet Member for Community Services
• Cllr Adem Mehmet – Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Tonbridge Regeneration
• Cllr Mike Taylor – Cabinet Member for Planning

For those not in the know Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is located in the town of Kings Hill, Kent, in southeast England. The council offices are situated at Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4LZ. Kings Hill is a modern village development built on a former RAF airfield, offering easy access to the M20 motorway and nearby towns such as Tonbridge and Maidstone.

For more information on local events and developments, residents can visit the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Media Hub.

Have you subscribed?

Get our weekly newsletter, including a curated list of events for the weekend, straight to your inbox.