Back in June, we told you Tonbridge might finally be getting its own elected town council – something every other part of the borough already has – and that you were being asked to decide.
The six-week public consultation is now over, the votes are in, and the message from residents is pretty clear: most people who took part want a town council.
The Headline Numbers
- 3,257 people responded – about 12% of the eligible population.
- 72% were in favour, 23% were against, and 5% weren’t sure.
- Almost everyone who responded (96%) lives in Tonbridge; another 2% work here.
Supporters said a town council would give residents a stronger voice in local decisions (47%), improve facilities and support for the town (31%), and boost Tonbridge’s status (19%).
Opponents were mostly concerned about extra council tax costs (41%), duplicating services the borough council already provides (27%), and adding another layer of bureaucracy (27%).
What Happens Next?
A town council for Tonbridge is still not a done deal. The consultation results will go to the full meeting of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council on 28 October 2025. Councillors will vote on whether to proceed to the next stage, which could include a second consultation on how the council might be set up.
If it gets the green light, the new body would cover around 16,000 households and could take on responsibilities such as allotments, open spaces, tourism support, and community projects – while the borough and county councils would continue to run most services. The earliest we’d see elections is 2027, when other parish and town councils vote.
Why This Matters Now
As we reported in June, this whole debate is happening in parallel with bigger changes to local government in Kent, which could see borough and county councils merged into larger authorities by 2028. Pro-town council campaigners argue that securing a local voice now could safeguard Tonbridge’s representation if those changes go ahead.
Leader of the borough council, Matt Boughton, welcomed the engagement but urged patience:
“Of those who participated, there is clearly a vote in favour. This does not mean a town council will be established tomorrow – this is all part of a Community Governance Review set in law.”
The Cost Question Still Looms
If the plan goes ahead, the big unknown remains: will your council tax go up? As we explained in our earlier article, the answer depends on which services are transferred and whether the borough council reduces the current “special expenses” charge accordingly.
A modest town council could keep things cost-neutral; an ambitious one could invest more in the community – but that would likely mean a higher precept. That’s a decision for the future, and for the people you’d elect to run it.
For now, the first hurdle has been cleared. The people of Tonbridge have spoken – and most want their own council. Whether that becomes a reality will be decided this autumn
Have you subscribed?
Get our weekly newsletter, including a curated list of events for the weekend, straight to your inbox.
Bringing you all the latest news and events in Tonbridge.
Leave a Reply