Elections will take place next year for a powerful new West Kent council which will replace four existing local authorities.
The West Kent Unitary Authority will cover the area currently run by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Maidstone Borough, Tonbridge and Malling Borough and Sevenoaks District Council.
On Thursday, the Labour government confirmed its plans to abolish all the Borough and District Councils in Kent, as well as Kent County Council and the Medway Unitary Authority.
The smaller existing Parish and Town Councils, such as Southborough Town Council, will remain in place.
The aim is to save money by replacing 14 councils in Kent with just four. The new councils will start delivering services from April 2028.
It’s also hoped that decision making will be more coherent than the current system whereby roads are maintained by Kent County Council, while a different set of councillors and officials in the Borough Council deal with planning and economic development.
The current two-tier arrangement of local government was brought in in 1974 when local urban and rural district councils were abolished.
Earlier it had looked likely that just three new councils would be created in Kent, but splitting the county into four areas had become a more likely prospect after Labour’s other county reorganizations had created slightly smaller councils than the initial suggested guidance for a minimum of half a million population in each unitary.
The other three Unitaries in Kent will cover North (Dartford, Gravesham and Medway), Mid Kent (Swale, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe) and East (Canterbury, Dover and Thanet).
Under the current system Kent County Council (KCC) delivers some services like education, libraries, social services and roads, while district or borough councils deliver rubbish collection, council housing and planning services.
In the proposed new system unitary councils would deliver all council services in one area. Medway Council operates in that way today.
The Reform UK leader of Kent County Council, Linden Kemkaran (pictured below), said this was not the option she had supported. Reform UK proposed just one council covering all of Kent.
Linden Kemkaren stated: “The Government has made its decision and we will now review the detail to understand what it means for Kent.”
Tunbridge Wells Conservative Borough Councillor, Tom Mobbs, (pictured below) said: “From the outset, I have consistently said that if Kent was to be divided, this was the most sensible geography. Our communities have strong economic, transport and service links, and it reflects the way many residents already live and work.”
Tom Mobbs continued: “That said, I remain unconvinced that this model will deliver the financial savings that have been promised.”
Tom Mobbs stated: “As we move towards implementation, I will continue to argue that parish and town councils must have a stronger voice within the new arrangements. With decisions being taken over a much larger geographical area, our parish councils will become even more important in ensuring that local communities continue to be properly represented.”
One Kent MP, Helen Whately (pictured below), who represents Faversham expressed strong criticism of the government, stating: “The Labour Government is clearly determined to destroy Kent. Kent has a history going back over 1,000 years and a proud identity, but they care nothing for that. It’s an abomination.”
Helen Whately continued: “Kent as a county has real clout with Government – it looks like Labour is so scared of Kent they have decided to destroy it. The reorganisation plans say nothing about a Mayor for Kent or strategic authority for the county. We are just to be broken up into four parts with no single voice to represent 1.6 million residents.”
Helen Whately continued: “Meanwhile, other counties and regions are getting Mayors with extra powers, and extra money. Kent risks being overlooked and left behind. Even if a Mayor or strategic authority is on their way, they will come after the Kent-wide infrastructure has been disbanded and absorbed into the four new councils. This is madness. Any savings made from the reorganisation will quickly disappear.”
The current Independent Councillor on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, David Hayward, (pictured below) said: “Having a quick look I would suggest the new (West Kent) Unitary will, politically, be of no overall control. In my view that is a good thing.”
David Hayard continued: “Independents, like me, will find it very hard to win a seat against the massively funded national parties. One delivering notoriously misleading messaging. Still, I’ll give it a go!”
It is understood that voting will take place next May along existing county election boundaries but with 3 councillors elected in each seat instead of one. Tonbridge Central and Maidstone Central wards would be split to avoid them having to elect 6 councillors in the one seat.
At a point where the Conservatives hit a low in popular support less than a year after their general election defeat, the 28 KCC seats in West Kent in May 2025 were won by Reform 12, Liberal Democrats 8, Conservatives 5 and Green Party 3.
This could suggest a coalition of right of centre parties is likely to control the West Kent Unitary Authority when the vote take place next year.
Stuart Jeffery, Green Party leader of Maidstone Borough Council said: “It marks a new beginning for West Kent. We are committed to working with our partners to shape a council that delivers the very best for our communities.”
Antony Hook (pictured below), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Kent County Council commented: “Whether we like it or not, it is clear Local Government is going to be reconfigured.”
Anthony Hook continued: “Reform UK’s madcap plan to merge the whole of Kent and Medway into one huge mega-council that would he hopelessly remote from local communities has been rejected and I am delighted that we have been saved from that.
Anthony Hook stated: “The option selected by government is not my preferred choice but if it is happening we need to put the public first. That means getting council services, like social care, libraries, public health and SEND ready for transfer seamlessly to new councils in just 20 months’ time. We need to make sure those services are ready to go, serving people who need them, under the new councils from day one.”
Anthony Hook concluded: “Reform UK have talked about judicial review (JR) to stop local government reorganisation. That will require a lot of money that will be better spent on services. JR should only be pursued if independent legal counsel advises that it is likely to be won. If the council gets legal advice it should be shared so we can see whether money is being used responsibly or wasted on political grandstanding at taxpayers’ expense.”
Following a government consultation which attracted around 3,000 responses, the Secretary of State Steve Reed, (pictured below) said: “We’re shaking up local government so that people get the services they deserve – cleaner streets, better care, and money spent on what matters most to local people.”
Steve Reed continued: “These reforms create stronger, more efficient councils that lay the foundations for real devolution and the economic growth that will bring new jobs and opportunities to communities right across England.”
The government believes its changes will end unnecessary duplication and create one finance department and one set of senior leaders instead of many.
In a statement, Kent and Medway’s council leaders said: “All of the councils in Kent and Medway have a long history of working closely together to do the very best for the people we serve and that will not change one bit.”
The statement continued: “This is the start of the process of bringing our different teams together with the aim of designing then delivering the best possible services for the people we serve.”
The leaders concluded: “Of course, this change affects the thousands of council staff across the county who work incredibly hard day in and day out. Our focus will be supporting them through this change while helping them to carry on delivering our business-as-usual services seamlessly.”
Meanwhile in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, 7 councils are being reorganised into 2 unitaries with boundary modifications.
The government decided that Brighton and Hove’s area should be expanded to boost its planning footprint and tax base in order to “tackle housing unaffordability and support growth across connected communities”.
The Liberal Democrats who run Tunbridge Wells Borough Council say a major investment in the town’s RVP shopping centre is “really crucial” despite criticism of the proposed council debt of up to £68 million needed to fund the project.
In an extended interview with Southborough News, the deputy leader of the council, Justine Rutland (pictured below) spoke about the need to regenerate the areas of the RVP which were “underutilised” and “could be housing a lot more activity than it is.”
Justine Rutland said: “Retailers are very fussy. They will want to see that their shops are successful and if they are not, they will go, so onward investment in the shopping centre is really crucial to make sure that it keeps delivering…and we make the town a better place to live.”
She continued: “It was always the idea that the shopping centre should become, more of a mix of experiences. So not just shopping… People definitely still want to go and buy things…but they also want leisure. They want to meet up with people.”
The council’s plan is for a modern “boutique” cinema to be built on the corner of Camden Road and Calverley Road that used to be occupied by White Stuff in the Victorian shops. (see below)
Justine Rutland explained: “The idea is to bring people into the centre, not just to, you know, buy some shampoo and a pair of trousers, whatever, but to have experiences and to have more of a day out, and then hopefully with a cinema, a day out – slash afternoon out – an evening out, and to start to rebuild that nighttime economy that will then support all the hospitality venues that we have.”
When asked about the estimated £ 5 million ANNUAL cost to the council of paying back the debt involved in funding the building of a new cinema and new leisure retail and space, Justine Rutland said: “The idea is that it would pay for itself eventually.”
The scheme is controversial as it involves demolishing the Friendly Societies’ Hall, which was visited to great excitement by one of Queen Victoria’s daughters in 1877 and currently is home to a thriving snooker centre (see below)
The Tunbridge Wells Civic Society has applied to the government for the Friendly Societies Hall to be listed to prevent its demolition.
Justine Rutland wouldn’t be drawn on the current income from the RVP shopping centre, which the council took full ownership of in 2023. The last published income figure from 2019 referred only to annual income of less than £1 million a year, but the council says updated figures are “confidential.”
Asked how the extra income generated by the new investment could possibly bring in as much as £5 million a year to cover the council’s debt servicing costs on its £68 million loan, Justine Rutland said: “We have plenty of data and economic studies to show that the recommended scheme is viable with economic activity growing.”
But she continued: “Well, of course, we will be looking continually at the data, and we will get updated economic impact assessments. And if we decide nearer the time that we need to make the big decisions, that it doesn’t work anymore, then we won’t proceed, but we are doing the groundwork to prepare for a scheme. We’re confident, we’ve got operator interest, and we’re confident that the wider benefits will make it a viable scheme.”
Justine Rutland rejected a comparison with the Conservatives’ proposed £100 million Calverley Square project to build a new theatre, which collapsed when councillors decided the costs would have been a huge burden on council taxpayers. She said: “This is a very different scheme to Calverley Square. I think everyone has looked on at that scheme and is determined not to make the same mistakes.”
Justine Rutland was also asked about the petition signed by 5,000 people opposing the destruction of the Friendly Societies Hall housing the snooker club. And she was asked about the impact on the takings at the Trinity, which currently offers cinema three nights a week. Her answers are on the YouTube video or West Kent Talking podcast.
The interview has been watched by several hundred people already. One viewer said: “We need fewer councillors, lower council tax, and a council that lives within its means — not one taking on huge debts for speculative developments.”
Another sceptic said: “I’m afraid Justine Rutland’s responses give me no confidence that the scheme has been properly thought or could be partly financed by developing some of the excess space at RVP for housing.”
But there is still clearly interest in a new three screen cinema, with one resident commenting on the Nextdoor site: “I would love to see a cinema here. Trips to luxury and boutique cinemas (Everyman, Curzon etc) have doubled in two years. I love the cinema in Hawkhurst.”
The Victorian-era Friendly Societies’ Hall in Camden Road could be saved from demolition after a dramatic intervention by the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.
The Society has made an emergency application to add the 150 year-old Hall to the national list of protected buildings, which would stop the Borough Council knocking it down.
The Planning Secretary of the Civic Society, Alastair Tod, told Southborough News that the Society had prepared “a good case” and was doing everything it could to protect the building, which is currently a flourishing snooker club with 400 members (see below).
Alastair Tod said the building is “remarkable inside” and it was a “revelation” to him when he first visited.
He said it was an “absolute shock” when the council revealed recently it intended to demolish the building, leaving only the facade on Camden Road. (Pictures kindly supplied by Sarah Mott.)
Several Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillors have told Southborough News that they hope the listing bid is successful.
But the Liberal Democrat-run Tunbridge Wells Borough Council appears not to have changed its view, arguing that the interior of the hall all needs to be demolished to make space for a luxury cinema operator.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, said: “The Liberal Democrats and I were elected with a mandate to revitalise the Tunbridge Wells town centre, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Mike Martin continued: “I’m delighted with the Borough Council’s plans to deliver brand new purpose-built retail, hospitality and leisure units, while also maintaining the town centre’s heritage and historic facade on Camden Road.”
The Friendly Societies’ Hall memorial stone (marking the start of building work) was laid by one of Queen Victoria’s daughters, Princess Louise, on 30th June 1877. An article from the time in The Courier published a full page of detail on how the town came to a standstill for the royal visit, with many residents “boiling over with excitement”. (see below).
This is a picture (below) of Princess Louise from four years later. She was Queen Victoria’s sixth child, an artist, sculptor and proponent of women’s rights.
According to the Courier report, as she laid the stone, Princess Louise was observed “audibly remarking on the beauty of the stone and mallet”. The mallet had been made by local craftsmen of ebony and ivory. The trowel she used was made of silver with an ivory handle, which was also made by a local craftman.
The Courier article said the planned Friendly Societies’ Hall would seat 400 people and the building would include a Reading Room, stating: “It is confidently believed, a self-supporting club for working men will be established on a system which shall bring it within reach of all for whom it is intended.”
Alastair Tod also said the Civic Society’s architects had demonstrated that a new boutique cinema could still be built on the RVP site even if the whole Friendly Societies’ Hall was left in tact.
An aerial view illustrating the council plans for adding more modern retail space to the RVP are shown below:
The scheme involves expanding the Ely Court footpath (in yellow above) to a width of 10 metres and setting back the building line by 5 metres. Alastair Tod of the Civic Society said if those elements were changed, the Friendly Societies’ Hall could be preserved without affecting their preferred operator’s desired layout for the luxury cinema and also still leave space for an expansion of food outlets.
It is understood that the boutique cinema will have three screens and be a much higher priced venue than the Knight’s Park Odeon, with luxury seats to replicate the comfort of being at home. The council has a “preferred operator” which has apparently made such a luxury cinema business model work in other towns and which has laid out the cinema designs it thinks will work.
Alistair Tod said the Society had submitted a detailed application to try to persuade English Heritage and the Department for Culture Media and Sport that a listing should be granted.
Alistair Tod said: “It is very important, historically, because it was the Friendly Society’s Hall, which meant that any number of voluntary, mutual help organisations got together in Victorian times to build and operate this centre for all their social activities. So it was self-help, Victorian-style writ large, and it’s significant, I think, nationally, as well as locally, as well as being rather a fine building.”
He continued: “That side of Camden Road is in the Conservation Area. And therefore, qualifies for protection under the council’s own plans. And it’s an absolute shock to discover that they want to pull it down. Preserving the facade is a very poor substitute for preserving the building.”
One possible reason for the Council to demolish the Hall is that money might need to be spent on maintaining the Hall. But Alastair Tod thinks that is no reason to justify demolition.
He said: “I think it’s probably a long backlog of maintenance. The Hall is by no means falling down. It’s in reasonable nick, and it’s in, of course, continuous operation, continuous occupation.”
“Architecturally, the interior is very fine, especially the main hall, where the snooker tables are, has a very fine ceiling, and there are other spaces in the building, which are also worth preserving.
He continued: “It was built in the 1870s by the friendly societies, who were these numerous self-help organisations, which already existed in the town, and they came together to build themselves a rather splendid headquarters – somewhere where they could meet, have lectures and so on. It had a bar and the original plans showed it having a cookery school. It was self improvement, learning skills, supporting one another.”
Asked about the broader wisdom of the Council’s plans to take on a debt of up to £ 68 million for its RVP shopping centre expansion plans, Alistair Tod said: “Well, it’s supposed to pay for itself, by adding to the lettable space, which there is at present in the RVP. It’s a very commercially minded development.”
He continued: “They’re maximising lettable space. So, if it does what it’s designed to do, then it wouldn’t be a burden long term on the council. But it’s a big sum of money, and there is a risk involved – obviously – a risk that it wouldn’t work. They have a lot of vacant space. They hope that by rejuvenating the centre, they can occupy it.”
Details of a petition to save the snooker club – signed so far by 4,800 people – are here: https://c.org/wDcWGyb9Hv
The latest council consultation only lasted 11 days, ending this weekend. Residents can question council officers at the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre (between iStore and Kent Relief, a few doors down from Primark) on Saturday 21st March from 10am to 2pm.
The Borough Council says it wants to spend up to £ 68 million of taxpayers money on new buildings including a three-screen “boutique” cinema in the centre of Tunbridge Wells.
The development plans would also see the end of the Victoria Snooker Centre in Camden Road which has hosted exhibition games featuring famous names like Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council plans are part of its efforts to revive the struggling Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, which it now owns.
The corner of Camden Road and the pedestrianised part of Calverley Road would be demolished and transformed into the modernist design shown below:
The corner was occupied by White Stuff chain in 2012 (see below) before the area was allowed to become derelict.
The Liberal Democrat-run council says it has worked with the community to “reimagine Royal Victoria Place as a more vibrant mixed-use destination, bringing together shopping, food and beverage, community leisure spaces and new homes.”
Six years ago a major development scheme devised by the then Conservative-run council to build a new theatre in Tunbridge Wells was abandoned after a rebellion by the party’s own councillors who thought the £100 million scheme would be a huge financial burden on council tax payers.
The council aims to get planning permission for the new scheme (see below) by the summer and get full council approval to go ahead by the autumn.
The scheme’s plans to demolish the Victoria Snooker Centre were reported on by the BBC’s Phil Harrison in December.
Jerome Bowman, who is campaigning to save the centre told the BBC: “Losing the club would mean losing a vital community hub, local heritage, a place to play one of Britain’s most popular sports and a place filled with shared memories.”
Details of a petition to save the snooker club – signed so far by 4,700 people – are here: https://c.org/wDcWGyb9Hv
The facade of the Camden Road entrance to the snooker centre will be retained (see plans below), but everything behind it will be demolished.
The outside currently looks as shown below:
The snooker centre is the current occupier of the Friendly Societies Building designed in 1877, which is a key part of the town’s history.
The elephant heads either side of the door are part of the coat of arms of the Camden family, which was involved in the development of the town in the 1850s. Pictures of the ornate ceilings on the inside of the snooker centre – which will be lost – are shown below.
This was the council’s response to the question: Why not simply refurbish the current buildings?
“The Council has carefully considered whether refurbishment alone would be viable. However, the existing buildings cannot accommodate key elements of the proposed scheme – including the much-in-demand town centre cinema – without substantial alteration. As a result, parts of the buildings, particularly to the rear, would need to be removed to allow the new uses to be delivered while retaining and restoring the historic Camden Road frontage of the Friendly Societies Building.”
The developers say their scheme will: “draw on local materials, proportions and detailing to reinforce the town’s distinctive identity while delivering active frontages at ground and first floor and retaining important historic features.”
The council says a cinema would “respond to long-standing demand”, make efficient use of a constrained site and will boost the “top of town’s evening economy.” The cinema would be located above five new “family-focussed” restaurants.
Its statement argues that: “income from new tenants, as well as other sources such as car parking and business rates, will help repay the government loan funding the scheme, helping to protect the council’s investment.”
Meanwhile another part of the development, Palm Court, is also set for a big changes to its appearance (shown below):
The developers say: “A new covered roof will enclose the existing atrium void – a contemporary interpretation of the Victorian Palm House structures that inspired the space’s name.”
The council statement continues: “The former basement food court will be repurposed as a new anchor leisure destination linked directly to the new cinema and restaurants. Additional community-focused leisure space could also be delivered to the north of the site, with an entrance and active frontage onto Market Square.”
The latest consultation lasts just 10 days. Plans are available for viewing at the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre (between iStore and Kent Relief, a few doors down from Primark) between March 12th and March 23rd. More details at this site: https://rvpfuture.com/
Planning experts will be available to answer questions on: Friday, March 13 from 2pm to 5pm; Saturday, March 14, from 10am to 2pm; and Saturday, March 21, from 10am to 2pm.
The council says more than 800 people took part in the first phase of engagement on development of the “Ely Court” and “Palm Court” areas. There were 434 detailed feedback responses. This compares with 4,600 people who say they want the Snooker Hall retained.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council bought back the lease for the shopping centre from British Land in 2023. The Council says it has already made progress in reducing vacancies and attracting new businesses, including Søstrene Grene and Primark.
Southborough News 
