news

Lib Dems Win Cranbrook By-Election to Cement Control of Borough Council

Local Liberal Democrats were cheered this week by their victory by 107 votes in a council by-election for Cranbrook, Sissinghurst and Frittenden. The Lib Dems got 37% of the votes, increasing their overall majority on the recently reprieved Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. The Lib Dems now have 26 seats against a combined opposition on the … Continue reading Lib Dems Win Cranbrook By-Election to Cement Control of Borough Council Southborough News …


Victorian Snooker Hall Still Set for Demolition

The owners of the snooker centre in Tunbridge Wells have spoken for the first time about how they were “devastated” to find the Borough Council wanted to knock down their home, the Friendly Societies’ Hall. Construction of the ornate Friendly Societies’ Hall (pictured below) began in 1877 after a royal visit by one of Queen … Continue reading Victorian Snooker Hall Still Set for Demolition Southborough News …


Gatwick Airport Flights to Double

Environmental campaigners have said that the climate and the UK economy will suffer as a result of the final approval for a new £2 billion runway at Gatwick Airport. On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal rejected legal arguments of campaigners trying to block the expansion and refused permission for them to appeal. Opponents of Gatwick’s … Continue reading Gatwick Airport Flights to Double Southborough News …


Abolition of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Confirmed

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 … Continue reading Abolition of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Confirmed Southborough News …


Cinema Plan is Top Election Issue

The Liberal Democrat plan to take on a council debt of £68 million to finance town centre development work appears to have turned into the major local election issue for voters who make their choice tomorrow (Thursday 7th). The Conservative candidate in Sherwood, Christian Atwood, told Southborough News today: “A lot of people are against … Continue reading Cinema Plan is Top Election Issue Southborough News …


Heritage Group Tries to Save Historic Snooker Hall

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 … Continue reading Heritage Group Tries to Save Historic Snooker Hall Southborough News …


Regulator’s Response to SE Water Failings is “Woeful”

A group of Tunbridge Wells residents has attacked the water industry regulator for not taking strong enough measures to secure water supplies in the town. The water regulator OFWAT said on Thursday it planned to fine South East Water £22 million for supply disruptions in a period ending three years ago. But local resident Jonathan … Continue reading Regulator’s Response to SE Water Failings is “Woeful” Southborough News …


SE Water Boss David Hinton “Set for New Pay Rise” after 47% Increase

The “Dry Wells Action” Tunbridge Wells community group has condemned Monday’s decision of the board of South East Water to keep its chief executive, David Hinton (pictured below), in post and says it now expects him to be given another pay rise in April. Jonathan Hawker who’s Chairman of “Dry Wells Action” says he’s identified … Continue reading SE Water Boss David Hinton “Set for New Pay Rise” after 47% Increase Southborough News …


West Kent Radio Builds Audience

West Kent’s local FM community radio station has now been broadcasting for three years and is constantly refreshing its sound to draw in new listeners. The West Kent Radio studios are now in London Road in Southborough (See below). The station’s programming aims to reflect a wide range of people, events and issues in the … Continue reading West Kent Radio Builds Audience Southborough News …


Liberal Democrats Win Tunbridge Wells as Conservatives Hold Tonbridge

The new MP for Tunbridge Wells is the Liberal Democrat, Mike Martin, who told journalists that an “earthquake” has hit politics after he comfortably defeated the Conservatives by around 10,000 votes.  The constituency of Tunbridge Wells has been Conservative since it was created in 1974, having been combined with Tonbridge before that. Tunbridge Wells becomes … Continue reading Liberal Democrats Win Tunbridge Wells as Conservatives Hold Tonbridge Southborough News …