People in Southborough and High Brooms are being asked vote “yes” in a vote on the town’s Neighbourhood Development Plan to endorse many years of hard work by local volunteers in putting it together. The referendum takes place on Thursday 18th June 2026 in the usual polling stations. All towns and parishes are encouraged to … Continue reading Southborough Votes On Neighbourhood Plan Southborough News …
The Liberal Democrats remain in charge of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council with an increased majority. The Lib Dems have won 11 seats: Culverden, Pantiles, Paddock Wood, Park, Rusthall, Southborough (2), Sherwood (2), St John’s and St James’ all went Lib Dem. There were no victories for either the Greens or Reform. The Conservative vote share … Continue reading Liberal Democrats Win Big in Council Vote 2026 Southborough News …
The chief executive of South East Water, David Hinton, has resigned from his job after months of criticism of the firm’s failures in Tunbridge Wells. South East Water said David Hinton (pictured below) had decided to step down but would remain in post “to allow an orderly transition over the summer period”. The company said: … Continue reading South East Water’s Boss Resigns Southborough News …
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 …
A new expert report has said that South East Water was wrong to blame its failures in Tunbridge Wells at the end of last year on a bad batch of chemicals and unusual fresh water supplies. A detailed report by the government agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate or DWI, into the collapse of the supply … Continue reading SE Water Failures were “Forseeable and Preventable” Southborough News …
The Liberal Democrat Borough Council plans for a new “boutique” cinema and more shops in the RVP Shopping centre is set to be a big local issue in the May elections. Leading figures from a range of political parties have spoken to Southborough News stating their outright opposition to the scale of the new council … Continue reading Opposition Builds to Lib Dem Plan for £68 million Council Debt Southborough News …
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 …
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 …
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 …
A chartered geologist has criticised a lack of board level technical expertise at South East Water, as investigations continue into how the taps ran dry in Tunbridge Wells in recent weeks. The geologist with long experience in the water supply industry is Charles Hedges (pictured below) and he spoke to the Southborough News YouTube channel … Continue reading Expert is “Horrified” by Tunbridge Wells Water Systems Southborough News …