Tonbridge Set to Gain Its Own Town Council After Historic Decision

Tonbridge will soon have its own town council following a landmark decision by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, marking a significant shift in how the town is represented at a local level.

At a full council meeting held on 24 February 2026, borough councillors voted in favour of proposals emerging from the Community Governance Review, confirming plans to establish Tonbridge Town Council.

The move follows strong public backing, with earlier consultation revealing that nearly three quarters of respondents supported the idea in principle. A second consultation in December 2025 helped shape how the new council will operate.

The newly approved structure sets out a clear framework for the future council:

• The first elections will take place in May 2027
• The council will consist of 18 elected councillors
• Tonbridge will be divided into six wards
• A new ward named Oast will be introduced for parts of Hildenborough that are currently unparished

The decision to appoint 18 councillors aims to ensure strong representation across the town while allowing flexibility for attendance and responsibilities. The structure also mirrors arrangements in other similarly sized town and parish councils.

The next step is a formal legal process known as a Reorganisation of Community Governance Order, which will officially bring the new town council into existence. This order will confirm boundaries, finalise councillor numbers and set out election arrangements.

Damian Roberts, Electoral Registration Officer at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, highlighted the importance of public involvement throughout the process: Our key objective throughout this review has been to ensure residents had clear information and the opportunity to have their say. The decision taken by the Council reflects the outcome of extensive consultation and careful consideration by the cross-party working group. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultations and contributed to the process.

The creation of a town council represents a major development for Tonbridge, giving residents a more localised voice in decision-making. Town councils typically play a role in shaping community priorities, managing local services, and representing residents’ interests more directly.

With elections set for 2027, attention will now turn to how the new council will operate in practice—and who will step forward to represent the town.