Author: SA

WHAT DO LOCAL COUNCILS DO?
Your local (parish and town) council has overall responsibility for the wellbeing of your local community. Their work falls into three main categories:
• Delivery of services
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Give communities a democratic voice

Local councils run numerous services, depending on the size of the council.

Many you will see day-to-day, but some are less known. These include
introducing solar panels, setting up dementia-friendly groups, organising community buses, creating neighbourhood plans, implementing suitable housing, establishing youth projects, managing allotments and open spaces, maintaining footpaths, public seating and litter bins.

BECOMING A LOCAL COUNCILLOR
As a local councillor you can become a voice for your community and make real change. Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.
Local councillor responsibilities fall into three main categories:
• Decision-making
• Monitoring
• Getting involved locally

Local councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and
businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and borough councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.

CAN I STAND?
To stand for election or co-option to a local council you must be:
• A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union
• At least 18 years old
• An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant); or work in the area local council serves (as your principal or only place of work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary

Please call the Clerk, Mrs Claire Reed on 01580 212552 or email Clerk@Goudhurst-pc.gov.uk for more information.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has published its final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The LGBCE final recommendations were published on 16 May 2023.

Summary of final recommendations

From May 2024:

• the number of councillors should decrease from 48 to 39
• the number of wards should decrease from 20 to 14
• Goudhurst and Kilndown will be in the same ward of Goudhurst, Lamberhurst and Horsmonden.
• There will be three borough councillors representing Goudhurst Parish in the new ward.

More information (external Link)