Borough welcomes new mayor as Cabinet revealed
THE BOROUGH’S new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were sworn into their posts last week as the Council’s new Cabinet saw some interesting changes. At the annual Full Council meeting last week, May 24, Leader of the Council, Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) announced the continuation of the Borough Partnership and revealed who would be joining […]
TW-based London Capital & Finance boss receives 10-month suspended sentence
THE Former Chief Executive Officer of Tunbridge Wells-based London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) Michael Andrew Thomson appeared in Southwark Crown Court on May 17 and was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for two years, after breaching a restraint order imposed on his bank account. Michael Andrew Thomson, also known as ‘Andy Thomson’, was CEO […]
Local companies received ‘£2million in government loans before folding’
A Tunbridge Wells-based group of businesses, which left investors facing losses of up to £30million, collectively received Covid loans of up to £2million, the BBC reported this week. Joint Venture Investment in Property (JVIP) group’s clients had included the elderly and the vulnerable, to whom JVIP had promised a 10 per cent return on investment. […]
Assault by A&E doctor ‘not proved’
Allegations against an Accident and Emergency doctor (A&E) doctor accused of assaulting two security staff members at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, where he worked, have not been proved. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal said that it had not been proved that Dr Layth Shaker had pushed a security supervisor or attempted to punch a security officer, grab […]
County Council given new traffic powers
MOTORISTS in Kent could face fines of up to £105 after the County Council were handed new powers that were only previously issued to the police. Kent County Council (KCC) is one of 12 local authorities outside of London that applied to the Secretary of State last year for new powers under part six of […]
Tributes pour in for local man who died near Tunbridge Wells Station
A MAN who was found dead near Tunbridge Wells Railway Station last week (May 11) has been identified as Tunbridge Wells local Frazer Allan. Kent Police were called by South East Coast Ambulance Service at 5:16am on Thursday morning to a report of concern “for a person near Vale Road”. Officers and paramedics arrived at […]
Rise in antisocial behaviour ‘worrying’
A seeming rise in antisocial behaviour among groups of teenagers has left locals and businesses frustrated, concerned for their safety and property, and increasingly critical of law enforcement’s response to the problem. The number of reports of antisocial behaviour across Tunbridge Wells has increased 3.4 per cent from last year, Kent Police have confirmed, but […]
Roadworks to close part of Pembury Road
A PROGRAMME of gas works in the east of Tunbridge Wells this summer will see the closure of the A264 Pembury Road for nearly six weeks. The roadworks, which have been approved by Kent County Council, will be undertaken by gas network operator SGN, making the road impassable from July 24 until an estimated completion […]
No clear majority for Council
Despite some hard-fought campaigning, last Thursday’s local elections have resulted in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) continuing with No Overall Control (NOC), as parties prepare for the ‘all out’ vote expected next May. This year’s vote saw 16 seats – one-third of the total of 48 – up for grabs in the Borough elections. Despite […]
Traffic ban petition compromised by ‘fake’ councillors
AN online petition against traffic restrictions in Tunbridge Wells has been compromised after the names of some Borough Councillors had been “fraudulently” signed. Last week an e-petition was created on Kent County Council’s (KCC) website to protest against the controversial traffic restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road. However, shortly after the petition went live, it was […]
