Things have not gone smoothly at the first meeting of a newly elected Liberal Democrat borough council despite the party having its first clear majority for 28 years.
Electors in Tunbridge Wells were invited to vote for the whole council at the start of May, which was different from the usual method of voting for one third. This was due to boundary changes that reduced the number of councillors from 48 to 39.
The Lib Dems won 22 of the 39 seats giving them a clear majority for the first time since 1996.
They had been leading the council during the last two years, but only in coalition with two other parties: the Tunbridge Wells Alliance and Labour.
Their party leader, Cllr Ben Chapelard, who continues as council leader, addressed the new council’s first meeting on Wednesday, saying that electors had “convincingly decided to change the direction of the council”.
He promised the council would “look to the future and play a transformative role in the lives of our citizens”.
He set out the council’s three prime ambitions as achieving sustainable growth and climate action; creating a vibrant economy, especially on the High Street; and ensuring community well-being to provide caring, healthy and connected communities, with a key emphasis being on the provision of more youth hubs.
But the fact that 13 of 39 councillors were completely new, with no experience, immediately gave rise to difficulties in filling the key posts on the council.
Cllr Nancy Warne (TWA) was voted in as the new mayor to succeed Cllr Hugh Patterson, with members from all the parties speaking in her support.
Cllr Nick Pope (TWA) was last year’s deputy mayor and would in the normal course of events have become the mayor this year, but he lost his seat in the election.
Cllr Ellen Neville (TWA) described Cllr Warne as “fantastic ambassador for women in politics”.
Cllr Warne has been a councilor for five years and was deputy leader last year.
But the proposal of Cllr David Osborne (Lib Dem) as deputy mayor was challenged by Conservatives and others because of his lack of experience - he has been on the council for only one year.
Cllr Tom Dawlings (Con) proposed instead Cllr Beverley Palmer (Con), a member with 22 years of experience.
He was supported by Cllr David Hayward (Ind for Tunbridge Wells) who said it was wrong that someone could become deputy mayor after only one year.
In a named vote, Cllr Osborne was elected as deputy by 20 votes to 15.
Cllr Chapelard then announced his suggestions for the chairmen and vice chairmen of the various council committees and again ran into accusations that his choices lacked experience.
Cllr Haywood criticised the appointment of Cllr Courtney Souper (Lib Dem) as chairman of the licensing committee and Cllr Joe Opara (Lib Dem) as its vice chairman.
Cllr Souper was only just elected and was attending her first-ever council meeting, while Cllr Opara, a member with one year’s experience had attended only half of the council meetings that he should have.
Cllr Matthew Sankey (TWA), who is a licensee in the town, said that the licensing committee was one of the most important since it had a direct power to affect the livelihoods of some of the residents, ie. those who required a licence to carry out their business.
He said: “To nominate a brand new novice councillor to the role of chair. and to the vice chair someone with such a poor attendance record shows an utter contempt for those whose livelihoods are affected by the decisions of this committee.”
He told Cllr Chapelard: “It is absolutely obvious that you have filled the licensing committee with whoever you had left over after your other appointments.”
“It is the hospitality sector that makes up the incredible and vibrant culture in our borough.”
Cllr Victoria Taylor Jones (Lab) and Cllr Jayne Sharratt also said they believed the appointments were inappropriate because the committee needed experienced members.
Cllr David Knight (TWA) said: “It was grossly unfair that novice members should be dropped in the deep end like this.
“Councillors need a minimum of 12 months service to gain the necessary experience.”
But Cllr Justine Rutland (Lib Dem) pointed out that the committee had 12 members, eight of whom were experienced members who would be able to advise the chair and vice chair if necessary.
Cllr Chapelard said: “I don’t believe that length of service is the most important qualification to do a good job.”
He invited the council to judge the committee later on its record of success.
Again a named vote was taken, and Cllr Chapelard’s appointments were accepted by 20 votes to 15, establishing the pattern of how future debates are likely to run.
Four councillors were absent from the meeting.
