Minutes:
(1) Minute Number TCF 25/24 – Any other business - Devolution (meeting held on 19 May 2025)
Members received an update on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The final proposals for LGR had been sent to Government towards the end of November 2025. At present, consultations were underway, and stakeholders were encouraged to participate and submit their responses.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council along with five other councils, had expressed a preference for Option 3a. This option would see the establishment of three new unitary authorities. A decision from central government regarding the proposals was expected in July 2026. Following this, work would commence in the Autumn to develop and enact the necessary legislation.
(2) Minute Number TCF 25/41 – Update on any action identified in the last minutes - Community Governance Review (meeting held on 24 November 2025)
County Councillor Mark Hood provided an update on the Community Governance Review. A report setting out the results of the Community Governance Review process which started in February 2025 would be considered by Full Council on 24 February 2026. The report, based on the findings of two consultations, recommended that a Town Council for Tonbridge be created.
It was noted that 3,236 people had responded to the first round of the consultation which was focused on the level of support for whether Tonbridge should have a Town Council, this represented a 12% response rate. In response to the question, “Should Tonbridge have a Town Council?”, 72% were in favour. In respect of the second consultation, 897 responses were received.
In regard to the number of councillors on the Town Council, this had been discussed in detail by the Community Governance Review Member Working Group, who recommended that 18 councillors should serve on the Town Council.
In terms of next steps, there would be the creation of the Reorganisation Order, which would officially establish the Town Council and set the boundaries, councillor numbers and election cycles. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England would be made aware of the outcome. Full Council would need to agree a precept and budget in February 2027 ahead of the elections, so that the new Town Council could operate once the elections had taken place.
(3) Minute Number TCF 25/43 Kent Police Update (meeting held on 24 November 2025)
The Chair provided a verbal update on behalf of Kent Police. It was reported that there had been ongoing efforts to combat retail crime during December, with shoplifting being targeted during the busy trading period. Co-ordinator patrols led to multiple arrests, recovery of stolen goods and effective use of the shop-safe radio system for sharing intelligence. A prolific offender was arrested after a high-value incident and charged. Stop-and-search activities resulted in further arrests, recovery of stolen items, and seizure of a bladed article.
A known prolific shoplifter was managed as a priority nominal, arrested, charged and issued a Community Protection Warning, leading to improved behaviour. Police continued to focus on tackling organised retail criminality, particularly in Tonbridge and Malling, with joint patrols alongside Trading Standards resulting in arrests for retail, fraud, and immigration offences, plus seizure of illegal tobacco. The case had been progressed to the Crown Prosecution Service, with neighbourhood teams maintaining investigative work and partnership enforcement in the town centre.
Efforts to address anti-social behaviour included collaboration with partners and exploring court orders for individuals causing harm. Work with Sainsbury’s and the Council had targeted car meets and dangerous driving, aimed to prevent recurrence. High-visibility policing had positively impacted the town centre, deterring anti-social behaviour and contributing to arrests. Ongoing work continued to address graffiti issues with local beat officers.
(4) Minute Number TCF 25/45 Tonbridge Infrastructure Statement (meeting held on 24 November 2025)
The Chair invited members of the Forum to attend a sub-group meeting scheduled to be held at the Tonbridge Methodist Church on 9 March 2026 at 7.00pm. The first hour of the meeting would be dedicated to considering ideas and discussing potential initiatives that could benefit and enhance the town, followed by discussion on three proposals to potentially pursue further.
(5) Minute Number TCF 25/46 – Progress on the Reinstatement of the Penny Shelter, River Walk (meeting held on 24 November 2025)
An update was sought on the progress on the reinstatement of the Penny Shelter and noted that the issue continued to be handled through the insurance process.