All the news that matters
Local, National and International
OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Are you happy with your
Block Management Company?
01892 530109 blockmanager@tw-blockmanager.co.uk
TW Property now offer Block Management services. Contact us today for more information.
UR E ER YO E AP FR L P CA LO
Times
Wednesday August 10 | 2022
We pride ourselves in our efficient customer service, swift response, attention to detail and local knowledge. www.tw-property.co.uk ARMA accredited agents
Hosepipe ban begins as water levels drop
Born out of lockdown, Tunbridge Wells’ only locally owned burger bar
● Aged ex-dairy beef burgers ● Chicken sandwiches ● Dirty fries ● Milkshakes ● Soft serve ice cream ● Craft beer ● Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available ● Parties catered for
Bookings via www.roddyburger.co.uk
@roddyburger 12-14 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells
RESIDENTS in Tunbridge Wells, as well as most of Kent and East Sussex face £1,000 fines for using hosepipes from Friday, as South East Water brings into force its first ban for a decade. The water company is the second in the UK to bring in a temporary use ban (TUB), after Southern Water introduced a similar ban across parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that came into force last week.
2021
Enforcement Rule-breakers face fines of up to £1,000 if taken to court, although water companies say they prefer ‘education over enforcement’. South East Water said it had been ‘left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers’ from midnight on August 12 ‘until further notice’. The firm added that it was taking the step ‘to ensure we have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment’ as well as help ‘already stressed local water sources’. It comes after water levels in reservoirs in the South East have fallen by more than 50 per cent of usual levels. Full story page 4
2022
DROUGHT Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst pictured in May 2021 (above) and last week (below)
Lib Dem finance chief quits after parking row Council’s ‘Borough Partnership’ branded a ‘coalition of chaos’ after sudden resignation
By Richard Williams THE Lib Dem head of finance for the new Tunbridge Wells ‘Borough Partnership’ has stood down following a row over the introduction of parking fees at two Council-run car parks. Cllr Andrew Hickey, who represents Pantiles & St Marks, has also quit the local Lib Dems but is to remain at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) as an independent councillor. The now former head of finance at TWBC stepped down after plans to introduce parking fees in Councilrun car parks in Paddock Wood and Southborough were met with a backlash. Cllr Hickey, who served under new Council leader
Ben Chapelard as Cabinet member for Finance and Performance, is due for re-election next year and quit his Cabinet role as well as resigning from the local Lib Dems last week.
Deficits Following his resignation, Council Leader Ben Chapelard, said: “I would like to thank Andy Hickey for his service as Cabinet member for Finance and Performance. “Andy worked hard with council staff to urgently tackle the multi-million pound deficits the Borough Partnership inherited from the previous administration.
“The number one priority of the Borough Partnership is safeguarding the council’s finances and we will continue to do this to try and protect council services.” Cllr Hickey declined to comment on his decision to resign, but it followed heavy criticism of a plan put forward by the Lib Dem-led coalition to scrap free parking in Paddock Wood and Southborough. Meetings were held by both Town Councils over the last week following growing resentment to cancel the first two hours of free parking in Yew Tree car park in Southborough and the first free hour of parking in the
Continued on page 2