— Meeting: Thursday 25 February 2010
Roy Bullock (Cllr, Leader of the Council), William Benson (TWBC Chief Executive), Christopher Thomas, Daniel Bech

— Aims & Objectives - Request to Review (changes/additions)

— Nomination for Chairman 26 November 2009
— Nomination for one Vice Chair 26 November 2009

1.) Christopher Thomas Woodbury Close Residents Association
2.) Cllr Peter Crawford Ward: Broadwater

Election of Chairman and Vice-chairman was postponed from the 29 October 2009 meeting.

— Meeting: Tuesday 29 September 2009
Roy Bullock (Leader of the Council), Cathering Mayhew (TWBC Deputy Leader, Health and Wellbeing), Sheila Wheeler (TWBC Chief Executive), Christopher Thomas, Daniel Bech

— Meeting: Friday 1 May 2009
Roy Bullock (Leader of the Council), Sheila Wheeler (TWBC Chief Executive), Christopher Thomas, Daniel Bech

— Meeting: Friday 30 January 2009
Roy Bullock (Leader of the Council), Christopher Thomas (Chairman)
with the RTW Town Forum member, RTW Civic Society,

— Meeting: Thursday 22 January 2009
Champions: Daniel Bech, Jennifer Blackburn, John Goodfellow, Michael Larsen, Alastair Tod, Philip Whitbourn
Chairman: Christopher Thomas, Vice Chairman: Peter Crawford

- Jennifer Blackburn (Urban Parishing) resigned from the RTW Town Forum (26 February 2009)
- Ed Tomlinson (Faith & Social Issues) resigned from the RTW Town Forum (26 March 2009)
- Philip Whitbourn (Planning) resigned from the RTW Town Forum (26 March 2009)
- Alastair Tod (Heritage) resigned from the Championship (April 2009)

— Meeting: Monday 12 January 2009
Roy Bullock (Leader of the Council), Catherine Mayhew (TWBC Deputy Leader, Housing and Community Access), Sheila Wheeler (TWBC Chief Executive) and Christopher Thomas

— On-site inspection by the Audit Commission 10-14 November 2008
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of the Borough Council

— Nomination for Chairman 30 October 2008
— Nomination for one Vice Chair 30 October 2008

1.) Christopher Thomas Woodbury Close Residents Association
2.) Cllr Peter Crawford Ward: Broadwater

(The vice-chairmen would be elected each year but neither would automatically become chairman.)

Additionally the appointment of RTW Town Forum Champions had been agreed.
- Champions Activities/ToR

— Presentation by the Audit Commission 20 October 2008
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of the Borough Council

— Survey by the Audit Commission September 2008
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of the Borough Council

— Meeting: Thursday 7 August 2008
Roy Bullock (Leader of the Council), Rob Cottrill (TWBC Dir. Planning/Developm.) and
Christopher Thomas

— Meeting: Monday 16 June 2008
Sheila Wheeler (TWBC Chief Executive) and
Christopher Thomas

— Details of Members' Activities / Members' Reports

— Suggestions of subjects to the Scrutiny Team /
TWBC Overview & Scrutiny Committees

— Stakeholders Survey

— Letter to TWBC's Monitoring Officer Neil Weeks

— Meeting: Monday 17 March 2008
Roy Bullock (Cllr, Leader of the Council) and
Christopher Thomas (RTW Town Forum)

— Aims & Objectives 2008

— Comments to TWBC's Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011

— Letter to the Ward Councillors of Royal Tunbridge Wells

— Correspondence with Cllr Roy Bullock, Leader of the Council

— Nomination for Chairman 25 October 2007
— Nomination for one Vice Chair 25 October 2007

1.) Christopher Thomas Woodbury Close Residents Association
2.) Jennifer Blackburn Rusthall Village Association

Elections for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair (two) will take place by show of hands at the September meeting (27.09.2007). Matt Goodwin (chair at present) would be grateful to receive nominations for all three positions in advance of the meeting with a copy please to Sam Timms and Mike McGeary (TWBC).
(The vice-chairmen would be elected each year but neither would automatically become chairman.)

— Meeting: Tuesday 14 August 2007
Sheila Wheeler (Chief Executive, TWBC), Matt Goodwin (Chairman) and Christopher Thomas (Vice-Chairman)

— Nomination for Chairman 28 September 2006
— Nomination for 2 Vice Chairmen 26 October 2006

1.) Matt Goodwin Village Residents Association
2.) Christopher Thomas The Goodwins No.1/No.2 Residents' Company
3.) Jennifer Blackburn Rusthall Village Association

(The vice-chairmen would be elected each year but neither would automatically become chairman.)

— Proposed Structure and Pressofficer Job Definition

see: Minutes 28.09.2006 (TF Discussion) and Minutes 26.10.2006 (Amendment)

— Meeting: Friday 23 June 2006
Sheila Wheeler (Chief Executive, TWBC) and Matt Goodwin (Chairman)

— Future Direction

— Meeting: Thursday 26 January 2006 - postponed to 23 February 2006
Sheila Wheeler (Chief Executive, TWBC) and Matt Goodwin (Chairman)

Introduction

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum was formed in July 2005 and is a partnership between Residents’ Associations representatives and ward Councillors. The Forum works proactively with the Council with the purpose of:

• Considering and addressing local issues in Royal Tunbridge Wells (unparished area), working with other agencies as appropriate.
• Considering and responding to consultative documents and proposals submitted by the Borough Council, Tunbridge Wells Partnership or other Community Plan partners, from time-to-time.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of the Community Plan as it relates to residents in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Membership

The core membership comprises Councillors representing constituents in Royal Tunbridge Wells (unparished area), and resident representatives, ie representatives of residents’ associations, and of other bodies representing residents of Royal Tunbridge Wells which are open to residents to join. In addition the Forum will consider requests from other bodies to attend.

Membership is not open to individuals, although individuals may attend as guests where appropriate to the agenda, with the Chairman’s agreement.

The Town Forum is not intended to include people who do not reside within the unparished parts of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Role of Town Forum Members

Town Forum members are expected to represent the views of their ward / association / group and to report back to them any progress or plans of the Town Forum. In addition they are expected to identify ways in which their members can contribute to the work of the Town Forum and to the Community Plan.

Partnerships

As well as the Council, the Town Forum considers with which other forums and partners it can usefully work. Current discussions include with the Civic Society, the Commons Conservators, the Kent High Weald Project, and the Business Forum.

Website

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Forum website (www.townforum.org.uk) is linked to the Council’s homepage and is administered by one of the Forum’s members, Daniel Bech. It contains details of the Town Forum and its meetings, as well as details of how to join and some relevant information about the Borough Council.

It also contains information on the Forum’s sub-committees and a section for reporting any ‘grot spots’ in Royal Tunbridge Wells, as well as keeping a reference of what actions have been agreed at Town Forum meetings.

Sub-committees

The following sub-committees have been set up:

1. Brighten up Royal Tunbridge Wells – aim of the group is to support the Council’s ‘Street Scene’ initiative by identifying eyesore buildings and premises in Royal Tunbridge Wells and looking for solutions.
2. Local Development Framework (LDF) – aim of the group is to submit proposals and responses for the LDF.
3. Community Plan – aim of the group is to respond to the Community Plan priorities.
4. Licensing of alcohol and entertainment – aim of the group is to address issues concerning Licensing of Alcohol and Entertainment.
5. Kent Vision – aim of group is to consider the Kent Vision and propose a formal response within the timescale.
6. South East Plan – aim of group is to consider the South East Plan proposals and make a submission on the Town Forum’s behalf.

Early Achievements

In the first six months the Forum has worked with the Borough Council and others to:

• Promote and raise awareness of statutory and other consultations affecting the future of the town
• Co-ordinated submissions on issues including Licensing, Street Scene, Kent Vision, Community Plan, South East Plan
• Improved ward Councillor’s understanding of local issues
• Improve on-line information on various issues
• Prioritise Council resources for tackling ‘grot spots’ resulting in remedial or enforcement action on some of the worst properties
• Start exploring potential partnerships with other key groups in the town

How can I find out more?

To find out more, please contact:
Matt Goodwin, Chairman [2005/2006]

— Nomination for Vice-Chairman 26 October 2005

Name:  Christopher Thomas, The Goodwins No.1/No.2 Residents' Company

Proposer:  Cllr Peter Crawford, Ward: Broadwater

Seconder:  John Ribbins, Chancellor House Freehold & Estate

— Nomination for Chairman 1 September 2005

Name:  Matt Goodwin, Village Residents' Association

Proposer: Daniel Bech, The Telephone House Neighbours Association

Seconder: Michael Larsen, Friends of the Grove