Tonbridge and Malling Council - Wards and Councillors

District council · South East · 44 seats in 19 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

The Conservatives run Tonbridge and Malling Council as a minority administration. The council has 44 councillors in 19 wards. Seats by party: Conservative 21, Lib Dem 11, Green 8, Other 2, Labour 2. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

A government plan to replace the councils in this area with four unitary councils was paused for review on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source

Control

Seats by party

Conservative (Minority)

44 seats - 23 for a majority

Labour 2Conservative 21Lib Dem 11Green 8Other 2

Seat changes since the 4 May 2023 election Conservative +1 Labour −1

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (44 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

Conservative37.9%20

Green21.5%8

Lib Dem21.3%11

Labour10.5%3

Other8.1%2

Reform0.6%0

Next election

6 May 2027

all 44 seats up, then every four years

Largest party

Conservative 21

2 short of the 23 needed for a majority

Closest result

Bourne

Conservative won the last seat by 5 votes over Green, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Snodland East and Ham Hill

Conservative gain from Labour, 1 May 2025 (2 since 2021)

Constituencies

3 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

56%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

LabourConservativeLib DemGreenOther

Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.

All 19 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
Aylesford North & North Downs Alex McDermott, Roger Dalton, Dave Davis	4 May 2023 Conservative 34.9% lead 10.7 pts
Aylesford South & Ditton Colin Williams, Steve Hammond, Robert Cannon	4 May 2023 Conservative 51.3% lead 15.5 pts
Birling, Leybourne & Ryarsh Bill Banks, Paul Boxall	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 58.5% lead 24.4 pts
Borough Green & Platt Mike Taylor, Wendy Palmer	4 May 2023 Independent Alliance (Kent) 79.4% lead 58.8 pts
Bourne Steve Crisp, James Lark	4 May 2023 Green 41.2% lead 1.7 pts
Cage Green & Angel Robert Oliver, Bethan Parry, Anna Cope	4 May 2023 Green 61.8% lead 23.6 pts
East Malling, West Malling & Offham Roger Roud, Michelle Tatton, Trudy Dean	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 72.5% lead 45.0 pts
East and West Peckham, Mereworth & Wateringbury Matt Boughton, Sarah Hudson	4 May 2023 Conservative 57.7% lead 40.4 pts
Higham Lee Athwal, Dennis King	4 May 2023 Green 52.9% lead 5.8 pts
Hildenborough Mark Rhodes, Kath Barton	4 May 2023 Conservative 37.1% lead 3.1 pts
Judd Stacey Pilgrim, Mark Hood	4 May 2023 Green 76.2% lead 59.5 pts
Kings Hill Kim Tanner, Christopher Brown, Dan Harman	4 May 2023 Conservative 52.2% lead 29.1 pts
Larkfield Timothy Bishop, David Thornewell, Anita Oakley	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 79.1% lead 58.2 pts
Pilgrims with Ightham Martin Coffin, Robin Betts	4 May 2023 Conservative 52.1% lead 4.2 pts
Snodland East & Ham Hill Sue Bell, Luke Chapman	4 May 2023 Labour 52.3% lead 4.6 pts
Snodland West & Holborough Lakes Paul Hickmott, Angus Bennison	4 May 2023 Labour 60.2% lead 26.5 pts
Trench Adem Mehmet, Keith Tunstall	4 May 2023 Conservative 42.6% lead 0.9 pts
Vauxhall Garry Bridge, James Clokey, Frani Hoskins	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 53.3% lead 31.3 pts
Walderslade Des Keers	4 May 2023 Conservative 65.3% lead 39.1 pts

Aylesford North & North Downs

Alex McDermott ConservativeDave Davis ConservativeRoger Dalton Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative34.9%

Labour24.2%

Lib Dem17.3%

Independent11.0%

Green8.2%

Reform4.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Roger William Dalton Elected	Conservative	953
Dave Davis Elected	Conservative	909
Alex McDermott Elected	Conservative	737
Stephen Paul Beadle	Labour	661
Julia Anne Bell	Lib Dem	471
Rizwana Shelley	Labour	329
David John Young	Lib Dem	321
Thomas Shelley	Labour	315
Jason Michael Green	Independent	301
Em Perera	Green	223
Mark Jonathan West	Green	195
Rob Gailer	Reform	119

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Aylesford South & Ditton

Colin Williams ConservativeRobert Cannon ConservativeSteve Hammond Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative51.3%

Lib Dem35.8%

Labour12.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Steve Hammond Elected	Conservative	1,132
Colin John Williams Elected	Conservative	975
Rob Cannon Elected	Conservative	975
Dan Markham	Lib Dem	789
Trevor Clifford Walker	Lib Dem	778
James David Cox	Lib Dem	700
Julia Heather Jenner	Labour	284
Paul Eric Wilson	Labour	241

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Birling, Leybourne & Ryarsh

Bill Banks Lib DemPaul Boxall Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Lib Dem58.5%

Conservative34.1%

Labour7.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Paul Andrew Boxall Elected	Lib Dem	957
Bill Banks Elected	Lib Dem	870
Mary McKinlay	Conservative	558
Sam Webb	Conservative	543
Deirdre Ann Evans	Labour	120

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Borough Green & Platt

Mike Taylor Independent Alliance (Kent)Wendy Palmer Independent Alliance (Kent)

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent Alliance (Kent)79.4%

Conservative20.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Mike Taylor Elected	Independent Alliance (Kent)	1,233
Wendy Elizabeth Palmer Elected	Independent Alliance (Kent)	1,199
Christian Wragg	Conservative	319
Patrick Johannes Lohlein	Conservative	319

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Bourne

James Lark ConservativeSteve Crisp Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green41.2%

Conservative39.5%

Independent Alliance (Kent)19.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Steve Crisp Elected	Green	761
James Lark Elected	Conservative	730
Bernice Doreen Catt	Green	725
Piers Montague	Conservative	655
Sue Butterfill	Independent Alliance (Kent)	355

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Cage Green & Angel

Anna Cope GreenBethan Parry GreenRobert Oliver Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Green61.8%

Conservative38.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Anna Victoria Cope Elected	Green	1,828
Robert William George Oliver Elected	Green	1,737
Bethan Alexandra Parry Elected	Green	1,639
Vivian Branson	Conservative	1,128
Jennifer Sandra Elizabeth Lewis	Conservative	1,087
Johurul Islam	Conservative	983

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

East Malling, West Malling & Offham

Michelle Tatton Lib DemRoger Roud Lib DemTrudy Dean Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem72.5%

Conservative27.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Trudy Dean Elected	Lib Dem	1,831
Roger Vincent Roud Elected	Lib Dem	1,620
Michelle Tatton Elected	Lib Dem	1,598
David Thompson	Conservative	695
Simon Anthony Slater	Conservative	626
Joel Gavin Blacket	Conservative	515

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

East and West Peckham, Mereworth & Wateringbury

Matt Boughton ConservativeSarah Hudson Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative57.7%

Green17.3%

Labour12.8%

Lib Dem12.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Sarah Anne Hudson Elected	Conservative	1,260
Matt Boughton Elected	Conservative	1,201
Kim Winterbottom	Green	377
Steve Jackson	Green	348
Robin Jasper Potter	Labour	279
Suzanne Elizabeth Burdon	Lib Dem	268

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Higham

Dennis King ConservativeLee Athwal Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green52.9%

Conservative47.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Lee Athwal Elected	Green	1,240
Dennis King Elected	Conservative	1,106
Antony Burdon	Green	1,101
Frixos Glafcos Tombolis	Conservative	951

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Hildenborough

Kath Barton GreenMark Rhodes Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative37.1%

Green34.0%

Lib Dem18.5%

Labour10.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Mark Rhodes Elected	Conservative	1,011
Kath Barton Elected	Green	928
Steve Webster	Conservative	812
Helen Hobhouse	Lib Dem	505
Michael Sean Connor	Labour	282

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Judd

Mark Hood GreenStacey Pilgrim Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green76.2%

Conservative16.7%

Labour7.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Mark Antony James Hood Elected	Green	1,633
George Benjamin Hines Elected	Green	1,562
Holly Ware	Conservative	358
Paul Webster	Conservative	321
Matthew Alan Oliver	Labour	151

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 4 July 2024

Green63.6%

Conservative24.4%

Lib Dem12.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Stacey Dean Pilgrim Elected	Green	2,051	63.6%
Jennifer Sandra Elizabeth Lewis	Conservative	787	24.4%
Michelle Fallaize	Lib Dem	387	12.0%

Kings Hill

Christopher Brown ConservativeDan Harman ConservativeKim Tanner Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative52.2%

Green23.1%

Labour12.4%

Lib Dem12.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Dan Harman Elected	Conservative	1,085
Christopher Brown Elected	Conservative	1,048
Kim Tanner Elected	Conservative	1,047
Richard Dowling	Green	480
Louis Westlake	Green	438
Kathleen Maria Garlick	Labour	258
Ken Poege	Lib Dem	256
Nicholas Alasdair Laurence Taplin	Lib Dem	256
Sarah Rosalind Palmer	Labour	234
James Young	Lib Dem	216

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Larkfield

Anita Oakley Lib DemDavid Thornewell Lib DemTimothy Bishop Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem79.1%

Conservative20.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes
David Thornewell Elected	Lib Dem	1,401
Anita Sandra Oakley Elected	Lib Dem	1,385
Timothy Bishop Elected	Lib Dem	1,372
Dougie Dick	Conservative	371
Harry Edward Noble	Conservative	284
Edward Thackwell	Conservative	272

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Pilgrims with Ightham

Martin Coffin ConservativeRobin Betts Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative52.1%

Independent Alliance (Kent)47.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Robin Patrick Betts Elected	Conservative	987
Martin Andrew Coffin Elected	Conservative	934
Tim Shaw	Independent Alliance (Kent)	908
Scott Michael Millener	Independent Alliance (Kent)	777

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Snodland East & Ham Hill

Luke Chapman ConservativeSue Bell Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour52.3%

Conservative47.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Wayne John Mallard Elected	Labour	487
Sue Bell Elected	Conservative	445
Martin Graham Aldridge	Labour	430
Brian Luker	Conservative	399

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 1 May 2025

Conservative44.0%

Labour28.0%

Independent15.8%

Green12.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Luke Chapman Elected	Conservative	543	44.0%
Shaun Loader	Labour	346	28.0%
Nick Watts	Independent	195	15.8%
Kim Winterbottom	Green	151	12.2%

Snodland West & Holborough Lakes

Angus Bennison LabourPaul Hickmott Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour60.2%

Conservative33.7%

Heritage Party6.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Paul Michael Hickmott Elected	Labour	755
Angus Graeme Bennison Elected	Labour	638
David Gerald Gaunt	Conservative	422
Archie Henry Bartlett	Conservative	415
Vicky Annette Parker	Heritage Party	77

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Trench

Adem Mehmet ConservativeKeith Tunstall Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative42.6%

Green41.7%

Labour10.0%

Lib Dem5.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Adem Mehmet Elected	Conservative	735
Keith Simon Tunstall Elected	Conservative	726
Stacey Dean Pilgrim	Green	720
Chris Hill	Green	686
Callum Ryan Lake	Labour	173
Kathryn Elaine Parish	Labour	165
Yvonne Jane Brightmore	Lib Dem	97

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Vauxhall

Frani Hoskins Lib DemGarry Bridge Lib DemJames Clokey Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem53.3%

Conservative22.0%

Labour12.1%

Independent8.1%

Reform4.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Frances Annabel Hoskins Elected	Lib Dem	1,487
Garry Christopher Bridge Elected	Lib Dem	1,306
James Anthony Clokey Elected	Lib Dem	1,275
David Andrew Cain	Conservative	612
Michael Douglas Payne	Conservative	603
Roderick Thomas Tay	Conservative	544
Kerry Dawn Jordan-Days	Labour	338
Rachna Sinha	Independent	226
Peregrine William Rupert White	Reform	125

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Walderslade

Des Keers Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative65.3%

Labour26.2%

Lib Dem8.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Des Keers Elected	Conservative	544	65.3%
Lola Oyewusi	Labour	218	26.2%
Lisa Jean Cox	Lib Dem	71	8.5%

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

2 by-elections since July 2021, 1 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
1 May 2025	Snodland East and Ham Hill	Conservative gain from Labour	44.0%
4 July 2024	Judd	Green hold	63.6%

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Tonbridge	51%	Conservative	Conservative 38%
Chatham and Aylesford	24%	Labour	Reform 30%
Maidstone and Malling	24%	Conservative	Conservative 35%

Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.

People

Who lives in Tonbridge and Malling

132,204 residents in 53,591 households

Voted Leave in 2016

56% 4 above GB

Degree or higher

32% 2 below GB

No qualifications

16% 2 below GB

Own their home

70% 9 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

15% 2 below GB

Rent privately

12% 8 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

27% 4 below GB

Aged 65 and over

24% 2 above GB

GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.

Similar

Councils most like this one

ChorleyLabour (Majority)WarringtonLabour (Majority)Central BedfordshireIndependent (Minority)EastleighLiberal Democrats (Majority)ChelmsfordLiberal Democrats (Majority)

Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.

Sources

Sources and method

Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.

Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.