Parish Council
The most accessible tier of local government
Your Parish Council is community based and the most accessible tier of local government. It is concerned with issues which affect the community of Horsmonden.
The Parish of Horsmonden stretches from Gaffords Bridge and August Pitts in the north, Spelmonden in the south, Shirrenden Woods in the west and the River Teise in the east.
The Parish Council has 9 members, all unpaid volunteers, who are elected by the residents of the parish every four years.
The Parish Council responds to and comments on planning applications, local structure plans, government discussion documents, etc. It has close links with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and is consulted on many issues. It is an active campaigning council that is committed to the local community.
Parish Council Policies include
- Environmental enhancement of the parish. To make it a pleasant place in which to live and work.
- Provision of facilities for the enjoyment of parishioners.
- Protection of the parish’s environment, heritage and boundaries.
- Direction of support to the least able and least affluent in the community.
- Support of activities that bolster the economy and community spirit of the parish.
- Encouragement and support of local groups and individuals that wish to take local action.
- Response to the needs of the local community and its environment.
- Promotion of the parish and its communities, locally, nationally and internationally through representation on outside organisations, groups etc.
The Parish Council on behalf of the parish own the following facilities:-
- The Village Hall. Managed by The Horsmonden Village Hall Management Committee, a registered charity.
- The Institute.
- Village Green.
- The War Memorial.
- Land at Fromandez Drive.
- Part of the Sports Ground. Leased to the Sports Club for a peppercorn rent.
- Land occupied by the Tennis Courts. Leased to the Tennis Club for a peppercorn rent.
- Forty eight lamp posts. Maintained by Seeboard under a maintenance contract.
The Parish Council manages its activities through monthly meetings and at committee meetings.
Residents of the parish have the right to attend any of the full parish and committee meetings.
The monthly full parish meetings have time allocated for public participation.
The meetings are advertised on the Village noticeboard, located on the green opposite The Gun & Spitroast, this web site and in the Parish Magazine.