About me

Hi - I’m Michael Gill and I’m your Liberal Democrat candidate for Benenden & Cranbrook ward.

I was born in Cornwall and have worked as a teacher there and in Wales before settling in the South East. I came to live in Tunbridge Wells on remarriage four years ago. During this time I have come to know and love the town and its surrounding villages and countryside.

I am a Liberal Democrat because Britain needs a centre party to curb the excesses of right and left.

In the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council under Conservative control we had a dearth of sound finances, of leadership, and a desperate need to revive both the town centre and the outlying villages.  This can only be done with positive representation for everyone throughout the Borough of Tunbridge Wells.  We all need a voice to ensure our transport, housing, community,  education and health concerns are listened to.

My focus for Benenden & Cranbrook 

My main passions and interests are transport and the environment. 

I am concerned about the threat to withdraw many of our bus services and will oppose any cuts to these services which would negatively affect the residents of Benenden and Cranbrook Ward. I would be honoured and privileged to serve on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council as your Liberal Democrat councillor.  

If elected, I will always listen if you have a problem.  And “give it my best” to assist you.

I hope you will vote for me on the 4th May.

Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats Local Elections 2023 Manifesto

As the largest party within the Borough Partnership we will work to drive through our manifesto priorities:

Green Plan for the Borough

• Double the number of electric charging points inc. on-street provision.

• Work with Lib Dems at County Council to campaign for the reinstatement of bus routes across the Borough axed by the Conservatives.

• Greening the council: e.g. more air source heat pumps to reduce council carbon footprint to net zero by 2030.

• Make residential roads safer through better cycling & walking provision, 20 mph zones, and trialling low traffic neighbourhoods.

• Deter rat running & speeding. Make cycling & walking more attractive, reduce congestion and air pollution.

Tourism to drive economic development

• Continuing to work with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to boost our tourism spending for three years driving tourism growth within the Borough by e.g. building new itinerary for coach operators, matching up host families with tourists, and developing cultural packages / historical tours. 

• Promoting TW as Creative Tunbridge Wells – e.g. in 2024 Tunbridge Wells Borough is hosting the Subbuteo World Cup.

• Creating tourism info points throughout the Borough e.g. Cranbrook.

• Create a farmers’ market in the town centre to attract visitors.

Protecting services in a tough economic climate

• Inherited 2022/3 £944k deficit which the Borough Partnership has eliminated due to sound financial management. Services protected.

• 2023/4 budget deficit was £2.6m, now £950k after savings and charges increases. Services protected. The Borough Partnership put £100K towards a Community Support Fund this winter.

• Whilst high inflation and energy costs continue, the deficit cannot be reduced further, but work will continue to reduce it in 2024/5, once inflation abates.

• We will fight to protect the following services no matter what: refuse collection, housing services, protecting the Tunbridge Wells Commons, street sweeping, & cemeteries.

Tunbridge Wells Lib Dems

The Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats are an energetic, pro-active and growing local political party.  We are the largest party on the Borough Council.  Together with two other parties and one independent Councillor, we control the Council through the Borough Partnership which was formed in Spring 2022.

Under the leadership of Ben Chapelard, the Borough Partnership has five key objectives

1. Safeguarding finances

2. Vibrant and safer towns and villages

3. Carbon reduction

4. Genuinely affordable housing and social rental housing

5. Digital access, transparency, and local democracy

See HERE for an interview with Ben Chapelard.