The 2026 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 15 of 39 members of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in Kent, England.
The council remained under Liberal Democrat majority control.
Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council before it is abolished and replaced by the new unitary authority for West Kent. Elections to the shadow authority are due to take place on 6 May 2027, with the new council assuming its full responsibilities from April 2028.
Summary
Background In 2024, the Liberal Democrats took control of the council.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 22 22 7 8 5 5 4 3 1 1
Election result
The council published detailed results for each ward and reported borough-wide turnout of 45.3%.
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Cranbrook, Sissinghurst &Frittenden David Somers Conservative No Culverden David Osborne Liberal Democrats Yes Hawkhurst, Sandhurst &Benenden Ellen Neville Alliance Yes Paddock Wood Adrian Pitts Liberal Democrats No Pantiles Pamela Wilkinson Liberal Democrats Yes Park Richard Brown Liberal Democrats Yes Pembury & Capel David Hayward IfTW Yes Rural Tunbridge Wells David Knight Conservative Yes Rusthall & Speldhurst Alex Britcher-Allan Labour No Sherwood Christian Atwood Conservative Yes Southborough &Bidborough Joe Opara Liberal Democrats No St James Courtney Souper Liberal Democrats Yes St John's Ukonu Obasi Liberal Democrats No
Candidates
Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden
Culverden
Hawkhurst, Sandhurst & Benenden
Paddock Wood
Pantiles
Park
Pembury & Capel
Rural Tunbridge Wells
Rusthall & Speldhurst
Sherwood
The Sherwood ward returned two councillors because a second seat was vacant following the resignation of Labour councillor Vic Jones before the election.
Southborough & Bidborough
The Southborough & Bidborough ward returned two councillors because a second seat was vacant following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Brendon Le Page before the election.
St James
St John's
Post-election changes
Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden by-election
References