What We Do

What We Do

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What we do

Pembury Parish Council is one of three tiers of local government. We work with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council to provide a wide range of services for residents.

The Parish Council has direct responsibility for:

  • Village Green
  • Allotment site in Woodside Road
  • Burial ground – Hastings Road (behind St Peter’s Church)
  • Management of churchyard at Old church
  • Management of burial ground at Lower Green Cemetery
  • Lower Green recreation ground
  • children’s play areas
  • tennis courts
  • football pitches
  • Various open spaces in the parish
  • the Old Coach Road

 

Town and Parish Councils

Town and Parish Councils are an essential part of local democracy and have a vital role in acting on behalf of the communities they represent. They:

  • Give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the parish.
  • Undertake projects and schemes that benefit local residents.
  • Work in partnership with other bodies to achieve benefits for the parish.
  • Alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken.
  • Help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities.

Town and Parish Councils have a wide range of legal duties and powers, such as the maintenance of community buildings and land and much more. They have the power to raise money through a ‘precept’ which is collected with the local council tax.

The parish council must follow its standing orders which are the written rules of a local council.

Unlike the Borough and County Councils, the Parish Council receives no direct government grant. It raises its income through the parish precept element of the Council Tax and the charges it makes for its services.

County and Borough Councils

Kent County Council handles:

  • education
  • social services
  • highways and footpaths
  • libraries
  • trading standards.

Further information is available on the County Council’s website www.kent.gov.uk.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council handles:

  • council tax
  • planning
  • waste services
  • housing
  • environmental health
  • benefits.

Further information is available on the Borough Council’s website www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Role of Parish Councillors

Thirteen Parish Councillors represent Pembury. All 13 seats on the Parish Council are elected every four years, the next election is due to take place in May 2027.

A Parish Councillor’s role is varied and includes:

  • Representing residents and bringing their views to the Council’s decision-making process. This related to Parish Council services and general issues affecting the village.
  • Participating in the governance, policy setting and strategic management of the Council.
  • Responding to residents’ enquiries and representations.
  • Representing the Council on other bodies.

Pembury Parish Councillors are not paid for their work as Members of the Parish Council.  All Parish Councillors must comply with the Code of Conduct.

Planning

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is the Planning Authority for Pembury. All applications can be viewed on the TWBC Public Access Facility.

Pembury Parish Council acts as a statutory Consultee on all planning proposals submitted within the parish. Applications are considered at the monthly Planning and Highways Committee. Members of the public are welcome to attend our meetings. Agendas are displayed on the Council’s notice board and website at least three clear days before the meeting. Council meetings are held in the Parish Office meeting room in Lower Green Recreation Ground, Pembury. Full Council Meetings usually start at 7:15pm. Committee meeting start times vary so please check the agenda for details.