Another Damning Report on the Borough Council

8.04.24pm GMT Mon 9th Feb 2004

A "Peer Group" review of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, led by a senior Conservative from another local district council concluded that:

"Tunbridge Wells is a very attractive area with relatively few problems. The Council has considerable financial reserves and this seems to have led to a degree of inertia which it has not yet fully overcome….The Council faces a significant challenge if it is to implement the [necessary] changes effectively and embed them in the organisational culture."

"It is evident that the [Conservative-controlled] Cabinet does not function effectively to provide unified and collective political leadership for the Council. In consequence, there is no overall sense of leadership and direction within the Council."

These words mirror, almost exactly, the reports from the Best Value Inspectors in 2000 and the Audit Commission in 2002.