2026 Candidates by Ward
Culverden - David Osborne
David was first elected as a councillor for Culverden in 2023 and has lived in Tunbridge Wells for over 40 years. David is a finance professional and the Chair of the Council’s Finance Advisory Board. He is also the proud Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. As a member of the Civic Society David has worked hard to preserve many of the town’s historic buildings.
Paddock Wood - Chris Digby
Christopher grew up and has lived in Paddock Wood his whole life. Now, he’s raising his young family here. Christopher works in a senior governance role in the insurance profession. He also sits on the Kent Multi-Agency Panel which helps safeguard victims of violent crime. Christopher is determined to ensure our town continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. That means working with utilities to get more infrastructure built in Paddock Wood and with the Borough Council to offer more for young people to do.
Pantiles - Pamela Wilkinson
Pamela has lived in Tunbridge Wells for over 30 years, working as a solicitor and raising her family here. Pamela was first elected as the councillor for Pantiles in 2023 and is now the Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure, and Health. As a keen tennis player, Pamela is committed to expanding sports provision across our borough.
Park - Richard Brown
Richard has been a councillor for Park since 2025 and is an editor of trade and lifestyle publications. Richard sits on both the Licensing, Audit and Governance, and Finance, Innovation and Technology committees. Richard lives in Tunbridge Wells with his wife and young family and is a member of Friends of Dunorlan Park.
Pembury - Nicholas Slessor-Pavely
Nicholas lives in Pembury with his family and is a passionate cricketer. Nicholas has worked as a nurse at Tunbridge Wells Hospital for over a decade, specialising in paediatric and disability care. Now, he’s using his care experience to help Kent-based charities, including children’s hospice care organisations.
Rural Tunbridge Wells - Susan Hindle-Barone
Susan has worked in the financial services industry with decades of experience leading teams and organisations. She’s lived in Horsmonden for the past 17 years with her husband and dogs. In her spare time, Susan enjoys gardening and jam making.
Rusthall & Speldhurst - Ian Standing
Ian is a former police officer who has dedicated 30 years of his life to service in both the Kent and Metropolitan police forces, including as a murder detective. Ian has lived in Rusthall for the last decade with his wife and enjoys taking part in art and fitness classes.
Sherwood - Andrew Wallace & Courtney Souper
There are 2 seats being contested in Sherwood
Andrew has lived in Tunbridge wells with his family for the last decade and is a published author. Andrew moved to Tunbridge Wells following a long career as a project manager for a global entertainments company running visitor attractions, such as the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. Andrew is a champion of our town’s many creative initiatives.
Courtney grew up in Tunbridge Wells and lives in Sherwood. Courtney is a nurse and proudly volunteers for the dental access charity Dentaid. Courtney is an experienced councillor and has represented neighbouring St James’ Ward since 2023. She has driven local community and environmental initiatives forward, such as tree planting projects with local primary schools.
Southborough & Bidborough - Ash Shuklar & Kim Johnson
There are 2 seats being contested in Southborough & Bidborough
Ash lives in Southborough with his family and works as a senior technology executive with previous experience in the water industry. Ash has helped Mike Martin MP pull together a water resilience plan to upgrade Pembury Water Treatment Works - responsible for recent water outages - which we’re now pushing SE Water and OFWAT to implement.
Kim grew up in Tunbridge Wells and went to school here. Now, she’s raising her family here. She is a passionate writer and manages her own local copywriting business. Kim is also the Secretary for St. Matthew’s High Brooms and is keen to ensure that Southborough and Bidborough continues to be a great place to live and raise a family.
St James' - Gavin Barrass
Gavin has lived in St James’ for almost a decade. Gavin is a mental health care worker and trainer with decades of experience in the care sector. Now, he’s using his experience to improve the delivery of public services in Kent. In his spare time Gavin is a keen badminton player and runner.
St John's - Ukonu Obasi
Ukonu is a Healthcare Management lecturer with decades of experience in the public health sector. Ukonu was first elected as your councillor for St John’s in 2025 and now sits on the Communities, Housing and Environment advisory board. Ukonu attends the United Emmanuel Church in Tunbridge Wells and is a keen tennis player and hiker.
Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden - Vivian Widgery
