The Town Council's central role is to act in the interest of the whole community by making decisions and recommendations to improve the quality of life, the town and its environment. The Town Council serves as the main link between the people of Tenterden and the district authority, Ashford Borough Council.
The Town Hall is closed for extensive refurbishment (for up to two years from February 2024) and the staff have moved to new non-public access offices. Contacting Tenterden Town Council:
The town council consists of 16 councillors, elected by the community to decide collectively, how the council should carry out its various activities. Councillors represent the public interest as well as the individuals living within the ward in which he or she has been elected to serve a term of office.
The activities and decisions of the town council are implemented by a small team of staff, led by the Town Clerk. The staff team consists of administrative staff who enable the town council to operate, to fulfil its statutory duties and manage and make the best of its resources. The team is normally based in the Town Hall, which as well as being a hireable venue acts as a service hub for local residents and provides a small tourist information function (the Town Hall is currently closed). The town council’s Maintenance Team undertakes duties in and around the town, focusing on maintaining and caring for council land and properties, ranging from public buildings, gardens and play areas to Kiln Field, the town’s nature reserve.
Tenterden Town Council as an organisation dates back hundreds of years. Records exist dating as far back as 1449, when the town was granted borough status by King Henry VI. Tenterden is a member of the historic Confederation of Cinque Ports, as a limb of Rye.
Tenterden Town Council News
Officers and Staff
Town Clerk: Debbie Baines
Deputy Town Clerk: Claire Gilbert
Accounts Clerk: Sharon Smith
Admin Assistant: Lesley Owers
Admin Assistant: Kimberley Aldrich
Business and Tourism Officer: Virginia Hodge ("Ginny")
Civic Ceremonial
Sergeant at Mace: David Lay
Maintenance Team
Site Maintenance Manager: David Bourner
Maintenance Team Worker: Andy Corcoran
Maintenance Worker: Roger Finniss
Maintenance Worker: Gemma
Town Councillors
There are 16 Town Councillors who are unpaid local people and are elected by the local people. These volunteers put themselves forward for election to represent the community and give their time freely and willingly for the benefit of the whole town.
Tenterden is divided into four wards:
- St Michaels
- Tenterden South
- Tenterden North
- Tenterden West
St Michaels Ward (5 councillors)
Vic Cole
Jean Curteis
Harry Hickmott
Ken Mulholland
Pam Smith
Tenterden South Ward (4 councillors)
Andrew Holcombe, Deputy Mayor 2023-25
Bryan Hirst
Andy Keates
Nikki Gooch
Tenterden North Ward (5 councillors)
Mike Carter
Sue Ferguson, Mayor of Tenterden 2023-25
Justin Nelson
Jane Mills
David Ward
Tenterden West Ward (2 councillors)
Kayleigh Brunger-Randall
Stuart Medcalf
Ashford Borough Council Ward Members
North Ward: Ken Mulholland, Conservative
South Ward: Pam Smith, Conservative
St Michaels Ward: John Link, Conservative
Rolvenden & West Ward: Kate Walder, Green Party
Kent County Councillor
Mike Hill, OBE, Conservative
Member of Parliament
Katie Lam MP, Conservative - Weald of Kent constituency