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Tory rebels call for referendum on civic complex
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Wednesday June 7 | 2017
Parties pound pavements in final push
By Jonathan Banks THE civic complex development is to be debated by the Full Council as some Conservative members call for a referendum on the £72million project. The Borough Council is obliged to call the debate after an online petition by Save Our Park attracted 1,770 signatures. The trigger point is 1,000 names. As each stage of the development is subject to approval by the Full Council, there is a chance the debate, to be held next month, could result in council members accepting the terms of the petition and scrapping the project.
Momentous It comes as the Times can reveal that a small number of Conservative councillors have called for a borough-wide referendum on the complex which will also see a new theatre built on the site of the Great Hall car park next to Calverley Grounds. Minutes from a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee published last week show that several members expressed their desire to see the public directly vote on the scheme. According to the minutes, Cllr Beverley Palmer felt: “In view of the costs and the momentous nature of the decision, the only way to get a view from the public was through a referendum.”
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FIGHTING FOR VOTES: (L-R) The Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Labour candidates on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election on Thursday June 8 See pages 4-5
Residents attempt to derail Soul Train
Jazz nights and New Year parties on The Pantiles also under threat Exclusive by Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk OVER a decade of Jazz on The Pantiles could be coming to an end after disgruntled residents forced a review of the bandstand’s entertainment licence. The head of The Pantiles Residents’ Association, Ralph Lloyd-Roberts, submitted an application to the council for the full review on Monday (June 5) – a move the event’s organiser has labelled a ‘full attack’ on The Pantiles’ entertainments. Up to 2,000 people flock to the area on Thursday evenings during the summer to watch the live jazz and to socialise at the numerous bars and pubs while taking their drinks outside. A similar number of people also
head to The Pantiles on Saturdays to enjoy the Soul Train event, which is now in its third year, while the New Year celebration Hug-Many could also be threatened.
Worrying All three have been run by The Pantiles Bandstand Event Company, managed by Tunbridge Wells Hotel owner Julian Leefe-Griffiths, for the past five years. He estimates they result in almost £2million being spent in local establishments over the course of the summer, with 31 events scheduled for this year. The licence allows live and recorded music, performances and films to be held in the open air venue every day between 10am to 10pm. It is held by the promenade’s main landlord Targetfollow, who then re-licence
it to The Pantiles Bandstand Event Company. Mr Leefe-Griffiths said: “Ralph has launched a full review of the premises’ licence for the whole of The Pantiles, which is extremely worrying and bizarre. “It is a full attack on all the events and entertainment we put on in The Pantiles.” It is unclear to what extent the council’s licensing sub-committee will alter the current arrangement. However, Mr Leefe-Griffiths said any restriction on times or limiting of event days could mean The Pantiles entertainments are no longer commercially viable. He added: “Who is going to want to come if the events end at 9pm? Some people will barely be off the train.
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