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The Parish Council meets every other month (other than in the summer recess) in St John the Baptist Church, Tunstall and meetings start at 7.00 p.m.

Next meeting dates that have been confirmed are : 20th May 2024, 23rd September 2024, 16th December 2024.

The Parish Council meetings are open to the public. The agenda for the meeting is posted on the notice boards in the Parish and also on this website. Each meeting includes a public participation section where residents can, at the Chairman’s discretion, address the Council.

Agendas are available to view when published and minutes are also available in draft form within seven days of the meeting.

From April 2022, Tunstall Parish Council had an insufficient number of councillors to hold a meeting.  At the end of July 2022, the council was informed by Swale Borough Council that there had been a temporary order issued to appoint councillors to Tunstall Parish Council until sufficient councillors are co-opted to allow the authority to arrange a meeting.  John Wright and Richard Palmer were the appointees.

We are sad to report that, due to personal reasons, Cllr Palmer is unable to continue in his role as appointed councillor to our parish council.  Swale Borough Council and the Kent Association of Local Councils were in agreement that the council could proceed with the remaining three members, however the National Association of Local Councils advice was that the parish council should adhere to the ‘six month’ rule.  Councillors have to attend a meeting of the council, or an external body meeting on its behalf, at least every six months to remain qualified.  

The implementation of the ‘six month rule’ means that Cllr Burgess cannot act as a councillor until the parish council meets to co-opt him back onto the council. 

As there are only now two members remaining, the council is unable to meet, as the minimum number of councillors required for a meeting is three.  Due to the close proximity to the next elections, Swale Borough Council will not be appointing another councillor to Tunstall Parish Council.  This means that the parish council can continue as a legal entity, fulfilling the decisions previously made, but will be unable to meet to make any new decisions until at least three councillors have been elected in May 2023.

UPDATE JANUARY 2023

When Tunstall Parish Council became inquorate again in October 2022, Swale Borough Council advised that the council shall remain so until the elections in May 2023. Since then, the Borough Council has taken the decision that Tunstall should approve a budget and precept for 2023/24.  It was felt important for Tunstall  to set the budget and precept for the next financial year to enable them to commence the new election year in a robust position.  In order to do this SBC has taken the decision to appoint two members to facilitate this process. Swale Members Cllr Mike Baldock and Cllr Mike Whiting will be appointed by legal Order, for a short period only.  The requisite meeting will be summoned to formally agree the finances for 2023/24.

UPDATE APRIL 2023

Following the announcement that only two councillors have been elected to Tunstall Parish Council, we now await news from Swale Brough Council on the next steps.  The council remains inquorate.

If you are interested in becoming a Tunstall Parish Councillor please contact [email protected].

UPDATE MAY 2023

An election has been called to fill the vacancies on the parish council, see below for the election notice.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2023

A section 91 Order was sealed on 12th December 2023 and Larissa Reed, Lee Burgess and Vivien Rich were appointed to the Council.  the next meeting will be held on 18th December 2023

Please see our Agendas and Minutes page for details of forthcoming meetings.