Our manifesto commitments
EDUCATION & CHILDREN
We’re ensuring every child in Kent has access to quality education, support for SEND, and opportunities to thrive, from enrichment clubs to care for vulnerable children.
BUSINESS & JOBS
We’re building a sustainable local economy by supporting small businesses, creating fair jobs, and investing ethically in Kent’s future.
LEISURE & COMMUNITY
We’re protecting libraries, parks, and youth clubs while investing in community spaces and support for all ages.
Adult SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH
We’re improving social care, supporting vulnerable residents, and working with the NHS to create healthier, stronger communities.
ROADS & TRAVEL
We’re making travel safer and greener with better public transport, active travel options, and improved road safety.
ENVIRONMENT, WASTE & PLANNING
We’re tackling the climate crisis by protecting green spaces, boosting recycling, and making Kent carbon-neutral by 2040.
Housing & planning
- Provide more affordable, well-insulated social housing to reduce waiting lists
- Zpods (zero energy prefabricated dwellings) over car parks
- Push for more secure tenancies for renters and smart controls to stabilise rents.
- Ensure that residents have the final say over regeneration proposals.
- Protect greenfield sites around Tonbridge and Malling from building development.
- Hold local housing providers to account to ensure good environmental standards are maintained
- Insist that future housing developments has appropriate infrastructure, such as schools, surgeries, dentists and transport prior to habitation.
- Protect greenbelt land and agricultural land used for local food production from development.
Adult SOCIAL CARE & HEALTH
- Improve support for disabled people in care -Disabled people deserve dignity, independence, and high-quality care. We will improve support services, ensuring that disabled residents have access to the resources and assistance they need to live fulfilling lives.
- Improve support for children with neurodiversity -Neurodiverse children have unique strengths and needs. We will expand support services, ensuring that every child receives the tailored care and education they need to thrive.
- Support vulnerable people – No one should be left behind. We will provide targeted support for vulnerable residents, including the elderly, those with mental health challenges, and those facing financial hardship, ensuring they have access to the help they need.
- Improve social care services – Social care is a lifeline for many. We will invest in better pay and training for care workers, reduce waiting times, and ensure that everyone receives high-quality, compassionate care.
- Build stronger integrated services with the NHS – Health and social care go hand in hand. We will work closely with the NHS to create seamless, integrated services that provide holistic support for residents, from prevention to treatment.
- Create healthy and sustainable places and communities – Healthy communities are happy communities. We will promote initiatives that improve physical and mental health, from green spaces to community fitness programs, ensuring that Kent is a place where everyone can thrive.
- Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention – Prevention is better than cure. We will invest in public health initiatives, from healthy eating campaigns to smoking cessation programs, to reduce the burden of preventable illnesses.
- Help young people be fit and healthy – Healthy habits start young. We will support schools and families to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and mental wellbeing, giving young people the best possible start in life.
ROADS & TRAVEL
- Encourage active travel – Walking and cycling are good for our health and the planet. We will invest in safe, accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists, making it easier for everyone to choose active travel.
- Support 20mph zones where appropriate – Slower speeds save lives. We will introduce 20mph zones in residential areas and near schools, creating safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
- Push for better public transport – Reliable, affordable public transport is essential. We will work with providers to improve bus and train services, ensuring that everyone in Kent can get where they need to go.
- Reduce congestion – Congestion costs time, money, and the environment. We will invest in smart traffic management systems and promote alternatives to car travel, keeping Kent moving.
- Improve existing road – Well-maintained roads are safer and more efficient. We will prioritize repairs and upgrades, ensuring that Kent’s road network is fit for the future.
- Invest in road safety campaigns – Safety is our priority. We will run campaigns to promote responsible driving, cycling, and walking, reducing accidents and saving lives.
- Encourage car sharing – Sharing rides reduces emissions and eases congestion. We will promote car-sharing schemes and provide incentives for residents to share journeys, making travel greener and more affordable.
EDUCATION AND CHILDREN
- Improve SEND provision and options – Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deserve tailored support to help them reach their full potential. We will expand SEND provision, ensuring that every child has access to the resources, facilities, and specialist staff they need. This includes working with schools, parents, and experts to create inclusive and accessible learning environments.
- Support enrichment clubs and schemes – Education isn’t just about the classroom—it’s about nurturing well-rounded individuals. We will support after-school clubs, sports teams, and creative arts programs to give children opportunities to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build confidence outside of formal lessons.
- Improve support for fostered children – Fostered children deserve stability, love, and the chance to succeed. We will work to improve support for foster carers and ensure that fostered children have access to the same opportunities as their peers, including education, extracurricular activities, and mental health services.
Young people and Health
- Support state schools to provide excellent standard of education for all children
- Support initiatives that encourage young people to work on community projects
- Promote public health education about balanced diet and exercise, and dangers of substance misuse
- Collaborate with higher education institutions to encourage courses that meet local employment needs e.g. energy efficient home insulation
- Collaborate with higher education institutions to encourage youth engagement in the democratic process
- Support local services working with victims of domestic abuse
- Promote good mental health for young people by encouraging active travel, sports, arts, clubs, access to outdoor spaces, and facilities
LEISURE & COMMUNITY
- Protect our libraries – Libraries are more than just books—they’re community hubs that provide learning, connection, and support. We will protect and invest in our libraries, ensuring they remain accessible and well-resourced for all residents.
- Protect our parks and green spaces – Our parks and green spaces are vital for health, wellbeing, and biodiversity. We will safeguard these areas from development, ensuring they remain open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
- Invest in Council assets – From community centers to leisure facilities, we will invest in council-owned assets to ensure they are modern, accessible, and fit for purpose. This includes upgrading facilities and making them more environmentally sustainable.
- Restore youth clubs – Young people need safe spaces to socialize, learn, and grow. We will restore and expand youth clubs across Kent, providing opportunities for young people to connect, develop skills, and access support.
- Support Family Hubs to cater for all ages – Family Hubs are a lifeline for many. We will ensure these centres offer support for all ages, from parenting advice to mental health services, creating a network of care that strengthens our communities.
- Invest in Community Wardens – Community Wardens play a vital role in keeping our neighbourhoods safe and clean. We will expand this program, ensuring that every community has access to support and that issues like antisocial behaviour are tackled effectively.
- Promote access to the arts – The arts enrich our lives and bring communities together. We will support local artists, theatres, and cultural events, ensuring that everyone in Kent has access to creative opportunities and experiences.
BUSINESS & JOBS
- Promote ethical and sustainable procurement policies – The council has the power to lead by example. We will ensure that all council procurement policies prioritize ethical and sustainable suppliers, supporting businesses that align with our values of fairness, environmental responsibility, and social justice.
- Promote investment in the local economy – A thriving local economy benefits everyone. We will attract investment to Kent, creating jobs and opportunities for residents while supporting local businesses. This includes working with partners to develop infrastructure, skills training, and innovation hubs.
- Support small businesses – Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We will provide grants, advice, and networking opportunities to help small businesses grow and succeed. From high-street shops to independent startups, we’re committed to creating a supportive environment for local entrepreneurs.
- Create fair employment and good work for all – Everyone deserves a job that pays fairly, treats them with respect, and offers security. We will work with employers to promote fair wages, good working conditions, and opportunities for career development, ensuring that Kent is a place where work works for everyone.
Climate Emergency and Environment
TMBC recognises there is a Climate Emergency and is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The council’s current policies will not deliver this we need to be more ambitious to embrace a new Green industry. We want to see less: flooding in the town and homes and the associated costs; reduced crop reduction due to drought or erratic or unseasonal weather patterns; loss of biodiversity and food production; loss of opportunities due to the increased cost of energy, food and other necessities for living. We would:
- Increase capacity for sorting recycling – Recycling is key to reducing waste. We will invest in better recycling facilities, making it easier for residents to recycle and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
- Protect the Green Belt and ancient woodland
- Our green spaces are irreplaceable. We will fight to protect the Green Belt and ancient woodlands from development, preserving them for future generations.
- Promote the 5Rs; refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle – Waste reduction starts with us. We will promote the 5Rs—refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle—helping residents and businesses cut waste and live more sustainably.
- Provide doorstep recycling and food waste collection for all homes – Convenience drives change. We will ensure every home in Kent has access to doorstep recycling and food waste collection, making it easy to do the right thing for the planet.
- Allow businesses to recycle plastic packaging at waste and recycling centres – Businesses have a role to play too. We will make it easier for businesses to recycle plastic packaging, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.
- Create a citizens panel on the Climate and Nature Emergency – The climate crisis affects us all. We will create a citizens panel to involve residents in decision-making, ensuring that our response to the Climate and Nature Emergency is inclusive and effective.
- Stop the use of glyphosates – Harmful chemicals have no place in our environment. We will ban the use of glyphosates in Kent, protecting our soil, water, and wildlife.
- Make Kent carbon neutral by 2040 – The climate crisis demands urgent action. We will work tirelessly to make Kent carbon neutral by 2040, reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy.
- Introduce measures to make Kent more climate resilient – Climate change is here. We will invest in flood defenses, green infrastructure, and other measures to ensure Kent is prepared for the challenges ahead.
- Support measures to enhance biodiversity and abundance – Nature is our greatest ally. We will support projects that enhance biodiversity, from rewilding to tree planting, ensuring that Kent’s ecosystems thrive.
- Divest from fossil fuels, tobacco, and arms – Our investments should reflect our values. We will divest from harmful industries and reinvest in sustainable, ethical projects that benefit our community.
- Protect our rivers and seas from pollution – Clean water is essential for life. We will crack down on pollution, ensuring that Kent’s rivers and seas are safe for people and wildlife.
- Improve air quality – Clean air is a right, not a privilege. We will tackle air pollution through stricter regulations, better public transport, and investment in green spaces.
- Crack down on flytipping – Flytipping is a blight on our communities. We will increase enforcement and provide better waste disposal options, keeping Kent clean and beautiful.
- Ensure that the climate and nature emergency is brought into every council decision – The climate crisis must be at the heart of everything we do. We will ensure that every council decision considers its environmental impact, prioritizing sustainability and resilience.
- Ensure that the environmental and social impacts of decisions are always considered – Every decision affects people and the planet. We will ensure that the council always considers the environmental and social impacts of its actions, creating a fairer, greener Kent.