Thomas Turrell to Step Down as Councillor Next Year

Hayes and Coney Hall Ward Councillor Thomas Turrell has announced he will not be seeking re-election to Bromley Council at the election in May 2026. He will continue to work hard serving the people of Hayes, Coney Hall and Keston until the election.

Thomas was first elected to the council in May 2022, he was then elected to the London Assembly to represent Bexley and Bromley in 2024. Thomas has said he is stepping down to focus on his role at the Assembly. 

On Bromley Council, Thomas was an Assistant Executive Member for the Environment between 2022 and 2024. In this role, he helped deliver the council’s £1m Jubilee Parks Fund, led the Snow Friends Scheme, oversaw the desilting and repair of a wooden bridge project in Kelsey Park, and led improvements to Fix My Streets. He has also been Vice-Chairman of the School Place Working Group and Vice-Chairman of the Renewal Recreation and Housing Committee. 

As a Ward Councillor Thomas has helped secure funding for improvements at Chilham Way Shopping Parade, secured new anti-speeding signs for Pickhurst Lane, Bourne Vale and Baston Road, and has supported the Keston Village Residents Association in working to reduce noise disruption from Biggin Hill Airport. Thomas helped re-establish the Hayes and Coney Hall Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel which gives local people a direct say on the priorities of the local police team. Along with Councillor Josh Coldspring-White, he had a new hedge installed at Coney Hall Recreation Ground to stop unauthorised encampments at the ground. He has also campaigned for more police officers on Hayes line trains along with ticket barriers at Hayes Station to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on both the trains and around the station. He opposed the loss of Cannon Street Services from Hayes, organising a petition against the loss of service. He also worked with Bob Stewart, the former Member of Parliament for Beckenham (which included Hayes and Coney Hall), to secure an additional speed gun for the local police, and more raining 

Thomas has also supported the Friends of Coney Hall Recreation Ground and their project to transform facilities at the ground with a new table tennis and learn to ride area. He has advocated for protecting the Green Belt from #overdevelopment and opposed plans from the City of London Corporation to hold more private events on West Wickham Common. 

He has raised money for charities during his time as a Councillor. He has run the Royal Parks and London Landmarks Half-Marathons, completed the three peaks challenge, and this year is walking the 150 mile London LOOP in a week.

Thomas said:

“I love being a Hayes and Coney Hall Ward Councillor. The past few years have been an incredible experience. It has been great to get to work with so many hard-working and dedicated volunteers across the community. As London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, I now represent the whole borough at City Hall, and therefore want to avoid any conflicts when dealing with an issue. I want to focus on my role at the Assembly and providing both boroughs with a strong voice at City Hall. As such I’ve made the difficult decision to step down from Bromley Council at the next election. This will avoid a costly and unnecessary by-election. 

I am proud of my Councillor record and the results I have helped secure for local people. I look forward to building on this record at City Hall.”

The next Bromley Council elections will take place in May 2026. The Conservatives will announce their candidates for Hayes and Coney Hall Ward in April this year. Thomas will remain as one of the Councillors with Josh Coldspring-White and Alexa Michael until the election.