Tensions are rising in the Maidstone council chamber, as those members facing re-election grow increasingly nervous.

Several times in the last two weeks, a member attempting to introduce a new measure has been immediately condemned by opponents for "electioneering."

Thirteen sitting councillors must fight to retain their seats at the borough elections this Thursday, May 5, including the leaders of three party groups, the Tories, Lib Dems and Labour.

In addition Derek Mortimer, the man in line to become Mayor in May has first to make sure he is returned by electors in his South Ward seat.

But whatever happens on polling day, there will be some new faces at the Town Hall afterwards since five existing councillors have decided not to see re-election.

They are Dan Daley (Lib Dem), Malcolm McKay (Ind) and three Conservatives Mike Cumming, Jonathan Purle and Daniel Rose.

Cllr Daley is the longest serving.

He has been a councillor for 32 years since 1990. A former Mayor and former leader of his party, he has been respectfully referred to by some colleagues as "the Father of the Chamber."

Another councillor who is clearly still much missed is Cllr Wendy Hinder, who died in February 2020.

She had been a Boxley Parish Councillor since 2000 and then a ward councillor for the village since 2004.

She died just three months before she was due to become the Mayor of Maidstone.

At a special meeting of the council last month, members from all parties paid tribute to her.

Cllr Annabelle Blackmore (Con) spoke of her "High wattage smile, patience and love of people" and said she had had "a great passion for Boxley, which she fought for because it was her tiger cub."

Cllr Clive English (Lib Dem) spoke of Cllr Hinder's dedication to public service and said it had been a tragedy that it had been cut short.

Cllr Janetta Sams (Ind) spoke of Mrs Hinder's integrity, saying: "There was no side to her. What you saw was what you got."

Cllr Paul Harper (Lab) reminded everyone that beside her council duties she had been instrumental in keeping the Beauvais Twinning Association going.

The council then voted unanimously to posthumously confer the honorary title of Alderman on Cllr Hinder and a badge and certificate were duly presented by the Deputy Mayor, Derek Mortimer, to her husband, Cllr Bob Hinder.

Cllr Bob Hinder said: "I can't tell you how much this means to me and my family. I had a wonderful wife and I shall always be proud of her."