Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mr Bradshaw, Mr Lehmann, Mr Logen, Mr Mulvihill and Mr Webb.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 10 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on 1 April 2025 be noted.

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman offered sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent.

In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 24 questions were submitted by the deadline and 21 questions were put to the Executive. 10 questions were asked and replies given. A record of all questions and answers is available online with the papers for this meeting.

1)      The Leader explained that a Commercial Strategy for KCC was being developed which would strengthen procurement and contract management. The strategy aimed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure maximum impact from public spending. The key decision for the strategy would go to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee, and the formal launch of the strategy was expected in the new year.

2)      The Leader expressed concern over the increasing number of illegal migrants arriving in Kent and the associated civil unrest across the country. Known accommodation sites in Kent included Dover, Manston, and Napier Barracks, and there may be other unknown hotels and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The Leader had written to the Home Secretary requesting early consultation and transparency in identifying new sites in Kent but had not yet received a response. Letters were also sent to all 12 Kent council leaders requesting information on migrant accommodation in their districts and boroughs.

3)      The Leader hosted a public meeting on 26 August 2025 to discuss safety issues affecting women and girls. Attendees, amongst others, included representatives from the Women’s Safety Initiative, Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, Rising Sun Kent, and SATEDA. The Leader received positive feedback from domestic abuse charities and said the Council would work with community groups and law enforcement to ensure that practical measures such as providing spiking detection kits in relevant venues were provided.

4)      The Leader reiterated her commitment to restoring international Eurostar services to Kent. An event would be held on Friday 25 September 2025 to promote Kent as a destination for international rail services. The Leader hoped this initiative would influence Eurostar’s decision-making and encourage future service stops in Kent.

5)      The Leader expressed disappointment and concern over the closure of Visit Kent. She criticised government policies that she believed were harming economic growth, including high taxes and increased national insurance. The Leader had written to the Chancellor highlighting the crisis facing Kent’s tourism industry and pledged to continue promoting Kent as a tourist destination and to explore options following Visit Kent’s closure.

6)      Members were reminded to promote the Council’s online budget consultation, which would close on 29 September 2025. The Leader was pleased that public engagement had increased compared to the previous year and emphasised the importance of involving Kent residents in financial decision-making.

7)      The Leader turned to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and explained that a letter had been sent to all Kent Council Leaders, advising them that the Council would be developing its own business case for its preferred option namely a single Kent and Medway unitary authority with three area assemblies. The Leader stated that this option was the least expensive, least disruptive, and most logical way forward. She explained that this decision followed the Kent Leaders meeting held on 3 September 2025, where it was agreed to progress two options for development into business cases: a three-unitary model and a four-unitary model. The Leader commented that disaggregating county services would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council comments on the draft Council Strategy, Reforming Kent 2025-2028.”

2)      RESOLVED to note the comments made on the draft Council Strategy, Reforming Kent 2025-28.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked to:

1.      Agree the proposed changes to the senior management structure.

2.      Agree the deletion of the General Counsel and Director of Human Resources and Organisation Development posts.

3.      Agree the change in report line for the Director of Infrastructure from the Deputy Chief Executive to the Chief Executive.

4.      Agree that the Head of Law be designated Monitoring Officer within the new structure, to take effect upon implementation of the revised structure.

5.      Note the change in report lines for the Head of Law to the Chief Executive; Head of Commercial and Procurement to the Deputy Chief Executive; Assistant Director People to the Deputy Chief Executive; the Head of Health and Safety to the Director of Infrastructure and the Head of People Strategy to the Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships and Corporate Assurance.

6.      Instruct the Monitoring Officer to advise on and propose changes to the Constitution to give effect to any changes agreed by this paper.

7.      Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to take relevant actions and make required arrangements in line with the Constitutional Personnel Management Rules to implement the revised structure, as required to implement the Council’s decision.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3)      RESOLVED that Council:

1.      Agrees the proposed changes to the senior management structure.

2.      Agrees the deletion of the General Counsel and Director of Human Resources and Organisation Development posts.

3.      Agrees the change in report line for the Director of Infrastructure from the Deputy Chief Executive to the Chief Executive.

4.      Agrees that the Head of Law be designated Monitoring Officer within the new structure, to take effect upon implementation of the revised structure.

5.      Notes the change in report lines for the Head of Law to the Chief Executive; Head of Commercial and Procurement to the Deputy Chief Executive; Assistant Director People to the Deputy Chief Executive; the Head of Health and Safety to the Director of Infrastructure and the Head of People Strategy to the Director of Strategy, Policy, Relationships and Corporate Assurance.

6.      Instructs the Monitoring Officer to advise on and propose changes to the Constitution to give effect to any changes agreed by this paper.

7.      Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to take relevant actions and make required arrangements in line with the Constitutional Personnel Management Rules to implement the revised structure, as required to implement the Council’s decision.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council notes the Performance Report.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3)      RESOLVED that Council notes the Performance Report.

1)      Mr Collins proposed, and Mr Hespe seconded the motion that:

“County Council notes the report.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3)      RESOLVED that Council notes the report.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council notes the report.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3)      RESOLVED that Council notes the report.

1)      Mr Hespe proposed, and Mr Chamberlain seconded the motion that:

“This Council resolves to:

(a)     be open-minded but sceptical of anthropogenic climate change.

(b)     welcome open and inclusive debate on the topic.

(c)     always consider ways to enhance the County’s energy security and welcome a mixed economy of provision.

(d)     consider any energy scheme proposal with an analysis of its business case; which should consider economic, social and environmental impacts and consequences.

(e)     rescind the prior declaration of a Climate Emergency.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

For (50) 

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs M Fothergill, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Ms A Randall, Mrs S Roots, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble

Against (20)

Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mrs T Dean MBE, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Mr A Kennedy, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Mr A Ricketts, Ms C Russell, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M J Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild MBE, Mr N Williams

Abstain (3)

Mr B Barrett, Mrs S Hudson, Mr H Rayner

Motion carried.

3)      RESOLVED that Council resolves to:

(a)     be open-minded but sceptical of anthropogenic climate change.

(b)     welcome open and inclusive debate on the topic.

(c)     always consider ways to enhance the County’s energy security and welcome a mixed economy of provision.

(d)     consider any energy scheme proposal with an analysis of its business case; which should consider economic, social and environmental impacts and consequences.

(e)     rescind the prior declaration of a Climate Emergency.

4)      Mr Jeffery proposed, and Mr Stepto seconded the motion that:

“This Council resolves the following:

1)      Call on the Cabinet Member for Environment to introduce and promote a new initiative which would allow residents to adopt their streets, to reduce the use of glyphosate to control weeds to areas which are not adopted.

2)      Call on the Cabinet Member for Environment to work with the responsible Officers to investigate and consider alternatives to glyphosate.

3)      Request that all verges which are managed for biodiversity improvements are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.