Minutes:
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 result in significant costs to taxpayers, potentially leading to higher council tax bills and reduced service quality. Therefore, officers had been instructed to prepare a standalone business case to ensure a high-quality and cost-effective report. The Leader confirmed that KCC would continue to work with all councils in Kent and Medway, and with strategic partner KPMG.
8) Finally, the Leader referenced the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk in the United States. She described the incident as a tragic reminder of the importance of free speech and highlighted the importance of respectful collaboration and constructive debate within the Council.
9) Mr Hook, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed the announcement that the Council would adopt a commercial strategy and noted that Oxfordshire County Council, led by the Liberal Democrats, had had a commercial strategy in place for some time. Mr Hook highlighted that a good commercial strategy should also take into account social and environmental impacts.
10) Mr Hook said that Merchant Navy Day was marked on 3 September 2025, recognising the contribution of 25,000 seafarers who served the country by transporting 95% of its trade. He said many councils had recognised the day and requested that the Council consider formally recognising Merchant Navy Day in future.
11) Mr Hook explained that a response had been received from the Secretary of State regarding reform of Blue Badge eligibility. One of the Secretary of State’s Ministers had expressed interest in meeting with the relevant Members in the near future.
12) Mr Hook expressed sympathy for Mr Charlie Kirk’s family and commented that similar acts of political violence occurred globally. Mr Hook recommended everyone read two speeches by Robert F. Kennedy Sr, including his remarks following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, which emphasised unity, compassion, and justice.
13) Regarding LGR, Mr Hook said that his group supported greater democracy and decentralisation, opposing the proposal for a single Kent and Medway unitary authority. He expressed disappointment that the LGR process so far had lacked meaningful public consultation.
14) Mr Hook expressed concern over the closure of Visit Kent, noting that 11% of Kent’s jobs were linked to tourism, and called for a clear and actionable plan to market Kent and grow its tourism sector.
15) Mr Hook expressed support for the restoration of Eurostar services to Kent which he said was a vital link for business, tourism, and education. He commented that the Kent services stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit-related passport controls, and urged the government to reduce red tape, using Switzerland and Norway as examples of where this was done successfully.
16) In relation to the Leader’s comments on civil unrest, Mr Hook reported incidents within his division of threats and abuse which were directed at people who had expressed differing views on the display of flags.
17) Mr Hood, the Leader of the Green Group, referred to the motion on violence against women and girls at the previous County Council meeting and commented that since that meeting, domestic abuse charities had written collectively to the Leader, expressing concern over her comments regarding asylum seekers.
18) Mr Hood expressed concern over comments made by members of the Administration questioning the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the appropriateness of support provided to parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
19) Mr Hood referred to a far-right demonstration in Maidstone on 16 August 2025 and expressed disappointment that some Reform UK councillors had been present. He warned Members against associating with individuals displaying symbols of prejudice and extremism.
20) Mr Hood emphasised the importance of political debate within the Council chamber, noting that opposition members played a vital role in holding the Administration to account, and urged committee chairs to facilitate meaningful discussion.
21) Mr Hood questioned the financial logic of the Administration’s decision to sell Invicta House whilst facing a £67million refurbishment cost for Sessions House. He suggested that the Administration’s strategy relied on the assumption that government would push through LGR, despite recent ministerial changes within central government.
22) Mr Hood welcomed the Administration’s commitment to replace Visit Kent and restore international rail services at Kent stations. He praised Kent’s tourism potential, in particular the Kentish Riviera, High Weald, North Downs, and numerous castles and stately homes.
23) The Chairman reminded Members of the Nolan Principles and the requirement under the Constitution that speeches should remain relevant to the matter under discussion and not criticise the motives or behaviour of any Member or Officer.
24) Mr Rayner, Leader of the Conservative Group, declared an interest as the Managing Director of Phoenix Park Management Company Limited, which provided housing in Northwest Kent.
25) Mr Rayner addressed the issue of safety for women and girls, noting that he had worked with Kent County Council Highways over the past four years to improve lighting in the Northfleet to Ebbsfleet pedestrian tunnel. He stated that the lighting had transformed the tunnel and increased safety, especially during winter months. He also noted that the enhancements supported greater use of fast train services to London and Stratford from Ebbsfleet International. Mr Rayner supported the Leader’s efforts to increase international rail services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations, describing the initiative as beneficial for Kent residents.
26) Mr Rayner stated that the Conservative Group did not support any form of LGR without devolution in the form of a mayoral combined authority. He emphasised the need for a clear and agreed high-quality mayoralty, as seen in certain metropolitan areas, and a satisfactory funding arrangement. He clarified that the previous Conservative Administration only agreed to participate in the current LGR process on the condition that it would be linked to a well-funded combined mayoral authority.
27) Mr Brady, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed the closure of Visit Kent, describing it as a successful organisation that supported jobs and tourism, and criticised the Administration for failing to act when Visit Kent required support.
28) Mr Brady explained that Labour MPs were actively working to restore Eurostar services to Ashford and Ebbsfleet, including engaging with ministers, operators, and securing support from the Prime Minister. He welcomed the Administration’s support for this initiative.
29) Mr Brady criticised the Reform Administration’s preferred option for LGR and said it was disconnected from local needs. He argued that the proposal risked creating a "mega-council" that was too large to listen and too slow to act. He called for smarter, community-led solutions that empowered local voices.
30) Mr Brady questioned the decision to retain Sessions House, labelling it a vanity project rather than a cost-saving measure. He warned that long-term maintenance, hidden costs, and poor planning would result in significant financial burdens for taxpayers. He commented that the financial consequences of keeping Sessions House would impact every financial decision, whilst services were cut and communities faced hardship.
31) Mr Brady listed examples of achievements of the Labour Government that he said would benefit Kent residents, such as renters’ rights, environmental protections, rail reform, 1,000 new GPs, mental health support in every school, 1 million homes lifted out of poverty, and ending zero-hour contracts.
32) Mr Brady concluded by expressing concern about the Council’s upcoming budget and the effectiveness of the Administration’s financial planning.
33) The Leader responded to some of the points made by the Group Leaders. She welcomed the suggestion made by Mr Hook regarding Merchant Navy Day, and responded to comments made by the group leaders regarding Reform UK’s use of the union flag and violence against women and girls.
34) The Leader defended the Council’s preferred option for LGR and argued that it was the most democratic way of ensuring that residents were locally represented.
35) The Leader reiterated the importance of Kent’s tourism industry and criticised the Labour Government’s economic policies which she claimed had harmed growth and contributed to job losses.
36) The Leader defended the Administration’s decision not to fund Visit Kent, stating that prudent spending of taxpayers’ money was a priority. She rejected opposition claims that the funding required was minimal, asserting that every pound mattered.
37) The Leader welcomed cross-party support for restoring Eurostar services to Kent and expressed optimism about encouraging competition on the line to reinstate stopping services at Kent stations.
38) The Leader concluded by referencing the quote from Robert F. Kennedy Sr, mentioned by Mr Hook, and affirmed her own commitment to compassion towards fellow Members.
39) RESOLVED that the Leader’s report be noted.