At the beginning of this item, the Chairman announced that the
speaking times for the Leader and Opposition Group Leaders would be
extended, in light of recent developments concerning Local
Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Chairman also declared that no
points of order would be taken during this item.
- The Leader began her
speech by criticising the Government's approach to LGR,
highlighting the short period between the Government's announcement
and its subsequent decision to pause implementation.
- The Leader reported
that she had been appointed as a Deputy Director on the Board of
Local Government Association (LGA) and highlighted the importance
of the role in representing local government interests during a
period of significant change.
- The Leader had
recently held lengthy discussions with the new Chief Executive of
South East Water regarding concerns
raised by residents and welcomed his engagement with the Council's
forthcoming Water Resilience Partnership Forum.
- The Leader outlined
the launch of the Delivery of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE)
Strategy and explained that its transition into the delivery phase
would support the Council’s continued focus on achieving
value for money across all services.
- The Leader reported
that she had presented her annual report to the Scrutiny Committee,
covering a range of key issues including the Council's financial
position, Adult Social Care, Education and the authority's
long-term strategic priorities, and welcomed the opportunity to
respond to Members' questions.
- The Leader
highlighted a number of engagements undertaken during July and
August, including visits to Five Acre
Wood School and the Kent Police Netball Community Project,
and praised the contribution of both initiatives in supporting
resilience, wellbeing and the development of young people.
- Updates were provided
on projects across the county, including progress at the Ebbsfleet
Development site and the Road of Remembrance scheme in Folkestone,
highlighting the positive impact these developments would have on
local communities and residents.
- The Leader reported
that she had attended a self-defence class for women and girls and
explained that participants had expressed concerns about their
personal safety. She stated that many attendees linked those
concerns to the presence of illegal migrants and asylum seekers in
their communities and reiterated her previously stated concerns
regarding the impact of illegal migration on the safety of women
and girls.
- The Leader had
recently attended the launch of the newly formed London and
South East University Group, created
through the merger of the Universities of Kent and Greenwich.
- The Leader provided
an update on LGR and outlined the Government's announcement that
implementation of the previously approved Option 4B for Kent would
be paused pending a Government review.
- The Leader reiterated
her opposition to both LGR and Option 4B, arguing that it lacked
sufficient evidence of long-term financial sustainability and would
create significant challenges for the delivery of key
services.
- The Leader explained
that she had written to the Secretary of State seeking
clarification on the rationale for the decision and expressed
concern that no response had been received.
- The Leader
highlighted the uncertainty created by the Government's change in
position, including the implications for implementation timescales,
local elections and the future structure of local government in
Kent and Medway.
- The Leader expressed
concern regarding the costs already incurred by councils in
preparing for LGR and stated that Kent taxpayers should not bear
the financial consequences of decisions taken by central
Government.
- The Leader emphasised
that maintaining the delivery of essential services remained the
Council’s primary priority throughout the ongoing uncertainty
surrounding LGR.
- Finally, the Leader
informed Members that the administration intended to issue a
pre-action protocol letter to the Secretary of State regarding the
16 July LGR decision, in order to protect the Council's position
and preserve its ability to pursue a judicial review challenge
should that prove necessary.
- Mr Hook, Leader of
the Opposition, began by raising concerns about a recent protest in
Dover, describing its impact on public safety and community
confidence. He questioned the policing response to the event,
particularly in relation to disruption caused to the port and
surrounding area. He also stated that any agenda founded on racial
or religious prejudice should be rejected and argued that
intimidation and obstruction should not be permitted to influence
public policy.
- Mr Hook continued by
expressing his appreciation for Kent’s Royal National
Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers, recognising their role in
rescuing those in danger at sea. He condemned the harassment
recently directed towards lifeboat crews, emphasised that rescue
services should be provided irrespective of nationality, and stated
that the RNLI deserved the Council’s full support.
- Mr Hook referred to a
recent NHS consultation on fertility treatment services in Kent and
Medway and welcomed the withdrawal of previously proposed cuts to
fertility treatment provision. He reported that his Group had
submitted a detailed response opposing further proposed changes and
urged the administration to submit a consultation response opposing
the proposals.
- Mr Hook reiterated
his Group’s view that LGR should focus on devolving powers
from central Government rather than changing Council boundaries. He
expressed concern that Members were receiving updates through
verbal reports rather than formal reports to Cabinet Committee and
emphasised the importance of Member engagement given the long-term
implications of any reorganisation proposals.
- Finally, Mr Hook
referred to the Council’s Quarter 1 financial monitoring
position, highlighting the forecast overspend for the current
financial year and expressing concern about the implications for
the Council’s financial resilience. He called on the Leader
to ensure that the forecast position improved during the remainder
of the year and that the Council achieved a balanced outturn.
- Mr Thomas, Leader of
the Restore Britain Kent Group, began by expressing disappointment
that recent developments relating to LGR were not being debated by
Full Council. He also commented on the Leader's recent appointment
to the LGA Board, highlighting previous comments made towards the
organisation.
- Mr Thomas welcomed
the forthcoming meeting of the Water Resilience Partnership and
expressed hope that it would address important water supply
infrastructure issues, replace leaking mains, upgrade equipment and
help ensure a secure and reliable supply.
- On DOLGE, Mr Thomas
commented on the transition to the delivery phase and argued that
efficiencies and savings would first need to be identified in order
for the programme to deliver its objectives.
- Mr Thomas welcomed
the Leader's visit to Five Acre Wood
School and highlighted the continued expansion of the school to
meet increasing demand.
- On illegal migration,
Mr Thomas referred Members to Restore Britain’s national
policy on mass deportation as setting out his Group’s
position on the issue.
- Mr Thomas expressed
concern that the agenda contained few substantive items and
questioned whether this reflected a lack of business being
undertaken by the administration or a reluctance to bring matters
before Full Council for debate.
- Mr Thomas welcomed
Government funding to increase vehicle capacity at the Port of
Dover and expressed support for measures to alleviate pressure on
Kent’s road network and reduce the need for Operation Brock.
He also emphasised the importance of transparency when using
associated services including accurate declarations.
- Finally, Mr Thomas
reiterated his opposition to LGR and criticised the
administration's approach to the process. He questioned the
Leader's characterisation of recent developments as a success,
raised concerns about the costs incurred in preparing for LGR, and
praised a fellow Restore Britain Kent Councillor for their
continued scrutiny of the issue.
- Mr Hood, Leader of
the Green Group, began by criticising the disruption caused by a
recent protest in Dover, arguing that it had negatively affected
local communities, the port and the county's economy. He expressed
concern about participants wearing balaclavas and highlighted
reports that a number of those arrested at immigration protests had
previous convictions for domestic violence. He criticised what he
regarded as a lack of condemnation from the administration and
argued that the protest had disrupted ferry services and other
legitimate activity.
- Mr Hood congratulated
Dr Ingrid Dodd on her election as Dover District Council’s
first Green Councillor and highlighted the increase in her vote
share. He also commented on the role that Reform UK had played in
motivating support for other parties in the election.
- Regarding LGR, Mr
Hood agreed with the Leader’s concerns regarding the
uncertainty it had created for Council employees. He emphasised the
importance of providing clarity for officers whose careers could be
affected by any future changes.
- Finally, Mr Hood
advocated for an Assembly for Kent as an alternative approach to
Local Government Reform. He argued that such a model could retain
county-wide delivery of complex services, avoid the creation of
councils that may face financial challenges, reduce costs and
protect local identities. He further suggested that, given Kent's
size and strategic importance, an Assembly should be granted
greater devolved powers and representation alongside mayoral
authorities at a national level.
- Mr Rayner, Leader of
the Conservative Group, began by criticising the Government’s
approach to LGR, arguing that the process had been rushed,
disjointed and ultimately detrimental to local government in Kent.
He stated that the uncertainty surrounding the proposals had
diverted attention and resources away from other opportunities to
improve services for residents.
- Mr Rayner thanked
officers across Kent County Council, Medway Council and the
district councils for their work in responding to Local Government
Reform proposals and expressed the hope that their efforts would
not prove to have been in vain.
- Finally, Mr Rayner
expressed concern about the forecast budget overspend and
highlighted rising diesel prices, increasing grain and food costs,
and pressures on mortgage holders. He urged the administration to
take urgent steps to reduce unnecessary expenditure and introduce
emergency spending measures before the next meeting of Full
Council.
- Mr Brady, Leader of
the Labour Group, began by welcoming the Youth Guarantee and
emphasised the importance of supporting young people into
education, training and employment. He expressed concern about the
number of young people not in education, employment or training in
Canterbury and called on Kent County Council (KCC) to do more to
support the Youth Guarantee.
- Mr Brady welcomed
forthcoming changes to the English National Concessionary Travel
Scheme, stating that the removal of time restrictions on
concessionary bus passes would improve independence, reduce
transport costs and help disabled residents remain connected to
their communities.
- Referring to the
recent disorder in Dover, Mr Brady highlighted the importance of
tackling radicalisation in Kent. He welcomed the establishment of
the Countering Violent Extremism Hub and called on KCC to play a
leading role in protecting communities from extremism and promoting
community cohesion.
- Mr Brady highlighted
the importance of KCC supporting the Government’s Rough
Sleeping programme to help people move away from homelessness and
into appropriate accommodation and support. He also encouraged the
Council to engage with new community energy funding opportunities
and promote the recently announced hospitality grant scheme.
- Finally, Mr Brady
referred to the Government's review of LGR and stated that the
current pause in the process was intended to allow further
consideration of the proposals. He reported that officers had
welcomed the additional time and suggested that the revised
timetable could result in a delay to implementation.
- In response, the
Leader criticised Members' understanding of LGR and explained that
a judicial review challenge could only be brought once a decision
had been made by central Government. She stated that other
authorities had progressed further through the process and incurred
significant costs before being able to pursue legal action and
maintained that Kent's position was not unusual.
- The Leader strongly
criticised central Government's handling of LGR, arguing that the
process had been managed poorly and inconsistently and that KCC had
been treated unfairly.
- The Leader argued
that stronger action by central Government on illegal migration
would reduce public concern and the perceived need for protests on
the issue. She criticised Opposition Groups for their response and
boycott of the Council's previous declaration of an illegal
migration emergency and expressed broader criticism of the Labour
Government's approach to migration and national policy.
- The Leader argued
that the previous administration's record in office undermined any
criticisms of the current administration's approach to financial
management and service delivery.
- The Leader criticised
comments regarding the Dover protests and rejected suggestions that
Kent County Council was responsible for events connected to them.
She also challenged claims made by the Opposition regarding their
role in securing service improvements and questioned their
understanding of the Council's responsibilities and
achievements.
- The Leader
highlighted the administration's achievements since taking office,
including improvements to bus services, highways maintenance, Adult
Social Care and library provision. She criticised the Opposition
for what she characterised as permissive approaches to migration
and other national policy issues.
- Finally, the Leader
expressed concern about social media responses to a Member's visit
to a Sikh temple. She condemned what she described as racist and
discriminatory comments and raised concerns about the handling of
the matter within the political group concerned.
RESOLVED to note the
Leader’s Report.