The Kent County Council meeting on Thursday, 17 September 2026, saw councillors discuss a range of significant issues, including the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, changes to planning committee procedures, and the council's financial performance.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Dominates Discussion

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent and Medway. The Leader of the Council, Ms Linden Kemkaran, criticised the Government's handling of the process, highlighting the abrupt pause on previously announced plans for four unitary councils. She expressed frustration at the lack of clear communication and the financial implications for the council, stating that Kent taxpayers should not bear the cost of Whitehall's mistakes. Ms Kemkaran announced that Kent County Council intended to issue a pre-action protocol letter to the Secretary of State to protect the council's position and preserve the option of a judicial review.

Opposition leaders also voiced their concerns. Mr Antony Hook, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, questioned the effectiveness of LGR in addressing core service delivery issues and advocated for a greater devolution of power from central government. Mr Paul Thomas, Leader of the Restore Britain Kent Group, criticised the administration's approach to LGR, arguing that significant funds had been spent on a process that was not legally mandated. Mr Mark Hood, Leader of the Green Group, proposed an alternative model of an Assembly for Kent, which he argued would retain county-wide service delivery while improving efficiency and preventing the fragmentation of services. Mr Harry Rayner, Leader of the Conservative Group, also criticised the Government's LGR proposals, describing them as rushed and incoherent.

Changes to Planning Procedures Approved

Councillors debated and ultimately approved significant changes to the terms of reference for the Planning Applications Committee, which will now be renamed the Planning and Regulation Committee. These amendments, driven by new national regulations, aim to streamline the planning process by allowing officers to determine more routine applications, while enabling the committee to focus on more significant development proposals. The changes also cap committee membership at 13.

During the debate, several councillors expressed concerns that the new regulations would reduce the power of elected members and limit public transparency. Mr Antony Hook, for the Liberal Democrats, argued for greater involvement of the whole committee in the triage system and for decisions to be published online more promptly. Mr Alex Ricketts and Ms Claudine Russell also voiced disappointment that the proposed amendments, which they felt would have retained more power for local members, were not accepted. Despite these concerns, the motion to approve the changes was carried with 43 votes in favour, 23 against, and 3 abstentions.

Treasury Management and Financial Oversight

The meeting included a review of the Treasury Management Year End Report for 2025-26. Mr Brian Collins, Deputy Leader of the Council, presented the report, highlighting that the council had maintained a prudent approach to treasury management and met its prudential indicators. He noted a saving of £2.9 million against the interest cost budget due to early debt repayment and improved investment earnings.

However, concerns were raised by opposition members regarding the council's liquidity position. Mr Paul Stepto and Mr Antony Hook highlighted that the council's liquid cash had dropped below its mandatory minimum safety threshold, leading to internal borrowing against reserves. Mr Alister Brady also expressed concern about the council's reliance on LOBO loans and the potential impact on reserves if these were called in. Mr Richard Streatfeild, Chair of Scrutiny, called for more timely and transparent information on treasury management. Mr Collins defended the administration's approach, stating that the council was performing well and that the previous administration had left the council in significant debt.

Motions Debated and Decided

Three motions were debated under the time-limited debate section of the agenda:

• Veterans as a Strategic Reserve for Community Resilience: Proposed by Mr Richard Streatfeild and seconded by Mr Antony Hook, this motion called for the establishment of a Veterans Community Resilience Task and Finish Group to examine the council's responsibilities under the upcoming Armed Forces Bill. It also aimed to explore ways veterans could contribute to domestic resilience, improve pathways to health and wellbeing services, and foster community connections. The motion was passed unanimously with 69 votes in favour.

• 20mph for Safer Communities: Proposed by Mr Stuart Heaver and seconded by Mr Mark Hood, this motion sought to support the wider implementation of 20mph speed limits in residential areas and town centres across Kent. Concerns were raised by several councillors regarding the enforceability, cost, and potential impact on emergency services and businesses. The motion was ultimately defeated, with 16 votes in favour, 48 against, and 5 abstentions.

• Extension of Free Bus Travel for Concessionary Pass Holders Before 9:30am: Proposed by Mr Oliver Bradshaw and seconded by Mr Robert Ford, this motion requested a feasibility study into extending free bus travel for older pass holders before 9:30 am. Councillors from the administration argued that the study had already been conducted and that the cost, estimated at over £2.2 million, was prohibitive, especially with the government planning to extend free travel for disabled pass holders from April 2027. The motion was defeated, with 17 votes in favour, 48 against, and 4 abstentions.

Other Business

The meeting also included Chairman's Announcements, where tributes were paid to four former members: Mrs Margaret Stevens, Mr Paul Messenger, Ms Cheryl Hall, and Mr Rodney Chambers. A minute's silence was observed in their memory. The Chairman also reminded members of the convention regarding the singing of the National Anthem, clarifying that only the first verse should be sung.

A report on Water Resilience in Kent was also presented, with the council noting the development of a 25-year Water Resources Strategy and the establishment of a Kent Water Resilience Partnership.

The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.