"Bitterly Disappointing" Decision

The Labour government has announced that Kent will not be "fast-tracked" for a mayor and devolution.

The decision has been described by Kent's current political leadership as "disappointing" and "confusing."

The Kent County Council elections are now set to go ahead as planned in May.

Reacting to the news, the leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough said: “I am astonished by this decision and bitterly disappointed that residents and businesses of Kent have been let down by the Government and will not be able to benefit from the increased monies, powers and opportunities promised through devolution.

“The reason we have been given is both confusing and insufficient and we will be seeking more detail from Ministers as to the rationale as soon as possible".

Roger Gough (pictured above) continued: “ I strongly believe that key issues in Kent, such as economic growth, housing and transport, all vital for our residents, would have been improved by devolution, as well as bringing new powers and more funding to Kent and Medway, to boost jobs and skills, improve our infrastructure and transport.

“ We met all the criteria for devolution set out in the White Paper, and our initial expression of interest with Medway Council was supported by all 12 District and Borough Council Leaders in Kent. I am simply stunned that the Government has offered what I consider to be an incoherent argument as to why Kent has been turned down.

“ That Kent and Medway are authorities of differing sizes is neither new or unique. We have always made it clear that we stood ready and willing to work through a transitional phase that would culminate in the reorganisation of the county to address the imbalance.

“Not being part of this accelerated devolution programme is a missed opportunity and a huge blow to this authority and to Kent’s 1.9m residents, particularly given that Kent and Medway made it clear to Government that we would meet its ambitious timeline and work towards a mayoral election in 2026.

“ I am devastated and angry on behalf of the residents of Kent, but our devolution journey is far from over. My first priority is to ask Government to fully explain why Kent has been excluded at a time that other similar areas have not been, and how we can deliver the benefit of devolution to our residents and businesses. Their long-term future has always been our top priority in pursuing this.”

Reacting to the news that the county council elections will now go ahead, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin (pictured above), said:

“Kent Tories have failed in their attempt to take a leaf from the authoritarian’s playbook and subvert local democracy. Residents can now give their verdict on Conservative-run KCC's appalling record of failure".

Mike Martin continued:  “The Liberal Democrats are ready for the elections and opportunity to fight for our communities. Kent Tories have shown us what they really think of your voice.”

The devolution changes will eventually see the abolition of all 14 authorities in the county to be replaced by a much smaller number of unitary authorities - probably 3 councils - and an elected mayor.

When it finally happens, the existing councils for Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone are all likely to be merged into one much larger authority, with Kent County Council being abolished completely.

The leaders of KCC and Medway Council as well as all 12 district and borough councils in the county now have until March 21 to come up with an interim proposal as to how Kent and Medway could be divided into unitary authorities, with full proposals expected by November 28.

More than 15,000 people are thought to work for local authorities in Kent and many may lose their jobs as a result of the major changes proposed by the government.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner rolled out her “Devolution Revolution” in mid-December and local councils were given until January 10 to apply to be included in the fast track process.

The government says it will fast-track these counties for abolition, so cancelling elections this May for five million people in:
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Essex
- Thurrock
- Surrey
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
 

MORE MATERIAL SUPPLIED BY SIMON FINLAY, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council leaders, Roger Gough (Con) and Vince Maple (Lab) were hopeful to be put on the government’s “devolution priority programme” (DPP) as it may have resulted in more powers and better financial rewards for the county.

Most observers believe the May elections to KCC, where the Tories have three quarters of the 81 seats, will go ahead.

Cllr Gough has instructed his back benchers the May elections “will proceed as normal”.

The Conservatives have been widely tipped to struggle to retain a majority and control of the authority, especially in the face of a strengthening Reform UK vote.

Cllr Stuart Jeffery, Green Party leader of Maidstone Borough Council, who accepts some form of devolution is inevitable in Kent, said: “A victory for democracy. Kent’s Conservatives can no longer shape the future councils across Kent without a democratic mandate. Bring on the election.”

Some leaders were unconvinced by the mayoral model, saying it devolved too much power to one person.

Liberal Democrat group leader at KCC Antony Hook (pictured below) said: “We welcome the news that local elections will go ahead in May.  It is vital people get to choose who represents them.

“It was a disgrace that Conservative members of KCC asked the government to cancel the elections and that the government appeared to entertain this.

“Government needs to give sufficient funding to local government so we can meet the public’s needs when it comes to caring for the elderly, looking after vulnerable children and repairing our transport systems.

“Devolution of extra powers would be welcome to help get things done for local people. These should come to the elected local councils. Creating a mayor for Kent was unnecessary and would have been expensive.”

KCC’s only Reform UK member Thomas Mallon, who was elected to County Hall late last year, said: “We look forward to taking part in the democratic process. We will be fielding candidates all over Kent.

“I always said I was up for campaigning my newly-won seat, as that is democracy. Now the people can decide in Kent if they want true reform and a change of the old guard.”

Conservative candidate for Maidstone at KCC Stanley Forecast said: “A unitary authority system would be good for Kent and it has always seemed madness to me that housing and transport have been separate.

“However, it is crucial democracy goes ahead and I am pleased the elections are on.”