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An End to Kent County Council
At today’s meeting of Kent County Council, Labour Group Leader Leslie Christie will propose an end to Kent County Council and the establishment of Unitary Authorities across the County.
The move which would strengthen local accountability and yield significant savings to the Council Tax Payer recognises the limitations of a two-tier system of Local Government in Kent.
Before the start of this mornings budget debate Leslie Christie said: “I am calling for an end to KCC for a number of reasons, primarily because the County Council is unresponsive to local people.”
Leslie Christie went on to say: “Kent County Council is too unwieldy when it comes to providing local services. At the moment we have Councillors in Dover making decisions affecting the people of Dartford, how can these people fully understand what’s important to local residents. Kent does not need 14 Chief Executives at over £180,000 per year nor 14 Chief Finance Officers. The public want to know that their Councillor is responsible for all services and not pass the buck to another Council"
The move would also mean significant savings as the number of Council’s across the County would be reduced. These savings could be passed on to the Council Tax Payer or invested in services such as care for the elderly, education, libraries, highways and better facilities for the young.
Leslie Christie:
01474 361564 or 07889 639428
