These elections for Kent County Councillors are conducted against the back drop of Local Government Reorganisation and devolution. Earlier this year, Kent County Council bid to be included in the government’s Priority Programme for Devolution which would have seen Kent councils reorganised in order to elect a Mayor for the County and have increased decision making powers. Many other councils did the same. Kent was not selected for the Devolution Priority Programme. Instead, Kent and Medway County councils and the 12 district councils beneath them, have been requested by government to propose how best ithey can be reorganised into a small number of larger unitary councils. The candidates elected to Kent County Council on May 1st will participate the discussions about what local government in Kent looks like in the future, as well as running the services that our County Council currently manages. Their term of office may be cut short, as Kent is expected to switch to a unitary organisation in 2027/2028.
sWorking in partnership; getting things done
I believe that more can be achieved when each tier of local Government works together. I am committed to working with your local Parish and Borough Councillors to get the best outcomes for our area. I have represented our community in Planning Committee and in South of Ashford Garden Community meetings. I am accessible to residents and active in helping to resolve issues as they arise. I have been delighted to support local projects with my Ward Grant – from the Kingsnorth Community Café, to kit for grassroots sports teams, to a community drumming group and local primary schools, to name but a few.
Communities thrive when they have the appropriate infrastructure in place to support them. I will campaign for improvements to our roads – from prompt, high quality repairs to potholes, to addressing the issue of speeding traffic in our village centres. We also need to protect and expand our bus services, ensuring there is an affordable link between our rural communities and the town centre. Our young people need locally based, high quality education and our elderly residents’ need access to support as and when they need it. If elected, I will put your views forward on all these topics.
Standing for Local people, not National Politics
My focus is always on local concerns. I believe that residents, not national politics, should have the loudest voice in local government. Local Councillors cannot change national politics from the council chamber – but they can make a difference by ensuring that KCC provide our local communities with efficient services. s
I have lived in the Ashford area for over 25 years. I’ve been involved with my community as a parish councillor and am owner of a Kent manufacturing business, employing skilled people.
Sharing your concerns
I have watched, and been dismayed by, the waste of our council taxes on petty projects, whilst the basics, like roads, buses, schools, jobs and a host of other items we expect our County Council to provide, have been pushed aside. This has led to me putting myself forward as a candidate in this election. As a business man, value for money and efficiency are important to me. I believe in family life, the environment, farming and community wellbeing. I am keen to make our area an enjoyable place to live and work, a place where both nature and people thrive.
Working in partnership; getting things done
If elected I will make sure we have the right facilities for work and leisure, that they are run properly and are financially efficient. I will hold the County Council to account for every penny of ours that it spends. I will work with your parish councils to bring concerns to Kent County Council.
Local Councils are changing
Who you elect this May is more important than ever as the way our councils are run is changing. Kent County Council, along with Medway and all 12 district councils in Kent must agree how to respond to the Government request to reorganise into fewer, larger councils. The next 3 years will be about how this happens, as well as how county-wide services are managed by Kent County Council. This election will be a close call!
