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Folkestone and Hythe District Council move to abolish plan to move to committee system

Councillors have voted to scrap a restructure slated as a “complete waste of time and money” despite it already costing £70,000.

Members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) – led by a coalition of Greens and Liberal Democrats – decided to move to a committee system, rather than the current cabinet one, two years ago.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council is based at the Civic Centre in Folkestone
Folkestone and Hythe District Council is based at the Civic Centre in Folkestone

The move was backed by every party on the authority – except the Conservatives – and a timeframe of one year was set, as well as a budget of £100,000.

Under the current cabinet structure, a council leader appoints cabinet members with responsibility for specific areas. Committee structures can take many forms, but in general it means policy decisions are taken by politically-balanced committees for specific areas, rather than individual cabinet members.

FHDC deputy leader Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem) argued in 2023 it would make the council more democratic: “The committee system hears all parties’ views when making key decisions, but the cabinet locks some out.”

But in January 2024, the Green-Lib Dem coalition were forced to table a motion giving themselves another year to complete the change over.

But earlier this week, at a meeting of the full council, a motion was tabled to scrap the move altogether.

FHDC Liberal Democrats leader Tim Prater
FHDC Liberal Democrats leader Tim Prater

It comes ahead of impending local government reorganisation, in which all of Kent’s district councils – such as FHDC – could be abolished, and their jurisdictions taken over by much larger unitary councils.

Kent County Council and Medway Council have both indicated their desire to be identified as a priority devolution area.

At the council meeting, Conservative Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee called for FHDC to write to the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP, formally requesting the move to a committee system is reversed. The Secretary of State has to consent to all proposed changes to executive arrangements of councils.

“How much more have we got to spend on going to a committee? How much time will we be spending on going to a committee which in two years time will disappear?” she asked the council.

Conservative Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee, who proposed the motion
Conservative Cllr Jennifer Hollingsbee, who proposed the motion

She also noted that the transition - scheduled to take place in May this year - has in fact cost £70,140 so far, plus £48,000 worth of staff time.

Cllr David Godfrey (Con), seconded the motion, saying: “It just seems a complete waste of money and time to go forward with this system which we’re not going to use.”

However, Cllr Prater argued “The voters wanted change.

“They didn’t vote for us to pass Conservative motions attempting to stop change no matter how much we argue the landscape has changed.

“Most of the work is done, it’s mainly ready to go.”

Cllr Bridget Chapman (Lab) stressed: “I was elected on a promise to make this important change.

“The reason we embarked on this transition in the first place was to create a system that was more democratic, transparent and accountable.

“It is fundamental reform aimed at empowering more voices.”

Sixteen members voted in favour of the motion, and 13 against.

If accepted by the Secretary of State, a further vote will be taken by full council to ratify the decision. If declined, FHDC will adopt a committee system either this year or in 2026 – depending on when such a response is received.

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