Local government is not fit for the 21st century and needs urgent reorganisation, according to a former top councillor.

Stuart Tranter, who served on Medway Council until he lost his seat two years ago, says efforts are needed to professionalise the system.

Speaking to the Kent Politics Podcast, he says there are too many councillors who know too little about key issues they end up having responsibility for.

People with real-world knowledge and experience are needed and should be encouraged to stand for office.

Harvard-educated Mr Tranter, who worked in business before serving on the council, says he’d reduce the number of elected representatives to about eight.

These ‘experts’ would have wide-ranging powers and influence to deal with the problems local authorities face.

And to make the jobs enticing, he’d offer high wages so people would be able to switch jobs without being worse off.

The Tory was interviewed by reporters Dan Esson and Robert Boddy, who quizzed him on the merits of his plan and how they would fit in with the ongoing reorganisation of local government.

Also discussed were concerns over new housing in Medway, yobbery in Herne Bay, and KentOnline’s new KCC Insider column.

The weekly podcast brings together Robert, Dan, and Simon Finlay, all of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Simon covers Kent County Council, while Robert reports on Medway Council and Dan specialises in borough and district councils.

This week’s host, senior news editor Nikki White, looks at what’s been happening with the county’s MPs in parliament in her Westminster Watch.

You can listen to the podcast at IM Listening, or download it from Apple Podcasts, Spotify and TuneIn – just search for Kent Politics Podcast.

Readers can also keep up-to-date with the latest political news on our dedicated Kent Politics page on KentOnline or sign up for our weekly politics newsletter.