Reform UK-run Kent Council accused of blocking scrutiny over £40m claimed savings
Labour MP Polly Billington (East Thanet) submitted a Freedom of Information request in July seeking documents on how Kent County Council calculated the claimed £40m-plus savings from scrapping two environmental projects that had not yet been approved.
Kent County Council, led by Linden Kemkaran of Reform UK, refused for more than five months to disclose the documents, stating the savings were forward-looking assumptions in the capital programme rather than approved or committed schemes.
An August response to Billington claimed only two lines appeared in a budget document and no formal business cases existed for the projects since they were not approved.
Billington pressed the council, arguing other documents or emails likely existed, warning of potential breaches of FoI laws, and indicating she would escalate the case to the Information Commissioner if necessary.
By October, an FoI officer apologized for the delay and indicated they were awaiting a response from the leader's office; the council later pledged a substantive reply by Friday.
The council maintains the £40m-plus savings refer to forward-looking capital-planning assumptions; the cancelled projects were indicative and would have caused significant financial pressure if progressed, but they were not approved or committed.
Reform UK took control of Kent County Council in May with 57 councillors, which reduced to 48 after suspensions, expulsions, and other departures.
In October, five Reform councillors were suspended and two expelled following a Guardian-leaked video showing councillors criticizing management and Kemkaran urging them to endure disagreements.
The council rejected suggestions of obstruction, impropriety, or a cover-up and stated a substantive response would be provided to Billington's office later in the week.
