County Council meets for first time since the local election in May

Reform UK secured a convincing majority in the County Council elections on May 1, claiming 57 of the Council’s 81 seats, with the Liberal Democrats now the largest opposition group with 12 seats, the Conservatives with 5, the Green Party with 5 and Labour with 2.

Today Reform UK will officially form the new political administration and leadership to deliver their priorities for the residents of Kent.

All 81 members of KCC are invited to attend the annual meeting at 10am today, to approve the authority’s committee membership arrangements. This will include electing a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the year, and formally appointing the Leader of the Council.

Subject to the agreement by full Council today, the Leader elect, Linden Kemkaran, Member for Maidstone South East, will become the Leader of Kent County Council.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Linden Kemkaran said: “On 1 May, the people of Kent voted overwhelmingly for Reform UK to form the majority of their elected representatives.

“From today, my Members and I will be focused on working hard to serve every single person in Kent in everything we do.

“Every decision my Cabinet and I make will be driven by two aims – maximising productivity and delivering value for money for the people we represent and serve.

“ I know that the people who work for KCC care as much about doing their jobs to the best of their ability as I do. Together we can achieve great things.”

Members will also receive a brief report from KCC’s General Counsel and Returning Officer, Ben Watts, on the outcome of May’s election. He will submit the returns of those elected to be County Councillors, and is also expected to thank staff and  volunteers across Kent who ensured that the election was run smoothly and efficiently, for the county’s residents who turned out to cast their votes on the day.