Council moves to next stage of cost-cutting plan

Leaders of Kent County Council said they have moved to the next stage of an efficiency drive, after they announced the overhaul of a cost-cutting department which was heavily criticised by opposition councillors.

The Reform UK-led council has launched its Dolge (Delivery of Local Government Efficiency) plan, months after it said cost-cutting at the council would not be led by a separate team it had previously set up.

The new plan, which focuses on saving money across the council, "aims to ensure the best value", the cabinet member for Local Government Efficiency and Reorganisation, Chris Hespe, said.

However, he told the BBC he could not put a number on how much the council intends to save.

Plans for the Department for Local Government Efficiency were announced by KCCs leader Linden Kemkaran shortly after the party took control of the council in June 2025.

Deputy leader of the opposition Lib Dems, Richard Streatfeild, told the BBC at the launch of the next phase: "It's a reinvention of the wheel. It doesn't reflect the realities of life in Kent with an aging population, and it distracts from the fact we have the highest risk budget in our history going through this year."

Councillor Kemkaran said Dolge would help in "simplifying the process of doing things.

"We've applied a business brain to the job of providing services for the people of Kent."

Hespe previously told the BBC that Dolge's first year delivered £100m in savings, cut future spending by £39.5m and reduced the authority's debt.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.