Kent County Council has moved to a new phase of a county-wide cost-saving programme after creating a central department to identify and remove what leaders describe as wasteful spending. The initiative, launched after the council changed political control in 2025, is now being developed further by the cabinet.
What the council says
The cabinet member with responsibility for the project, Chris Hespe, said the next stage aims to drive efficiency and ensure “the best value” across council services. He did not, however, provide a figure for how much further the authority expects to save under the latest phase.
Background and previous results
The reforms were introduced after the new council leadership set up what has been described as a Department for Local Government Efficiency (referred to in council discussions as Dolge). According to council figures released earlier, Dolge's first year reportedly delivered £100m in savings, cut future spending commitments by £39.5m and reduced the authority's debt.
Opposition concerns
Opposition councillors have questioned the approach and the focus of the new structure. The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Richard Streatfeild, described the fresh phase as a “reinvention of the wheel” and argued it risks failing to recognise local pressures such as an ageing population.
"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."
Council leader Linden Kemkaran has defended the reforms, saying the new arrangements apply a "business brain" to public service delivery and will simplify processes for providing services in the county.
What this means for residents
Changes at a strategic level could have practical consequences for how services are planned and delivered across Kent. While the council points to past savings as evidence of the programme's effectiveness, the lack of a clear target for the current phase means the public cannot yet assess the scale or speed of future reductions.
- Past results cited: £100m saved in year one, £39.5m reduction in future spending commitments
- No specific savings target announced for the next phase
- Opposition warns of potential impact on services for older residents
Accountability and next steps
The council will be expected to set out clearer performance measures and financial targets for the new phase if it is to withstand scrutiny from opposition groups and the public. Members of the council and residents alike will watch for detailed proposals showing how any further savings will be achieved and which services, if any, may be affected.
| Item | Figure / Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported savings in first year | £100m |
| Future spending reduced by | £39.5m |
| Declared target for next phase | Not specified |
For now, the council's next public reports and budget statements will be the best source of detail on how the latest phase of efficiency work will affect services across Kent.
