Kent County Council, led by Reform UK’s Linden Kemkaran, is facing accusations of misrepresenting its financial savings. Claims of nearly £40 million in savings related to net zero initiatives have been challenged as being based on projects lacking documentation.
Contested Savings Claims
The council leadership announced it had identified £100 million in savings, with £39.5 million attributed to two net zero-related measures: £32 million from scrapping a program to improve property energy efficiency and £7.5 million from postponing the electrification of the council’s vehicle fleet until after 2030. These claims were made following Kemkaran’s election in May 2025 and a promise to focus on “value for money.”
Labour MP Polly Billington requested details of the savings through a Freedom of Information request, initiating a months-long exchange with the council. The response revealed the projects were documented in only two lines within the “potential capital projects” section of the 2025-26 budget, with no associated business cases or funding identified.
Billington characterized the council’s claims as a “blatant lie,” stating the projects “never existed” and the reported savings figure was fabricated. She accused Kemkaran of attempting to grab credit for savings that were not realized.
Council’s Response
Kent County Council refuted the accusations, asserting the figures represented “future cost-avoidance measures” and were therefore legitimate savings. The council maintained that the projects were listed as possibilities within the budget, but were never approved or formally designed.
The controversy follows an earlier admission from Reform councillor Paul Chamberlain, who had previously stated the party had not identified significant waste within the council after taking office. Chamberlain later apologized for his comments and resigned from his role overseeing the council’s “department of local government efficiency.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What savings did Kent County Council initially claim?
The council initially claimed to have found £100 million in savings, with £39.5 million specifically attributed to two net zero-related projects.
What did Polly Billington request from the council?
Polly Billington requested details of the apparent savings via a Freedom of Information request.
How did the council respond to the accusations of misrepresentation?
The council rejected the assessment, stating the figures represented “future cost-avoidance measures” and were legitimate to claim as savings.
As Kent County Council navigates these challenges, will the focus shift towards demonstrating concrete improvements in public services and transparent financial reporting?
