A motion calling for Folkestone & Hythe District Council to retain its existing cabinet structure has been supported by elected members.
It was previously agreed, in June 2023 and again in January 2024, that the local authority would move to a committee system for decision-making.
With impending local government reorganisation – and Kent County Council and Medway Council indicating their desire to be identified as a priority devolution area – Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee presented a motion to full council last night (29 January).
It was supported by 16 votes to 13.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council will now send a letter to the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP, formally requesting the move to a committee system is reversed.
If accepted, a further vote will be taken by full council to ratify the decision. If declined, Folkestone & Hythe District will adopt a committee system either this year or in 2026 – depending on when such a response is received.
The meeting can be watched back on the council’s webcasting platform.
The motion read as follows:
“To ask officers to submit a proposal to the Secretary of State, setting out how a change back to a Cabinet/Leader (executive) model (and therefore negate the change to a committee system in May 2025) would be likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area through the transition period to a unitary council, and seeking consent to pass a further resolution to do so.
“To halt the work to move to a committee system immediately and defer moving to a committee system pending a response from the Secretary of State.
“In the event of the Secretary of State’s consent not being granted and notification of her decision being received on or before 31 March 2025, the Council proceed with its decision to implement a Committee System of governance with effect from the Annual Meeting on 7th May 2025.
“In the event of the Secretary of State’s consent not being granted and notification of her decision being received on or after 1st April 2025, implementation of a Committee System be deferred until the Annual Meeting in May 2026 to allow sufficient time to effect the necessary operational and organisational changes associated with a change in governance arrangements.”