Here is a summary of the scheduled meeting of the Cabinet of Kent County Council on 19 November 2025. The meeting will cover budget forecasts, and a strategic business case for local government reorganisation. The meeting is scheduled to take place at County Hall, Maidstone.

KCC's Strategic Business Case for Local Government Reorganisation

The Cabinet will be given a report to review KCC's Strategic Business Case for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent and Medway. The report notes that councils in Kent and Medway received an invitation to submit proposals for LGR from the Minister of State on 5 February 2025, and that the deadline for final proposals is 28 November 2025.

The report states that KCC's administration intends to submit an independent strategic business case to the government for a single-unitary option covering Kent and Medway, supported by three Area Assemblies. The rationale for this position is based on financial viability, managing disaggregation risks, Kent's unique geography, disparities in deprivation, legacy debt, and preserving local identity.

The report also notes other options that were considered, including a joint options appraisal, and states that KCC remains committed to the joint process and has shared information with partner authorities.

The report includes a diagram summarising the proposed governance structure for the Kent unitary council, with the Full Council as the strategic decision-making body, the Leader and Cabinet responsible for executive decisions, and Area Assemblies responsible for some place-based functions.

The report also discusses councillor numbers and community engagement, noting that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has advised a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 100 councillors for new unitary authorities.

The report summarises the findings of engagement with residents and stakeholders, noting mixed views on the need for LGR and the preference for smaller or larger councils. The report also notes that a motion to rescind the climate emergency was passed at Full Council on 18 September 2025, and that this will enable the removal of net zero targets from KCC contracts, broadening supplier eligibility and reducing costs.

The report includes a proposed record of decision, recommending that the Cabinet approve the KCC Strategic Business Case for LGR and delegate authority to the Chief Executive to submit the finalised submission to the government. The KCC's Strategic Business Case for Local Government Reorganisation in Kent and Medway is attached as an appendix to the report.

Revenue and Capital Budget Forecast Outturn Report

The Cabinet will be asked to note the Revenue and Capital Budget Forecast Outturn Report for Quarter 2. The report provides details of the council's financial position as at Quarter 2 of 2025/26. A forecast outturn variance of £46.5 million overspend is reported, representing 3.0% of the overall budget. The most significant overspend is in Adult Social Care & Health, totalling £50.9 million. Of this variance, £20.9 million relates to savings which are no longer anticipated to be achieved in this year, leaving £30.0 million of other service related pressures. The most significant pressures include £22.4 million in Older People – Residential Care Services, and £16.3 million in Older People – Community Based Services. There is an overspend in Children, Young People & Education of £2.2 million. This is due to a net overspend of £8.7 million in Children's Countywide Services and Operational Integrated Children's Services mainly related to the higher costs of packages for looked after children, and an underspend of £6.3 million in Education & Special Educational Needs mainly related to Home to School Transport. There is also an overspend in Growth, Environment & Transport of £1.4 million. This is primarily due to a significant rise in passenger journeys with the English National Concessionary Scheme (ENCTS). There are also underspends in the Chief Executive's Department, Deputy Chief Executive's Department, Non Attributable Costs and Corporately Held Budgets which help to offset the overall position by £7.9 million in total. The Schools' Delegated Budgets' position is an overspend of £37.2 million. This reflects the impact of high demand for additional special educational needs (SEN) support and greater demand for specialist provision. The capital forecast shows a £35.4 million underspend against the budget, which is split between a +£26.2 million real variance and -£61.6 million rephasing variance. The report recommends that the Cabinet notes the revenue and capital forecast outturn position for 2025-26, notes the implementation of actions to mitigate the revenue overspend, and agrees the revenue and capital budget adjustments detailed in the report.

Cabinet Member Updates

The Cabinet will receive updates from Cabinet Members. These updates will include:

• An update from Miss Diane Morton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health.
• An update from Mr Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services.
• An update from Mr Paul King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration.
• An update from Mr David Wimble, Cabinet Member for Environment.
• An update from Mrs Beverely Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.
• An update from Mrs Christine Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services.
• An update from Mr Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.
• An update from Mr Matthew Fraser Moat, Cabinet Member for Local Government Efficiency.
• An update from Mr Brian Collins, Deputy Leader.

Confirmation of Minutes

The Cabinet will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2025 as a correct record.