The Cabinet of Kent County Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026, where they adopted the Delivery of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) Strategy. The meeting also included a series of updates from Cabinet Members on a wide range of council activities.

Adoption of the Delivery of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) Strategy

The Cabinet formally adopted the Delivery of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) Strategy. This strategy, developed collaboratively by members and officers, aims to embed a culture of cost-consciousness and efficiency across all council operations. It outlines four strategic areas: efficiency and simplification, ensuring spend and savings are to budget, commercial and income generation, and resilience and local government reorganisation. The strategy also introduces core principles for staff and members to follow, such as questioning the necessity of spend and simplifying processes. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Local Government Efficiency and Reorganisation, to make non-substantive revisions to the strategy.

Cabinet Member Updates

Highways and Transport: Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, provided an update on ongoing work across Kent. This included resurfacing projects on the Thanet Way, preparations for winter with new gritters, and Operation Brock to manage port traffic. He also highlighted secured funding for Dover Harbour improvements, progress on the Sturry Link Road, and the launch of enhanced fast-track services in Dartford and Gravesham. Active travel initiatives, including the WeRoam app and the Kent Coast Big Walk and Wheel Challenge, were also mentioned, alongside £1 Arriva bus travel for the River Festival in Maidstone and the return of the Reach the Beach service.

Adult Social Care: Georgia Foster, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, welcomed Helen Woodland as the new Director for Adult Social Care and Health. She announced the awarding of a new county-wide contract for 16-plus Kent Carer Support Services, to be delivered by Involve Kent in East Kent and Margo Community in West Kent from 1 August. This contract aims to simplify access to services for unpaid carers. Foster also detailed the council's commitment to staff development through apprenticeship schemes, including the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship and occupational therapy training. A new equipment recycling scheme was also introduced at household waste recycling centres, allowing for the reuse of items such as walking sticks and frames.

Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health: Jamie Henderson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, shared updates on several key areas. He reported on the progress of the UNESCO Geopark bid, a cross-border initiative with France celebrating shared geological heritage. Henderson highlighted the success of the Kent Flytipping Conference, which brought together over 125 delegates to develop a Kent Flytipping Action Plan. He welcomed the deferral of the flexible plastics element of simpler recycling reforms, acknowledging the operational and financial challenges. A new conservation project, funded by Nature England's Species Recovery Fund, was announced to protect the dusky lemon salomoth and restore native elms. Henderson also provided an update on public health initiatives, including visits to the charity Porchlight and the Kenwood Trust, and highlighted the importance of Alcohol Awareness Week. Advice was given on staying safe and cool during the recent heatwave.

Communities and Regulatory Services: Richard Palmer, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, reported on community protection efforts. He attended the 10-year anniversary of the Kent Community Safety Partnership and noted the refreshment of the Kent Community Safety Agreement, streamlining priorities to three strategic aims. Palmer detailed the work of Kent Trading Standards, including their presence at the County Show where they removed over 1,800 unsafe or counterfeit toys from sale. He highlighted ongoing legal proceedings and investigations, and the prevention of significant financial losses from scams. Palmer also spoke about the success of the library service, with nearly 6,000 children already participating in the summer reading scheme, and the positive feedback received for the new library provision. He also mentioned the Creative Arts Festival and the growing creative industries sector in Kent.

Economic Development and Special Projects: David Wimble, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, expressed disappointment regarding the lack of response from the Telecoms Minister concerning Project Gigabit in Kent, noting that a significant number of properties still lack gigabit-capable broadband. He reported positive progress on skills and employment programmes, with 154 people enrolled on skills bootcamps and plans to expand provision. Wimble also highlighted the success of the Connect to Work programme and discussions with the DWP for additional funding. He updated on the progress of visit and invest Kent programmes, the publication of the local skills improvement plan, and business investment schemes like No Use Empty and the Kent Business Fund, which have committed £6 million in loans. Wimble also provided an update on the ambition to bring new nuclear generation back to Dungeness and the upcoming new energy policy, which aims to protect agricultural land while supporting renewable energy installations.

Education and Skills: Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, focused on the Access to Education service, which encompasses elective home education, children missing education, and in-year admissions. She reported significant improvements in case review times for elective home education, reducing the average from 76 days to 45 days, and a dramatic fall in cases waiting longer than three months from 68% to 15%. Fordham also highlighted the increased identification of children requiring further investigation through improved triage arrangements. The in-year admissions team is undergoing digital transformation to improve accessibility and timeliness of information on school place availability.

Children's Integrated Services: Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Children's Integrated Services, shared details of his recent visits across the county, including HMP Stanford Hill for the Gypsy, Romany and Traveller Reverse Peer Monitoring Day, and a newly completed Children's Home in Sittingbourne. He also attended the Kent County Show and visited several short break centres, reflecting on a poignant moment with a young girl referring to the lift as an uppy-downy machine.

Local Government Efficiency and Local Government Reorganisation: Christopher Hespe, Cabinet Member for Local Government Efficiency and Local Government Reorganisation, provided an update on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), stating that the council was awaiting the government's decision on Option 4B. He also reported on the positive reception of the DOLGE strategy nationally, with presentations given to various local authorities and significant interest from national groups. Hespe noted that the DOLGE strategy aims to ensure KCC achieves best value for taxpayer money.

Deputy Leader: Brian Collins, Deputy Leader of the Council, thanked officers for their support and highlighted the administration's progress in reducing long-term debt by £142 million, resulting in annual savings of nearly £1.2 million in debt interest. He also updated on infrastructure security measures, including upgrades to the reception area at Sessions House, and shared positive figures comparing library visits at the former Grace Hill Library with the new Sandgate Road library, showing a more than doubling of footfall.