The Kent County Council meeting on Thursday, 16 July 2026, addressed a wide range of issues, including the significant decision to proceed with the allocation of land for the expansion of Hermitage Quarry, despite considerable public objection concerning ancient woodland loss. The Council also noted the year-end performance report, which highlighted ongoing pressures in key services like SEND and children's social care, and discussed the critical issue of water resilience in Kent, endorsing a new partnership to tackle the problem.

Kent Minerals Site Plan Allocation

A key decision made at the meeting was the approval to submit the Pre-submission Kent Minerals Site Plan for independent examination. This plan includes the proposed allocation of land south and west of Hermitage Quarry for hard rock extraction. This decision was made despite significant public opposition, primarily due to concerns about the impact on approximately 41 hectares of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), which is considered an irreplaceable habitat. Councillors debated the conflicting national planning policy objectives, with arguments presented for the need for Kentish ragstone, a nationally important building stone used in the conservation of historical assets like Canterbury Cathedral and the Tower of London, and the economic benefits of continuing quarry operations.

Arguments for the allocation highlighted the identified shortfall in hard rock aggregate supply and the unique importance of Kentish Ragstone for heritage restoration, stating that no suitable alternative land-won sources have been identified. A compensation strategy was proposed, which would involve creating 154 hectares of new native woodland and enhancing existing woodland, significantly increasing woodland coverage compared to the area of PAWS affected.

However, many councillors and members of the public voiced strong objections, describing the potential loss of ancient woodland as ecocide and arguing that the need for aggregate did not constitute wholly exceptional reasons for such a loss. Concerns were also raised about the effectiveness of soil translocation and the adequacy of the proposed compensation strategy. Despite these objections, the Council voted to proceed with submitting the plan for examination, with the final decision resting with a planning inspector.

Water Resilience in Kent

The Council endorsed its leadership role in improving water resilience across Kent, supporting the development of a 25-year Water Resources Strategy and the establishment of a Kent Water Resilience Partnership. This partnership aims to bring together national government, regulators, water companies, local authorities, businesses, and community stakeholders to address the increasing frequency and impact of water supply disruptions. The decision comes after significant water supply failures in Tunbridge Wells and other parts of Kent during winter 2025/26, which highlighted the fragility of existing infrastructure and the need for a coordinated approach. The Council will advocate for increased investment and policy changes to ensure future water security for residents, businesses, and the environment. An amendment to ensure regular progress reports are made to the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee was narrowly defeated.

Quarterly Performance Report

The year-end Quarterly Performance Report for 2025/26 was noted by the Council. The report indicated that 18 out of 39 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) met or exceeded their targets, while 12 met their floor standard and 9 fell below the required standard. Performance remained broadly comparable to the previous year, but the report highlighted continuing pressures in areas such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), children's social care, adult social care, highways, and information governance. These pressures reflect wider national challenges as well as local demand. Several councillors expressed concern over the number of KPIs rated Red, particularly in relation to SEND, care leavers, adult social care, and highways response times.

Urgent Decisions Annual Report

The Council noted the Annual Report on Urgent Executive Decisions taken between September 2025 and July 2026. Three urgent decisions were made during this period, with two classified as semi-urgent and one requiring the full statutory urgency process. The report highlighted a positive trend of diminishing urgent decisions, attributed to improved governance planning.

Motions for Time-Limited Debate

Several motions were debated and voted upon:

• KCC Action Plan for Strengthening Water Infrastructure and Resilience: This motion, proposed by Mr. Heaver and seconded by Mr. Hood, was amended to ensure that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee would receive regular progress reports on the Water Resources Strategy and the Kent Water Resilience Partnership. The amended motion was carried.
• Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty and Kent County Council's Approach: Proposed by Mr. Dixon and seconded by Mr. Paul, this motion reaffirmed the Council's commitment to complying with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. It stated that the Council would not go beyond this standard and would focus on meritocracy. The motion was carried.
• Protecting Kent's Best and Most Versatile Farmland from Large-Scale Solar Developments: Proposed by Mrs. Fothergill and seconded by Mr. Thomas, this motion sought to ensure the Council consistently applied its position statement on solar development, continued monitoring of cumulative impacts, and kept members updated. Despite support for renewable energy, the motion was ultimately defeated, with many councillors noting that its aims were already covered by existing Council policy statements.
• Making Sure SEND Transport Actually Gets Children to School: Proposed by Mr. Streffield and seconded by Mr. Hook, this motion called for an urgent review of the implementation of the SEND transport policy, particularly concerning personal transport budgets. An amendment proposed by Mrs. Fordham, suggesting a review after the first term of operation with a report back in November, was carried. The amended motion was then also carried.

The meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.