Consultants paid £30,000 for ‘super council’ talks

Secret workshops debated effects of possible merger Exclusive

Outside consultants were paid £30,000 of taxpayers’ money to hold three workshops debating plans to create a “super council” in east Kent, it has emerged.

The leaders and chief executives of five east Kent councils – including Canterbury’s – forked out for secret talks to discuss the option of them merging into one authority.

If realised, the city council would join forces with district councils in Shepway, Thanet, Dover and Ashford.

The workshops were held before news of a possible merger was made public, with a further £20,000 already set aside to pay more consultants to prepare a report on the opportunities and challenges of such a move.

According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, the private talks con- sidered what might be possible if the five councils joined forces, what options could be possible and a timescale.

They also debated “what the purpose of a merger might be” and how it could improve services, reduce inequality and “empower communities and create a platform for further innovation”.

The merger, if agreed, would represent the most far-reaching shake up of the local government map in Kent for decades, with a single council responsible for services for about 700,000 residents.

As well as five council leaders and their chief executives, the leader of Kent County Council Paul Carter accepted an invitation to attend the third workshop.

However, the councils declined to release other information about the idea, including an “indicative timescale” for the merger.

In their response, the authorities said “making the information public without informing staff would harm relations with staff”.

Under the proposed merger, the councils would unite to become a single authority providing the same services as they now do separately.

A report on the possibility of a new “super council” is expected to be published later this year.

KCC leader Paul Carter