Kent Lib Dems call for Councillors to have a say in decisions on delivering Key Services
April 2, 2010 12:19 PM
Martin Vye, Deputy Leader of the Kent Liberal Democrat Group
At the Kent County Council meeting on 1 April, Martin Vye, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, asked Paul Carter, Leader of the Council, whether Members of the Council would be able to have a part in making decisions about the forthcoming restructuring of the Council's workforce.
A major reorganisation is underway in Kent County Council's Children, Families and Education directorate, with significant savings and job cuts predicted.
Paul Carter's answer was: "These decisions are delegated to officers".
County Councillor Martin Vye responded:
"This is not good enough. Decisions about who will lose their job in the restructure are of vital importance to the people of Kent because they will have an effect on the services the county provides for them, and we County Councillors have been elected by local people to make sure they get the best possible service.
"The way this Conservative administration has organised things the best local representatives can do is to be 'briefed' with no power to demand a search for a different solution. This falls short of real democracy."