Ruthie Smith, leader of Kent County Council, marked her six-month anniversary in office with a council meeting that featured heated discussions on the draft Strategic Statement and the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plan, known as Option 1A. This plan, which outlines significant changes to local governance, is due for submission to the government by November 28. The opposition presented two motions for debate, but Smith’s administration, citing their lack of clarity and strength, voted them down.
After the council meeting, Smith experienced a lighthearted moment when a man approached her at a local pub, asking, “Are you the lady who said ‘suck it up’?” He then expressed his approval of her comments and bought her a drink. This encounter provided a brief reprieve from the challenges faced in recent weeks.
Smith’s weekend included campaigning for Colin Spooner, the candidate for the Wincheap by-election, where she participated in leafleting and door-knocking in Canterbury. She also attended a captivating performance by the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company in Ashford, showcasing their latest contemporary dance production titled “Now.”
On Remembrance Sunday, Smith laid a wreath in Maidstone on behalf of the council. Although she has not served in the military, her son has recently completed basic training and is preparing to join his regiment. Smith reflected on her previous career as a civil servant and journalist, emphasizing her respect for all serving members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.
As the new week began, Smith convened an informal cabinet meeting to continue budget planning. Since taking office in May, her administration has faced a daunting financial landscape, inheriting a debt of £732 million from the previous Conservative administration. The financial situation was so dire that Kent County Council was incurring interest payments of £84,000 per day.
Smith noted that the Conservative government’s spending practices threatened the council’s stability. With an immediate overspend of £20 million and unrealistic budget targets set for 2024/25, the new leadership has sought to regain control over finances, particularly in the area of adult social care, which has seen significant overspending.
A key focus for Smith and her team has been the campaign to restore international rail services in Kent. Last week, she participated in discussions with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Thames Estuary HS1 Sub-Committee in Parliament. The decision to grant Virgin the franchise to compete with Eurostar has garnered support from the Department of Transport, leading to the formation of a working group aimed at reopening Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations for international services.
In a show of collaboration, Smith visited the Sikh Gurdwara in Gravesend with fellow councillors to witness the valuable contributions made by the local Sikh community. This visit highlighted the efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic when local Sikhs provided thousands of meals to stranded lorry drivers.
As the week of Remembrance unfolded, Smith and her colleagues remembered the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers who fought alongside British troops in both world wars, reinforcing the council’s commitment to honoring those who serve.
