Kent residents elected representatives on the promise that waste would be cut and council tax money would be spent responsibly.
Despite this, Kent County Council has now voted to spend over £100,000 per year on party political advisers following a proposal supported solely by Reform UK councillors. This decision was opposed by Conservative, Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors.
This spending comes at a time when Kent County Council is facing severe financial pressure, including a substantial budget overspend and rising council tax for residents. It also follows the removal of vital emergency crisis grants that previously supported some of the most vulnerable people in Kent.
For decades, Kent County Council has operated without party political advisers. Previous administrations of all political colours relied on experienced senior council officers to provide professional, impartial advice. There is no clear justification for changing this long-standing approach.
Hiring party political advisers using council tax funds raises serious concerns about priorities, transparency and value for money. If elected councillors require paid political advisers to tell them how to govern, residents are right to question whether this is an appropriate or responsible use of public money.
This proposal was not included in the Reform UK manifesto presented to voters and does not deliver a direct benefit to Kent residents. Instead, it risks diverting scarce resources away from frontline services at a time when households are already under pressure.
To: Kent County Council
What We Are Calling For
We, the undersigned residents of Kent, call on Kent County Council to:
1. Immediately halt the use of council tax funds to employ party political advisers
2. Publish full transparency on the costs, roles and responsibilities associated with these adviser posts
3. Commit to using existing senior officers to provide professional advice, as has been the long-standing and effective practice at Kent County Council
4. Redirect any savings back into frontline services or support for vulnerable residents
Council tax should be spent on services that benefit residents, not on political advisers.
Kent deserves responsible leadership, transparent decision-making and respect for taxpayers’ money.
Add your name to call for an end to this wasteful spending and for council tax to be used where it is needed most.