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KCCleader to quit top role


THE Tory leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, has said he will step down nextmonth. Cllr Carter has been a county


member for 22 years and leader since 2005. Downs Mail understands his


mindwasmade up last year,while rumblings of discontent were being heard inside his own party. Rumours of a potential “coup”


last summer were quashed after Cllr Cartermade it clear hewould stepdownat a time ofhis choosing. During his time in office he has


hadtodealwitha shrinkingbudget after central government squeezed money coming to the county. One KCC insider said: “It came


to a pointwhere some of themem- bers, even in his own cabinet, said hewasbecomingapartof theprob- lemandnot the solution anditwas time for new blood. Most people like and respect Paul, but they felt itwas time for a change.” Cllr Carter said: “It has been a


great privilege to serve as leader of the council and I have enjoyed everymoment of the last 14 years. “Staff and elected members


should be proud of what has been achieved, particularly in the last 10 years of austerity.We have deliv- ered extraordinary financial effi- ciencies and stretched public money to go further, improving and modernising the complex array of serviceswe provide. “Wehaveprotectedmanyhighly


valuednon-statutory services, such as preventative services that help


andsupport thevulnerable, elderly and frail and continuewith gener- ous travel subsidises, unlikemany local authorities that have reverted to the ‘core servicemodel’.” Rob Bird, leader of theKCC Lib-


eralDemocrat group, said: "Whilst wemaynot agreeonallpolicymat- ters, I will be one of the first to ac- knowledge


Paul Carter's


commitment to the people of Kent andKCC." Tory Gary Cooke said: “In view


of the extremely challenging times, most people would say that Paul has done b***** good job.” Cllr Carter was awarded a CBE


for services to local government in 2014.  Several names have been put into the frame asCllrCarter’s suc- cessor.They areCllrsMikeWhit- ing, Paul Oakford, Roger Gough andGary Cooke.


Seven sheep savaged


DOGowners have beenwarned to keep their pets on leads after seven sheep were savaged to death nearMaidstone. KentPolice reportedthat inre-


cent days there have been three reportedincidents of sheepwor- rying, including at a location in Thurnham on September 1, when the seven sheep were killed by a pair of dogs. Sergeant Darren Walshaw of


the Rural Task Force said: ‘This was aparticularlynastyincident, leading to some distressing in- juries and ultimately the deaths of a large number of livestock. “As well as the suffering


caused, attacks can lead to huge financial losses for farmers and whenadoghas a taste forkilling and maiming sheep it often re- turns.” Stock picture


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