The chaotic incompetence of Reform’s Kent Council has gotten to the level where it is apparently a real threat to public safety.
Following the removal of so far nine Reform councillors, five of which were members of the fire authority, there is no-one left to sign off the expenditure needed for the local Fire and Rescue service to keep everyone as safe as possible.
The FBU, which represents firefighters across the UK branded the situation “a shambles and a threat to public safety”, dubbing council leader Linden Kemkaran “captain chaos”.
Local reps from the firefighters’ union have written to the council but haven’t received so much as a reply.
Steve Wright, FBU general secretary, said: “This situation is a shambles and a threat to public safety.
“Without sound governance, fire and rescue services will not be able to do their jobs properly.
“The public has a right to expect that its emergency services are accountable to them and their elected representatives. At the moment, the structures for that have broken down in Kent.
“It’s time for the council administration to get a grip.”
Joe Weir, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for the South East, said: “Kent firefighters work round the clock to keep the public safe. The least they deserve is political leadership that functions.
“Since Reform took over the council in May, we have seen a deeply worrying lack of care and diligence. The FBU has written to Linden Kemkaran, or ‘captain chaos’ as she is becoming known, to ask for a meeting, but nothing has been forthcoming.
“The FBU will continue to defend the safety and welfare of firefighters, as well as the safety of the public.”
It’s previously been noted that the same incompetent administrative chaos is potentially impacting the educational well-being of some of the constituents they are supposed to represent.
Last month a Kent committee which had been set to decide on seven families who say they need supported school transport for their children had their meeting cancelled because its chair was among those suspended.