17 June 2022
Well, one year into the role and what a rollercoaster of a year it has been. So much so that the below was originally due to be my councillor update last month, but I couldn't find the time to write it.
A year ago when I was fresh faced and two weeks into my tenure, the first piece I wrote for our local parish magazines shared a few of the ambitions I had in mind for my four years in this role. Among them were 20mph limits and roadside verges. Two areas which, at the time, I thought might be possible to make good progress on in my first year. Sadly these tasks both turned out to be more complicated than I had realised.
To get a change in speed limit there are a number of hoops to jump through, each of which can take several weeks. Progress has been slow, but I'm pleased to have assisted a number of parish councils to varying degrees in moving their requests forward. Sheldwich will hopefully have a long overdue 20mph limit on Lees Court Road by the end of this year, and, if all goes well, other parishes won't be far behind.
Letting roadside verges grow long is another area more complex than I'd originally realised. Despite KCC's vocal support of No Mow May via their 'Kent's Plan Bee' campaign, many verges across our area were unnecessarily cut back during May 2021 and May 2022. In some cases there was a necessity to maintain sightlines for road safety, but in many more this wasn't an issue. KCC are in a tough position on this topic as public opinion is still greatly divided. Recent studies suggested that Kent has seen a 70% reduction in insect life over the past two decades, so we really should be doing all we can to try and reverse that worrying trend. I will continue to push for KCC to reduce their use of glyphosates and leave verges that don't impact on highway sightlines.
I would be lying if I said that my first year as a councillor hasn't been tough. My hair is now greyer and I've gained a few lines on my forehead and inches around my waistline. That being said, the second half of the year was far more enjoyable than the first. The incredibly steep learning curve I started out with is beginning to level off and I'm able to respond to many more enquiries without having to go round the houses to get an answer. More importantly, this knowledge has bolstered my confidence in dealing with KCC related matters.
Regardless of political leaning, our local authorities work best for everyone when opposition parties can provide strong and effective scrutiny of the administration. In February I submitted a motion at KCC's budget meeting which prevented the cost of school bus passes being increased for families with children in receipt of free school meals. This was voted through by the council and the cost of a pass for those families should remain frozen for the next three years.
All things considered, my first year has been a case of finding out just how much I didn't know about local government, and then filling the gaps. I still have a lot to learn, but am looking forward to being more proactive as time moves on and I really get to grips with the role.
Rich Lehmann
rich.lehmann@kent.gov.uk
Sign up for updates
Find out more
