About the Council
Everything we do is guided by our values. They set out who we are as people, what we stand for and how we act.
Our values
Everything we do is guided by our values. They set out who we are as people, what we stand for and how we act.
We’ve revised our values to reflect what we’ve seen clearly during the COVID-19 emergency response. These are the values that we demonstrate ourselves, see around us and collectively and individually strive for:
- We are brave. We do the right thing, we accept and offer challenge.
- We are curious to innovate and improve.
- We are compassionate, understanding and respectful to all.
- We are strong together by sharing knowledge.
- We are all responsible for the difference we make.
How we work
Kent operates in a two-tier system, meaning there is Kent County Council, which is responsible for certain services across the whole county and 12 borough, city and district councils, responsible for different services in the areas they cover. You may also have a parish council in your area. Kent has over 300 parish and town councils who provide a variety of services to their local community. All tiers work together to deliver services across Kent.
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Residents
Residents have an important role in how the council works.
Every 4 years there are elections, and your votes decide who makes up the council.
- Find out more about the 2021 elections.
We regularly engage with you about our services through consultations or forums to find out what matters to you, and your opinions on our plans.
- View how you can have your say.
- Sign up to our residents e-newsletter to get the latest news and updates.
County councillors
County councillors, also called elected members, are elected by you and represent an area of Kent. They also may be given certain responsibilities to carry out for the council. This could be to sit on committees or be part of the cabinet.
- Search for your councillor.
- Find out what the cabinet is and what they do.
- View committees and meetings, including how to watch council meetings online.
Councillors are the decision and policy makers. They use information from officers at the council and represent the views of their residents to help them do this.
- The constitution sets out how the council operates and decisions are made.
- The Chairman is the civic and ceremonial head of the council and chairs the meetings of full county council.
Council officers
Council officers are paid employees of the council who do the day-to-day work and deliver the services. They have a responsibility to provide information, facts and figures to elected members to support their decision-making. Once decisions are made, officers are then responsible for implementation and making sure services are delivered to residents.
- Find out who is in our Corporate Management Team.
- Read the council wide responsibilities of our directors.
Strategies and policies
We have a duty to work transparently for the benefit of Kent’s residents and businesses.
To ensure we are accountable and working on the issues that matter the most to Kent, we publish our strategies and policies.
Framing Kent’s Future is our top-level council strategy. It describes how our work will prioritise the challenges Kent is facing.
Our services publish their own policies which align with the priorities of Framing Kent’s Future.
Framing Kent’s Future
Our top level strategy sets out our priorities as employer, local authority and service proivider.
Learn more
Corporate policies
Our policies as one of Kent’s largest employers and organisations; including our budget and spending.
Learn more
Policies for our services
policies and strategies in place for specific service areas. Including education, social care and transport.
Learn more