by political editor Paul Francis

County councillors have voiced concerns over the way Kent County Council agreed to a seven-month extension to Kent TV, its controversial Internet channel.

The issue of the new contract came under the spotlight at a meeting of the council’s all-party watchdog committee today, but the decision to examine what happened has succeeded in triggering a major political row.

County council leader Paul Carter said he should have been invited to address the meeting and explain the background and has now hinted he could sack the opposition Liberal Democrat leader as the committee chairman.

The two-year pilot of the scheme was due to end in September but will now continue until March after KCC agreed to give Ten Alps, the company that operates it, a seven-month extension to its contract at an additional cost is £350,000.

Councillors questioned whether chief executive Peter Gilroy, who is also the chairman of Kent TV’s board of governors, should have taken the decision. While they concluded he had acted within his powers, they said it could have raised a perception of a potential conflict of interest.

Mr Gilroy sought legal advice before taking the decision and was told there was no such conflict.

But Conservative committee member Cllr Jeremy Kite said: "This fails the public perception test" while Cllr James Scholes (Con) said it was "inconceivable" the public would not think there could have been a conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, Cllr Eric Hotson (Con) said: "It is unforgiveable that there was a period of three to four months when there was no member involvement. Under no circumstances must that be allowed to happen again. It [the contract] should at some stage have gone to cabinet," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Gilroy said he was puzzled by councillors’ concerns and defended his handling of the matter.

"I sought legal advice about my position on the board and the advice was unequivocal . If I ran the council on the basis that there might be a perception of a conflict of interest, I would never make a decision."

He also said the committee was mistaken in believing politicians were not involved, saying the issue was discussed with the leader Cllr Paul Carter, deputy leader Cllr Alex King and the cabinet.

He took the decision because the Conservative administration had indicated it wanted to consider the scheme’s long term-future after the June election and had run up against election "purdah" rules.

County council leader Paul Carter said he was outraged he was not invited to explain the background to the contract renewal.

He said he was assured by committee chairman Cllr Trudy Dean the issue would not be discussed at the meeting and hinted that as a result, she could now be replaced as committee chairman.

"It is quite extraordinary that it should have been discussed. If people have a beef about these things, we should be allowed to explain. It should not have been brought up without me having the opportunity to explain my role."

Asked if he intended to sack Cllr Dean as chairman, he said: "It is within our gift [the appointment]. I would prefer someone from the opposition to chair the committee but watch this space."

It is understood another urgent scrutiny committee meeting has been scheduled next week at which the issue will be considered a second time.