Kent County Council leader Roger Gough faces a fresh bid for his job from a controversial backbencher.

The ruling Conservative group holds its annual meeting on Friday when Cllr Sarah Hudson will launch her challenge.

It is the opportunity for members to elect a new leader by secret ballot and it is understood there is a substantial body of support for the Malling Rural East member.

But the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands she may fall short of the 50% plus one of members present required to oust Cllr Gough.

The Conservatives have 60 of the 81 elected members at County Hall.

If all members turn up, she will need 31 councillors to back her in the vote to win.

LDRS understands she has 24 backers with the possibility of a small number of abstentions which could run Cllr Gough close.

Cllr Hudson said: "I can confirm I will stand against Roger Gough. I think there are many on the back benches at KCC who feel there needs to be a change. I have no further comment."

The authority is in poor financial health presently with tens of millions of pounds of savings to be found this financial year and around £86m in 2024/25. Some insiders suggest the real sum next year will be much higher.

Councillors fear that is when publicly used services, such as libraries, will have to be shut.

Despite several local authorities going bust, such as Birmingham City Council, KCC is confident it will avoid a Section 114 notice which is effectively a declaration a council is broke.

A backbench supporter of Cllr Hudson said: "There seems to be a disconnect between Roger's inner circle in the cabinet and the rest of us. A decision is made then seem to be made and then delivered as a fait accomopli.

"We just don't feel like the team we used to be. It probably goes back to Covid and now we're in severe financial trouble, the pressure really is on the top table."

KCC blames central government for squeezing budgets at a time when the cost of services, such as adult social care, are rising sharply as is demand for them.

The backbencher added: "No one really thinks that Roger will lose and, to be honest, many probably don't really want Sarah to win but we do want to send a message out to the leadership. We need leadership and we need to be included.

"There seems to be a bunker mentality at the top. When Sir Paul Carter was in charge up until 2019, you always felt that he was a good communicator and drawing in opinions from outside the inner circle."

Cllr Hudson hit the headlines earlier this year when she suggested some parents applied for education health and care plans (ECHP) for the extra benefits, such as free taxi travel for their children. The comments sparked outrage at the time.

In July, Oxford University-educated Cllr Gough faced a challenge from another backbencher, Cllr Harry Rayner.

Cllr Rayner refused to discuss his reasons for his leadership bid but later withdrew. He was later promoted to a deputy cabinet member for finance.

There had been "background grumblings" about the Tory leader but no one, other than Cllr Rayner, had broken cover.

At the time, Cllr Simon Webb, who represents Maidstone Rural West, said: “Over time, people do get a bit disillusioned with the leader, whoever it is. But I totally support Roger - he is by far the best person to lead the county council.

“Roger is not only a very able man but also a very kind man. Some see the latter as a sign of weakness but I disagree. He stays calm and collected.”

Cllr Antony Hook, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall, said: "We need an end to this continual soap opera within the Conservative group.

"The only people who will end up suffering will be the residents of Kent who are not being well-served by the administration."

Cllr Dylan Jeffrey, cabinet member and chief whip, has been approached for a comment.