More on KentOnline
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Kent County Council's former council leader Paul Carter will be scrutinised over his unilateral decision to backtrack on the creation of a new secondary school in Thanet.
A KCC committee will meet in six days’ time to publicly scrutinise Cllr Carter’s surprising u-turn over plans to build a new school on the site of the 14.7-acre former Royal Deaf School in Margate.
The chairman of KCC's scrutiny committee, Cllr Andy Booth (Con) was one of several councillors to voice his concern over Cllr Carter's lack of engagement with colleagues in the decision-making process.
The Swale councillor will preside over next week's meeting as KCC members investigate whether any "inappropriate conduct" was made with regards to the ad-hoc decision.
Cllr Booth said: "The scrutiny committee ensures the cabinet are doing their jobs and looking after their portfolios properly."
The shock decision to throw out plans to create a new Thanet school - for 690 pupils by September 2022 - was formally announced on the day the former leader stepped down, on October 17, after 14 years in office.
KCC's scrutiny committee does not have the power to reverse Cllr Carter's original decision, which remains subject to approval from the Department of Education, but can recommend amendments that are made to it.
If approved by the government, the existing Ursuline College in Westgate-on-Sea and Birchington's King Ethelbert's School will be expanded permanently while Ramsgate's Royal Harbour Academy will be temporarily extended until 2024.
Cllr Carter told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he would be attending next week's session, but declined to comment further prior to the public meeting.
A KCC paper published ahead of next week's meeting says: "Mr Carter’s decision is not being ‘called in’ and therefore its implementation cannot be delayed or overturned by it being placed on the scrutiny committee agenda.
"The committee may decide, however, to make comments or recommendations to the cabinet member for his consideration and response."
Previously explaining his decision, Cllr Carter said school rolls have not grown as originally forecast in Thanet due to lower rates of housing development and also said the u-turn will mean the county authority could save at least £10.3m.
'The mood among residents is not for a new school. Thanet wants better existing ones' - Cllr Barry Lewis
The Maidstone councillor described his strategy as the "best case" for Thanet, but Cllr Trudy Dean (Lib Dem) said she fears the relationship between KCC and the Department of Education will be "undermined" in the future.
Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab), who represents Margate at county level, said: "Having lived in the area for 40 years, I know the mood among residents is not for a new school. Thanet wants better existing ones."
The scrutiny meeting will be held in Maidstone County Hall's council chamber next Tuesday from 10am.
