Council's Costly Mistake on Disused School Road
A local authority led by Reform UK has issued an apology after wasting public money repainting road markings for a primary school that closed nearly a decade ago. Kent County Council (KCC) repainted yellow zigzag lines and 'School Keep Clear' warnings outside the former site of Halfway Houses Primary School in Sheerness, despite the school having relocated in October 2016.
Independent Councillor Labels Situation 'A Farce'
Mike Whiting, an independent councillor for Swale Borough Council, publicly criticised the move on social media. He described the repainting work as "a farce" and questioned the council's financial priorities. "What on earth is going on at cash-strapped Kent County Council?" he wrote on Facebook, highlighting the irony of the council pleading poverty for important projects while funding "irrelevant signs".
Official Apology and Admission of Error
Peter Osborne, KCC's cabinet member for highways and transport, confirmed the work was carried out in error and offered an official apology. He revealed that the cost to taxpayers for this mistake was £350. Mr Osborne sought to reassure the public, stating, "We take our financial responsibilities seriously to ensure public money is spent carefully and mistakes like these are exceedingly rare."
The timing of this error is particularly sensitive as KCC, which was won by Reform in local elections earlier this year, represents a crucial test of the party's ability to govern effectively. The council had sold the disused school buildings and grounds to government agency Homes England in March, months before the mistaken repainting occurred.
This incident follows recent turbulence within the local Reform group, which saw four councillors suspended last month following evidence they had brought the party into disrepute. The suspension came after a leaked video showed councillors arguing over decision-making related to the council's finances.
