KCC - prize-winningly rotten

Kent County Council managed to scoop two titles in Private Eye's Rotten Boroughs Awards 2011.

The column, which lists authorities' municipal wrongdoing, named council leader Paul Carter as Mr Toad of the Year and former managing director Katherine Kerswell as Goldenballs of the Year. Councillor Carter's entry read:

"Paul "Petrolhead" Carter announced that he is to take January 2012 off, taking part in a London to Cape Town rally (while still receiving nearly £5,000 allowance for the month). After authorising a monster payoff to Katherine Kerswell and approving the sacking of scores of staff, he then appealed to the survivors to fork out for rally sponsorship. Surprisingly, there were few takers."

Ms Kerswell's entry was in response to her leaving payment from the council. It said:

"Predicting the imminent departure of… blue-sky babbling £197,000-a-year Katherine Kerswell… Eye 1303 told how an announcement was being delayed by squabbling over the wording of her departure statement. KCC's PR-wallahs duly delivered a few days later: "Exceptional job... first-rate public servant... tremendous skills... improved services... next phase... leaving the council... to pursue new interests." Kerswell's barrow, meanwhile, was reportedly groaning under the weight of £450,000 in used fivers."

A spokesman for KCC said:

"Thank you for sending the link and inviting KCC to comment on this – on this occasion we will not be taking you up on this offer."

thisiskent 6th Jan 2012