Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran has announced a shake-up of her cabinet, a move that will change who is responsible for oversight of the Folkestone Library project. The changes, confirmed on 30 March 2026, come roughly one year after the current administration took control of the council at County Hall.
As part of the reshuffle, Georgia Foster, a councillor for the Gravesend East division, has been promoted to Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services. This portfolio is responsible for the ongoing relocation of the Folkestone Library, which has been closed since December 2022 due to safety concerns at its former Grace Hill site. Foster takes over these responsibilities from Paul Webb, who will now serve as Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services.
The transition in leadership arrives while the future of the original library building remains a point of local discussion. On 20 March 2026, the council began the formal process to sell 2 Grace Hill, following an offer from Folkestone Town Council to purchase the site for a nominal sum. Meanwhile, work continues on the new temporary home for the library at 14 Sandgate Road, which is expected to open its doors in May 2026.
The cabinet changes occur against a backdrop of broader transitions for the local authority. Kent County Council is currently preparing for a major restructuring of government in the region, which is expected to replace the existing system of multiple councils with fewer, larger authorities by 2028. Since the administration first took office in May 2025, the council has also seen shifts in its political composition, with the majority held by Reform UK reducing from 57 to 47 seats following various suspensions and departures.
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