Consultation on Future Council Areas

A consultation on the future number of councils in Kent & Medway has been launched.

Government ministers have launched a consultation on the future number of councils in Kent and Medway and the areas they should cover.

They want to hear your views on the biggest proposed shake up of local government in 50 years.

Ministers asked councils to come up with plans to create unitary councils in a process known as local government reorganisation (LGR).

Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Matt Boughton said: “This consultation is the best opportunity for residents, businesses and organisations across Kent and Medway to make their voices heard on how local services are delivered for decades to come.

“Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has been clear in its cross-party support for a three unitary model which, based on independent evidence, will deliver the best combination of high-quality, cost-effective services that are aligned to the priorities of local people. This is why the three unitary model is now the preferred model for the greatest number of councils across Kent and Medway.

“I would strongly encourage everyone to take part in the consultation so that ministers fully understand the views of our communities before any decisions are made.”

Under the current system Kent County Council (KCC) delivers some services such as education, social services and roads, and district or borough councils deliver others like emptying your bins and providing housing services.

Under the proposed system, a much smaller number of unitary councils would deliver all council services in one area. Medway Council operates in that way today.

Councils across Kent and Medway have worked together to draw up a series of options for the number of unitaries needed and what areas they should cover.

In a joint statement, council leaders in Kent and Medway, said: “Our councils are your councils and it is important you have your say on their future and how they deliver vital services.

“It’s now over to you and organisations throughout Kent and Medway to help ministers make an informed decision.”

To take part in the government’s consultation, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-kent-and-medway/proposals-for-local-government-reorganisation-in-kent-and-medway

The deadline for responses is 11.59pm on Thursday 26 March 2026. A decision on which option will be taken forward is likely to be announced by the government in the summer.