Local government re-organisation paused

Friday, 25 September 2026 17:51

Local government elections will now go ahead in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, and Sevenoaks next May.

Local government re-organisation has been paused, with significant implications for the existing councils of West Kent.

Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government told parliament in early September that plans for a major redrawing of the political map in England would be subject to review,

This pause follows the threat of legal action against the government from several local authorities, including Reform-led Kent County Council.

Further clarification is expected from the government in mid October, but in the meantime local authorities in West Kent will now press ahead with borough and district council elections scheduled for May 2027 in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Tunbridge Wells.

Elections next May for proposed new town councils, which were designed to compliment the new unitary authorities now on hold, will still go ahead in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, and potentially in Maidstone too, which will not have borough elections next year.

These new town councils will perform the role of shadow authorities until the associated borough and district councils are abolished, along with Kent County Council, and Medway Council.

in a further update, the government has instructed all local authorities to continue with their Local Plans, under which housing targets and development sites are defined and identified.

There has been considerable criticism from local authorities of the pause, as council officers and leaders having spent the past 18 months on preparing for the reform process.

Further information on the link below -

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