Local government reorganisation consultation
Published
Thursday 5 February, 2026
Updated
Thursday 5 February, 2026
Government ministers have today (Thursday 5 February) launched a consultation on the future of councils in Kent and Medway.
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).
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 unitary councils needed and what areas they should cover.
Cllr Tim Gibson, leader of Swale Borough Council, said:
“Councils across Kent and Medway have been working hard to put together five different options for the future of local councils in Kent and Medway.
“Now it’s time for local people, businesses and wider stakeholders to have their say on each option, to help inform the Government’s final decision.
“This is the biggest change to local government in half a century, and we need to get it right. I’m urging people to take some time to have a look at each of the proposals and give their feedback.”
To take part in the consultation, visit the Kent Council Leaders website, where you can read all the background information, including detailed explanations for each option.
Once the consultation closes, the Government will consider everyone’s responses alongside the evidence that has been presented to them.
A decision on which option the government has chosen is likely to be announced in the summer.
