The deadline for Kent councils to submit their interim proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) has now passed, with a joint submission being sent to the government on 21st March. While this marks a key milestone in the process, it has raised more questions than answers about how the transition will be funded and implemented.
The submission reflects the concerns of Kent County Council, Medway Council, and all district and borough councils in the county. Rather than putting forward a definitive roadmap for unitarisation, the response highlights a range of unanswered questions. Chief among them is the issue of funding.
Will the government assist with the costs of transition, or will local authorities be left to foot the bill? Many councils in Kent are already facing significant financial pressures, and without government support, reorganisation could put further strain on services. There is also uncertainty around whether the government will provide financial relief to help clear existing council debts, an issue that has been exacerbated by rising demand for local services and ongoing budget constraints.
Although no firm decisions have been made on how Kent’s local government should be structured, four key options are being explored in more detail. These options would determine how Kent’s districts and Medway are grouped together into new unitary authorities, potentially replacing the existing county and district system. However, with so many factors at play – including public service boundaries, local identities, and financial sustainability – there is still much to be decided before any final plans can be submitted ahead of the November deadline.
As the process unfolds, it is likely that new restrictions and challenges will emerge. The government’s response to Kent’s submission will be key in determining what is possible and what compromises may be required. For now, local councils and residents are left waiting for further clarity on what the future of Kent’s local government will look like.
I sincerely hope Kent’s response gets some clear answers from government, as the public will finally be given a chance to have their say on these plans over the summer. I firmly believe we should all have been given more opportunity to have a say before progressing this far, and hope that the responses to the consultation will be given the weight they deserve. Time will tell.
With so much still up in the air, one thing remains clear: this reorganisation will have a lasting impact on how services are delivered in Kent for years to come. Ensuring that the new structure is properly thought through and adequately funded will be essential to avoiding unnecessary disruption and ensuring the best possible outcomes for residents.
Rich Lehmann
rich.lehmann@kent.gov.uk
Promoted by T. Valentine on behalf of R.Lehmann (Swale Green Party) c/o PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ