Local councils across Kent and Medway have released draft business plans for the biggest change to local government in 50 years. The goal is to replace the current two-tier system with unitary councils, which would deliver all local services in a specific area (like Medway Council does now).
What’s Changing?
- Current System: You have two types of councils: Kent County Council (KCC) handles big services (like education, roads, and social services), and district/borough councils handle local services (like bins and housing).
- Proposed Unitary System: Each new council would manage all services for its area.
Key Details and Next Steps
- Options Published: Draft plans exploring different ways to form the new unitary councils (how many, and which areas they cover) are now available on the Kent Leaders website.
- Council Decisions: Throughout November, each council will hold meetings (like Ashford’s on November 27th) to decide its preferred model.
- Submission Deadline: Final plans must be sent to the government by Friday, November 28th.
- Public Say: The government is expected to run a public consultation early next year. A final decision is expected next summer.
- What Residents Want: A public engagement exercise found people want the new system to focus on:
- High-quality services.
- Efficiency and value for money.
- Solving problems quickly.
The Different Options Explored
Councils have developed several options for the new structure:
- Three Unitary Councils: Splitting Kent into North, West, and East sections.
- Four Unitary Councils: A different split into North, West, Mid, and East sections.
- Alternative Ideas:
- Medway Council proposes a four-unitary model with new boundaries.
- Gravesham and Dartford propose a five-unitary model.
- KCC suggests a single unitary council covering all of Kent and Medway, managed by three regional committees.