Local Government Reorganisation and devolution
The government announced on 28 October the withdrawal of its decision to create four unitary councils in Kent and Medway. Instead, it will work with Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council towards establishing a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Kent and Medway by 2028.
Read the latest from KCC’s Leader about the next steps for LGR in Kent.
The latest LGR update
5 November 2026.
The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth announced on 28 October the withdrawal of government’s decision to create four unitary councils in Kent and Medway (also known as Option 4B).
The decision made in July had been paused for review in September by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Instead, the government will now work with KCC and Medway Council towards establishing a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Kent and Medway. This authority is expected to be established in 2028, with an aim for elections for the Mayor to be held in May of that year.
In terms of next steps, there will be no immediate changes to KCC services. The county council will continue operating as normal – focused firmly on delivering the services residents rely on every day - while working closely with government and colleagues across Kent and Medway to make the most of Local Government Reform (LGR) opportunities.
Throughout the LGR process, KCC has been consistently clear that local government reorganisation was not something we sought, and we did not believe it represented the best use of taxpayers' money. However, once the government invited councils to develop proposals, we engaged fully in the process and made the strongest possible case for Kent and Medway.
KCC's preferred proposal was Option 1A, which was agreed by Full Council on 6 November 2025. We believed this option offered the strongest foundation for effective local leadership, sustainable services and long-term financial resilience for residents across Kent and Medway.
KCC’s Leader announced on 5 November that the government’s decision to withdraw its July option removed the decision at the centre of the authority’s legal challenge to Option 4B. As such, KCC will now seek to recover the costs of its challenge wherever possible, in line with normal practice, and "attention will turn to ensuring the government reaches a properly considered decision on what happens next".
You can also keep up to date with the latest LGR news by:
- reading our press releases
- reading press releases from the government
- visiting the Kent Council Leaders website
Public consultation
Government ministers ran a public consultation about the future number of councils in Kent and Medway and the areas they should cover between 5 February and 26 March 2026.
For more information, including the detailed explanations for each option, visit the Kent Council Leaders website.
Business case for single unitary authority
On 28 November 2025, we submitted our Strategic Business Case for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent and Medway to government. The proposal sets out our preferred option for a single unitary authority - the Kent Council - designed to simplify local government, strengthen services, and deliver better value for residents.
Previous LGR documents
- Read more about option 1A: the Kent Council.
- Read the full business case for option 1A: the Kent Council, and all the other business cases submitted for Kent and Medway.
- Watch KCC Leader, Linden Kemkaran, explain the benefits of option 1A: the Kent Council
- Read the full letter from Linden Kemkaran to Kent leaders about KCC's intention to submit a single unitary option (PDF, 129.6 KB).
Interim plan
- Kent Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation covering letter (PDF, 308.6 KB) - 21 March 2025
- Kent Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation joint submission from all 14 councils (PDF, 409.6 KB) - 21 March 2025
- LGR submission letter (Kent) letter (PDF, 187.9 KB) - 21 March 2025.
Feedback from the government
On 15 May 2025, the government provided feedback on our interim plan. Read the feedback (PDF, 226.9 KB).
Read more about LGR policy and programme updates.
Further information
For more information, read our answers to your questions or follow the links below.
Our press releases
Read our press releases about the Local Government Reorganisation:
GOV.UK press releases
County council meetings and papers
Read and watch reports, meeting minutes and meetings about LGR:
| County council meetings and papers | Related date |
|---|---|
| Report to Full Council | 6 November 2025 |
| Report to Full Council | 13 March 2025 |
| Webcast recording of the Cabinet meeting | 9 January 2025 |
| Webcast record of Extraordinary Full Council meeting | 9 January 2025 |
| Agenda and meeting minutes for Cabinet meeting | 9 January 2025 |
| Agenda and meeting minutes for Extraordindary Full Council meeting | 9 January 2025 |