Public Consultation Opens on Future of Kent’s Council Structure

The government has launched a public consultation on the future of local government in Kent and Medway, with councils submitting five separate proposals for how the region could be reorganised. The consultation period, which began on 5 February 2026, will close at 23:59 on 26 March 2026, giving residents and interested parties just over three weeks to provide feedback.

The consultation follows months of work by Kent County Council, Medway Council and the 12 district and borough councils, who each submitted formal proposals on 28 November 2025. These proposals aim to replace the current two-tier system of county, district and borough councils with a smaller number of larger unitary authorities—single councils that would handle all local government functions.

The five proposals submitted vary in approach. Kent County Council has proposed creating a single unitary council covering the entire region, whilst other councils have suggested multi-unitary models with four or five councils serving different areas. Each proposal has been assessed according to criteria including population size—the government’s guidance suggests new councils should ideally serve populations of 500,000 or more—alongside considerations for efficiency, financial sustainability and alignment with local devolution plans.

The government says that unitary councils would simplify local government and improve efficiency for residents. The consultation invites feedback on whether the proposals would deliver high-quality public services, meet local needs and support devolution arrangements.

If approved, the reorganisation would follow a defined timeline. The government will announce its decision on which proposal to implement during summer 2026, with legislation expected in autumn 2026. Shadow elections would take place in 2027, with the new councils formally taking over service delivery from April 2028.

Full details of all five proposals are available online, along with the formal consultation document. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is inviting responses from residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders. Responses can be submitted through the government’s consultation portal.

Key Takeaways

• A seven-week consultation on local government reorganisation in Kent and Medway is currently open, closing 26 March 2026
• Five proposals have been submitted by councils, ranging from one unitary authority to multi-unitary models
• If approved, new councils would begin operating from April 2028
• The government believes unitary authorities would be simpler and more efficient than the current two-tier system

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent residents are encouraged to engage with the consultation if local government organisation matters to them. Whether you support or oppose the proposals, this is an opportunity to submit formal feedback that will be considered by ministers before they make their final decision. Information about how to respond is available through the government’s consultation platform, and local councils are also gathering public feedback to inform their own positions.