Kent County Council Backs Single Unitary Authority in Major Local Government Shake-Up

The Government has launched a public consultation on the future structure of local government in Kent and Medway, inviting residents and businesses to have their say on how councils should be organised. The consultation began on 5 February 2026 and comes following proposals submitted by councils across the region in November 2025.

Kent County Council has put forward a proposal for a single unitary council covering the entire Kent and Medway area. This would merge all current two-tier councils—the county, district and borough councils—into one unified authority designed to streamline services and decision-making across the region’s 1.9 million residents.

However, Kent’s councils have not reached consensus on the best approach. Medway Council, alongside Ashford Borough Council and Canterbury City Council, has submitted an alternative proposal for four new unitary councils: North Kent, East Kent, West Kent, and Mid Kent. Their plan involves changes to existing district boundaries to reflect how people actually live, work and travel.

A third group of councils has proposed three unitary councils, whilst another submission suggests five. The variety of proposals reflects different views on the best way to organise local government efficiently whilst maintaining community identity and local accountability.

The reorganisation is part of broader attempts to simplify local government structures across England. Officials argue that fewer, larger unitary authorities would be simpler and more efficient than the current two-tier system. Any changes would take effect no earlier than April 2028, giving councils time to prepare for the transition.

This follows Kent and Medway’s unsuccessful bid for inclusion in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme in early 2025, which would have brought additional powers and funding for transport, housing and skills development. Despite this setback, councils have proceeded with the reorganisation consultation as a separate initiative.

The Government is expected to analyse all proposals and announce its decision on Kent’s final council structure in summer 2026. The consultation period gives residents, businesses and organisations the opportunity to comment on the different options before that decision is made.

Key Takeaways

• The Government is consulting on reorganising Kent and Medway’s councils into one, three, four or five unitary authorities, with a decision expected in summer 2026
• Kent County Council proposes keeping Kent together under a single unitary council, whilst other councils including Medway support a four-council structure
• Any changes to local government structure would not take effect before April 2028

What This Means for Kent Residents

The consultation represents a significant opportunity for residents to influence how local services will be delivered in future years. Whether Kent becomes one unified authority or splits into multiple councils will affect how planning decisions are made, waste is collected, and social services are provided. If you want to have your say, the Government’s consultation website provides details of all five proposals and allows you to submit your views. This is genuinely a chance to shape local government for decades to come.