Published: Friday, 28th November 2025
Medway Council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation for Kent and Medway has been submitted to the government today (Friday, 28 November).
The proposal details the preferred number of new councils needed for Kent and Medway, and the geographical areas they should cover.
In the biggest shake up of local government in a generation, the government asked local authorities to come up with plans to create unitary councils.
Under the current system of local government in Kent, Kent County Council (KCC) delivers some services such as education, social services and roads, and district or borough councils deliver others like emptying your bins and providing housing services. In Medway, one council provides all those services for the entire population.
Under the proposed system, unitary councils, like Medway Council, would deliver all council services in one area. Medway Council operates in that way today.
Medway Council has submitted option 4d which would reorganise Kent and Medway into four new unitary councils. The proposal has also been supported by Canterbury City Council and Ashford Borough Council. Viewing this as a once in a generation opportunity to shape local government in Kent for the next 50 years, the proposals entail changes to existing district and borough boundaries, reflecting people’s current living, working and travel patterns.
A map of Option 4D.
North Kent would bring together Medway, the northern areas of Gravesham and Dartford, most of Swale, and small parts of Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone.
East Kent would combine Canterbury, Thanet, Dover, eastern Swale and part of Folkestone & Hythe.
West Kent would unite Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling, the southern areas of Dartford and Gravesham and Sevenoaks.
Mid Kent would cover Maidstone, Ashford, southern Swale, parts of Tonbridge & Malling and part of Folkestone & Hythe. The proposed benefits of the 4d proposal include:
- geography linked by shared economic and transport connections
- preserving local identity and empowers communities
- services better targeted at a local level
- long term financial stability and sustainability
- Kent will be devolution-ready.
Best structure for Kent for years to come
Medway Council Leader, Cllr Vince Maple, commented in support of the proposal: “I am delighted that this proposal has been supported by Canterbury City Council and Ashford Borough Council. We firmly believe that this model will provide the best structure for Kent for years to come, striking the right balance between financial sustainability, efficient service delivery and ensuring that local government remains closely aligned to the needs of our local communities.”
“We have a developed a very strong case for our submission, based on nearly 30 years’ successful experience as a unitary authority providing good quality services and strong community relationships. We believe we are well placed to deliver this important reorganisation, working together with our residents and partners.”
“Our proposed option also importantly lays the foundation for devolution, creating the strong, collaborative framework needed to secure a Kent & Medway Combined Authority and an elected Mayor, unlocking new powers and investment for transport, housing, skills and climate action.”
“Local Government Reorganisation is the moment to be really bold and shape local government in Kent and Medway for the next generation improving the lives of all our residents. We must take the opportunity to reset outdated boundaries for the 1.9million people in our region, reform public services, put communities first and ensure decisions about our region are made in our region, rooted in the pride of our communities and the promise of our future.”
Four other options have also been submitted by Kent Councils to government today covering options for a single unitary as well as three, four and five unitary councils.
Ministers are now expected to analyse the proposals and launch a public consultation early in the new year.
A decision by the government on the final structure of unitary councils in Kent is expected in the summer.