The Government has today (7 Sept) issued a press release announcing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent and Medway is to be paused and reviewed alongside 13 other areas across the country.
Statement from Medway Council Leader
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said: "Today’s unexpected announcement is very disappointing with the pause of the Local Government Reorganisation of Kent and Medway.
"It is unclear at this stage what the timetable and next steps will be, both on Local Government Reorganisation or Devolution.
"I want to place on record my thanks to hard working council staff both here in Medway and across our region for their tremendous efforts.
"We will of course await to hear from government about the next steps on these important matters and will update residents at that point.
"Meanwhile we will continue to deliver the best services for Medway every single day."
Central Government's press release
REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION LAUNCHED
• Review launched into plans to streamline local government following legal advice, to ensure it is robust and aligns with new government priorities
• Part of Prime Minister’s determination to rewire the state and shift power into the hands of local communities to drive good growth in every postcode
• Decisions on reorganisation in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk withdrawn
• Plans for 14 further areas announced will also be reviewed, alongside the two areas yet to be confirmed – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex
A review of plans to streamline local government is set to be announced later today (7th September) to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s plans to rewire the state.
Following updated and privileged legal advice, ministers will review plans for Local Government Reorganisation.
The review – which will be announced by the Secretary of State later today in Parliament – will include decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, which have been withdrawn in light of new legal advice.
Plans for 14 other areas, along with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, will also be reviewed and paused while this is carried out.
To reassure local leaders and communities while this review takes place, the government will confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries and remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.
The government's Rewiring the State White Paper on devolution will also set out plans to rewire the country and ensure effective and sustainable local government in future.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner is expected to tell Parliament today: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.
“The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to 'do that'.
“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister and any additional considerations.
“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”
Reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities – East and West Surrey – will go live in April 2027.
The Secretary of State will update the House on this later today.