Leaders of councils across Kent have submitted an interim plan for how local government could be reorganised in the county.
The plan reflects discussions to date about how the two-tier system of council services, currently provided by Kent County Council, Medway Council and the county’s 12 districts and boroughs, could be replaced by single tier authorities.
Simplifying the structure of council service provision was set out in the English Devolution White Paper published by central government in December 2024.
Kent councils were given until 21 March 2025 to put forward early ideas and council leaders have supported dividing the county into either three or four unitary authorities, each providing all current council services.
Folkestone & Hythe will continue to be involved in the further discussions and the work due to take place over coming months before a final proposal is submitted in November.
F&HDC held a public meeting on Monday 17 March and maps showing the geography of possible unitary options were shown to those attending in person or online. Questions about reorganisation and the work being undertaken were also answered.
Public consultation and further engagement with partner organisations and stakeholders is due to take place across the county before November.
It is planned that the new unitary councils will come into being in 2028.