Council shake-up set to spark review of democracy in the district

Making sure democracy in the district is fit for purpose is at the heart of a review being launched by Canterbury City Council next month.

It is collecting people’s views as part of what is known as a Community Governance Review (CGR) which is looking at how residents are represented across the area.

The CGR has been prompted by the biggest shake-up of councils by the government in 50 years.

Residents are currently served by Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council and, while most parts of the district are also served by a parish council, which can also be known as town councils, that is not the case in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

In the parished areas, all three of these levels of local government can have a role in local democracy and each can provide specific services and represent the needs and views of its residents.

The CGR is being overseen by the all-party Community Governance Review Councillor Working Group.

Its terms of reference will be agreed by the General Purposes Committee at its meeting on Wednesday 22 April. Full Council will be asked to ratify them at its meeting on Thursday 30 April.

Cllr Chris Cornell, Chair of the working group, said: “Under government proposals, Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council are expected to be abolished in the coming two years and will be replaced by one council to represent residents and deliver services in this area.

“Existing parish councils will continue. If there are no changes, residents in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable will not have a parish or town council and would be served only by the new single council known as a unitary council.

“Subject to the decisions made by General Purposes Committee and Full Council later this month, we will be launching an eight-week consultation from Thursday 7 May to midnight on Sunday 5 July and we want to hear from you.

“At that stage, we will want to know your views about the existing parish arrangements and about the unparished towns.”

The consultation on CGR is set to ask two questions:

• are any changes needed to any of the existing parish councils such as boundaries or numbers of councillors? This could be because of developments or other changes near a boundary or because the parish has too few or too many parish councillors.
• does the city of Canterbury and the coastal towns of Herne Bay and/or Whitstable need any different arrangements such as a new parish or town council?

The responses to the consultation will be used to help shape draft recommendations which will then be consulted on with those residents affected and other interested individuals and groups later this year.

Parish and town councils are legally the same type of organisation.

You can read a large selection of answers to frequently asked questions.

The council is also organising a series of information events across the district.

They are:

• Canterbury – Monday 11 May, 6pm to 7.30pm, Guildhall, St Peter’s Place, Canterbury
• Whitstable – Tuesday 12 May, 6pm to 7.30pm, The Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre, Horsebridge Road, Whitstable
• Herne Bay – Thursday 14 May, 6pm to 7.30pm, The Baptist Church, High Street, Herne Bay
• Online – Thursday 21 May, 6pm to 7.30pm (joining details to be confirmed)

General Purposes Committee will meet at 7pm on Wednesday 22 April at the Guildhall, St Peter’s Place, Canterbury.

Full Council will meet at 7pm on Thursday 30 April at the Guildhall, St Peter’s Place, Canterbury.

If you have any questions, email cgr@canterbury.gov.uk.

Published: 14 April 2026