Shape of local government across Kent set to change

At the end of last year, the government published a white paper which outlined its desire to devolve decision making and spending power from Whitehall to the regions.

To do this, the government wants to create region-wide strategic authorities led by elected mayors.

To complement its devolution agenda, the government also wants to see local government reorganisation.

The latter will see the abolition of Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council and the 12 district councils, of which Canterbury City Council is one.

They will be replaced by unitary authorities serving populations of roughly a minimum of 500,000 people, carrying out most of the tasks currently undertaken by KCC and Canterbury.

At the start of January, KCC and Medway Council asked to be part of the government’s Devolution Priority Programme.

This is effectively a fast-track to reform that allows the historic county of Kent to shape the process and benefit from any extra money available.

The government will let KCC know its decision soon.

If it is a yes, the government will pass a law to postpone KCC’s elections which were due to take place in May this year.

In that instance, elections for a mayor and strategic authority will take place in May 2026.

Then, in the coming weeks, the government will write to councils to ask them to submit their proposals for unitary councils – including how many and what areas should be covered by each new council – by March of this year.

There are still a lot of unknowns about the future shape of local government in the district and lots of decisions to be made.

Despite the uncertainty, Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Baldock, welcomes the government’s proposals but says the city council and its staff must maintain a laser-like focus on delivering the top-quality services that Canterbury is known for, and its residents rely on.

He said: “While we all think strategically about the historic county of Kent’s future and how council services should be shaped, Canterbury City Council will still be here for a number of years and we are all determined, councillors and officers, to deliver the council’s priorities and the best possible services for our residents.”

On devolution and local government reorganisation itself, he said: “There is a huge number of factors to consider when thinking about the best way of delivering services.

“And there will be huge amounts of day-to-day detail that will need to be thrashed out.

“We do know that there are likely to be three or four unitary councils delivering services on the ground in the county while working with the mayor and the strategic authority.

“While no decisions have been made, our district is likely to be covered by an east Kent unitary which brings together our neighbouring councils – Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe and Thanet – as well as some of the services currently delivered by KCC.

“Such a grouping would serve around 660,000 people which is close to the optimal size for a unitary authority.

“Everyone needs to remember that arrangements to create such an authority are some way off and would be no earlier than 2027, more likely 2028.

“Elections for councillors to be part of that new unitary authority would need to be held.

“As Leader, I am not afraid to admit the change is daunting, for our staff especially, and at all levels of the organisation.

“But I am sure that, far from being the end, it will be the beginning of new and exciting times.

“We will need the very best team possible, officers and councillors alike.

“I have been here long enough to know we have the commitment to punch above our weight and create a better future alongside those neighbouring councils we have served alongside for years and years.”

There is lots of information about devolution and local government reorganisation online.

KCC has its devolution web pages and the Local Government Association also has an online devolution hub.

Published: 28 January 2025

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