The Leader of the Council approved the procurement of a Strategic Partner for Local Government Reorganisation in Kent and Medway on 9 June 2026. This decision approves the procurement of a Strategic Partner, with Kent County Council acting as the lead commissioning authority on behalf of the Kent and Medway councils, to secure specialist advice and resource for Local Government Reorganisation activity. The decision also approves that Kent County Council will hold any MHCLG Local Government Reorganisation funding received on behalf of Kent councils, to be used solely for LGR transition and implementation planning activity, and delegates authority to the Chief Executive to accept and deploy relevant MHCLG funding and to negotiate and enter into required contracts.