Purpose

This matter concerns the
Council’s response to the Government’s request that the
council work together with other council’s in Kent to submit
proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Kent by the 21
March 2025.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:
 
1.  
To approve in principle the proposed general submission on behalf
of the Kent Councils for Local Government Reorganisation set out at
Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report, and delegates authority to the
Leader to agree any final amendments before submission on 21
March;
 
2.  
To note the detailed additional submission related to possible
geographical models for new Unitary Councils set out at Appendix 3
of the Cabinet report, as it is currently drafted, and agree, for
the reasons set out in this report, that at this stage the Council
should not be associated with this additional submission;
 
3.  
To note that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive
have, in accordance with their powers, sought to progress
negotiations and develop the attached plan for LGR in the interests
of the District;
 
4.  
That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive continue to
progress negotiations and the development of plans in order to be
in a position to submit more detailed plans for LGR in accordance
with the guidance set out in the letter referred to above from the
Minister.

Reasons for the decision

On 5 February 2025 all 14 leaders of Kent and
Medway Council received a letter from the Government inviting
proposals for Local Government Reform (LGR). Cabinet agreed with
the recommendations above and that a positive response should be
made with a general submission for LGR. Cabinet was of the view
that further work needed to be undertaken before detailed
submissions should be made to Government. Cabinet noted from the
earlier extraordinary meeting of Full Council (held on the same day
as the Cabinet meeting on 20 March 2025) that there appeared to be
cross party consensus in relation to the recommendations above.

Alternative options considered

It was open to Cabinet to reject the
recommendations, to propose amendments to one or both drafts for
submission or to consider submitting the more detailed proposals in
relation to proposal. Cabinet agreed that the outline proposals
should be submitted but was of the clear view that further work
needed to be done before more detailed proposals for LGR could be
agreed upon and submitted.