The Local Government Reorganisation Working Group met to discuss the next steps in the reorganisation process, including the timetable, member support, and communication and engagement strategies. The group received presentations and updates on these key areas, and also discussed feedback from a Kent-wide meeting. No votes were held and no decisions were made.

Update on Local Government Reorganisation

The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process, which could see the abolition of existing councils in Kent and Medway to be replaced with a number of new unitary councils¹. The group received updates on several aspects of the reorganisation.

The Chief Executive, Susan Priest, had previously outlined the key deadlines in the timetable at the meeting held on 6 August 2025².

KPMG Work and Geographies

The group received an update on the work being done by KPMG, the advisors appointed to assist with the reorganisation. KPMG are working to develop business cases for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by 28 November.

Timetable and Next Steps

The group received a presentation on the timetable for the next steps in the LGR process.

Kent-wide KPMG Ignite Meeting

Councillor Jim Martin, Leader of the Green Group, provided verbal feedback from the Kent-wide KPMG Ignite meeting held on 17 September 2025.

Member Support

Susan Priest gave a verbal update on the proposed support for members during the LGR process. At the previous meeting, members had requested training in respect of LGR, and had suggested a visit from a previous Chief Executive of an authority who had been through LGR.

Communication and Engagement

The group received an update on the Kent-wide agreed communications strategy and the approach to general public engagement.

Jane Walker, Communications & Engagement Manager, had previously outlined plans for a countywide awareness campaign, including a social media pulse survey, at the meeting held on 6 August 2025[^4].

The short pulse survey to test awareness of LGR was publicised on Folkestone & Hythe's social media channels and those of other councils across the county over four days in the middle of August. Its purpose was to provide some baseline data to measure the effectiveness of the awareness campaign that launched on 18 August.

Printed posters for noticeboards have been circulated to all libraries in the district. The design has also been sent all town and parish councils for community noticeboards. The poster links to the kentcouncilleaders.org.uk website.

Following agreement on 3 September for the two models to be worked up as business cases for submission to the government in November, councils were able to communicate the decision to councillors and staff. On Friday 5 September a news release was issued on behalf of all councils and was also published on the websites of many councils including Folkestone & Hythe and supported by social media.

The press release stated that:

Kent and Medway's councils have asked their advisors KPMG to look in more detail at two options for unitary councils and the areas they should cover...

The options going forward are:

Three unitary councils consisting of Dartford, Gravesham, Medway and Swale in the north; Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells in the west and Ashford, Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Folkestone and Hythe in the east.

Four unitary councils consisting of Dartford, Gravesham and Medway in the north; Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells in the west; Swale, Maidstone and Folkestone and Hythe in the middle of Kent and Canterbury, Thanet and Dover in the east.

Kent council leaders have discussed proposals for local engagement with stakeholders and residents, including face to face opportunities, across the county over the next month.

Whilst recognising that residents cannot influence whether LGR takes place, it is recommended that the emphasis is placed on establishing what is important for residents e.g. value for money, how local voices are heard. To go some way to achieve this a survey is due to be launched county-wide in September.