What's Happening

Local Government re-organisation (LGR) in Kent is imminent, with elections to new bodies likely in 2027.

The Problem: Councils in Kent have submitted their plans to central Government with very little effort to engage residents in developing them.

What This Means for You

For the last 50 years, Local Government in most of Kent has involved:

• Kent County Council, which is responsible for major areas such as education and roads, including potholes, and where the Lib Dems are the second largest group.
• District Councils, such as Dartford or Sevenoaks, whose major responsibility is bins and refuse collection; and
• Parish or Town Councils, who are the most community-focussed tier. In our area, Sevenoaks Town Council is 100pc Lib Dem.

LGR will most likely lead to the creation of three or four new Councils in Kent that will:

• Take over responsibilities from existing District Councils;
• Take over responsibilities from Kent County Council; and
• Replace both levels – the District Councils and County Council will be abolished

The Most Likely Option for West Kent

The plan with the most support would create three unitary Councils, each with at least 500,000 residents. Under this plan:

• Sevenoaks district would join with: Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling, and Maidstone
• This option was supported by Sevenoaks District Council at a recent Council meeting

Potential Benefits

✓ Clearer responsibility: One authority will handle all services:

• Waste collection AND disposal
• Road maintenance
• Planning decisions
• Leisure and cultural facilities
• Working with the NHS on health, social care and well-being

✓ Possible savings: From reduced duplication and combining services

• BUT experience elsewhere shows these take time and are difficult to achieve

The Big Risk: Distance from Democracy

⚠️ The distance between you and decision-makers will grow

As always, Liberal Democrats will work hard to minimise this risk – and, given the chance, we will create better Councils that really work with residents for the good of everyone.

What We're Pushing For

1. Devolution of Powers and Money to Kent

• Kent should not be at the back of the queue
• No reason to delay
• Policy and funding are best decided as close as possible to the people they affect

2. Strengthen Parish and Town Councils

LGR should be a great opportunity for them to step forward and take on more responsibility.

Example: Sevenoaks Town Council is already doing a magnificent job. It should now be asked to take on assets created for the public good:

• The Stag Theatre
• Hollybush recreation park

There are many more right across the Sevenoaks District. 

Why This Matters

The structures of local government are never a hot topic. But these decisions will impact everyone's lives directly:

• The tax we pay
• The services we receive
• How much say we have in decisions affecting our community

After decades of Conservatives in Sevenoaks taking everyone for granted, Liberal Democrats will work to deliver massive improvement!