What's Happening

Our system of local government in Kent is changing. 

Sevenoaks District Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Maidstone Borough Council, as well as Kent County Council, will be abolished and replaced by a new West Kent Council (unitary authority).

The date of elections to this new Council are expected to be announced by Government in late 2026, with the most likely date being May 2028. The previous decision to hold these elections in May 2027 has been cancelled. 

In the meantime, and pending that announcement, Sevenoaks District Council elections will go ahead on 6 May 2027. Voters in Sevenoaks district will decide who runs Sevenoaks District Council in the lead up to the creation of the new West Kent Council.

Lib Dems in Sevenoaks are united across our area in preparing for the opportunity to provide new leadership in local government. Liberal Democrats are already the leading opposition party on both Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council. 

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.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will lead to the creation of 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

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

We want the Government to commit the necessary funding and powers so that this new authority can comprehensively deliver the local services that residents deserve.

That’s because the Lib Dems believe that policy and funding are best decided as close as possible to the people they affect.

2. Strengthen Parish and Town Councils

Reform of local government should be a great opportunity for our Town and Parish Councils to step forward and take on more local responsibility.

For example: Sevenoaks Town Council is already doing a magnificent job. It should now be asked to maintain and cherish assets created for the public good. These include:

• The Stag Theatre
• Hollybush recreation park

There are many more Town and Parish Councils right across the Sevenoaks District that are in a similar position.

Why This Matters

The structures of local government are often convoluted and complicated. But these changes will impact everyone's lives directly and in a significant way:

• 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 the massive improvements we need!