Local Government Reorganisation in Kent

The Government has confirmed that Maidstone will become part of a new West Kent unitary council alongside Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells from April 2028.

The decision forms part of the biggest change to local government in Kent for 50 years.

The government is replacing Kent County Council, Medway Council and the 12 district, borough and county councils that currently deliver services in the county with four new unitary councils.

Those councils will deliver all of the services in their area, much like Medway Council does today, including education, social services, highways, libraries, emptying your bins, leisure centres and housing services.

Following a government consultation, which attracted around 3,000 responses, the Secretary of State has opted for:

• a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Dartford, Gravesham and Medway in the north
• a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells in the west
• a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Swale, Ashford and Folkestone and Hythe in the middle of Kent
• a unitary council covering the areas currently served by Canterbury, Thanet and Dover in the east

For further information and further maps of the new areas please visit the Maidstone Borough Council website.