Consultation outcome

Local government reorganisation in Kent and Medway

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Published: 5 February 2026
• Last updated: 21 July 2026 — See all updates

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Kent and Medway: Summary and analysis of consultation responses

PDF, 727 KB, 60 pages

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Detail of outcome

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has decided to implement, subject to Parliamentary approval, the proposal for 4 unitary councils to be established in Kent and Medway.

This proposal was submitted by:

• Dover District Council
• Swale Borough Council
• Thanet District Council

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Original consultation

Summary

This consultation seeks views on the local government reorganisation proposals we have received from councils in Kent and Medway.​

This consultation ran from
1pm on 5 February 2026 to 11:59pm on 26 March 2026

Consultation description

We are seeking views on the proposals submitted by councils for the reorganisation of local government in Kent and Medway.  

​Responses to this consultation will inform our decision on which proposal, if any, to implement.

Documents

Proposals for local government reorganisation in Kent and Medway

HTML

Published 5 February 2026

Last updated 21 July 2026 — Show all updates

1. 21 July 2026

   Summary and analysis of responses added.

2. 5 February 2026

   First published.