Sevenoaks proposes new council structure for Kent

21 November 2025

Sevenoaks proposes new council structure for Kent

Sevenoaks District Council has put forward its preferred council structure for Kent as part of the Government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Under the Government’s LGR proposal, Kent’s 14 councils would be replaced by a smaller number of unitary councils. These unitary councils would provide all local government services through one organisation, instead of the current situation in most of Kent (except in Medway) where District and County councils provide different services to residents.

Following a period assessing the options and considering the views of residents and other public sector partners, the Council and its Cabinet agreed to recommend to Government that three new unitary councils should replace the existing 14 councils.

The three unitary councils would consist 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.

Sevenoaks District Council’s proposal, alongside those of every other council in Kent & Medway, will be submitted to Government by 28 November. The Government will consider the proposals and is expected to run a short consultation in the spring of next year, before reaching a decision on its preferred structure by late July 2026.

Cllr Kevin Maskell, Sevenoaks District Council’s Leader, says: “We have carefully considered the issues, and we firmly believe three new unitary councils would best serve our residents and Kent as a whole.

“In our opinion, the three-unitary model is the best option to manage future financial and service pressures and therefore, to meet Kent residents’ needs.

“It also aligns most closely with other key public sector service boundaries and has the support of public sector partners, creating better opportunities to deliver public sector reform and improve services for all of Kent’s residents.

“The proposed geographies also provide a strong foundation for economic growth and strategic planning for homes and infrastructure.”

On the current timetable, Sevenoaks District Council will continue to deliver its services until the end of March 2028.

In preparation for the new council in April 2028, residents will be able to elect Councillors for the new organisation in May 2027.

Town & Parish Councils will continue and are not directly affected by LGR.

Sevenoaks District Council's recommendation for the preferred local authority structure for Kent was agreed at the Council meeting on 18 November followed by Cabinet on 19 November 2025.