Central government published the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024.
The white paper outlines plans for devolution and local government reorganisation in England. This includes to create more:
- Mayoral Strategic Authorities in areas that do not have one, such as Kent and Medway, to give extra powers to local communities
- unitary councils to simplify local government.
Kent and Medway councils are not currently going through devolution.
We have been invited to create proposals for reorganisation in our region. Devolution will come after this.
Local government reorganisation
Local government reorganisation changes how local councils are organised and what they're responsible for.
Central government plans to replace the current system of district and county councils with more unitary authorities across England.
A unitary authority is one layer of government responsible for all services in a given area.
In most areas, reorganisation will mean creating unitary councils that serve at least 500,000 people. There may be exceptions to make sure the new system works well for each area. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
What reorganisation means for Medway
Medway Council is already a unitary authority. We're responsible for all services in our area including social care, waste collections, roads, parking and much more.
Across the rest of Kent, there is a 2-tier system in place. District and borough councils are responsible for some services and Kent County Council responsible for others.
It's likely that all local government services in Kent and Medway will be reorganised into 3 or 4 unitary councils serving the whole of Kent and Medway. Our preferred option is to have 4 unitary councils.
Each council will have a population size of around 500,000 residents. Medway’s current population is 280,000. It’s likely we will be combined with a neighbouring area or areas, but Medway residents will continue to have most of their valued services provided by a single council.
We expect new shadow unitary authorities to be created in 2027 with the formal authorities going live in 2028.
What has happened so far
Medway Council, Kent County Council and Kent’s 12 district and borough councils are working together to develop proposals.
All 14 council leaders in Kent sent an interim plan to central government on 21 March 2025.
Read the:
Our Leader, Councillor Vince Maple, has also written to Jim McMahon, OBE MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution. This is to confirm:
- Medway Council’s strong support for the introduction of unitary authorities across the Kent region
- his backing to a model supporting 4 unitary authorities on the basis that this would best serve local needs.
Read Leader Councillor Vince Maple's letter to Jim McMahon.
Read our latest update on the interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation.
Next steps
We will wait for the government's reponse to our interim plan.
We'll work over the coming months on final proposals to be submitted in November 2025.
Reorganisation of local authorities in Kent and Medway should be completed by April 2028.
The new unitary authorities will eventually sit alongside a new Strategic Authority for Kent and Medway with an elected Mayor.
We'll continue to support our residents with important services in the meantime.
Keeping local people involved
We want you (residents and partners) to have your say as we shape our proposals for local government reorganisation.
What you think is important to us, so we'll:
- continue to keep you informed on progress
- give you the opportunity to get involved.
Devolution
Devolution is a way groups of councils agree with government to take greater control over funding and powers for their area.
Find out more about devolution on the GOV.UK website.
The government published the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024. It outlines their ambition for the whole of England to eventually have a devolution arrangement in place.
This includes the introduction of a new type of authority called a Strategic Authority. In Medway and Kent, the proposal is to create a Mayoral Strategic Authority, which would include an elected Mayor. The elected Mayor would make decisions with the local authorities for the whole of Medway and Kent.
The benefits of doing this include:
- the ability to make decisions for residents locally, rather than nationally
- public services being tailored to local needs
- stronger partnerships between local organisations.
Devolution in Kent and Medway
Devolution in Kent and Medway will come after local government reorganisation and the creation of new unitary councils. Timings will be confirmed at a later date.
What has happened so far
September 2024: Medway Council and Kent County Council submitted an expression of interest to the government for exploring a possible devolution proposal.
December 2024: The government formally published its English Devolution White Paper.
January 2025: Leader of Medway Council, Councillor Vince Maple and Leader of Kent County Council, Councillor Roger Gough, wrote a joint letter to government to express an interest in joining the Devolution Priority Programme.
February 2025: The government did not select Kent and Medway for the priority programme. Read Leader Councillor Vince Maple’s statement on the government’s decision.
Next steps
The government says it remains committed to supporting all areas of the country on a path towards devolution.
In the meantime, we'll:
- learn from other local councils involved in the devolution priority programme
- focus on our proposals for local government reorganisation.
More information
Use these resources to find out more about local government reorganisation and devolution: