Medway residents face a new council map

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-20 17:21 3 min read

Classic red double-decker bus driving through a busy UK city street.

By the Beehive Web editorial team | 20 July 2026

Four new unitary authorities will replace 14 existing councils across Kent and Medway under the structure selected by the UK Government.

Ministers confirmed on 16 July that Option 4b will proceed. It divides the area into North Kent, East Kent, Mid Kent and West Kent councils, each responsible for the full range of local government services within its boundaries.

The decision affects Kent County Council, Medway Council and the 12 city, district and borough councils listed in the selected proposal. Residents will not experience an immediate change: the existing authorities remain responsible for services until the new councils take over on 1 April 2028.

Four council areas selected for Kent and Medway

The North Kent unitary council will combine Dartford, Gravesham and Medway. Medway will account for more than half of the new authority’s population, according to Medway Council.

The remaining areas are grouped as follows:

The East Kent unitary council will cover Canterbury, Thanet and Dover.
The Mid Kent unitary council will cover Swale, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe.
The West Kent unitary council will cover Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

These boundaries determine which existing councils will be brought together. Kent County Council’s countywide functions will be divided between the four authorities, while the district, borough, city and existing Medway unitary structures will be replaced.

Each new council is intended to provide all local government services in its area. That simplified model removes the current two-tier arrangement found across most of Kent, where responsibilities are divided between Kent County Council and district-level authorities.

Council services continue under the existing system

Residents should continue contacting their present council for services, applications and enquiries. The announcement does not immediately transfer responsibility for social care, waste services, planning, housing, roads or other council functions.

Kent and Medway’s council leaders said services would not change overnight and residents would continue dealing with the same council staff during the transition. They also identified support for thousands of affected employees as a central part of the reorganisation.

The final operating arrangements have yet to be designed. The source announcement does not set out future council tax levels, ward boundaries, councillor numbers, service locations or detailed departmental structures, so no firm conclusion can yet be drawn about those practical outcomes.

Shadow authority elections set for May 2027

The next public milestone is the election of shadow authorities on 6 May 2027. Those bodies will prepare the four new councils before they assume full legal and operational responsibilities on 1 April 2028.

The transition will require the existing councils to bring together staff, budgets, contracts, records and service teams. Until that work is completed, Kent County Council, Medway Council and the district-level councils continue to operate under their present duties.

Further information about the elections and transition arrangements is expected to be published separately. The announcement does not yet explain how electoral representation will be distributed within each new authority.

Medway leader criticises the selected boundaries

Cllr Vince Maple, leader of Medway Council, supported the principle of creating four unitary councils but criticised the Government’s chosen map. He argued that Option 4b missed an opportunity to align services more closely with how communities live, work and travel.

He specifically raised concerns about places including Walderslade and Faversham, saying existing geographical complications would remain. Maple said he would seek clarification from the Secretary of State about the assessment used to select the proposal.

Despite those objections, Medway Council intends to work with Gravesham, Dartford and Kent County Council on the North Kent transition. Maple also said the authority would continue its existing programme of work and maintain services, particularly those supporting vulnerable residents, during the two years before reorganisation.

Detailed election and transition arrangements remain due for publication ahead of the shadow authority vote on 6 May 2027.

Source: Medway Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report uses Medway Council's published account of the Government decision, selected boundaries and transition timetable.

Checks

Matched all four selected council areas against the Option 4b breakdown.
Checked the shadow authority election date of 6 May 2027.
Checked the planned transfer of full responsibilities on 1 April 2028.
Separated confirmed service arrangements from details that have not yet been published.

Medway Council Check wider coverage