Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Borough Council,  Cllr M Boughton and the Chief Executive, Mr D Roberts will provide an update on the Devolution White Paper.

The English Devolution White Paper, released by Government on 16 December 2024,  set out plans to widen devolution across England, reform local government and introduce elected Mayors and Strategic Combined Authorities and Unitary Authorities for all parts of the country.

Currently, it was understood that Mayoral Strategic Combined Authorities would be offered additional powers and influence in respect of skills and employment support, transport and local infrastructure, housing and strategic planning, economic development and regeneration, environment and climate change, health, wellbeing and public service reform and public safety.

As a consequence of the Government’s proposals for local government reorganisation, District and Borough Councils,  the County Council and the single Unitary Council would be abolished and new Unitary Authorities established.  These new Authorities would cover a population of at least 500,000 and would be created by bringing together the existing tier one and tier two Councils and functions.

The Chief Executive and Leader provided an update in respect of the indicative timetable and confirmation of which areas had been accepted on to a ‘priority programme’ was expected by the end of January 2025.  If Kent and Medway were confirmed as being on the ‘priority programme’ initial views on unitary geographies would be invited by March 2025, with a deadline of May 2025 for final Unitary reorganisation proposals.   It was also emphasised that the deadline for reorganisation proposals from ‘non-priority’ areas was Autumn 2025 and that the Government would ultimately decide on the geographies for all areas. 

Implications for elected Members and Council staff and the potential risks were highlighted and discussed.   

In conclusion, the Government’s intent in respect of local government reorganisation was clear, things were moving quickly and it was important to maximise influence to shape outcomes, minimise the period of uncertainty to limit damage to services, staff morale and democracy and to achieve the best outcome for residents and staff.