All options and our proposal
What are the unitary options for Kent?
There are five options that have been put forward for Kent.
Option 1a
This proposes a single unitary council covering Kent and Medway to include three area assemblies covering the north, east and west of the county.
Option 3a
This is a three unitary option consisting 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 & Hythe in the east.
Option 4b
This a four unitary council option which sticks to existing boundaries.
Dartford, Gravesham and Medway would be in the north; Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells in the west; Swale, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe in the middle of Kent and Canterbury, Thanet and Dover in the east.
Option 4d
Option 4d would reorganise Kent and Medway into four new unitary councils. North Kent would bring together Medway, parts of Gravesham, parts of Dartford, most of Swale, and small parts of Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone. East Kent would combine Canterbury, Thanet, Dover, eastern Swale and part of Folkestone & Hythe. West Kent would unite Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling and Sevenoaks with parts of Dartford and Gravesham. Mid Kent would cover Maidstone, Ashford, southern Swale, parts of Tonbridge & Malling and part of Folkestone & Hythe.
Option 5a
Option 5a proposes five unitary authorities for Kent. It would see a council for north west Kent that would take in the existing Gravesham and Dartford boroughs and Swanley which currently sits under Sevenoaks District Council. It would also extend eastwards, taking in areas currently under Medway Council up to the River Medway, and southwards to Snodland. Mid Kent would be formed of the rest of Medway and the rest of Swale. West Kent would combine Sevenoaks (excluding Swanley), Tonbridge & Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. East Kent would be made up of the Faversham part of Swale, Canterbury and Thanet. South Kent would combine Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe and Dover.
Which option does Dartford Borough Council support?
The five options for LGR in Kent were discussed at an extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Council on 17 November 2025. After a long debate, members voted to recommend option 5a to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet then met on 20 November 2025. They were keen for their reservations around LGR to be made clear to government but approved option 5a as the best of the options that had been put forward.
Option 5a was approved by this Council on the basis that it presents a model that is built around natural places and identities that will maximise the benefits of local, connected government, with a strong capacity for growth. Smaller, more manageable geographies will allow the new unitary councils to tailor services to local demographic needs, supporting the unique character of the towns and villages being served. Of the options on the table, this option provides the greatest level of democracy and maintains the closest relationship between residents and elected councillors. It also aligns boundaries with health, education, skills and employment geographies, providing the right footprint for prevention and intervention and for wider public service reform.
The business case for option 5a was submitted to government on 28 November 2025 as Dartford Borough Council’s preferred option, but with a covering letter expressing concerns around LGR and the speed at which it is being implemented.
Gravesham Borough Council has also put forward option 5a as their preferred choice.