Government Rejects Kent Council Request to Delay Local Government Reorganisation

Kent County Council's leader, Linden Kemkaran of Reform UK, requested a delay to the government's local government reorganisation plans, citing the November 28 deadline as "almost impossible" to meet and proposing an extension to the end of March. Local Government minister Jim McMahon has verbally rejected this request, insisting there is adequate time for councils to prepare final proposals within the current timetable. The reorganisation involves replacing Kent’s existing two-tier system with a smaller number of larger unitary authorities, and may introduce an elected mayor as part of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's 'Devolution Revolution.' Despite Reform UK winning a majority in Kent County Council, they are required to implement the government's reorganisation plans within their term. Some local leaders, including the Green Party's Stuart Jeffery, support adhering to the existing timetable to avoid causing anxiety and confusion among residents. The government also rejected Kent’s bid to be fast-tracked in the reorganisation process, reinforcing their commitment to the established timeline.