Government U-turn on Kent Local Government Reorganisation

The Government’s decision to put Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on hold has left councils facing huge costs, wasted work and deep uncertainty about the future, says Cllr Mike Sole, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Canterbury City Council.

“This is a shocking decision with potentially huge consequences for local government,” said Cllr Sole.

“Canterbury City Council, like councils across Kent, has spent an enormous amount of money, time and effort preparing for LGR. That work has now been thrown into uncertainty, and councils are being left to pick up the bill.

Simply pressing pause, with no clear timetable for the review and no firm indication of when councils and residents will know what happens next, is the worst possible outcome.

The Government has created chaos where there should have been certainty. Local government leaders are being asked to carry the financial and practical consequences while Labour and Reform argue over legal niceties.

How can councils plan services, manage budgets or give residents confidence when the Government cannot even say what the future structure of local government will look like?

Liberal Democrats are demanding that the Government reimburse the costs councils have incurred so far. Ministers must also come clean about how long this review will take, when the Secretary of State expects to make a final decision, and exactly what criteria she will use.

Councils have been left in limbo. Residents deserve better than being told to wait indefinitely while politicians argue amongst themselves.

This unnecessary uncertainty comes at the worst possible time, when councils are already under enormous financial pressure and families and communities are facing pressures of their own.

Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to stand up for Canterbury’s residents and keep delivering for our communities.

If, as now appears likely, elections to Canterbury City Council go ahead in May 2027, we will be ready. We look forward to putting our plans for the district to residents and giving them the chance to decide what kind of future they want for Canterbury.”

Mike Sole, KCC Councillor and Leader of the Lib Dems on Canterbury City Council.