Canterbury City Councils Community Governance Review Consultation.
Kent is going through Local Government Reorganisation; this means from 2028 Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council will cease to exist and the new Unitary Authority will take over. We will find out in July what this will look like and what District Councils we will be with, in all the proposals we will be with a minimum of Thanet and Dover.
At the moment, local services are split between:
Kent County Council (roads, education, social care, libraries, etc.), and
Canterbury City Council (planning, bins, housing, environmental services, leisure).
Under the Government’s proposals, the local District and County Councils will be replaced by Unitary authorities, each responsible for all local services.
What is not changing?
Residents will still elect councillors.
Services such as waste collection, planning and social care will continue to be provided.
Community groups, charities and local organisations will continue their work.
Many towns and villages in Kent already have a town or parish council which provides a very local voice and can deliver community services. Herne Bay, Whitstable and Canterbury do not.
Residents of Herne Bay should not assume that local representation will automatically remain the same. The move to larger unitary authorities could mean decision-making is further away unless mechanisms are put in place to protect local voices.
Local government reorganisation is an opportunity to ask what local representation should look like in Herne Bay. Residents should be involved in deciding whether the new arrangements under a Unitary Authority would be sufficient or whether a new form of local governance, such as a town council, would better protect Herne Bay’s distinct identity and priorities.
Have your say:
Canterbury City Council Community Governance Review Consultation