New Kent council map proposal dubbed 'appalling'

Medway Council's leader Vince Maple said the option is the best way forward

A proposal for the reorganisation of local government in Kent has been branded "appalling and disrespectful" by one councillor.

Medway Council has put forward an outline for four unitary authorities to replace itself, Kent County Council (KCC) and the 12 district and borough councils - part of a major national shake-up announced by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner last year.

It comes after KCC said its preferred option was for only three unitary authorities at a meeting last month.

But Vince Maple, leader of Medway's authority, described Labour's option as the way forward and best matching outlined plans for an England-wide overhaul.

He said: "Whilst I appreciate there are currently different options, I wholeheartedly support the proposed model.

"This is the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at the map of the county and get it right."

However, other politicians did not agree, some even accusing the authority of trying to "break" them apart, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Leader of Tonbridge and Malling council, Matt Boughton called the announcement "appalling and disrespectful" on social media.

And even within Medway there was a conflict of opinion.

Conservatives' leader George Perfect said his group "vehemently disagreed" with the proposals, describing them as "not consistent with the aims and objectives as laid out by the government".

Independent Group councillor Michael Pearce also expressed dissatisfaction online, suggesting the proposal "looks and smells a lot like gerrymandering".

Currently under the two-tier system, the county has 12 district and borough councils, which split responsibility for public services with the overarching KCC.

The map which Medway Council is suggesting would see the creation of a North authority, including Medway, Sittingbourne, the Isle of Sheppey, Gravesend, Northfleet and Dartford.

The West council would stretch from Royal Tunbridge Wells up to Longfield and Istead Rise, encompassing Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Snodland, and reaching to the boundary of Maidstone.

The Mid authority is the largest in terms of geographical area, and includes Maidstone, Bearsted, Staplehurst, Cranbrook, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst.

It also includes Faversham and Ashford and stretches down to Dungeness and across to Hythe.

The East council covers Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Deal, Dover and Folkestone.

Submissions for how the boundaries of the new authorities are due at the end of November, and Maple encouraged residents to make their views known.