At the Special Full Council meeting held today (13th November), Councillor George Perfect, Leader of the Opposition and Medway Conservative Group, proposed a bold and forward-looking amendment to the Council’s submission on Local Government Reorganisation for Kent and Medway (LGR). Speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group, Cllr Perfect urged the Council to support Option 3A, a model he described as “the only viable option” for delivering efficient, accountable, and future-proof local government across Kent and Medway.
“This is the biggest change in local government in a generation,” said Cllr Perfect. “And it’s the right thing to do. Medway has shown the success of unitary government, and now we have the opportunity to shape the future for the whole county.”
Cllr Perfect criticised the proposals put forward by both Kent County Council’s Reform UK leadership and Medway Council’s Labour administration, describing them as “flawed in every sense.”
“KCC’s model fails to meet the basic criteria and would deny people a strong local voice,” he said. “And [Labour option] Option 4D is arguably even worse—drawn up without engagement, it breaks up historic boundaries and creates unbalanced authorities. It’s a chaotic plan that won’t deliver the savings we need.”
He also condemned the financial cost of the Labour-led proposal:
“Cllr Maple’s vanity project has cost Medway taxpayers at least £105,000—money borrowed and to be repaid by future generations. That’s simply unacceptable.”
In contrast, Option 3A—backed by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and led by experienced Conservative leaders in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge & Malling—offers:
- The greatest potential for savings
- The lowest one-off implementation costs
- The shortest payback period
- Strong local accountability
- Broadly balanced populations aligned with local identities
“Option 3A is not just practical—it’s collaborative,” said Cllr Perfect. “It has the support of major public sector partners and lays the foundation for future devolution, integration of services, and long-term financial stability.”
Under Option 3A, Kent would be reorganised into three new unitary authorities:
- North Kent Authority – From Dartford to Swale, including Medway, uniting key economic hubs like Ebbsfleet and the Port of Sheerness.
- West Kent Authority – A knowledge-driven region from Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells.
- East Kent Authority – A diverse coastal and rural economy serving as the Gateway to Europe.
“This model ensures strong local accountability and guarantees that services reflect the needs of our communities,” Cllr Perfect added. “It’s the most efficient and cost-effective path forward—and it respects the identities of the places we serve.”
Cllr Perfect concluded by urging the Council to back Option 3A:
“I urge the Leader of the Council to finally acknowledge what he already knows – Option 3A is, in my opinion, the strongest option for a brighter future for our great historic county.”
ENDS
