Devolution
What is devolution?
Devolution is all about having a new tier of government allowing strategic decisions that affect local people in Kent, which will be made by the new authority, run by an elected Kent mayor.
These strategic decisions are on those contentious issues around roads, transport, education, health, planning - all done currently in Westminster - but will be moved to a local Kent and Medway wide Mayoral authority.
How will it work?
It means the transfer of powers from Westminster to Kent along with funding to deliver those strategic decisions. These structures already exist around the country in city regions like Manchester and Birmingham, and more recently in places like the West of England, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
What is the difference between devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils.
Update on devolution and LGR in Kent and Medway
Ashford Borough Council welcomes the announcement in the Chancellor’s Budget in October 2026 that Kent and Medway can progress towards a devolution arrangement. Further details are awaited from the Government about what this will mean for the area.
Devolution would transfer powers and funding from central government to Kent and Medway, allowing more decisions to be made at a regional level. It is separate from local government reorganisation (LGR), which changes the structure of councils and which councils deliver local services.
A Strategic Authority would bring together decisions and funding on matters such as transport, adult skills and local growth across Kent and Medway. The model has not yet been confirmed, including whether there would be an elected mayor.
ABC priorities remain the same
While we work our way through this process, for the near future at least, nothing changes in terms of the services we delivery to you.
Ashford Borough Council officers and councillors will continue to focus on our priorities set out in the Borough Plan and progressing on important work like a new Local Plan, delivering affordable housing for local people and serving our residents.
