10 signatures reached
To: Steve Reed OBE MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government,
Halt Local Government Reorganisation - Protect Dartford’s Local Voice
We want the Government to halt the current reorganisation plans and protect Dartford from damaging mergers or division. We’re asking them to keep planning and service decisions local and to work with communities on cooperative solutions instead of imposing a top-down overhaul.
Why is this important?
The Government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) would strip power from local communities, weaken democracy, and almost certainly push up council tax for Dartford residents.
Dartford is a well-run, financially stable council. Under these proposals it could be forced into a huge new authority or even split in two alongside areas with serious financial and service challenges. That would means higher bills for us, with worse value for money.
These plans would also take planning decisions out of local hands, giving us less control over where homes are built and how our neighbourhoods develop. It is the exact opposite of devolving power.
We recognise there are real issues at Kent County Council (KCC) and some nearby councils. But instead of a damaging, top-down restructuring, these problems can be addressed through local service hubs, shared services, and cooperative partnerships. Solutions that improve services without destroying local identity or accountability.
Meanwhile, the reorganisation does nothing to tackle the true national crises: adult social care and SEND transport.
We call on the Government to:
- Stop the current reorganisation and protect Dartford from harmful mergers or division.
- Keep planning decisions truly local and accountable to residents.
- Support collaborative hubs and shared services, not forced restructuring.
- Focus on the real issues, not expensive distractions.
- Work with communities, not override them!
Sign and share now to protect Dartford’s voice, our services, and our local control over decision-making.
Written by Laura Edie,
Green Party councillor for Newtown, Dartford
Dartford is a well-run, financially stable council. Under these proposals it could be forced into a huge new authority or even split in two alongside areas with serious financial and service challenges. That would means higher bills for us, with worse value for money.
These plans would also take planning decisions out of local hands, giving us less control over where homes are built and how our neighbourhoods develop. It is the exact opposite of devolving power.
We recognise there are real issues at Kent County Council (KCC) and some nearby councils. But instead of a damaging, top-down restructuring, these problems can be addressed through local service hubs, shared services, and cooperative partnerships. Solutions that improve services without destroying local identity or accountability.
Meanwhile, the reorganisation does nothing to tackle the true national crises: adult social care and SEND transport.
We call on the Government to:
- Stop the current reorganisation and protect Dartford from harmful mergers or division.
- Keep planning decisions truly local and accountable to residents.
- Support collaborative hubs and shared services, not forced restructuring.
- Focus on the real issues, not expensive distractions.
- Work with communities, not override them!
Sign and share now to protect Dartford’s voice, our services, and our local control over decision-making.
Written by Laura Edie,
Green Party councillor for Newtown, Dartford
