Last Monday’s news that the Government has paused or withdrawn plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent surprised many people. It came six weeks after Government confirmed that Kent would become four unitary authorities, with Sevenoaks District combined with Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling.
The Government has confirmed that local elections in May 2027 will take place for District Councils as they stand today, although we don’t know how long they will exist. For Sevenoaks, this is an important change. The Sevenoaks District Council elections will happen in May 2027 alongside our Sevenoaks Town Council elections. It also means that preparatory work on the previously agreed plan to bring together the functions of Kent County Council and the Districts is paused.
Sevenoaks Town Council has been working hard over the last two years to make sure our town comes out of reorganisation with more control over its own future, and that devolution promised by central Government means something real. We have made every attempt to persuade our District Council to return key assets, like Hollybush Rec and our market, to the townspeople who paid for them.
Most important is Stag Theatre and Cinema, a centrepiece of Sevenoaks’ cultural and social life. It is also crucial for the economy of the town, bringing many thousands of people into Sevenoaks, who spend millions of pounds in our cafés and restaurants, local shops, and services. The Town Council has decided that the continuing uncertainty over the future of our District Council, which owns the freehold, and lease conditions makes it even more important to secure control of Stag. Then we can start investing to support its long-term future as soon as possible and avoid repeating the current anxieties and uncertainty in the future.
LGR may be paused, but the Town Council’s fundraising to buy the freehold of Stag is pressing on with even more determination. We hit an important milestone of £60,000 pledged yesterday – over halfway to our minimum target to make it possible to save Stag for Sevenoaks forever.
Please contribute if you can. Your Town Councillors really value your support and knowing that the people of Sevenoaks back Stag’s future. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. You can make your pledge at www.surveymonkey.com/r/stagfreeholdpledge
A huge thank you to all who have pledged support so far.
Regardless of what happens in the future to Sevenoaks District or Kent County Councils, Sevenoaks Town Council will be in place after the dust settles. It will continue to provide local services, investing in community assets like the new Greatness Football & Community Centre, supporting local voluntary organisations, and looking after most of the green spaces which make Sevenoaks special.
Watch the Town Council’s Stag video below for more information.
