00:01They may just look like lines on a map, but these boundaries could determine the future of Kent's services and who will represent you.
00:13Medway Council have just revealed their vision for what Kent's political landscape could look like in the future,
00:22imagining four unitaries replacing our current local authorities, bringing services under one roof.
00:29But for many council leaders in Kent, the proposals caught them off guard.
00:35I think they're appalling and they're quite disrespectful the way that this has happened.
00:39Essentially, they have published the map without any consultation with the communities affected at all.
00:45And this isn't just for us in Tunbridge and Morling, this is right across Kent, where they're seeking to break up the boundaries of eight of the 12 districts.
00:53With six other proposals having been examined by Kent County Council, not everyone is going to be happy with every option.
01:03But there are fears from some towns and villages like Wilmington that they could end up divided by the proposals.
01:12Any proposal should try and respect the existing community and borough boundaries where they are.
01:18They're that way for a reason.
01:19You know, cutting Wilmington, Sutton the Hone, Hawley, Dowringth, Bean, Longfield away from the rest of Dartford.
01:25It means that you start to break, break apart that community.
01:27You know, trying to play divider and rule with Dartford is a right.
01:30Medway's proposals would split the village in half.
01:34If you're out on the north side of the A2, you'll receive the exact same services as Dartford proper.
01:42But on the south side, you'd become separated and part of a new West Kent unitary.
01:48For many, that's a bridge too far.
01:51I know, this would be a mega problem.
01:55Because none of it would be coordinated, would it?
01:58Between the two councils.
02:00It would be hopeless.
02:02I wouldn't like that to happen.
02:04I live over the other side of the bridge, which obviously is going to be the Dartford side.
02:09We love our village and we would like it to all be under Wilmington village and not split into two.
02:17But for the man behind the map, Medway's proposal presents a way to simplify local government.
02:24If you look at Walderslade, for example, at the moment, that's served by four different councils.
02:29Medway, KCC, Tunbridge and Morling and Maidstone, different parts of Walderslade.
02:34This would bring it under one council.
02:36So we think that there are good opportunities for this.
02:39Of course, we've used strong boundaries like motorways to say actually there are clear dividing lines between communities.
02:46When we have things like motorways there.
02:49So I think our map does that in a very positive way.
02:52This map isn't the only one on the table.
02:55With many on Kent's coast favouring a three unitary approach.
03:00While Kent County Council have suggested one countywide authority.
03:05But as local government reorganisation draws closer, it's clear that for communities, new boundaries will be a heated and emotive issue.
03:15All a leader in Medway.
03:18A key grizzled
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