Reorganisation plans feedback 'positive' - councils

Local government reorganisation plans will recognise Kent's importance as the UK's "gateway to Europe", councils involved in the process say.
Medway Council and Kent County Council (KCC) said they had received government feedback on their plans which would see the county's councils replaced with unitary authorities.
The authorities said Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government officials had "acknowledged the positive partnership work… to shape high-quality and sustainable services that best respond the needs of residents and provide better value for money".
Detailed plans for the major local government overhaul, the biggest of its kind for 50 years, must be submitted by 28 November.
Under the plans, two-tier authorities such as KCC, and district and borough councils would be replaced by unitary authorities which would take on all local government responsibilities.
The plans aim to simplify local services and make efficiencies, but some have argued they distance power away from the local level.
Government feedback on the plans provided to the councils is to be published later this week.
In January, Kent applied to be included in the fast-track scheme for the government plans, but was unsuccessful, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The fast-track scheme would have seen the reorganisation as well as the creation of a Kent-wide mayor with powers, including transportation and policing.
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