Have your say and help us to frame Kent's future

Kent County Council is reviewing its community services to ensure they are run as efficiently, effectively and sustainably as possible.

Proposals include co-location of facilities, more flexible outreach activities, reducing the number of permanent buildings and making of the most of existing and emerging digital technologies to balance the needs of residents in Kent against the need to reduce costs as one of the measures to balance the council’s budget and reduce the carbon footprint.

Any changes are subject to feedback from the public and a 10-week public consultation begins on Tuesday 17 January 2023. No decisions have been made and all options are at proposal stage only. Staff are also asked for their views on the new-look map of services, as well as partners who work alongside the council in delivering services.

The areas being considered as part of the proposal are community services for adults with learning difficulties, adult education, children’s centres and youth hubs, public health services for children and families and KCC Gateways.

The proposals are driven by layered data which understands the strengths and challenges of a particular area (split into 271 council wards). A framework has subsequently been produced that reflects how different parts of the county are affected by poverty, isolation and education levels amongst other factors including distance from public buildings, and how those diverse communities could best be supported going forward.

More information

You can learn more about proposed changes in your area and have your say by visiting (from Tuesday 17 January):

www.kent.gov.uk/communityservicesconsultation

by 26 March 2023.

You can also attend one of our drop-in events, which begin on 30 January in locations across the county, to find out more and ask any questions you may have.

The events schedule below will also be available on our website from 17 January.

Schedule for drop-in events for Thanet:

• Monday 30 January 10am-1pm Margate Library, Thanet Gateway Plus, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1RE
• Monday 20 February 4-8pm Six Bells Family Centre, 201 High Street, Margate, CT9 1WH.