Government plans to revolutionise the council structure in Kent have been met with “pragmatic realism” by the county’s 14 local authority leaders, according to one boss.

They met in Ashford yesterday afternoon (December 18) to discuss the English Devolution White Paper unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, on Monday.

The sweeping reforms could see Kent getting a mayor and the abolition of all existing councils which would be replaced by a smaller number of unitary authorities.

It represents the biggest change to local government in half a century.

The mayoral system would be similar to that already in place under Labour’s Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester.

Ultimately, the decision on the future direction, under the options set out by the government, will be down to Kent County Council leader, Cllr Roger Gough, and Medway Council leader, Cllr Vince Maple.

Most observers in Kent, including elected representatives and officials, believe the two men will choose the government’s accelerated reform option which could result in a better financial settlement for the county.

One authority facing extinction is Folkestone and Hythe, whose Green Party leader, Cllr Jim Martin, said: “It is what it is and we have to deal with what is coming down the track at us.

“I have to say that Kent (county council) have engaged very well with the district councils and I know for a fact that is not reflected in other places across the country. We go forward together.

“There are a lot of different opinions and priorities but we are all pragmatists and realists and we have to make the best of the situation that we find ourselves in.

“The people of Kent would expect a variety of views. Let’s face it, Romney Marsh is a very different place to Dartford.

“But I got the sense that we understand one principle - that we are stronger together. We realise that we are being rushed (by the government) into making a decision but because of the engagement by Roger and Vince, it will stand to our strengths.

“I see little value in delaying what is coming our way.”

If Kent decides to ask government minister Jim McMahon to be allowed to take the quickest route to devolution and council reorganisation, the mayor could be in place within 18 months and new unitary authorities soon after.

That request must be made by January 10.

At KCC’s full council meeting today (December 19), Cllr Gough hinted he was ready to “move sooner rather than later” to be part of the priority devolution programme.

The authority is due to go to the polls next May but these may be shelved if the minister grants permission.

Calling on the Conservative-run KCC leadership for public consultation, Labour group leader, Cllr Alister Brady, told the meeting: “It’s important this is done with the residents and not done to them. Are you running scared of an election?”

Cllr Gough has not yet made an announcement on the KCC elections.

Asked if a postponement is a likelihood, Cllr Martin said: “That is a decision for the upper tier leaders to make by asking the government minister for a postponement for a year.

“There are a lot of factors tied up in that decision. For instance, there may be a lot of councillors who don’t want to serve another year.”

Mr McMahon, who is the devolution minister, has given all council leaders until next month to request an election postponement.

The letter said: “To lay the relevant legislation to postpone elections, I will need a clear commitment to devolution and reorganisation aims from upper-tier councils in an area, including a request from the councils whose election is to be postponed, on or before January 10.

“This request must set out how postponing the election would enable the council to make progress with reorganisation and devolution in parallel on the devolution priority programme, or would speed up reorganisation and enable the area to benefit from devolution as quickly as possible once the new unitary structures are in place.”

Another Kent council leader, who asked not to be named, said: “The meeting was cordial and friendly but we didn’t hear much that we didn’t already know. But it’s clear Roger and Vince want to engage and hear what we have to say.

“What did become apparent is that the government is absolutely determined to push this through.

“No local council leader can quite believe it, but clearly this is a train we have to catch.”