News Help form Maidstone Town Council
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is inviting views to help shape a Town Council for Maidstone, which would be one of the largest in the country.
Following public consultation earlier this summer, 57% of respondents supported the proposal to explore options for the currently unparished urban area of Maidstone to become a Town Council with a local voice and identity.
With the potential impacts of upcoming Local Government Reorganisation, respondents shared their desire to introduce this local level of representation, in line with the rest of the borough.
A Town Council would be responsible for owning assets, running local services, providing funding for local communities and projects, and would continue the historic office of the Mayor of Maidstone, which has existed since 1549. These services would be funded through a small precept.
The consultation feedback has informed proposals for Stage 2 of this Community Governance Review and MBC would like to hear views on the Maidstone Town Council proposal, including:
- whether a single Town Council is appropriate to represent the urban areas of Maidstone at a parish level;
- the warding pattern for the Town Council;
- the name of the new parish and its wards;
- the number of councillors to represent the area; and
- the interim arrangements to form the Town Council.
MBC is asking for comments before the closing date on Sunday 1 February 2026. The council is encouraging all residents to respond in order to achieve the best, most accurate reflection of the views of Maidstone people.
A leaflet, with survey details, will be sent to every household in the unparished area to encourage residents not to miss out on this opportunity to contribute their views and shape this important decision.
The results of the consultation will be analysed by the council’s Democracy and General Purposes Committee in early 2026, before the final decision is presented to the Full Council in April. If approved, a Community Governance Order will be issued and plans for full adoption, including elections to the Town Council, will commence.
Cllr Clive English, Chairman of MBC Democracy and General Purposes Committee, commented on the second stage, saying:
Thank you to everyone who shared their views in the first round of this review. Now that a specific proposal has been presented, I urge everyone to respond so that they can help inform choices about the Town Council in a way that reflects the local identity and priorities of Maidstone Town.
Other options were considered as part of Stage 1, including having smaller parishes to represent different communities within the urban area and relying on Chartered Trustees to be responsible for the office of the Mayor of Maidstone. Through the feedback, it was indicated that respondents wanted to preserve the identity of the County Town, including a more permanent future for the Mayoralty.
Check your parish using the information on the MBC website.