The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Jim MacMahon, has made a statement in the House of Commons updating MPs on local government reorganisation (LGR).
Kent and Medway is among nine areas where the decision announced by the government in July has been officially withdrawn.
Government remains committed to the LGR process in Kent and Medway and will give an update on the Kent and Medway position early next year.
LGR is an essential ingredient to the creation of a Mayoral or Foundation Strategic Authority for Kent and Medway which was announced as part of the Budget.
Ministers, and their civil servants, will be testing the assumptions set out in the respective business cases submitted by 14 councils before deciding on how many unitary councils there should be for Kent and Medway and the areas they should cover.
Leader of Kent County Council, Linden Kemkaran, said: "KCC has finally heard from the government that local government reorganisation is withdrawn after some eight weeks of uncertainty.
"We welcome the clarity given around new timelines by Government.
"Members and officers remain focused on delivering the best possible services to those that live and work in Kent as well as those that visit and study here."
ENDS
