Photo: Chris Whippet · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone is run by Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council. No party holds a majority on Maidstone Borough Council. Reform UK has a majority on Kent County Council. Maidstone is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,469
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Maidstone’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Maidstone Borough Council
The Conservatives, the largest group, hold 13 of its 49 seats as elected, 12 short of the 25 needed. The Liberal Democrats hold 12, the Greens 10, Labour 6, independents 3, Reform UK 3 and Fant & Oakwood Independents 2. Who’s in charge ↓
Kent in 2025
Kent County Council, which runs schools, social care and roads, has a Reform UK majority at the May 2025 election: Reform UK won 56 of 82 seats. Kent ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Maidstone is £2,454 for 2026–27; Maidstone Borough Council keeps 13% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 54% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats on Maidstone’s councils
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 25 of Maidstone’s 49 or 42 of Kent’s 82 seats to run the council alone.
- Conservative13
- Liberal Democrat12
- Green10
- Labour6
- Independent3
- Reform UK3
- Fant & Oakwood Independents2
Latest election: May 2024.
- Reform UK56
- Liberal Democrat12
- Conservative6
- Green6
- Labour2
Latest election: May 2025.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
Two tiers of council, and a parish tier
Maidstone has two tiers of council: the county runs the big services, the district the local ones.
The parish council for the part of Maidstone inside Loose parish.
5% of Maidstone’s residents · Band D precept £56
The parish council for the part of Maidstone inside Boxley parish.
Who runs Maidstone: same source as Who runs Maidstone, above.
The parish council for the part of Maidstone inside Tovil parish.
Who runs Maidstone: same source as Who runs Maidstone, above.
The parish council for the part of Maidstone inside Barming parish.
Who runs Maidstone: same source as Who runs Maidstone, above.
Bins and recycling, planning, housing, environmental health, leisure, and collecting council tax.
Website ↗Schools, social care, roads and transport, libraries and waste disposal.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: in two-tier areas the district or borough runs local services and the county the big ones.
76% of Maidstone’s residents live outside any parish, with no parish council.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the parish to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Maidstone, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish6 parish councilsLoose parish councilBoxley parish councilTovil parish councilBarming parish councilBoughton Monchelsea parish councilDownswood parish council
- 2Maidstone Borough Council14 wards · 32 councillorsLiberal Democrat 12 · Green 6 · Labour 6 · Conservative 5 · Fant & Oakwood Independents 2 · Independent 1 · all 32
- 3Kent County Council5 divisions · 6 councillorsPaul ThomasOliver James BradshawStuart JefferyGeoffrey Richard SammeRobert FordLinden Mary Kemkaran
- 4Police and crime commissionerKent Police · elected May 2024Matthew Scott
- 5House of CommonsSplit between 3 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
32 councillors for 14 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Paul HarperFant & Oakwood Independents · May 2024
- Patrick Frederick CoatesFant & Oakwood Independents · May 2024
- Kimberley Joan MilhamGreen · May 2024
- Joanna WilkinsonLabour · May 2024
- Maureen CleatorLabour · May 2024
- Sarah BarwickLabour · May 2024
- Tony Peter HarwoodLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Richard John Walter ConyardLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- David NaghiLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Rob FieldLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Mark David NaghiLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Ronald Martin BurkeConservative · May 2024
- Clive Andrew EnglishLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Dinesh KhadkaLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Donna Louise GreenanGreen · May 2024
- Hilary Victoria Jenkins-BaldockLabour · May 2024
- Dan WilkinsonLabour · May 2024
- Stan ForecastConservative · May 2024
- Tom CannonConservative · May 2024
- Fay Lynette GoochIndependent · May 2024
- Allison Juliet SweetmanGreen · May 2024
- Stuart JefferyGreen · May 2024
- Rachel Elizabeth RodwellGreen · May 2024
- Paul John WilbyLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Joe HigsonLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Brian Eugene ClarkLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Simon David WalesLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Malcolm James McKayLabour · May 2024
The other 2 wards
- Mike ThompsonLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Val SpringettConservative · May 2024
- Denis Charles SpoonerConservative · May 2024
- Ciaran Dominic OliverGreen · May 2024
Show as a table, with Kent County Council’s 5 divisions (6 councillors)
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fant & Oakwoodall in Maidstone · 12,698 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Paul HarperPatrick Frederick CoatesKimberley Joan Milham | May 2024 |
| Shepwayall in Maidstone · 11,298 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Joanna WilkinsonMaureen CleatorSarah Barwick | May 2024 |
| Penenden Heathall in Maidstone · 10,976 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Tony Peter HarwoodRichard John Walter ConyardDavid Naghi | May 2024 |
| Grove Green & Vinters Parkall in Maidstone · 10,486 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Rob FieldMark David NaghiRonald Martin Burke | May 2024 |
| High Streetall in Maidstone · 10,471 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Clive Andrew EnglishDinesh KhadkaDonna Louise Greenan | May 2024 |
| Park Wood & Mangravetall in Maidstone · 7,921 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Hilary Victoria Jenkins-BaldockDan Wilkinson | May 2024 |
| Palace Woodall in Maidstone · 7,555 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Stan ForecastTom Cannon | May 2024 |
| Barming Heath & Testonmostly in Maidstone · 7,011 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Fay Lynette GoochAllison Juliet Sweetman | May 2024 |
| Allington & Bridgeall in Maidstone · 6,944 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Stuart JefferyRachel Elizabeth Rodwell | May 2024 |
| Tovilall in Maidstone · 6,638 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Paul John WilbyJoe Higson | May 2024 |
| Loose & Lintonmostly in Maidstone · 5,924 residents2 seats · May 2024 | 2 | Brian Eugene ClarkSimon David Wales | May 2024 |
| Senacreall in Maidstone · 3,287 residents1 seat · May 2024 | 1 | Malcolm James McKay | May 2024 |
| Ringlestoneall in Maidstone · 2,796 residents1 seat · May 2024 | 1 | Mike Thompson | May 2024 |
| Bearsted & Downswood21% in Maidstone · 2,197 residents3 seats · May 2024 | 3 | Val SpringettDenis Charles SpoonerCiaran Dominic Oliver | May 2024 |
Kent County Council: county divisions
| Division | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maidstone South EDmostly in Maidstone · 44,464 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Paul Thomas | May 2025 |
| Maidstone Central EDall in Maidstone · 37,668 residents2 seats · May 2025 | 2 | Oliver James BradshawStuart Jeffery | May 2025 |
| Maidstone North East EDall in Maidstone · 13,772 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Geoffrey Richard Samme | May 2025 |
| Maidstone Rural West ED28% in Maidstone · 7,011 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Robert Ford | May 2025 |
| Maidstone South East ED48% in Maidstone · 5,970 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Linden Mary Kemkaran | May 2025 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Maidstone Borough Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Maidstone council election, May 2024
Results in the wards that make up Maidstone, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
14 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Maidstone’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗6,482 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,274 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,631 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (11 more)
6,899 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
4,753 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
1,485 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,224 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,049 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,046 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,791 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,735 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
496 votes for candidates
625 votes for candidates
7,411 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Maidstone is split between 3 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Conservative, MP since 6 May 2010
69% of Maidstone’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 61% (England 60%).
Majority 1,674 of 46,389 votes (3.6%): the 70th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Conservative, MP since 7 May 2015
30% of Maidstone’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 63% (England 60%).
Majority 1,469 of 46,594 votes (3.2%): the 61st-narrowest of 543 in England.
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024
1% of Maidstone’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 67% (England 60%).
Majority 8,422 of 50,712 votes (16.6%): wider than in 59% of England’s 543 constituencies.
46,389 votes for candidates · majority 1,674
Conservative, MP since 6 May 2010.
turnout in July 2024: 46,389 votes from 76,449 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,674 of 46,389 votes (3.6%): the 70th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Faversham and Mid Kent
46,594 votes for candidates · majority 1,469
Conservative, MP since 7 May 2015.
turnout in July 2024: 46,594 votes from 74,301 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,469 of 46,594 votes (3.2%): the 61st-narrowest of 543 in England.
Weald of Kent
50,712 votes for candidates · majority 8,422
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 50,712 votes from 75,987 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 8,422 of 50,712 votes (16.6%): wider than in 59% of England’s 543 constituencies.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Maidstone’s Band D council tax is £2,454 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Maidstone Borough Council keeps £310.68 of a Band D bill (13%); the rest goes to Kent County Council, the Kent police and crime commissioner and the Kent Fire and Rescue Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,469 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
Maidstone’s Band D bill has risen 54% in ten years, from £1,623.97 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £546.75 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Maidstone, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Kent’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included; the 11 nearest of 13. Bars start at £2,200.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Kent
| Maidstone + Kent | Maidstone’s councils | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £505 | £492 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £262 | £266 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £59 | £49 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £39 | £41 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £107 | £132 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £39 | £49 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £29 | £29 | £26 |
| Public health | £58 | £61 | £78 |
| Running the council | £85 | £74 | £59 |
| Other | £7 | £6 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,190 | £1,200 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Both tiers added: Maidstone per its residents plus Kent per the county’s. Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Kent and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Maidstone is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
maidstone.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
maidstone.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Maidstone is run
Which council runs Maidstone?
The county council runs schools, social care and roads; the district runs bins, planning and housing.
Does Maidstone have a town council?
Parts of it do: Loose parish council, Boxley parish council, Tovil parish council and Barming parish council.
Who is the MP for Maidstone?
Maidstone is split between 3 constituencies: Maidstone and Malling (Helen Grant, Conservative), Faversham and Mid Kent (Helen Whately, Conservative) and Weald of Kent (Katie Lam, Conservative). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Maidstone have?
32 ward councillors represent Maidstone’s 14 wards, and 6 county councillors its county divisions.
When are the next elections in Maidstone?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Maidstone’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Maidstone?
Band D council tax in Maidstone is £2,469 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Maidstone Borough Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Conservative 13 · Liberal Democrat 12 · Green 10 · Labour 6 · Independent 3 · Reform UK 3 · Fant & Oakwood Independents 2 of 49 seats; a majority needs 25. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who controls Kent County Council?
Reform UK has a majority: 56 of 82 seats as elected.
Who won the 2024 council election in Maidstone?
In Maidstone’s wards on 2 May 2024, Liberal Democrat 12 · Green 6 · Labour 6 · Conservative 5 · Fant & Oakwood Independents 2 · Independent 1 of the 32 seats up. The Liberal Democrats had the largest share of votes, 28.1%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.