Council scorecard
Gravesham Borough Council
- Type
- borough
- Population
- ~107k
- Council website
- www.gravesham.gov.uk
Scorecard
Methodology published 2026-05-18. Pending cells reflect data collection in progress, not methodology uncertainty — they will populate as the underlying data is gathered.
Refuse collection
Missed bin reports, recycling rates, complaint resolution time
Partial Metric 1 score reflecting recycling rate (component 2 of 4, 30% weight) only; the three other components (missed-bin reports per 100k, complaint resolution time, service consistency) remain pending data ingest. Gravesham 2023-24 recycling rate 40.7% — just below the Kent average (41.7%) and the England average (~44%).
as of 2024 · source
Complaints handling
Volume, response times, LGSCO upheld findings
Score pending — data collection in progress per the published methodology (2026-05-18)
FOI response
Average response time, refusal/exemption rate, compliance with 20-day statutory deadline
Score pending — data collection in progress per the published methodology (2026-05-18)
Financial health & budget discipline
Revenue budget variance, capital programme delivery, reserves + Section 114 risk, external auditor VfM judgment, council tax positioning + trajectory vs national
Partial Metric 4 score reflecting council tax positioning (component 5 of 6) only; the five other components (revenue budget variance, capital programme delivery, reserves + Section 114 risk, external auditor VfM judgement, multi-year tax trajectory) remain pending data ingest. Gravesham BC under Labour control; council tax positioning broadly mid-pack within the district tier. Specific 2026-27 precept figure to be added at next refresh.
as of 2026 · source
Transparency
Open data publication, councillor expenses, contract register, committee paper publication
Score pending — data collection in progress per the published methodology (2026-05-18)
Planning
Application approval ratios, appeal-overturn rate, determination time vs statutory targets
Score pending — data collection in progress per the published methodology (2026-05-18)
Education & children's services
SEND/EHCP statutory processing, SEND tribunal LA-loss rate, children's services Ofsted rating, school transport delivery (county + unitary only)
Education and children's services are not a district/borough function. The county council (or, for Medway, the unitary authority) holds this remit.
Safeguarding & LADO
LADO referral handling, multi-agency safeguarding (MASH) timeliness, Section 47 enquiry compliance, independent safeguarding audit findings (county + unitary only)
Safeguarding is the statutory function of the county council or unitary authority via the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and multi-agency safeguarding hub.
Manifesto delivery (Trust)
KLN tracks what the controlling party promised at the most recent election vs what was actually delivered. KEPT/PARTIAL/BROKEN/PENDING/OUT_OF_SCOPE categorisation.
Trust score: 1 judged pledges + 3 categorised public issues, averaged.
as of 2026-05-21
Top public issues for Gravesham residents
This is editorial assessment, not a metric score. Each issue carries an alignment tag — ALIGNED (council in step with residents), MIXED (some action falls short), COUNTERACTING (council against residents on this), or SILENT (no clear position). KLN-curated. Council positions added verbatim where provided. Right-of-reply opens with initial publication.
- 🟢Aligned
Leaseholder reform — ground rents + service charges
Gravesham has a significant leaseholder population in Northfleet + Ebbsfleet developments. Ground rent + service charge concerns are a top issue.
Council position
Labour 2023 manifesto committed to campaign for reform of the leaseholder system. Substantive reform sits with Westminster.
KLN assessment
Aligned. UK government delivered Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 — partial win for residents' campaign. Continued advocacy on remaining issues required.
- 🟢Aligned
Homelessness + rough sleeping
Gravesham has visible street homelessness; partner-organisation network (Sanctuary, Methodist Hub) supports response.
Council position
Labour 2023 commitment to tackle homelessness + support partner organisations.
KLN assessment
Aligned with residents' service-priority. Statistics + partner funding to be reviewed.
- 🟡Mixed
Ebbsfleet International Garden City delivery
Ebbsfleet new community development falls partly within Gravesham. Resident concerns about infrastructure, schools, GP capacity, transport keeping pace with housing.
Council position
Gravesham engaged with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation + service-planning partners.
KLN assessment
Mixed: housing delivery faster than supporting infrastructure; council role is one of multiple stakeholders.
How this scorecard works
Each metric is scored 0-100 and banded A through F. We do NOT aggregate to a single overall ranking — combining unrelated performance areas would mislead. See the methodology page for full details, thresholds, and data sources.
Spot an error or have data we should add for Gravesham? editor@kentlocalnews.co.uk.