Council scorecard
Sevenoaks District Council
- Type
- district
- Population
- ~121k
- Council website
- www.sevenoaks.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. Sevenoaks 2023-24 non-recyclable waste 554kg per household — second highest in Kent (Kent average ~450kg). Recycling rate broadly below the Kent district average; weak position on this single component.
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. Sevenoaks District Council historically maintains one of the lowest district Band D precepts in Kent — a long-running positioning at the strong end of the district-tier comparator group. Specific 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: 3 categorised public issues (no scoreable pledges yet).
as of 2026-05-21
Top public issues for Sevenoaks 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.
- 🟡Mixed
Greenbelt + AONB protection
Sevenoaks sits within the Kent Downs AONB + has substantial greenbelt. Residents prize this and resist erosion.
Council position
Conservative administration historically protective of greenbelt + AONB; planning decisions favour rural-character protection.
KLN assessment
Statements + historic record supportive; greenbelt-release approval rates + Planning Inspectorate appeal outcomes are the action evidence under Metric 6. Per the "actions, not statements" principle: MIXED until verified.
- 🟢Aligned
Maintain one of Kent's lowest council tax positions
Sevenoaks has historically had one of the lowest district council tax precepts in Kent. Residents value this.
Council position
Conservative administration committed to maintaining low council tax + sound financial management.
KLN assessment
Aligned with residents' preference. Verification via Metric 4 (Financial health).
- 🟡Mixed
Climate action — Green Party emergence
The Green Party gained 4 seats at 2023, reflecting growing resident demand for stronger climate response.
Council position
Conservative cabinet's climate strategy publication + delivery is the test.
KLN assessment
Mixed: Conservative position vs Green Party's electoral momentum suggests residents are split. Specific climate-action delivery is the live question.
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 Sevenoaks? editor@kentlocalnews.co.uk.