A new campaign has been launched to help close the digital divide between Kent families who cannot afford access to digital services and those who can. Kent County Council (KCC) is raising awareness of the social tariffs, which are discounted broadband deals offered to eligible households in need of financial support with their broadband services.…
The work of a partnership that is supporting people in Kent with financial guidance has been recognised at a national award event. A team from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Helping Hands financial hardship scheme in conjunction with the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) won highly commended from the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation in…
Council leaders are warning that further cuts to the already-stretched services supporting Kent’s residents are going to be extremely challenging and hit hard. A sobering message from the cabinet at Kent County Council (KCC) who are focused on securing a future level of services while clawing back a significant budget deficit as the shadow of…
The three main pillars to the burgeoning response to the cost of living crisis were discussed at Kent County Council (KCC)’s Cabinet this morning (Thursday). Firstly, there is a strength in a ‘Kent Together’-style partnership of agencies and organisations, as demonstrated during the pandemic. Secondly, wherever people reach out for assistance, they are supported to…
Kent County Council (KCC) is launching a seven-week consultation, asking residents for their views on proposals to increase Council Tax to help fund vital services and their ideas for making further savings. The setting of the annual KCC budget is a complex and challenging process involving not just detailed financial analysis, but crucially conversations with…
Groups with a gem of an idea to transform a corner of their community are once again being invited to apply to Crowdfund Kent. It will be the fourth round of the two-year pilot project, which has already supported more than 50 grassroots proposals since it was launched in March last year and helped bring…
The Leader of Kent County Council (KCC), Roger Gough, said: “We have all been horrified by the invasion of Ukraine and the brutality and suffering that it has unleashed. “As a sign of our support and commitment to the Ukrainian people, our Chairman Lesley Game, acting with cross-party support from all Leaders, has asked that the…
Plans for a £1.2billion budget for 2022/23 have today been agreed by Kent County Council (KCC). Proposals to balance the books as the county emerges from COVID, and ensure the vital needs of Kent communities are prioritised, were accepted by the full Council by 47 votes to 16. Four councillors abstained at the meeting which…
Businesses across Kent are being invited to apply for interest-free loans of between £100,000 and £500,000 to help realise their ambitions for growth and support Kent’s economic recovery. Kent County Council (KCC) is offering a total of £8 million in Kent and Medway Business Fund (KMBF) loans to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Kent…
Kent residents are being asked for their opinions on how their council tax should be spent so their views can be taken into account as the County Council considers its 2022-23 budget. As the financial impact of COVID-19 continues, KCC is launching a consultation today (28 July) which focuses on the challenges it could face…