Kent County Council today launches its annual budget consultation with the endeavour to continue to protect the complex services it provides, particularly those that support the most vulnerable in our communities, both young and old, whilst continuing to support economic growth to make Kent a great place to live, work and enjoy. The council’s proposals,…
Kent County Council is calling on the government to make changes to road maintenance budgets warning the current system could lead to a “rapid spiral of asset deterioration”. KCC is on course to secure its highways maintenance budget in the face of diminishing government funding by receiving a ‘band three’ in funding. The rating, from…
Kent County Council is approaching the start of another financial year facing an immense challenge in setting the council’s budget. In the coming financial year, KCC has a budget gap of £113 million out of the council’s net budget of approximately £1 billion. Savings of £53 million are needed as government funding reduces by £45…
The Leader of Kent County Council has warned that big decisions will be needed in almost every area of the council’s activities to deliver a further £64 million of savings in next year’s budget (2018/19) After six years of significant funding cuts from central government, Paul Carter has appealed to Ministers to ease the financial…
With the government’s Autumn Statement being made next week, KCC is reminding residents there is just over a week to go to have their say on KCC’s draft budget. The council launched a six-week consultation last month revealing it needed to find another £108 million to balance the books. It comes in response to rising…
Kent County Council has today (Thursday) agreed its budget for 2016/17. It was described by Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter at today’s meeting as “without a shadow of a doubt the most difficult it has ever had to face”. Mr Carter said: “I think we’ve put out an intelligent budget. Government grants to support local…
With a substantial cut in government funding and ever increasing demand for services, Kent County Council has proposed an increase in council tax in its draft budget. Growing demand for services, particularly in adult social care, will cost an extra £80 million. This, combined with reduced funding from government of £46 million, has left the…
Kent County Council’s draft budget for the forthcoming financial year is set to be one of those most difficult yet. It is due to go before cabinet members later this month ahead of a final decision at County Council in February. Throughout January, committees within the council will scrutinise the plans being made for individual…
Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, Susan Carey appeared on a live webchat answering questions from the public about the budget consultation and how KCC can manage Kent’s money responsibly. From 12:30 to 13:30 Susan, along with the finance team, answered over 20 questions about the cuts to the budget, why it was…
Kent County Council has launched a six week consultation campaign to explain the impending scale of the county council’s budget challenge for next year. The council estimates it needs to make £80 million of savings for the 2016/17 budget. This comes on top of savings of £433 million already made over the last five years.…
The government needs to carefully consider the impact of further spending cuts, KCC has warned, ahead of this week’s budget. Kent County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance John Simmonds is urging the new government to consider his plea, warning services will be affected. He said: “During the last parliament, local government bore…
Kent County Council has this afternoon (12 February) agreed its 2015/16 budget. The authority said it has managed to balance the books, but says it has been the toughest year since 2010. The £83.1m of savings come on top of £350m of savings already made by Kent County Council over the last four years. The…