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…
As the threat from Covid-19 continues, especially with the exponential speed at which the Omicron variant spreads, Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) partners continue to work together to manage the impact of the virus across the county. The forum includes representatives from Kent County Council and Medway Council, Kent and Medway NHS, Kent Fire and Rescue…
Shellina Prendergast, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome back to school to all pupils, teachers and staff across Kent. I hope you all had a relaxing, enjoyable, and healthy summer break and are returning to the classroom refreshed and looking forward to the new school…
Plans are in place for Kent’s Libraries, Registration and Archives services to return to normal service following the government’s decision to ease Covid restrictions across the country from yesterday (19 July). KCC says it will be taking a “phased approach” to changes, beginning with 18 libraries reopening from the week beginning 26 July. The plan…
Kent’s interim Director of Public Health, Allison Duggal, has thanked residents across the county for continuing to test themselves regularly for COVID-19 and supporting the county’s road map out of lockdown. “I cannot thank the residents of Kent enough for their part in locating the virus and driving down infection rates through regular testing,” said…
Half a million symptom free COVID-19 tests have now been carried out at sites across Kent. Symptom free tests are a vital part of the county’s route out of lockdown as around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have any symptoms. This means they could be spreading the virus without knowing it. Out…
Former Squeeze musician and Man of Kent, Jools Holland, is urging everyone in the county to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. The pianist and bandleader has backed KCC’s Don’t be the Reason campaign by recording a series of short videos which encourage people across Kent to play their part in protecting…
The impact of COVID-19 has led to enormous uncertainty and an unprecedented challenge for Kent County Council as it prepares its budget for the next financial year. Responding to the pandemic has required a huge increase in spending and has come at the same time as reductions in income from council tax, business rates and…
England has entered into another national lockdown, the Prime Minister has announced. This means you must now stay at home and follow the new guidance immediately. Fines of £200 can be given for those breaking the rules without a reasonable excuse. Schools will now be closed until after the February half term, though they remain…
Speaking after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson addressed the House of Commons to update on the return to school in January, Richard Long, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “The Government has today announced that the majority of secondary school pupils will learn remotely for an additional week after the current school…
Rapid-result coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for people who don’t have symptoms is now available to anyone who lives or works in Swale and Thanet. The testing will find people who don’t currently have symptoms, who may be unknowingly spreading the virus in the community. Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark said: “We have…
Kent, London and the south east, will be placed in new tier four restriction from midnight tonight (Saturday). The changes will broadly be the same as the most recent national restrictions meaning all non-essential shops will close and people should remain at home. No Christmas bubbles – that is more than one household getting together…