Kent's Council approves budget that includes council tax increase and cuts
Kent County Council has approved a council tax increase of 4.99% as well as cuts to a range of services
Meeting yesterday at County Hall, councillors approved the budget for the 24/25 financial year.
The council tax increase means the average band D household will be charged an extra £76.59 for the year from April.
There will also be cuts to cuts to arts funding, youth services and community wardens.
Roger Gough, leader of the Kent County Council, (KCC), said: “There is no cavalry coming over the hill, this is down to us.
“We are doing everything we can and there is no escaping from the fact that we are going to have to use a range of measures, some of which will be extremely unpalatable to our residents, if we are to Secure Kent’s future.
Peter Oakford, the finance cabinet member for the KCC said: “Times are tougher than ever.
"It means KCC Members have had to vote today on a budget that will see some painful reductions to frontline services, proposes the maximum increase in council tax, and falls back on reserves to ensure that we can balance the books.
Libraries, household waste and recycling sites, plus supported buses are all protected this year, but the authority has warned these areas may face cuts in the future in order to balance the books.
The budget, was approved by the full Council by 47 votes to 15. One councillor abstained.