Folkestone & Hythe District Council approved a balanced budget for the 2026/27 financial year on 26 February 2026, marking a significant step for services in Folkestone, Kent. The plan ensures that local community projects and support schemes are funded for the year ahead without the council needing to dip into its general reserve savings for the third year in a row.
Residents will see a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent for the district’s portion of the bill, which is roughly 17p extra per week for a typical Band D property. According to details of the balanced budget, this financial approach focuses on meeting costs through regular income rather than using emergency funds.
A major part of the spending includes £5 million for council-owned temporary housing and a one-off payment of £2.4 million to help reopen the Folkestone Sports Centre. The budget also supports the £22 million regeneration project known as Folkestone – A Brighter Future, which is currently more than halfway towards completion.
Council Leader Cllr Jim Martin and Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Tim Prater presented the plans, which also include moving forward with a bid for Folkestone to be named the UK Town of Culture. These investments aim to improve town centre areas and provide better facilities for everyone living in the district.
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