Kent County Council is asking Folkestone residents to help shape how it spends a £2.8 billion budget on services ranging from social care and libraries to waste disposal and road maintenance in the coming financial year.
The council faces a shortfall of £100 million to £120 million for 2027-28 even if it increases its share of council tax by the maximum 4.99 per cent, a sum that works out at an extra £87.75 a year on a Band D property. Each one per cent rise raises £10.5 million, with a full 4.99 per cent increase generating £52 million and still leaving a £58 million gap. The 10-week consultation runs until 7 September and aims to find out which services residents want to protect and where they see scope for savings or new income.
The largest share of spending — £35 in every £100 — already goes on adult social care, a pressure that grows as the population ages and demand for children’s services and home-to-school transport climbs. KCC points to rises in inflation, energy prices and the cost of supplies as factors that have squeezed its finances despite having trimmed £142 million from its debt and making wider efficiencies over more than a decade. The survey answers will feed into Cabinet Committee meetings in November and January before the full budget goes before the county council for a vote on 11 February.
Residents who cannot take part online can request a paper questionnaire by emailing the finance team at [email protected] or calling the council. No final decisions on cuts or council tax levels will be taken until the consultation period closes.
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