Finance

KCC Draft Budget proposals 2017/18

Kent County Council

Opens: 13 Oct 2016
Closes: 27 November 2016

Kent County Council (KCC) is asking for your views on its budget proposals and how it can close the remaining gap before the 2017/18 budget is finalised in February 2017.

In the introduction to its budget consultation KCC says that it faces a huge financial challenge in the years ahead and is working hard to protect the services that make the greatest difference to people’s lives.

The story so far

Each year KCC set a budget to decide how much it will spend on services for Kent residents and businesses for the next financial year and much income it needs from Government and local taxation to fund this.

It prioritises spending on services that make sure children and young people get the best start in life, that communities feel the benefit of economic growth, and that support vulnerable residents to live independently. It’s strategic statement annual report gives details of how it is ensuring every pound spent in Kent is delivering better outcomes for Kent’s residents, communities and businesses.

In recent years the amount of money available from Government has been decreasing while demand and cost for council services has been increasing. KCC expects this trend to continue in coming years.

Since 2010 we have made savings of £514 million to offset these challenges and continue to protect and invest in those services that make the greatest difference to people’s lives. These savings have focussed on the transformation of services, which means delivering better outcomes at lower cost, and working in more efficient ways. This has allowed us to continue to protect frontline services. (more…)