To be clear:
- KCC has never presented the £39.5 million figure as savings. In our official 3 February update, we stated that KCC had reprofiled £39.5 million of potential future spend – a routine and transparent adjustment within medium term planning, and not a claim of realised savings.
- These figures originated from high level planning assumptions, openly and transparently published in the Council’s Budget Book. The two projects are clearly identified in the 2025-26 budget publication in the supplementary analysis of potential capital projects presented at a very high level. Commencement (and therefore addition to the approved capital programme) is subject to business case approval and affordable funding. There is a distinction between savings and future cost avoidance which has been clearly made in our publications. Both are viable strategies towards balancing the budget.
- It is therefore factually incorrect to claim the Council has used or promoted a £39.5 million “saving” in press material. KCC has consistently described the figure accurately as future cost avoidance or reprofiling potential future spend in line with standard financial practice.
KCC has acted lawfully, impartially and transparently throughout. We are required by law to ensure all official communications remain objective and non-political, and we will continue to meet that duty even where others are free to make political statements about the Council.
