This is a chance to have a say in how over £2.8 billion is spent on important services for more than 1.6 million residents in 2027-28. These include social care for children and adults, support for education such as home to school transport, waste recycling and disposal, public health, libraries and roads.
The consultation will run for 10 weeks until 7 September 2026.
KCC is under significant financial pressure due to rising demand for services and increasing costs - particularly for adults’ and children’s social care services which now account for two thirds of the County Council’s entire budget spend.
The impact of these increases in spending have not been fully reflected in the grant settlement from central government. Therefore, these pressures must be balanced against the council’s income, which mostly comes from Council Tax and government grants.
The consultation asks residents for their views on:
- Priorities for making savings across our different service areas
- How we could save money and increase income
- Our Council Tax options.
“Setting the council’s budget has never been more challenging.”
Even if Council Tax increases, the council will still need to make savings, income and other cost avoidance measures to set a legally balanced budget for 2027-28.
Feedback from residents will help shape budget plans later this year. Residents’ responses to the consultation will be considered by County Councillors at Cabinet Committee meetings before the budget proposals are finalised and considered for approval by County Council in February 2027.
Brian Collins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Setting the council’s budget has never been more challenging. Demand for essential services continues to rise, while costs are increasing faster than our income. Whilst we welcome that central government has announced a multi-year settlement for local councils this falls way short of the amount we need to fully fund these spending pressures.
“KCC is facing a projected funding gap of £100-£120 million by 2027-28 if we are to avoid increasing council tax. To help manage this, we are reducing debt - we have repaid a total of £142 million since we were we elected last year, cutting future interest costs. We are also borrowing more carefully, only where it is necessary, affordable, and supported by a clear repayment plan. We do not borrow to fund day-to-day services or generate profit; all borrowing is for planned investment and is tightly managed.
“We must continue to find savings, income and cost reductions which will require difficult decisions to be made about future spending. Before doing so, it’s vital we hear from our residents about what is most important to you. This is your opportunity to tell us what matters most - whether that’s protecting services, how we save money, or your views on Council Tax.
“I encourage everyone in Kent to take part. Your feedback is essential in helping us shape how we support our communities in the future.”
Take part and find out more at: www.kent.gov.uk/budget
If you cannot complete the questionnaire online, you can request a paper copy by contacting the Alternative Formats team. Email: alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421 553 (text relay: 18001 03000 421 553). This number goes to an answering machine which is monitored during office hours.
The consultation is open for 10 weeks until 7 September 2026.
