The annual budget consultation asks people who live in Kent what services they want to protect, how money could be saved, and how the authority can generate more income.
Setting a balanced budget is challenging, but a legal requirement. This means that planned spending has to be managed within funds available. The Council’s income comes from council tax, a proportion of business rates, Government grants and services that KCC charges for.
The demand for and cost of providing services increases every year, and there is no sign of this trend slowing down. Supporting the county’s most vulnerable people is the biggest pressure, and the cost of providing children’s services and community, residential and nursing care for older people and vulnerable adults remains high and is expected to grow further.
“We want as many people as possible to get involved in the consultation - the more feedback we get the better.”
KCC Deputy Leader Brian Collins said: “Our priority is to achieve financial stability.
“Our Department for Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) has been working since day one in May and rest assured every nook and cranny is being investigated to identify areas of waste and where we can do things differently to ensure the Council continues to work in the best interests of the residents of Kent.
“So far we have seen a new approach to potholes and a review of home-to-school transport bills, rethinking the net zero renewable energy programme and the electric vehicle fleet, stopping unnecessary memberships and subscriptions and bringing children’s home care inhouse. This work continues at pace.
“We want as many people as possible to get involved in the consultation. The more feedback we get the better; the people of Kent must be front and centre of the financial decisions we make.”
KCC faces an estimated budget gap of £50m next year, so difficult money-saving decisions will be necessary.
Residents’ responses to the consultation will be considered by County Councillors at the Cabinet Committee meetings before the budget proposals are finalised and considered for approval by County Council in February 2026.
To get involved visit: www.kent.gov.uk/budget
If you are unable to take part online, a hard copy of the questionnaire can be requested via our Alternative Formats team.
Email: alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421 553 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 421 553). This number goes to an answering machine which is monitored during office hours.
Notes to editors
KCC is the largest local authority in the country, serving a population of 1.6 million with a gross budget in the region of £2.6 billion (excluding schools) and a net budget of £1.4 billion after service income and specific grants.
Over 80% of the Council's day-to-day spending is on six service areas:
- Care and support for vulnerable adults
- Care and preventative services for vulnerable and disabled children
- Older persons social care
- Public transport services
- Waste recycling and disposal
- Management and maintenance of Kent’s highways.
