Council proposes to increase tax by nearly 4%

A local authority is proposing to increase its council tax by 3.99% in the next financial year.

Kent County Council's (KCC) leader, Linden Kemkaran, argued the proposal, announced on Thursday, was a "step forward following a period of significant financial challenge for the authority".

She said: "When this administration took office, the council was saddled with more than £700 million of debt and pressures on vital services were continuing to grow."

Leader of the opposition Antony Hook, from the Liberal Democrats, has criticised the Reform administration's long-delayed draft budget, accusing the leadership of financial mismanagement and a "total betrayal" of election promises.

"Reform stood for election promising to make savings and lower the burden on taxpayers," Hook said.

"Today, that promise has been utterly broken."

The 2026 draft budget proposes that Band A households could pay an extra £44.94 in council tax; Band B an extra £53.43; Band C an extra £59.92 while Band D could face an increase of £67.41.

The council said its budget plan aimed to "reduce the burden of historic borrowing".

However, the draft budget, usually published in November to allow public scrutiny, was delayed until this week.

The Liberal Democrats say they are calling on the administration to explain the delay.

The group added it would "carefully study" the budget documents to "identify where improvements can be made" for the benefit of Kent residents before the final budget meeting due to take place on 12 February.

KCC said the 2026 draft budget proposals "set out a balanced financial plan that aims to deliver value for money while prioritising the services that residents rely on most".

"These proposals reflect the real priorities of Kent residents," said Kemkaran. "People took the time to share their views, and we listened."

The Conservative leader of KCC, Harry Rayner, said the proposed budget was "wholly unsustainable".

"This is because the Reform administration continues by failing to make predicted improvements budget savings, especially in adult services," Rayner said.

"The people of Kent are being failed by a lack of financial competence in the this administration."

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