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COVID-19 update from KCC Cabinet Member, Shellina Prendergast
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I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Following the introduction of the new three-tier local alert system last week, Kent remains at the medium risk level.
Thanks to your amazing actions over the last few months we are not, thankfully, seeing the growth of cases being tackled in the north of the country.
But this is a critical time for Kent.
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With the increase in cases in some areas of the county causing concern, it’s vital that every single one of us sticks to the guidance to avoid additional restrictions being imposed on our lives and any further impact on our economy, jobs and livelihoods.
I urge you to take part in our budget consultation, if you haven’t already done so. It has never been so important for us to understand people’s priorities for themselves, their families and the communities they live in as we set the most challenging budget that the authority has ever seen.
There is no doubt that some difficult decisions lie ahead about where we reduce our spending. That’s why we want to hear your views on how we should allocate resources and which services you most need and value.
Please take care and continue to do what you can to protect your loved ones and everyone around you. Let’s all play our part - and keep the number of COVID-19 cases in Kent as low as we possibly can.
As always please take care, keep safe and stay healthy.
Shellina Prendergast
KCC Cabinet Member for Communications, Engagement and People
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It’s really important that we carry on protecting our Kent communities by following all the guidance and laws which will help control the virus.
Find out more about how you can play your part at Protect Kent and Medway.
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2021/22 Budget Consultation
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Kent County Council is facing its toughest financial challenge for many years – greater even than any it faced during 10 years of austerity.
Coping with the demands of COVID-19 has required a huge increase in spending and has come at the same time as reductions in our income from council tax and business rates.
We are now looking ahead to our budget for 2021-22, and have launched a countywide consultation to ask for your views on the tough decisions we face in order to balance our budget.
The consultation closes on 24 November 2020. You can find our consultation document and questionnaire on our website.
The council is legally required to balance its spending with what it receives from council tax, business rates, government grants and other income. Since 2010, we have made savings in excess of £710million as we responded to cuts in government funding coupled with an increased demand for some of our services.
We'd like you to tell us your views on two key areas:
- which of our numerous services you think should be most protected
- whether you support an increase in council tax to help fund them
An increase of just under 2% would add £24 per year (or 46 pence per week) to the KCC element of the bill for a typical band C property and take the total KCC element of council tax to £1,225.12 (or £23.56 per week). Such an increase would raise £14.4million towards the council’s rising costs.
Consultation responses will be considered by Members at their Cabinet Committee meetings taking place throughout January 2021 before the budget is debated and approved at the full county council meeting in February 2021.
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Time is running out - make sure you're ready
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If you feel unsafe, speak out
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Young people are being urged to “Speak Out” if they feel unsafe, as figures reveal 234 car occupants aged 16 to 24, have been killed or seriously injured on Kent’s roads in the past three years.
Research shows that many 16 to 24-year-olds in the passenger seat would rather keep quiet and not tell the driver to be careful, even when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable by the way they are being driven.
This month, Kent County Council’s road safety team launched the Speak Out campaign, aimed at giving young people the confidence to voice their concerns.
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