Frontline services could be cut next year, warns leader
The leader of Kent County Council has delivered a stark warning key frontline services could be cut next year as the authority strives to balance the books.
Cllr Paul Carter (Con) will be appealing directly to ministers to draw a line under the austerity programme, saying more money had to be found for the council otherwise previously protected services would be cut.
He said the government should consider funding county councils in two-tier areas at least to the level of borough, district and unitary councils, which receive extra cash for new homes in their areas.
And he warned rising inflation would add to the pressure as contractors would look to pass on increases to the council.
KCC is having to slice £73m from its budget this year and a similar amount next year. It is already overspent by £18m this year and last week played down this position with a councillor saying it would be brought under control.
Cllr Carter told a meeting of KCC’s cabinet: “The consequences for next year’s budget are really very significant. So far we have always been able to say we have protected frontline services but there is a worry whether we will be able to do that next year.”
“The elastic is being stretched to breaking point. There will be a day of reckoning if this continues.” He has written to all MPs setting out the consequences for public services next year, adding: “I hope we can make a case to government to reflect on what they give unitary authorities and give county councils some relief.”
Despite a cash injection for adult social care of £2bn by the government announced in the spring budget, KCC says its share over two years will still fall short of what it needs to cope with rising demand.
Cllr Matthew Balfour, cabinet member for highways, said: “We need to be much more blatant with the people of Kent about where these cuts may fall. It would be wrong to mislead.”
Opposition Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Rob Bird said: “We are seeing the cumulative effects of this government’s unrelenting assault on local authority funding. KCC’s finances are becoming increasingly precarious.
“The council has already implemented the easiest cost savings, so critical front line services are now being put at risk. Kent’s residents should be seriously concerned.”