KCC leader warns frontline services may have to be cut

‘There will be a day of reckoning if this continues’

The leader of Kent County Council has delivered a stark warning that key frontline services could be cut next year as the authority strives to balance the books.

Cllr Paul Carter (Con) says he will be appealing directly to ministers to draw a line under its austerity programme, saying more money has to be found for the council otherwise services that had previously been protected will be cut.

He says the government should consider funding county councils in two-tier areas at least to the level of county unitaries, which receive extra cash for new homes built in their area. In Kent, that money goes to districts and boroughs.

And he warns that rising inflation will add to the pressure as contractors will look to pass on the increase to the council.

KCC is having to slice £73m from its budget this year and a similar amount next year. It has overspent by £18m this year.

Cllr Carter told KCC’S cabinet on Monday: “The consequences for next year’s budget are really very significant.

“So far we have always been able to say that 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.

“I have written to all our MPS setting out the consequences of next year’s budget on public services. I hope we can make a case to government to give county councils some relief.”

Despite a government cash injection for adult social care of £2 billion 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.

KCC’S financial plight has led one Conservative cabinet member to urge the council to be upfront with voters about what is in store.

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 people of Kent.”

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 frontline services are now at risk. Kent’s residents should be seriously concerned.”