KCC Budget - by Cllr Peter Harman

On Thursday 11th February I attended the KCC Budget setting meeting remotely via the internet. This was the most difficult yet of a string of difficult KCC budgets. Included in the budget was a proposed rise of 4.99% for Council Tax payers, something that I felt I could not support at what is this most difficult time for so many of our residents. Also included In the proposed budget was an increase of 2% pay for most KCC employees, and a 2% rise in allowances for KCC Councillors, again something I could not support at this time. However, the budget was overwhelmingly passed; even with all opposition groups voting against it.

Overall there were 9 amendments tabled, all were defeated apart from the first one; which was for KCC to write to the Minister requesting a review of the Council Tax system to seek a fairer method (passed by 70 votes in favour, none against, and with 1 abstention). The next nearest amendment to this was one that I supported regarding maintaining the level of the Community Grants; defeated by 11 votes (30 votes in favour and 41 against). The result of the meeting was that there will be a rise of 4.99% in the KCC portion of the Council Tax bill; however both the Town Council and Dartford Borough Council precepts are frozen for another year.