Kent County Council in serious cash shortfall

22nd October 2024 by Matthew in Kent News.

According to reports, Kent County Council (KCC) needs to find massive savings or go bust. Over the next three years, they are short about £225m with savings of £81m needed next year and the rest over the next two years.

The county’s largest local authority faces a huge increase in savings it must make in the near future or face going bust, according to newly published statistics.

Figures just published by the BBC Shared Data Unit (BBC SDU) shows Kent County Council (KCC) will have to find £144m in 2026-27 – around £55m more than the current financial year.

Kent County Council faces a massive increase of savings needed in 2026-27, Isle of Thanet News

The BBC is reporting that this amounts to a shortfall of £90 per taxpayer. This might explain why they are keen to close certain children’s centres.

Kent County Council faces “difficult decisions” about the provision of services, says leader Roger Gough.

It needs to find savings of £81m next year, and £144m over the next two years, if it is to balance its budget.

BBC data analysis shows KCC has a budget deficit of just over £90 per resident.

‘Difficult decisions’ ahead, warns council, BBC News