In my earlier report on action to tackle flooding at Eynsford Road, I expressed the hope that work could be carried out to replace the manhole cover in South Hall Road before Christmas. In practice this was delayed because Kent Highways' contractors had to focus their work pre-Christmas on gritting as temperatures fell.
In the last few days, however, I have been told that the works in South Hall Close have been carried out - as a result, the CCTV survey should be carried out in the near future.
Welcome to my website. I am proud to represent Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley, one of the loveliest parts of Kent, on the County Council. The Division is made up of a number of communities: Crockenhill, Eynsford (including Lullingstone), Farningham, Horton Kirby, Kemsing, Otford, Seal, Seal Chart, Shoreham, South Darenth, Southdowns, Swanley Village, Underriver and Well Hill. Since October 2019, I have served as the Leader of Kent County Council. This blog reflects both roles.
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Monday, 22 January 2018
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
New budget plans and bus subsidies
KCC has set out its latest plans for the 2018-19 budget, reflecting some important developments in the Local Government Financial Settlement announced just before Christmas.
In many respects, the financial challenge facing the Council remains massive. The budget gap that KCC has to plug is some £113m, reflecting a £45 million reduction in government grant, the impact of price increases and growing demand for services, especially in children's and adults social services. Much of this will be met by spending reductions driven by greater efficiency, effective commissioning and the like.
There was also one major disappointment in the pre-Christmas announcement, that an earlier government Transitional Grant, worth some £5.3 million to the Council, is not being continued.
However, the Local Govenrment Financial Settlement also included - more positively - the news that Kent, working with the County's 12 District Councils, Kent Fire and Rescue Authority and Medway Council, will be one of the national pilot areas for Business Rate Retention. This will bring in £5.6 million in the coming financial year.
Secondly, government has raised the 'referendum cap' - the amount by which Councils can raise Council Tax without having to call a local referendum - from 2% to 3%. This is in addition to the 2% precept that the Council is able to raise for social care. In line with most other County Councils, KCC will propose in its budget to increase the coming year's council tax by just under 5%. This will not be welcome to residents, but our pre-budget consultations have suggested a willingness to see some increase to protect services.
In its budget proposals, the County Council will no longer be proposing a £2.25 million reduction in subsidies for bus travel, but instead will propose a reduction of only £0.45 million. The Council nonetheless believes that there is a need to review existing bus subsidies and look for other and better ways to support transport for elderly and isolated residents, and will be investing £0.5 million in developing this approach. This will be carried out through a 'big conversation' with Parish Councils and local communities in the coming months.
In many respects, the financial challenge facing the Council remains massive. The budget gap that KCC has to plug is some £113m, reflecting a £45 million reduction in government grant, the impact of price increases and growing demand for services, especially in children's and adults social services. Much of this will be met by spending reductions driven by greater efficiency, effective commissioning and the like.
There was also one major disappointment in the pre-Christmas announcement, that an earlier government Transitional Grant, worth some £5.3 million to the Council, is not being continued.
However, the Local Govenrment Financial Settlement also included - more positively - the news that Kent, working with the County's 12 District Councils, Kent Fire and Rescue Authority and Medway Council, will be one of the national pilot areas for Business Rate Retention. This will bring in £5.6 million in the coming financial year.
Secondly, government has raised the 'referendum cap' - the amount by which Councils can raise Council Tax without having to call a local referendum - from 2% to 3%. This is in addition to the 2% precept that the Council is able to raise for social care. In line with most other County Councils, KCC will propose in its budget to increase the coming year's council tax by just under 5%. This will not be welcome to residents, but our pre-budget consultations have suggested a willingness to see some increase to protect services.
In its budget proposals, the County Council will no longer be proposing a £2.25 million reduction in subsidies for bus travel, but instead will propose a reduction of only £0.45 million. The Council nonetheless believes that there is a need to review existing bus subsidies and look for other and better ways to support transport for elderly and isolated residents, and will be investing £0.5 million in developing this approach. This will be carried out through a 'big conversation' with Parish Councils and local communities in the coming months.