Council taxpayers could face a 4% increase in council tax bills under budget proposals unveiled by Kent County Council today.

The above-inflation rise being considered will push bills for householders in Band C properties up by £45 to £1,178.

There are two elements to the proposed rise. One is an increase of just under 2% - the equivalent of £23 - to cover general spending; the other would be an increase of 2% - £22.60 - to raise more money to meet spiralling social care costs caused primarily by rising numbers of vulnerable elderly people.

Together, this would mean an average bill for a home in Band C rising to £1,178.08 for the county council element of the bill.

This is only KCC's share of the bill and does not include other charges residents face such as the police tax and the tax set by district and borough councils.

KCC says despite the increase, the funding the council receives from the government is still unlikely to keep pace with the additional costs and demand for services. It estimates a budget gap in 2020-21 of between £18 million and £22m.

That is less severe than previous years but presents KCC’s ruling Conservative administration with another budget which will be stretched.

It is asking the public for its views under a consultation starting today. The council says it is asking for residents to tell it if they are prepared to accept a rise in council tax to sustain the services they most value.

It is also asking for views on whether the council is focussing on the right priorities.

KentOnline recently revealed that councils in Kent had turned to bailiffs more than 40,000 occasions to recoup overdue payments.

Details of the consultation and on how to take part can be found here

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