COUNTY Hall leaders say they are being "penalised" by the Government after it emerged that Kent is to get less cash to spend on key services than many other counties next year.

Conservative county council leader Cllr Paul Carter said its efforts to keep council tax bills down had been made more difficult because the Government had given it just two per cent more to spend on vital frontline services.

The Government, which announced its spending limits for all authorities, said council tax bills should not increase by more than five per cent.

That would put about £43 more on the KCC share of average council tax bills for homes in Band D.

But KCC says it has ended up with one of the lowest increases of all county councils, who on average have seen three per cent rises.

Cllr Paul Carter said: "It is difficult to understand why Kent should get a below average settlement. Kent has some unique challenges not faced by other councils and has worked extremely hard to find savings. It has also been independently judged as excellent for the way it provides front-line services, yet seems to be penalised for all this."

But the opposition Labour group said the spending settlement was "very fair."

Opposition leader Cllr Mike Eddy said: "Not only should KCC be able to bring in a council tax in line with inflation, they should be able to indicate what it will be for the year after.

"It’s time for the Tories to stop whingeing and to get on with the job while they still occupy County Hall."

KCC will set out its plans for spending early next year, with council tax bills finalised in February.