Kent County Council, now under Reform UK leadership following the recent local elections, is expected to raise council tax by 5% in the upcoming year. The council, once in Conservative hands, acknowledges that services are currently operating at minimal levels.
Despite earlier pledges by Reform UK to scrutinize council spending for inefficiencies and streamline operations, Diane Morton, a council member overseeing adult social care and public health, emphasized the urgent need for increased funding due to rising demand for services.
With most councils in the country having already raised council tax by the maximum allowed percentage of 4.99% this year, Kent Council is likely to follow suit with a 5% increase. Reform councillors expressed intentions to avoid hitting the maximum, but challenges in identifying significant cost savings have hindered their efforts.
Reform’s Kent County Council leader, Linden Kemkaran, has highlighted the council as a representation of what a potential Reform UK government, led by Nigel Farage, could look like. This move is seen as a test for voters to evaluate their trust in a Reform-led administration ahead of future general elections.
In response, Labour MP Polly Billington criticized Reform’s approach, claiming that their promises of substantial savings have fallen short due to a lack of practical understanding. Billington emphasized Labour’s commitment to revitalizing the country by focusing on border security and improving the welfare of the working class.