Folkestone & Hythe District Council wants to hear your views on its draft budget proposal for spending in 2024/25.
A projected spend of £18.5m on services including household waste collection, street cleansing, maintaining parks and open spaces, providing quality social housing and other community-based services was presented to cabinet last night (13 December).
Residents are now encouraged to have their say before 4pm on Monday 15 January 2024.
Cllr Tim Prater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “It’s no secret that local authorities up and down the country are facing significant financial challenges. Some have declared effective bankruptcy, and more are expected to do so – we're determined not to join them.
“We’re working hard to deliver the excellent services the people of Folkestone & Hythe deserve. At the same time, we need to ensure the council is financially stable both now and in the future.
“It’s a balancing act that involves making some difficult decisions – no councillor wants to cut spending on services or increase charges. We've tried to minimise both as much as we can.
“We can hope the provisional Local Government Settlement – due to be published soon – will provide a little more flexibility, but we can't count on it.
“Finance might not be the most exciting topic area, but it is very important. So I’m asking everyone to take a look at our draft budget and share their thoughts with us.”
The proposals include revised fees and charges for non-statutory services, largely in line with inflation, and are also based on a 2.99% increase of the district council’s proportion of council tax.
Balancing the budget in such a challenging financial environment has led to cabinet agreeing to reduce the level of street cleansing – while still meeting national standards seen elsewhere in the district – in limited areas of Folkestone and Hythe town centres. A proposal to reduce the frequency of the mowing of some verges on behalf of Kent County Council was also approved.
Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/finances-audit/budget-consultation-2024-2025 to comment and view the detailed supporting documents. Following the consultation, a detailed draft budget will be developed and voted on by councillors on 28 February 2024.