The head of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, has issued a warning to residents regarding the daunting financial landscape the council will confront in 2024. He has acknowledged the increasing financial pressures but has assured the public that the council is diligently working to navigate through these challenging times.
While numerous other councils across the country have faced effective bankruptcy, Kent County Council has successfully maintained its financial stability. The council’s prudent financial management has been lauded by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), which has described it as “perfectly well-run”. Nonetheless, despite these efforts, local authorities throughout England have been grappling with meeting service demands due to inadequate funding from the central government.
Cllr Gough has emphasised that the council has been responsible in its financial decisions, ensuring that they are not reckless and have made sound choices to mitigate the impact of the impending financial challenges. However, the council has felt the strain, particularly with the additional pressure from issues such as travel disruptions at the Channel ports and the arrival of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
The leader has outlined the council’s plan, named Securing Kent’s Future, as a roadmap to achieving a balanced budget for the upcoming financial year, which is a legal obligation for the council. Despite the financial difficulties, Gough highlighted the council’s commitment to continue to innovate and provide quality services to the people of Kent.
He has also reflected on the notable moments of 2023, including the council’s collaboration with the NHS, their proactive response to the crisis of crumbling concrete in schools, and their significant role in addressing road network pressures through the Kent Resilience Forum. Gough expressed pride in the council’s efforts, particularly in the countless acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by its teams in supporting residents through challenging circumstances.
As the council prepares for the financial challenges of 2024, it remains committed to delivering essential services to the residents of Kent, despite the harsh financial realities. The dedication to responsible governance and the focus on providing quality support to the community underscores the council’s determination to weather the storm and emerge stronger from the difficulties that lie ahead.
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