Kent County Council approves 5% tax hike to bolster reserves
|
Updated: 17:35, 11 February 2021
The average household in Kent will pay at least £73 more a year after KCC approved a 5% council tax hike.
The council tax hike would mean Kent homeowners fork out an extra £37million annually
KCC s increase means those in that band will pay an additional £60 on top of the current £1,201 annual payment.
The authority previously said the extra funds would be used to bolster its reserves ahead of today s vote.
On top of the county and police contribution residents also pay tax to their local authority (Maidstone, Dartford etc), the fire service and, depending on where they live, parish councils.
People of Kent face painful 5% rise in council tax
|
Updated: 19:35, 26 January 2021
Controversial plans to increase council tax by 5% for Kent residents from April have been described as painful ahead of a crunch vote.
Kent County Council s (KCC) Conservative cabinet met yesterday and endorsed their £1.1billion budget plans for the next financial year, which includes spending pledges for adult social care and school transport.
KCCâs Cabinet Member for Environment Susan Carey (37456035)
Amid uncertainty over the rising costs from the pandemic, more than 1.5 million residents living in Kent s 12 districts may need to fork out an extra £37million to help balance the county council s budget.
Ashford Brexit lorry park anger as government blocks release of travel and environmental information
|
Updated: 07:45, 24 December 2020
The government has come under fire from Labour county councillors for its refusal to disclose information about traffic disruption and the environmental impact of a post-Brexit lorry park in Ashford.
KentOnline has been refused information about the impact of the 66-acre lorry park in Sevington which is under construction and will act as a site for lorries to be diverted to in the event of disruption along the M20.
The lorry park won t be fully operational on January 1
But the Department for Transport has rejected a Freedom of Information request for any assessment made on the impact of the lorry park - or the back-up site at the nearby Waterbrook Park estate.
Ashford town centre reset approved as Mecca Bingo theatre debate continues
|
Updated: 17:19, 16 December 2020
A bold blueprint aimed at overhauling Ashford town centre has been approved â but councillors are calling for more transparency.
As revealed last month, the town centre reset plan lays out the borough councilâs methodology for how to make the high street and surrounding roads more appealing to shoppers.
The Park Mall shopping centre could become a residential scheme
It will see an investment corridor created between the high street and Ashford International station, aimed at beautification, improved shop diversity and culture.
The reportâs author â Ashford Borough Councilâs (ABC) town centre regeneration manager Hannah Clayton-Peck â suggests Park Mall could be converted into housing, while highlighting Middle Row as an area with âuntapped potentialâ.
16-storey Ashford Shard plan deferred for second time by Ashford Borough Council Planning Committee
Published: 06:00, 10 December 2020
Plans for one of the tallest buildings in Kent have been sent back to the drawing board for a second time by a council committee.
Last night, Ashford borough councillors overwhelmingly voted to defer the apartment block scheme featuring a 16-storey tower nicknamed the Ashford Shard .
Councillors have voted to defer the Ashford Shard plan as it currently stands
The grandscale scheme is earmarked for the corner of Beaver Road and Victoria Road - a site which once housed HomePlus Furniture.
Being led by the council s property investment arm, A Better Choice for Property Ltd, the 207-apartment complex would consist of two blocks connected by a central courtyard with nine townhouses attached.