Council Tax charge for 2012/13

Your district council, Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority and Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority together deliver most of the local services in your area. If you live in an area with a parish council, it too provides some local services.

The Council Tax you pay is collected by your district council on behalf of the authorities named above. The total amount is then divided between these authorities.

We have set our 2012/13 budgets in probably the most difficult global financial circumstances that we have ever faced. Demand for local services continues to increase as a consequence of an expanding population, high expectations and continuing economic challenges. At the same time government has pledged to reduce the national deficit through reductions in public spending which inevitably has a significant impact on local government finances, as do rising prices.

In these demanding circumstances, Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority, and Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority have agreed that, for the second successive year, their share of the total Council Tax bill should not be increased. This has required a fundamental look at the amount of taxpayers’ money spent to ensure services are as efficient as they can be and deliver excellent value for money. Inevitably this means that some services have had to be reviewed to balance the competing demands of increased spending pressures and reduced government funding.

Eight district councils have decided to freeze Council Tax. Four districts councils have decided to increase Council Tax.