Our budget
Every year we set a budget to decide how much we will spend on delivering services.
We need to manage the challenge of significant spending demands and cost increases within the funding available, which mainly comes from Council Tax and the government. This requires tough choices about priorities for the future.
Your views
While we were developing the plans for the 2026 to 2027 budget, we asked for your views on:
- how comfortable you would be with reductions in spending across our different service areas
- your suggestions for how to make further savings, efficiencies and increase income
- your views on Council Tax options.
The consultation report containing your feedback is available on the consultation website.
2026 to 2027 budget
Kent County Council approved its 2026 to 2027 revenue budget, 2026 to 2029 medium term financial plan and 2026 to 2036 capital budget at a full council meeting on 12 February 2026.
The full County Council webcast can be viewed below:
Details can be found in our:
- Budget book 2026 to 2027 (PDF, 6.1 MB) - including the 2026 to 2036 capital investment plans by directorate and the 2026 to 2027 revenue budget by directorate and key service presentation
2026 to 2036 capital budget
How we spend our capital budget
The capital budget for 2026 to 2036 is £1,967 million (nearly £2 billion). The summary below shows what this is spent on:
| Service | Amount in £million |
|---|---|
| Highways, structures and waste enhancement | £1,146 |
| Other highway and transport improvements | £296 |
| Other school projects | £211 |
| Additional school places | £181 |
| Modernisation and improved utilisation of council premises | £84 |
| Economic development initiatives | £40 |
| Community projects | £6 |
| Adults, social care and health | £3 |
How our capital budget is funded
Funding for our capital budget comes from many sources. Over 70% comes from grant funding and around 18% is borrowed.
| Service | Amount in £million |
|---|---|
| Grants | £1,379 |
| Borrowing | £354 |
| Developer contributions | £100 |
| Revenue contributions | £75 |
| Recycling of loan repayments | £38 |
| Other external funding | £15 |
| Capital Receipts | £6 |
(Figures subject to rounding).