Council holds budget consultation after cutting arts funding

Kent County Council has launched a public consultation over its plans to save £81m in the next financial year.

Earlier this year, the council made a series of cuts to services, including arts funding, youth services, and community wardens, while also raising council tax by 4.9%.

The conservative-led administration has warned that "further tough choices will need to be considered" and wants to hear from the public which services should be prioritised, as well as suggestions for income generation.

A council statement said: “Significant spending demands and cost increases, largely for the most vulnerable residents in the areas of adult and children’s social care and home-to-school transport, continue to squeeze the budget.

“Complex needs, population growth and people living longer are all factors that are contributing to the financial pressures of authorities across the UK as well recent high levels of inflation and significant increases in national living wage in recent years adding pressure on budgets."