News

Shepway Council are proposing a net cut of £1.4 million to its total budget for the next and future financial years claim Shepway Lib Dems.

In a press release they say there are cuts in frontline services to budgets for new play equipment, provision of new bus shelters and skips, and huge increases in charges for Sandgate car parking.

Council tax is proposed to rise by 4.7% - close to the expected 5% capping limit.

Shepway Council's Corporate Scrutiny Committee was the first to see the proposals on Monday night, before being considered by Cabinet on 10 December, and then going on to full council.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Prater, who chairs the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, said: "These may be the largest ever cuts to Shepway's budget - £1.4 million is over 7% of the total budget for the year. Even more alarmingly, even these savings are not enough for future years. To balance the next five years, the council will need to find around another £400,000 of cuts or increased charges every year just to deal with the current priorities.

"I simply couldn't vote for budget proposals that cuts front line services to local residents while still planning to put up council tax by 4.7%."