The Leader of Kent County Council has undertaken a series of high-profile visits across Dover, Folkestone, and Westminster, warning that “tough choices” are essential to safeguard the county’s financial future.
Councillor Roger Gough met with local representatives and national policy-makers to discuss the acute pressures facing the region. The visit focused on the escalating costs of social care and the unique challenges of being a front-line border county. Speaking during his recent engagements, Mr Gough emphasised that the decisions ahead are necessary to ensure the authority remains a sustainable body for the taxpayer.
The council currently faces significant budgetary challenges, driven by rising demand for statutory services and inflation. The leader used his platform to signal that the authority must focus strictly on its “Securing Kent’s Future” roadmap, which prioritises essential care for the most vulnerable.
Addressing the border crisis in Dover
In Dover, the council leader viewed first-hand the infrastructure and service pressures linked to Channel crossings. Kent has managed a high volume of referrals for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, a factor that has placed a notable strain on the local authority’s children’s services department.
Mr Gough has consistently argued that Kent residents should not bear the financial burden of what is a national border issue. During his visit, he highlighted that the council has built five new reception centres to meet its statutory obligations. He continues to lobby the government for support to ensure that the “Garden of England” remains functional for residents and businesses, specifically regarding the impact on local road networks.
Folkestone and the social care challenge
In Folkestone and the surrounding coastal areas, the focus shifted to adult social care and the “unsustainable model” of current local government funding. With a growing elderly population, the cost of providing home care and residential placements has surged, creating an “extremely concerning financial position.”
Council records show that while a 4.99% council tax increase was implemented to protect vital services, much of this is ring-fenced for social care. Mr Gough warned that without fundamental reform from central government, the council must continue to overhaul how services are delivered to remain solvent.
Taking the case to Parliament
The leader also addressed parliamentary committees in Westminster. His primary objective was to push for a long-term financial settlement rather than the short-term grants that currently characterise local government finance.
Mr Gough told councillors and officials that “there is no cavalry coming over the hill; there is only the hill,” stressing the need for the council to find its own path to stability. He has previously described the combination of increased national insurance contributions and rising living wages as a “lethal cocktail” of policies that significantly increases the costs for care providers.
Looking toward 2025 and devolution
The leader also discussed the potential for a devolution deal for Kent and Medway. By gaining more powers from Whitehall, the council hopes to have greater control over strategic planning and transport infrastructure.
Key points of the ongoing discussions include:
- Pressing for the restoration of international rail services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
- Supporting the development of new nuclear projects at Dungeness for local energy security.
- Promoting the “Just Missing Out” scheme for pensioners who do not qualify for certain benefits but remain financially vulnerable.
A focus on the taxpayer
The overriding message of the leader’s recent activity is one of fiscal realism. Mr Gough reiterated that the council is not “immune to the impacts” of global economic disruption and high inflation. He noted that several other authorities across the country have faced effective bankruptcy, a situation he intends to avoid through disciplined management.
By focusing on “cost-effective delivery,” the administration aims to rebuild its reserves, which were utilized during the recent periods of high inflation. The leader concluded by stating that while the path is narrow, the priority remains protecting the people of Kent and ensuring the best possible use of public funds.
