Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mr Rich Lehmann, Mr Mark Mulvihill and Miss Amelia Randall.

(1)  The Monitoring Officer advised Members that if they had unpaid Council Tax they would have to announce it and not take part in any votes related to the budget.

(2)  Additionally, the Monitoring Officer explained that Members’ Register of Interests detailed their main declarations and it was not necessary to declare any of those at the meeting. However, Members were given the opportunity to disclose any new interest in relation to the agenda.

(1)  The Chairman explained that the wording in paragraph 45 within Item 7, Report by Leader of the Council, was to be amended to say ‘Islamic extremism’.

(2)  RESOLVED that, subject to the above correction being made, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

(1)  With the deepest regret the Chairman advised Members of the sad passing of Ms Becki Bruneau and Mr Grahame Weston in December and said tributes would be heard at the March County Council meeting.

(2)  The Chairman shared his congratulations to all who received an Honour in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours list, a list of Kent recipients was to be circulated to all Members.

(3)  The Chairman reminded Members of the importance of a timely and reasonable debate.

(1)  The Chairman introduced the Section 25 Assurance Statement, explaining that it was a record of professional advise with the purpose of assisting in the consideration of the proposed budget. The Chairman reminded Members that it was a legal requirement to note and give due regard to the comments of the Section 151 Officer in the report.

(2)  Mr Collins proposed, and Ms Kemkaran seconded the motion that:

“Pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act, County Council is asked to CONSIDER and NOTE this report and AGREE to have due regard to the contents when making decisions about the proposed budget.”

(3)  The Chairman put the motion set out in Paragraph 2 to the vote and the voting was as follows:

For (77)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr A Brady, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Mr M Ellis, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Ms B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr S Heaver, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mrs S Hudson, Mr S Jeffery, Ms I Kemp, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kennedy, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Miss D Morton, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mr R Palmer, Mrs C Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Mrs S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr D Sian, Mr T L Shonk, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr D Taylor, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mr N Williams, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Motion carried.

(4)  RESOLVED that pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act, County Council noted the report and agreed to have due regard to the contents when making decisions about the proposed budget.

(1) The Chairman reminded Members that any Member of a Local Authority who was liable to pay Council Tax, and who had any unpaid Council Tax amount overdue for at least two months, even if there had been an arrangement to pay off the arrears, had to declare that they were in arrears and could not cast their vote on anything related to KCC’s Budget or Council Tax.

(2) The Chairman explained that Members had been given the opportunity to review the agenda papers in advance of the meeting. Members were reminded that a technical budget briefing had been held on 5 February 2026.

(3) The Chairman stated that Members had previously agreed to note, and give due regard to, the Section 25 Assurance Statement provided by the Chief Financial Officer. He confirmed that all budget amendments had been published on 6 February 2026, allowing Members time to consider them ahead of the meeting. Democratic Services had also circulated a procedural document to all Members, that outlined the process and order for the budget debate.

(4) Mr Collins proposed, and Ms Kemkaran seconded the following motion:

“County Council, having given due regard to the s25 Report (published for consideration and noting as agenda item 5 of this meeting), is asked to agree the following:

2026-36 Capital Programme

(a)  The 10-year Capital programme and investment proposals of £1,967m over the years from 2026-27 to 2035-36 together with the necessary funding and subject to approval to spend arrangements.

(b)  The directorate capital programmes as set out in appendices A & B of the final draft budget report published on 4th February 2026.

(c)  The net revenue budget requirement of £1,648.1m for 2026-27.

(d)  The directorate revenue budget proposals for 2026-27 and the 2026-29 medium term financial plan as set out in appendices D (high level 2026-29 plan), E (high level 2026-27 plan by directorate), F (individual spending, savings, income and reserves variations for 2026-29) and G (2026-27 key services) of the final draft budget report published on 4th February 2026.

2026-27 Council Tax

(e)  To increase Council Tax band rates by 3.99% as set out in section 5 and appendix H of the final draft report published on 4th February 2026.

(f)   The total Council Tax requirement of £1,041,352,757 to be raised through precepts on districts as set out in section 5 and appendix H in the final draft report published on 4th February 2026.

Kent Pay Scheme 2026-27

(g)  Note the continuation of the transition of all Kent Scheme staff to the new pay structure agreed by County Council in May 2024.

(h)  Agree to the Personnel Committee recommendations on the uplift and changes to Kent Pay Scheme pay scales and spinal points as set out in section 6.8 of the final draft budget report published on 4th February 2026.

Key Policies and Strategies

(i)    The Reserves Policy as set out in appendix M of the final draft budget report published on 4th February 2026.

(j)    The Treasury Management Strategy as set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.