Swale Councillors Agree 2023-2024 Budget

At a packed Full Council Meeting, at Swale House last night (Wednesday 22nd February), Swale Borough Councillors finally agreed to a savings package of more than £2.8 million in the next financial year through a restructure of services and a review of council fees and charges.

The savings proposals were approved and the meeting also agreed that the Swale element of the council tax for the next financial year would increase by 2.99% - a rise, they say, of less than 11p a week for a typical band D property.

Cllr Mike Baldock, Leader of the Council, told SFM News: “We’ve seen a significant increases in our costs in the last year, and there has been a rise in demand for our help with things like housing as local people struggle with the cost of living. After years of cuts to our funding from central Government, we have been left to make some incredibly difficult decisions. Despite this, we have worked to agree a balanced budget that still looks to protect vital services that local people value.

He went on to add: “Our share of the council tax bill will cost a typical band D household just £3.75 a week, though most people in Swale will be paying less as most households are in the lower bands. I still think this represents real value given the range of services we provide, and maintains our position as one of the lowest council taxes in Kent.”

The final Council Tax Bill people will receive is made up of several charges from local services.

For 2023/24 the council tax bill for a typical band D property will include charges for:

• Kent County Council: £1,534.23 (4.995% increase)
• Kent Police & Crime Commissioner: £243.15 (6.57% increase)
• Swale Borough Council: £194.94 (2.99% increase)
• Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority: £87.30 (6.01% increase)
• Parish or town councils in areas where they exist.

The full budget report can be read on the agenda page for the full council meeting on Wednesday 22nd February.