Every April, the council tax bill lands. Every April, people across Kent open it, wince, and pay it. But how many people actually know what they’re paying for?
In 2026, the average Band D council tax in Kent is north of £2,100. That’s split between your district or borough council, Kent County Council, the police and crime commissioner, and fire and rescue. The county council takes the biggest share – around 70% – because it funds the most expensive services: social care, highways, education support, and waste disposal.
Kent Local News recently covered a £60 million funding announcement for the Medway Towns, the kind of large-scale investment that directly affects what residents see for their money. But £60 million sounds like a lot until you break it down across a population of nearly 300,000. That’s roughly £200 per person – spread over multiple years.
The transparency gap
Most councils publish their budget documents. But have you tried reading one? They’re dense, jargon-heavy, and clearly not written for the people who are actually footing the bill. That’s not transparency – it’s box-ticking.
We think councils should publish a plain-English summary alongside every budget. One page. Where the money comes from, where it goes, and what changed from last year. No jargon, no footnotes, no 200-page appendices. If a council can’t explain its spending clearly, perhaps it doesn’t fully understand it either.
Where the pressure points are
Adult social care is eating an ever-larger share of county budgets. It’s not a new problem, but it’s getting worse as the population ages. Meanwhile, the services most visible to residents – road repairs, parks, libraries, community centres – are the ones getting squeezed. It’s no wonder people feel they’re paying more and getting less.
What we’d change
GB Freedom Party’s local government policy calls for genuine spending transparency, public budget summits where residents can question council leaders directly, and mandatory publication of contractor spend over £10,000. Public money should face public scrutiny. Every pound, every time.
Your council tax isn’t just a bill. It’s your stake in how your area is run. You have every right to know exactly what it’s buying.
