Council Tax rises to add to cost of living misery for Kent residents

Two down, three to go.

It’s that time of the year Parish Councils, District Council’s the County Council, Kent Police and Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS), have to set their Council Tax precepts.

To date KCC and Kent Police have done so, with KFRS to set their recommendation of 1.89% next Friday 18 Feb. At present, if the recommendation is followed, the cost of Council tax for KCC, Kent Police and KFRS will be as follows:

Then of course one has to add on the parish council precept and the district precept, which will, more likely than not, bring the average band D precept to more than £2,000.

Cllr Steve Campkin, of the Greens, at KCC asked the following question regarding the KCC Council Tax rise:

“Will we see more Kent residents facing debt as a result?”

The answer is an unequivocal YES, given that the use of bailiffs to collect unpaid council tax rose between 2016/17 and 2018/19 across eight of the district councils in Kent, according to STOP THE KNOCK.

What with rising energy prices, food prices, water prices, rail fares, mortgage increases, phone and broadband, prescription charges and the National Insurance hike from April, residents of Kent will be hit hard and more people will fall into debt, given all the evidence publicly available.

The numbers of people being chased for debts will rise.

We understand that KCC will be passing on monies to district councils for targeted relief to help those who cannot pay their council tax.

If you are having difficulties with paying your Council Tax, then do contact your local council as soon as possible. Council tax is a priority debt because the council has strong powers to make you pay.  That said, there are different types of help if you cannot afford to pay

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction (also known as Council Tax Support)

Disability reduction

Single person Discount

Second Adult Rebate

Discretionary reduction

For an excellent breakdown of your rights, take a look at National Debtline Fact Sheet ⇒ here

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