Kingston Council publishes its proposed 2021/22 budget for recovery
Kingston Council has published its proposed budget today setting out how it will continue to support residents through COVID-19 and invest in the future of the borough.
The council continues to work alongside partners and communities as it has throughout the pandemic to deliver food and medicines and provide emotional support, provide PPE, support testing and tracing, distribute grants to businesses and now to support the vaccination programme. This is in addition to providing core services to support the elderly, young and vulnerable.
The draft budget also positions the council to meet the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the investment required to help the local economy recover and grow to meet future challenges.
The proposed council tax increase of 4.99% is set within the context of an already challenging financial situation made more uncertain by the ongoing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Government has provided funding and support, there are budget challenges from significant additional service needs and substantial income losses. In addition, the medium to long term impact of COVID-19, the economic recession and the financial challenges associated with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for children with special educational needs or disabilities means that significant financial challenges remain.
In recognition of these challenges the council has an ambitious and far reaching programme to transform and reshape services to ensure effective support to those who need it most, build on the community and partnership working while also delivering greater efficiencies.
Cllr Andreas Kirsch, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commissioning, said:
“This budget sets out our commitment to support residents and businesses with the challenges they face now, while making sound plans for the future.
“The budget balances financial rigour with optimism for the future. It focuses more than half of our total revenue budget on supporting those residents who need us most. It also outlines sound and ambitious plans to transform our services that will put us in a good position going forward.
We have saved £5.3m in 2020/21 while supporting thousands of residents through the Kingston Stronger Together Hub as well as providing strong core services. We have changed how we work with partners and community groups and remain committed to building on this to shape the future of the borough together.”
Cllr Caroline Kerr, Leader of the Council, said:
“We understand any increase in council tax will impact residents but we must protect the services people rely on and continue to provide the support our most vulnerable residents need. From receiving £66m in general government grant in 2010 we now receive nothing. Almost 90% of the council’s budget comes from council tax and business rates. At a time when we are facing an increase in demand and a loss of income because of the pandemic we have no choice but to raise council tax.
We are putting our finances in a position that means we can support those who need us most and shape a better future for Kingston and its residents.“
The council draft budget for 2021/22 will be going to all the strategic committees before it is presented at Full Council on 25 February 2021. You can view the budget pack here . For more information on committee dates or to watch live, visit our website.
The Kingston Stronger Together hub has been stepped up to supplement the council’s on-going services to support vulnerable adults and children in the borough. Council staff and volunteers continue to provide services for those identified as vulnerable and respond to requests for support (figures as at 29/1/21):
The number of people on shielding lists is over 6,100 (15,000+ phone calls made to shielders)
Support
- Food parcels delivered - 5,180 by the KST hub. (8,293 Govt parcels to shielders)
- Cooked meals delivered - over 20,000 meals distributed
- Shopping service cases - 508
- Prescriptions delivered - 1,054
- Emotional and Mental Health support - 358 (includes a ‘feeling good’ check in or a telephone buddy and complex cases including those who have been suicidal)
- Referrals to higher level health and care services, safeguarding & AfC - 100+ cases
- The council has processed 6,324 business grants applications and made payments totalling £39,533,129