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KFRS invites views on Council Tax plans

By Parish Clerk Wilmington Parish Council

Monday, 20 October 2025

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Wilmington Parish Council Contributor

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Following message received from Kent Fire & Rescue Service -

People in Kent and Medway are invited to give their views on how much they would be willing to pay for their fire and rescue services in 2026/27.

Council Tax is a significant source of funding for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), and it currently funds around 66p in every £1 of the service’s day-to-day spending budget.

Based on the existing average, a Band D property in the county pays approximately £1.82 weekly for KFRS - around the same price for a box of eggs or a loaf of bread - which is about 4% of the overall Council Tax bill.

The rest is allocated to your parish council, district or borough council, Kent County Council and Kent Police, to provide their necessary services.

KFRS Chief Executive Ann Millington said: “We want to ensure we provide the best possible value for people’s money, and I would encourage everyone in Kent and Medway to give their views on our Council Tax proposals.

“Council Tax has become more crucial in providing us with the stable and predictable income to plan for the future and operate as a forward-thinking, efficient fire and rescue service that’s available 365 days of the year to help keep you safe. It’s a direct investment in your safety.”

People have until 12 January 2026 to complete the five-minute survey, which will give them three options:

Option 1 - Freeze Council Tax for one year.

Option 2 - Increase Council Tax by an amount just under the referendum limit. For the Kent and Medway Fire Authority, this limit is expected to be £5 for a Band D household. A £5 increase for a Band D household equates to an increase of just over 9p per week. This option would reduce the level of cuts that would be required to balance the budget.

Option 3 - As an alternative option, after considering the significant challenges we expect to face over the medium-term, what Council Tax increase would you be prepared to pay in 2026/27?

Each option has different implications. A freeze or lower increase would mean a larger budget gap, requiring more savings or reductions in services. A higher increase would raise more funding, therefore, reducing the amount of cost savings or reductions in services that would be required to balance the budget.

Ann added: “We value the public’s investment and in our recent inspection from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), we were rated as outstanding for affordability and inspectors recognised our “good use of public money”.

“These results are a testament to the dedication of our teams and the strength of our strategic planning to ensure we’re delivering a fire and rescue service people in Kent and Medway deserve.”

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Parish Clerk

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Oakfield Park Pavilion, The Spires, Wilmington, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2TD

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