People look set to see their council tax bill increase by almost 3% – but that won’t be enough to plug a huge hole in the local authority’s budget.

Swale council is planning to use more than £1 million from reserves during 2024/25 to cover a budget gap.

If approved, it would see homeowners living in a Band D property across the borough faced with an increased council tax bill of £5.72 each year – or 11p a week.

All council tax collected in Swale is shared between Kent County Council (KCC), Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police and town and parish councils.

Residents living in a typical band D property in the borough have been paying charges in 2023/24 of £1,534.23 towards KCC, £243.15 for Kent Police, £194.94 for Swale council and £87.30 towards the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority.

However, the predicted 2.99% rise is just for the Swale element of residents’ council tax.

Following May’s borough elections, Swale council is ruled by a coalition comprising Labour, Swale Independents Alliance (SIA) and the Green Party, with the Conservatives and Lib Dems in opposition.

A spokesman for Swale council said: “On Wednesday (November 29) the policy and resources committee agreed for the draft budget for 2024/25 to go out to consultation.

“The draft budget outlines £3.5m of proposed savings, efficiencies and increased income, leaving a budget gap of £1.36m which would be funded from reserves if further savings are not found.

“It includes measures to balance the budget such as restructuring council services, increasing council tax by 2.99%, increasing income from fees and charges, reducing some grants, a freeze in members’ allowances and reviewing the council’s major contracts.”

Swale council provides services including waste and recycling collection, dealing with littering and fly-tipping, car parks and public toilets, council tax and housing benefits, as well as providing support for homeless people.

Council leader Tim Gibson (Lab) admits “tough decisions” need to be made for people to get the most from public services.

“It’s no secret that councils all over the country are struggling to balance their books - costs are rising whilst the funding we get from government is falling,” he explained.

“We’re also seeing more and more people coming to us for help and support as they try to navigate their way through the cost-of-living crisis.

“Despite these significant challenges, we want to focus on the future and work towards improving the lives of local people.

“We’re determined to spend the next few years working to strengthen communities, creating a sustainable local economy, improving housing, health and wellbeing and enhancing our environment.

“To do this needs a well-run organisation using the limited resources that we have, to focus on the issues that will make a real difference to the borough.

“This means making some tough decisions about what we can and can’t do to make sure we’re getting the most value that we can from every pound.

“This draft budget sets out what we think we need to do to achieve this with a balanced budget for next year.

“We might not be able to do everything that everybody wants, but we do want to be open and honest about the challenges that we face, so that people can understand the decisions we have to take.”

Cllr Gibson, who was in the fire service from 1983-2013 as well as a football referee before becoming a councillor in 2019, is calling on residents to give their views on the proposed budget.

He added: “We want your views on what we’re proposing, which includes funding for a new waste contract, investing in housing to reduce the costs of supporting the hundreds of families in temporary accommodation and how we plan to save for the future.

“Please take some time to look through what we’re proposing and give us your honest views to inform our decisions when we’re finalising the budget in the new year.”

The consultation runs until January 3, 2024. To take part, click here.

The results will be reported to the policy and resources committee on February 7, before the full council is asked to approve the final budget on February 21.