00:00Another year of government support, but will it be their last?
00:04Huge deficits marked, Labour-run Medway Council's budget, passed with no amendments.
00:12Mr Mayor, the budget is agreed.
00:15It's important for the people of Medway to know what they can see from their council over the next 12
00:20months.
00:21Of course, we know the backdrop to a council budget here in Medway
00:23is that really challenging financial circumstance that we inherited
00:27from the previous Conservative Council.
00:30But on top of that, we spend £1.35 million every single day
00:34on adult services, children's services and, of course, temporary accommodation.
00:39But while Labour struggle to balance the books alongside ensuring services
00:44like festivals and libraries continue to run,
00:48the opposition have little faith in the council's arithmetic.
00:52No, well, look, we've got serious concerns regarding the budget this evening.
00:55You know, £10 million worth of borrowing this year in order to plug the gap
00:59over the medium term, over recent years and also in the next two years.
01:03That's going to see £60 million worth of borrowing in order to fund day-to-day spending.
01:07We've still got a gap in the budget of £8 million next year.
01:10The administration is saying that it's confident it can close that gap.
01:13We haven't seen that tonight in the medium-term financial projections.
01:18But numbers aside, if you live in Medway, how will the budget affect you?
01:22And what are the key takeaways you need to know?
01:25Medway Council's tax might be the lowest in Kent,
01:29but it's set to rise again by 4.99%,
01:32the highest amount without holding a local referendum.
01:36Although stays until half an hour will drop to just a pound,
01:41the one-hour tariff will rise by 50p,
01:44and all other hourly tariffs by 60p.
01:47It's a razor edge between spending and saving
01:51as the council tries to map out the future of the five towns,
01:55all squeezed by rising costs of living.
01:58Megan Shaw in Medway.
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