The Kent County Council cabinet meeting on 25 September 2025, included updates from cabinet members, discussion of the Revenue and Capital Budget Forecast Outturn Report for Quarter One, and the Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter One. The cabinet agreed to note the revenue and capital forecast and budget adjustments detailed in the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report, and delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Finance to take required actions. The cabinet also agreed to note the Quarterly Performance Report and the actions being taken to address areas where performance is not as targeted.

$50 million loan paid off early

Brian Collins, Deputy Leader of Kent County Council, announced that the council had paid off a $50 million loan 40 years early, saving $5.5 million and easing the revenue budget by $670,000 a year.

Councillor Brian Collins said:

This equates to an easing on the revenue budget of interest payments of £670,000 a year. A saving, I submit. This also equates to an approximate daily interest saving of about £1,820, a saving. This would give us, had we continued with the loan, in whatever form this administration may take with LGR coming down the road, this would give us a saving of about £19.5 million in interest payments.

He presented a representative check for £50 million to the cabinet, stating that the move demonstrated the council's sound fiscal financial responsibility.

Revenue and Capital Budget Forecast Outturn Report

Councillor Brian Collins, in his role as cabinet member responsible for finance, presented the [Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1][Revenue and Capital Budget Forecast Outturn Report Quarter 1.pdf] for 2025-26. The report set out the council's financial position as of quarter one, forecasting a £27.9 million overspend, which represents 1.8% of the overall budget. The most significant overspend was in adult social care and health, relating to savings which are no longer anticipated to be achieved this year and other service-related pressures. There was also a small overspend forecast in children, young people and education, mainly due to the high cost of packages in the looked-after children with disabilities service.

Savings this year total £1 to £1.5 million, with £1 to £2.6 million expected to be delivered in 2025-2026, which represents 84% of the target. The schools delegated budget's position largely reflects demands for special educational needs support and is funded by the dedicated schools grant¹. The capital forecast out-term position is a £1.2 million underspend against budget, split between a £31.9 million real variant to a £33.1 re-phasing variant.

The cabinet was asked to note the revenue and capital forecast and capital budget adjustments detailed in the report, and to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Finance to take required actions as necessary to implement all decisions arising from the report.

Quarterly Performance Report

Matt Wagner, Chief Analyst, presented the [Quarterly Performance Report][Quarterly Performance Report Quarter 1 2025-26 - Report.pdf] for Quarter 1 2025-26. The report highlighted six indicators that were rag-rated red:

• The percentage of complaints responded to within timescale under customer services.
• The freedom of information act requests completed within 20 working days and subject access requests under the data protection act that were completed within statutory time scales under governance and law.
• The percentage of annual EHCP reviews that are waiting over 12 months from their previous annual review, the percentage of case holding posts that are filled by permanent qualified social workers, and the percentage of foster care placements which are in-house or with relatives and friends under children young people in education.

Mr Wagner also highlighted that there were 17 green KPIs and eight on a clear improving trend over the last six quarters, and gave a special mention to the SEN service where the percentage of education health and care plans issued within the 20-week timescale has met the target for the first time since this KPI started being reported in the quarterly performance report.

The cabinet was asked to note the Quarter 1 Performance Report and the actions being taken to address areas where performance is not as targeted.

Cabinet Member Updates

• Diane Morton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, reported on visits to Westview Integrated Care Centre and Medequip, as well as chairing the Kent Substance Misuse Alliance. She also noted that Kent hosted the Debatten of Hope Tour, the UK's biggest suicide prevention initiative.
• Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, reported on securing parish funding for community wardens, addressing issues with underground electrical cables in East Kent, and the success of the summer reading challenge in libraries. He also announced temporary town centre library provision for Folkestone Library at 14 Sandgate Road [^3].
• Paul King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, announced that GoToPlaces and Locating Kent had both gone into administration. He also noted that the Kent and Medway Connect to Work program is live, and that the Kent and Medway Business Fund has approved 11 interest-free loans since April.
• David Wimble, Cabinet Member for the Environment, reported on the launch of a reuse network across Kent, the success of community digs at Sean Woods and Trosley Country Parks, and encouraging signs of recovery for pollinators. He also noted that the council had moved a motion to rescind the climate emergency.
• Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, reported on the work of the home-to-school transport team, the progress of the Draft Apprenticeship Strategy for Kent, and a Writing for Wellbeing workshop in partnership with Hope and Prescription CIC. She also visited the AMBER project, and Folkestone Academy.
• Christine Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services, reported on the Families First initiative, plans to bring children's homes back in-house, and the Virtual School Award Ceremony. She also noted that a letter has been sent to the Home Secretary regarding delays in processing asylum claims for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children turning 18.
• Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, acknowledged the disruption caused by works at Bluebell Hill, and reported on the closure of Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe after a Chalks Mine collapse. He also noted that the EU entry-exit system starts on 12 October, and that the council had received final tenders for the new highways term maintenance contract.
• Matthew Fraser-Mote, Cabinet Member for the Department of Local Government, reported on the new commercial strategy, the rescinding of the 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration, and the restarting of the contract review group. He also noted that the Dolge team are exploring the use of AI within KCC.