The huge cuts in essential
public services and grants by
@%’%z the Kent County Council are
’ blamed by Liberal and Labour
Councillors on "government
. cuts". The facts are that Kent
 present year and a 2.5% increase 111 the next
y year. In spite of a strong economy and low
 interest and inflation rates, the County Council

The KCC Lib/Lab group cut £1/2m out of the budget in 1996/7
~ now we are seeing the results. Pavements are getting Worse.
WA! TIN G LIST GROWS
Conservative Cllrs. are pressing the Housing  <*
;-
 has received a 3% increase in iimdiug in the ‘
» under Liberal / Labour control still can't manage! >


Department to speed up allocations - at the moment it  
lakes “P t° TEN WEEKS! The H°"$i"g $Y'I><=1<iS  I.I1L11iiZZmififii: 
getting into an even worse state of repair and the  3mmééii€§%
Council is not even spending the minimum requirement.   £3 
The Conservatives have argued for years that it is  
shortsighted not to improve the property. *1  1
A11" have See" is ' 
CUTS - CUTS - CUTS
‘    v KCC and the 1997 Budget!
Some things you need to know!
“The Conservative Group is committed to keeping all Kent’s
Libraries open, both before and after May 1st. A Conservative
majority on the County Council will mean no library will
close, nor will Saturday opening be reduced. If such
reductions take place before the Conservative Group takes
control of the County we will restore them." Keith Ferrin,
bnservative Finance Spokesman.
“My Conservative Group will oppose any cuts to closures of
Fire Stations in Kent, and any reductions that affect the
operational arm of the Service." Sandy Bruce-Lockhart,
Conservative Group Leader.
“The Government has made available an extra £l.6 million for
the Kent Fire Service in 1997/ 98. This is an above~i.nflation ‘
increase of 5%. On the basis of these figures it is very difficult
to see why any need to reduce the budget arises." Michael
Howard MP, Secretary of State for the Home Qfflce.
“This destructive Budget demonstrates the cumulative effect
of four years of ill planning and ill judgement by this failed
administration. This Budget will bring hardship; it removes
choice, independence and hope for many of the most
vulnerable people who depend upon Social Services.” Julia
fiender, Conservative Spokesman for Social Services.
“I also welcome the recent news that Kent has received the
highest Government Award for school buildings of any County
or Education Authority in England”. Ronnie Norman,
Conservative Education Spokesman.
The KCC has lost responsibility for Further Education, the Careers
Service, the Police and for the 56% of secondary school children
who are now in Grant Maintained Schools. Yet KCC have
employed centrally over 1,000 extra stafi‘ - mostly in
technical, professional and support areas.