HOMEOWNERS across the county are expected to be hit by above-inflation council tax increases again next year.

The warning comes after ministers confirmed details of how much councils would get in government grants to meet the costs of key services next year.

Local government minister Phil Woolas said average bills across the country should not rise above five per cent.

But his claim to be giving councils more money for services like highways, social care and planning, was derided by the Conservative leader of Kent County Council.

Cllr Paul Carter said he expected KCC’s share of the bill - which accounts for the largest part - would have to rise by between about three and five per cent.

He blamed the government for shifting money away from Kent and the south east to authorities in the north and north east.

“It [the announcement] was pretty much what we expected. In real terms, we have had negative growth in our grant settlement. We have to run our services with even less grant money from central government, even before taking into account the pressures caused by an increasing elderly population and increases in pay, for example,” he said.

Opposition Labour leader Cllr Mike Eddy said KCC was to blame for any shortfall. “If KCC did not keep flushing money down the pan, it would have lots of money.

"Seven or eight million pounds has gone on the aborted Turner Centre in Margate and it is spending millions on reorganising the highways service.”

Average KCC council tax bills for householders in Band D homes - the average - were set at £918 last year. A five per cent increase would see that rise by about £45 to £963.

The largest number of council taxpayers in Kent live in Band C homes and for those, a five per cent increase in the KCC share of the council tax would see bills rise by about £40 to £856. A three per cent increase would see bills go up by about £25.

The Government’s announcement of a £600million increase for councils excludes the amount spent on education. KCC’s overall budget for the year will be about £1.3 billion.