Council tax payers face an increase of nearly 5% under budget recommendations due to be confirmed by Kent County Council’s Conservative administration today.

The increase will see average bills for homes in Band D rise from £1,237.68 to £1,299.42 from April - an increase of £61.74 for KCC’s share of the bill.

This excludes other charges residents face such as the police tax and the tax set by district and borough councils.

It has emerged the council has appealed to the government for special funding to help it cope with the “unique impact” of pressures caused by Brexit - on top of the money that has already been committed.

The council tax rise comes against a backdrop of dwindling government grants.

The 5% increase is made up of just under 3% for all services - the maximum allowed without the need to hold a referendum - and a 2% rise specifically to support spending on social care where demand is rising because of a growing ageing population.

A report setting out the draft budget urges the government to allow KCC to retain a bigger slice of money from business rates for Brexit pressures.

Altogether, the council says cuts in grants, increased demand for some services and the need to replenish money used from its reserves equate to a £100m challenge.

There are signs that KCC is facing a backlash among residents with public consultation showing that an additional tax for social care was not supported.

According to the consultation, 54% disagreed with an additional 2% to raise more money for adult care.

Launching the draft budget last year, council leader Paul Carter said KCC had already identified £41m but needed to save a total of £57m.

He warned that the scope for saving money without hitting frontline services was becoming more challenging.

“We have identified a potential £41 million of savings so far but still need to find a further £16 million if we are to continue to support good local services for the next financial year and beyond.

“However, as part of the government’s austerity package, funding for local authorities continues to shrink, demand continues to rise and the scope to make further savings from efficiencies is now very limited.”

The budget and council tax proposals will be decided at a full council meeting on February 14.