Kent residents will pay almost an extra 3% on their tax bill for county council services from April.

The controversial hikes were approved by a majority of County Hall councillors during a heated debate at the Kent Showground in Maidstone.

It means that Band D households will be paying an extra £43 per year compared to the last financial year, rising from £1,418 to £1,461.

KCC's cabinet member for finance, Cllr Peter Oakford (Con) described the decision made as "extremely tough" but said it was necessary to maintain frontline services and balance the books.

He said: "We recognise there will be an impact on residents, but we have tried to minimise this as much as possible."

Councillors react to Kent County Council budget

It means there will be a 2.99% increase, equal to 81p per week extra for a Band D household.

KCC's Conservative administration says this will help to meet increased spending on adult social care and cover costs that cannot be met by government funding alone.

Opposition parties, including Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens, warned the financial security for households is looking "increasingly bleak" this year amid major tax hikes across the board for energy, food and councils.

In Kent, Dartford Borough Council has opted not to raise its precept, but freeze council tax for a second year running.

For KCC, Dr Cllr Lauren Sullivan (Lab) said: "We have a budget that is desperate and does not know which way to turn and has had hit rock bottom."

Cllr Steve Campkin, of the Greens, said: "Will we see more Kent residents facing debt as a result?"

Council tax contributes to 70% of income for KCC, used to spend on council services. This will generate around £823m of a £1.182bn revenue budget, according to a County Hall report.

On top of the contribution residents also pay tax to their district and borough council, police, the fire service and, depending on where they live, parish councils.

Services invested include adult social care, expansions of schools, special educational needs transport, climate change and care homes.

Last year, KCC taxpayers paid an extra 5% for adult social care and general spending amid higher pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Around £750million of savings have been made by the county council over the last 11 years, including the years of austerity, Brexit and Covid.

KCC's leader Roger Gough said the latest tax rises marked a "somber note" while Cllr Oakford said the council faced a major reduction in government grant help, such as Covid emergency support packages.

Cllr Paul Bartlett, KCC's chair of public health, added: "Kent is one of the soundest councils to deliver more for less."

"You are expecting people to pay more for fewer services..."

Labour disagreed as they put forward an alternative budget. Margate county councillor Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab) warned: "You are expecting people to pay more for fewer services."

He added: "We are not treating people like human beings, but cash machines."

From April, more cash will be spent on disability support and school expansions,

In addition, rises will help generate an extra £2.5million towards KCC's reserves, to keep the levels afloat to 5% of the total budget.

However, a £5million contract to support homelessness people is being cut while families will be expected to pay more for a discounted school pass, the Kent Travel Saver.