The county's only unitary authority is proposing to raise council tax by just under 3%.

Next year, residents in the Medway Towns may see a rise of 2.994% to their council tax bill, subject to it being agreed by councillors at the end of the month.

For 2021/22, those living in the average Band D house pay £1,545.47 in council tax, meaning their bill would increase by 88p a week or £45.76 for the year.

This is without the money they would also pay towards Kent Police, the fire brigade, and some parish councils depending on where they live.

Last year, the council voted to increase council tax by 4.994%.

Finance officers currently predict a budget gap of £1.6 million but in October councillors were told it could be as much as £33m.

The council's biggest areas of concern are children's and adults' services which make up 70% of the budget.

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, deputy leader Cllr Howard Doe (Con), said: "We don't like putting up council tax, nobody does", adding how "fragile" the budget-making process is.

He said: "The overall amount of money that people are being asked to pay is still lower than many other councils, so I would like to feel that most people should realise they are getting very good value for money for those services."

Addressing the budget gap, council leader Alan Jarrett (Con) said: "All I can tell you with regards this figure, it's very unlikely we will be taking a residual figure of £1.6 million to council; it is just as likely to be higher as it is to be lower."

The final budget will be agreed at the next full council meeting on Thursday, February 24.