What does Kent County Council (KCC) do?

Kent County Council (sometimes shortened to KCC) is responsible for some aspects of our lives. Other issues are handled by Thanet District Council (TDC)..

• You can use this page to find your local Kent County Council member.

Arts and Museums

KCC handles a number of areas under the label of “arts”. This includes arts funding, Turner Contemporary, and youth theatre groups (none of which are in Thanet). KCC funds a number of library art galleries none of which are found in Thanet.

Buses

As part of their broader remit to handle travel and traffic, KCC works with bus companies to promote public transport in Kent.

• For a list of bus companies operating in Kent, click here.

Education

Education is a pretty big part of KCC's oversight. This includes schools, pre-school & childcare, and adult education. This extends to children in care, home education, and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

• KCC also funds free school meals. To check you eligibility to receive free school meals, click here.
• For information about Forrest Schools, click here.
• As you might imagine, KCC oversees the 11+ or Kent Test. For more information about the Kent Test, click here.

Footpaths and Public Right of Way

Maintaining public footpaths and rights of way falls to Kent County Council. 

• For a map of public right of way footpaths, click here.
• To report a problem with a public right of way, you will need to create an account here.

Graffiti

KCC handles vandalism of street lighting, illuminated bollards, and traffic signs as part of its Highways remit. Most other forms of graffiti are handled by TDC.

Highways

Under KCC's highways department, they take care of roads, street lights, traffic lights, bridges, and drainage.

• For more information on what KCC looks after under the banner of highways, click here.
• For road safety including driver's education courses, click here.
• For a map of planned roadworks, click here.
• Getting potholes filled is something that KCC is supposed to do. We have a separate guide on how to get potholes filled.

Libraries

Library services include lending books, free WiFi and computer access, and a range of clubs and activities.

• At the time of the last update to this guide, KCC runs 93 library based activities in Thanet, many of which are free and some are wheelchair friendly. For the full list click here.
• You can book computer time online and access similar services. For more click here.

Recreation, leisure, and community

Under the heading of leisure and community KCC care for parks, offers cost of living support, and community grants.

• You can see many of the community activities and groups available in Thanet, here.
• For services regarding cost of living support, click here.

Social care and health

KCC is responsible for children taken into care, supporting vulnerable adults, blue badges, adoption, and drug & alcohol support. 

• For accessing sexual health services, click here.
• For vaccinations you can visit kmhealthandcare.uk/vaccinations
• For mental health support and services click here; or Text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time.
• For other social care concerns, click here.

Related: Other mental health support in Thanet

• Mental Health Together (Thanet) - 01843 268900 - for more details, click here.
• Thanet Safe Haven - 07850 655 877 - for more, click here.
• NHS talking therapies and counselling, Thanet - 0333 091 0414 - for more, click here.

Trading Standards

KCC investigates, scams, counterfeiting, illegal or unsafe products, monitor animal welfare, and audit high risk businesses.

• To make a report to Kent Trading Standards you must go through Citizens Advice.