Sevenoaks Council aims to be self-sufficient by 2016

It plans to no longer rely on support from the government by April 2016, by increasing efficiency and putting resources into high priority services to offset the £1.5 million a year it still receives.

The Council has also invested in property to create new income streams, which includes a petrol station, shops and offices that generate around £400,000 a year between them.

Council leader Peter Fleming said: “With ongoing reductions in our government support, we have acted decisively to protect the frontline services our residents depend upon.

“We have worked hard since 2013 to achieve this ambition, putting us in a better position than most. Being financially self-sufficient means we will have greater control over our services while insulating us from further reductions in public spending.”

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