A Kent council is set to take a major step to becoming the first local authority in the country to become financially self-sufficient.

For the past seven years the government has slashed its support grant for local councils and further cuts are anticipated in the coming years.

The grant forms an important part of Sevenoaks District Council's overall budget, currently worth £1.5 million a year.

Other funding comes from council tax, business rates, interest from savings, income from investments and charges for some services.

In a bid to protect local services, Sevenoaks District Council has now set itself the target of no longer relying on the support grant from April.

To offset the loss of income the authority will focus on efficiency while putting resources into high priority services and those it has a duty to provide.

At the same time it is reducing back office costs and aiming to make the money it does have work harder.

The council has recently invested in local property which is generating income. The purchase of a petrol station and forecourt shop in Swanley and offices in Sevenoaks alone is raising an extra £400,000 a year.

However, to balance the books for the coming financial year, the council must save a further £500,000.

Councillors will be considering how to achieve this in the coming months, but a spokesman said it is expected this will be done with minimal impact on staff and services.

Cllr Peter Fleming, the council leader, 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.”

The final budget will be agreed by councillors on Tuesday, February 16.