Councillors are determined that ratepayers will not be hit by a massive rise in council tax to cover a huge budget shortfall caused by the deepening financial crisis.

As the nation moves further into recession Ashford council executive on Thursday agreed a sweeping range of measures for the next two years designed to face the challenges.

Portfolio holder for resource management Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) said: “Ashford’s council tax is the lowest in Kent. While other councils will be passing on costs we have faced up to the fact that income will be lost and decided not to pass the burden on to taxpayers and to keep below the normal five per cent increase.”

He said that in the challenging times the council had to make hard choices if they were to continue to deliver core services effectively and protect the interests of all of residents.

“Our key aim in considering these proposals has been to protect front line services so far as practicable, but there will inevitably be an impact on the council’s ability to provide services at the quality we would ideally like.”

Members were given an in-depth briefing by chief executive David Hill on senior management team proposals for cutbacks to meet a £3.2 million shortfall over the next two years, including taking £100,000 from reserves.

These include increasing car park charges and the possible closure of public conveniences in rural areas.

All will be debated in depth over the next couple of months before a final decision.