Taxpayers face a 6p a week rise in their council tax despite government moves to block increases.

Council rents too are to rise by 5%.

Gravesham’s cabinet will recommend a 1.9% increase – a fraction below the point where a costly local referendum would be needed – when the council meets at the end of the month.

If agreed, it will add £3.33 to the average band D property.

Kent County Council, which makes up the majority of the overall council tax bill will be freezing its charge this year.

Gravesham’s programme forms part of what the council describes as a three-year balanced budget aimed at improving community facilities, protecting council services and securing the future of community events.

The measures include a freeze on car park charges, "modest" rises in other council charges and further efficiencies to meet a £402,000 (7%) cut in government grants.

A key part of the Labour-run council’s plans will be a new council house-building programme, and the creation of a £500,000 grant fund to aid community projects.

As well as building 24 new homes next year, the council is promising free daytime electricity for its 6,000 tenants by installing solar panels.

By the time the next budget is discussed, the council hopes to have 2,500 council homes fitted with the panels.

Council rents are to rise, however, to meet government demands for higher home charges.

The rise will be 4.96% on average, taking charges to about £83.26 a week

In the past three years, the council estimates it has lost more than £2.3 million from the government.

Cllr John Burden (Lab), council leader, said more than 50 jobs had gone in the past two years.

He added: "There have been huge savings across the council and there will be more, but we have used money from the New Homes Bonus to create a sustainable three-year balanced budget.

"Given the government’s continuing appetite for axing grants to local authorities, this has been a remarkable achievement, but a necessary one to maintain the services we provide and to be able to continue those events the community values."

The total reduction in government funding for Gravesham since its austerity measures began is 41%, excluding the New Homes Bonus.