EAST HAMPSHIRE District Council (EHDC) is set to freeze council tax for the coming year.

The council no longer gets financial support from the government, and is aiming to become self-sufficient, without increasing council tax.

It will be one of only a few authorities in the country not to increase its council tax this April.

Last year the then council leader, Cllr Ferris Cowper, pledged the council’s part of the annual bill to residents could be frozen.

Tomorrow (Thursday), members are expected to adopt a budget for the coming year that keeps EHDC’s share of council tax the same as it is now.

The meeting at Penns Place, which starts at 6.30pm, will set the council budget for the 12 months from April 1.

A budget report signed off by council chief executive Sandy Hopkins says: “The budget proposals assume that council tax for EHDC will be frozen for 2018-19, representing £131.11 bill (to residents) at Band D.”

It goes on to say that any increase in council tax income, estimated for the year to be almost £6.484m, will only come through the building of more homes.

But for the council to have the £11.634m it plans to spend over the coming year on providing services some cut backs, and price rises, are being recommended by the councils’ decision making Cabinet.

Support grants to parish and town councils in East Hampshire are to go and the cost to the public of some council services is to go up by 1.5 per cent.

Cllr Cowper said: “EHDC is committed to reducing council tax to zero.

“It is our belief that the council can be efficient and self-sustaining, delivering the excellent services residents need without levying a council tax.

“Achieving this is a goal unique among local authorities across the country.

“But we are confident East Hampshire residents can look forward to their local district council costing them less while continuing to provide over 100 services.

“To achieve this the council has set itself targets to generate income through means such as selling skills and property investment while providing our services more efficiently.

“These methods have allowed the council to make two consecutive cuts in council tax – the only council in the country to achieve this.

“This is backed up by a freeze this year, bringing council tax down to the lowest level since 2010.

“For many councils, a council tax freeze would be very special, but for EHDC it’s becoming business as usual.

“Our forecast indicates 2018-19 will be another very successful year for our businesses and investments.

“But as with any radical strategy there are times when prudence demands we take a breather. ”