EAST Hampshire District Council is set to cut council tax, making it one of the only councils in the country thought to be considering a decrease this year.

If approved by the full council the two per cent reduction will launch the drive for zero council tax by 2024.

It is expected grants from the government, the main income of most councils, will continue to shrink and eventually disappear.

Leader of East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) Ferris Cowper, said: “Many councils will cope by raising taxes or cutting services but we have decided to go a different way.

“We aim to be self-sufficient and, if we can, reduce our council tax to nothing. And we plan to maintain services to the highest possible standards.”

The council’s cabinet agreed the proposal to reduce council tax on Thursday, with the final decision to be taken by the full council on February 25. A local government survey shows that, of 115 councils canvassed, EHDC is the only one to be contemplating a reduction in tax. The council intends to make up the shortfall by finding, and investing in, new income sources.

Business ventures, the sale of services to other councils, and investment in commercial properties are all generating income.

Already the decision to invest in property is paying off.

The council has purchased five properties which generate £759,000 in rent every year, approximately £650,000 more than could be gained through leaving the same amount of money in the bank. And savings continue to be made it as it reshapes its services to make them more cost effective.

If approved the two percent reduction will see Band D property owners paying £134.58 council tax to EHDC.