GRAVESHAM Council says its grant settlement for the next four years is better than anticipated.

The council will see an overall reduction in Government funding of 33 per cent over four years - better than the expected 36.5 per cent.

A statement reacting to the grant settlement announced by communities secretary Eric Pickles on Monday December 13 said that Gravesham will lose £2.8million in Government funding over four years.

But this figure is less than the £3.1million cut the council had budgeted for.

Council leader Councillor Mike Snelling said: “This is a tough settlement by any standards but Gravesham has been working hard to draw its sting by early implementation of smarter working practices.

“This council has transformed its working and is better placed than many to weather the financial storm that all public spending faces.

“The challenge has been to provide better value for money and trim the costs of backroom functions while protecting those services most valued by the council taxpayers.

“We have met that challenge full on and will be able to balance the books and have a zero increase in council tax next year.”

The council continues to vow that it will protect all frontline services - such as refuse collection - by shedding costs through combined services with other councils.

Gravesham has already merged its fraud services with those of Tonbridge and Malling council.

The council said that 66 posts will be shed over the next four years, but mostly through natural wastage and retirement.

Dartford Borough Council are yet to comment.