Tax cap council announces savings

The tax rise from cut from 39% to 20% by the government

A council forced to make savings after a proposed council tax increase of 39% was capped by the government has outlined how it will begin to save £1m.

Shepway council has said it will save £100,000 by becoming more efficient and £125,000 by putting a freeze on non-priority spending and vacant posts.

It said planned cuts in grants for local groups had been dropped.

The authority has been forced to make the savings after its proposed 39% rise was capped to 20% by the government.

The council tax capping led to the resignation of the Liberal Democrat council leader Linda Cufley.

A number of Lib Dem councillors left with Cllr Cufley to form a break away party.

It is now a hung council controlled by Conservative Robert Bliss.