Decision time looms for a raft of swingeing cuts and service charges proposed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC).

On Thursday, the cabinet meets to decide on whether to move forward with several controversial cash-saving changes.

These include cutting more than £60k from summer activity programs and the review of parking charges which has infuriated residents in West Malling.

But Cllr Nicolas Heslop (Con), TMBC leader has stressed when he and other council members come to make the final decision, it will be with a heavy heart.

“We knew the revenue support grant [the money given to the council by the government] would be taken away by some point, but we thought this would be by 2019.

“We have now learned it will be taken away a year earlier, in 2018, so 2017/18 will be the last year we receive this support.”

Cllr Heslop said this, coupled with a reform of the business rates, will leave TMBC getting 65% less in financial support from the government – that’s about £2.4 million.

This is a heavier setback that other councils who expect to lose about 45% on average. The Cage Green ward member said it was disappointing the council is being punished more heavily than most given its track record.

He said:“TMBC has always taken measured steps in how we deliver how services. We don’t take these decisions lightly and they are not ones we want to be taking, but there are significant challenges. It is also right we should review the services we do deliver.”

Overall the council has identified the need to make more than £1.9m of savings by 2021.

Some of this money will be recouped by an increase in charges, retendering some council contracts for services and reviewing grants awarded to charities.