District councillors hope to avoid huge tax rises for north Shropshire residents next year, aiming to keep any rise in council tax below the government level of five per cent.

This follows news today over North Shropshire District Council funding. The council has been told its government grant will increase five per cent on last year.

The authority is now aiming to push ahead with its plans to bolster services and bring new jobs and homes to the area, while keeping any rise in tax to a minimum.

North Shropshire District Council leader David Minnery said: “We are pleased to receive this level of funding which can help us ensure that we continue to invest in the district, continue to improve and continue to deliver local services that match what people want.

“Our ambitions for north Shropshire are to make the district cleaner, safer and greener, to provide more jobs and houses, to help our residents become healthier and more active.

“Our corporate plan shows what the council can do to achieve these outcomes, but we cannot do this alone. Through the North Shropshire Partnership, we will be working with other councils, businesses, the voluntary sector and all who are committed to improving quality of life.”

Although the council is aiming to keep increases in the annual council tax bill well below the government level of five per cent, the funding used by the authority accounts for only 10 per cent of the total charge.

Overall increases also depend on the settlements of Shropshire County Council, West Mercia Police Authority, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority and the requirements of individual town and parish councils.