Powys County Council tax rates to be decided

Council tax increases of nearly £30 a year on average were expected to be rubberstamped today. Councillors were expected to meet in Llandrindod Wells to set the council tax resolution for 2011/12.

Powys County Council has already agreed to a 2.99 per cent rise in council tax for the next financial year, which will mean that the average band D property will go up from £889.17 to £915.76, a rise of £26.59.

Councillor Tony Thomas, portfolio holder for finance, said £16 million worth of savings needed to be found by the council over the next four years.

He said: "This year's budget proposals have been heavily influenced by the difficult economic environment.

"For the first time ever the county council has faced a reduction in the level of revenue funding from the Welsh Assembly, down more than £2.3m on last year, but the settlement was better than the Welsh average, a reflection of the cost of providing services in a large rural county.

"We have set out budget proposals that protect the level of essential services, particularly within adult and children social services, while recognising the financial challenges being faced by many households.

"As far as possible we have attempted to make savings through efficiencies rather than reducing services.

"The council is honouring the protection provided by the Assembly to education and social services spend, but despite this protection the services will still see a reduction in their budgets."