Tax rise lowest for seven years

Bridgnorth will be getting a 2.95 per cent rise in the district part of the council tax bill after council chiefs officially pushed the proposal through.

At last night's full council meeting members confirmed a rise of £3.06 on the average Band D council tax bill for next year, taking the authority's share of the annual bill to £106.74.

It is the authority's lowest rise for seven years.

The council has been carrying out a public consultation since the provisional increase was put forward last month.

Councillor Ed Shirley said: "The council has been awarding an affordable level of council tax whilst also giving value for money.

"It's most unfortunate that this council has to conclude its budget in April 2009 when Shropshire becomes a unitary council."

Councillor Elizabeth Yeomans said: "I think we've come out quite well, it's a reasonable increase. I think it's sensible and realistic under the circumstances.

"We do have to bare in mind that an awful lot of time is spent having to do two jobs to try and take the unitary council forward."

Members also voted in favour of housing rents increasing in line with Government recommendations.

The remainder of the council tax bill is made up of county council, parish, police and fire service precepts.

Shropshire County Council, which charges the bulk of the council tax bill, has previously backed a council tax hike of 4.4 per cent for its section of the bill, while Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority has also approved plans for its proportion to rise by 3.9 per cent. West Mercia Constabulary has already approved an increase of 4.94 per cent.