Council tax increase agreed

Council tax payers in Powys will face a 3.5 per cent rise for the next financial year.

The increase would mean a bill of £828.16 for a band D property.

This, when added to rates for Dyfed-Powys Police and community council precepts, could mean a total of more than £1,000 for some payers.

Despite calls from the Montgomeryshire Independent Group for a three per cent rise, the decision was passed by a majority of 19 - 41 in favour and 22 against.

Councillor Michael Jones, chairman of the board, proposed the rise at yesterday's full county council meeting.

"Comparing this increase to other authorities, it is a very good position," he said."Other councils are going for the maximum, five per cent and still cutting services but we have managed to safeguard ours. We were very keen not to reduce services to the general public.

"The settlement for next year is zero for Powys; that's an untenable position and great representations will have to be made to bring this serious situation to the forefront at the Welsh Assembly."

Montgomeryshire independents had called for a three per cent rise, claiming money could be clawed back from efficiency savings, including reductions in street lighting.

Councillor Barry Thomas, group leader, said some members were more concerned about spending £120,000 on new carpets at the council's headquarters in Llandrindod Wells.

But councillors yesterday vowed any expenditure would have to be approved by them. The money has been set aside in Powys County Council's capital budget after health and safety issues were raised over state of the carpets.