UTTLESFORD District councillors last night approved an increase of 4.875 per cent on its share of the council tax bill. The increase, which will generate a precept of just over �4.6m, equates to an annual rise of �6.66 – 13p per week – for a Band D proper

UTTLESFORD District councillors last night approved an increase of 4.875 per cent on its share of the council tax bill.

The increase, which will generate a precept of just over �4.6m, equates to an annual rise of �6.66 - 13p per week - for a Band D property.

Leader of Uttlesford District Council (UDC), Cllr Jim Ketteridge, said: "I am satisfied that the chosen rise in council tax, now approved by full council, is the right figure for the district.

"This increase has been painstakingly deliberated over by officers at this council, and will allow us to maintain a high quality of services across the district for the coming year.

"The current state of the economy is putting a lot of pressure on everyone - residents, businesses and authorities alike - but I believe this increase puts us in the strongest possible position to get through a financial year of relative uncertainty."

Chairman of the finance and administration committee, Cllr Robert Chambers, said: "The council's finance team has done an excellent job mapping out the council's financial needs for the coming year.

"At a time when services are in great demand, yet the amount of money we receive from the Government is only increasing by 0.5 per cent, this increase will put us in good stead to continue to provide first class services to the community of Uttlesford."

The share of the council tax bill that goes to UDC is less than 10 per cent of the total. The total bill will rise by about 2.5 per cent, below the current rate of inflation of 3 per cent.

Essex Police Authority has approved a 4.93 per cent increase, Essex Fire Authority a 3.76 per cent increase and Essex County Council a 1.9 per cent increase.

Town and parish councils in Uttlesford have increased their precepts by an average of 2.61 per cent.

This means the breakdown of council tax is as follows: of each �1 of council tax, 73p will go to Essex County Council, 10p to Uttlesford District Council, 9p to Essex Police Authority, and 4p each to both Essex Fire Authority and the local parish or town council.

A full guide to council tax for the year will be delivered to every household in Uttlesford in the coming weeks.