HOUSEHOLDERS will see their bills rise by around £65 this year after South Lakeland District Council approved a lower-than-expected council tax increase.
The 3.49 per cent rise in the authority's share of the precept was agreed at a heated budget-setting meeting on Tuesday. However home owners still face a total hike on their bills of 4.84 per cent - above the national average and more than two per cent above inflation (2.7 per cent).
The increase means residents living in Band D properties will pay an extra £5.41 towards district council services from April 1. Earlier in the year SLDC had warned of a possible 4.5 per cent rise and the lower figure only came to light at the last minute on Tuesday after news of a major recycling grant came through.
The news means that once Cumbria County Council's 4.99 per cent rise, plus the 4.91 per cent rise approved by Cumbria Police Authority and the 7.17 per cent increase needed by parish councils, are taken into account, Band D householders will see their total council tax bill upped by £65.60 to £1,421.34. Those at the upper end of South Lakeland's housing market, living in a Band H house, will have to fork out an extra £131.20. The average national bill will rise by £53.
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