Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Council tax increase recommended.
The proposed increase equates to an extra £5.24 on a Band D property - or 10p per week.

At its meeting on 7 February, Cabinet confirmed its wish for a general fund revenue budget of £14.875 million in 2007/08. It also approved a capital programme of £2.6 million for the coming year, to pay for projects that fit in with the authority’s corporate priorities.

Full Council will now decide the final budget when it meets on 21 February. If adopted, band D properties will pay £139.50 for District Council services.

As an Independent, I'm pleased to see that the increase has been kept to below inflation. But I would ask everyone to remember what I said about the increase last year 2006 council tax increase article "whether the above inflation hike this year is so that for 07/08 (which happens to be a WWDC election year) the increase can be a lot smaller? No doubt we would then hear the Lib Dems crowing about how prudent they are with our money."

I might be proved wrong about the 'crowing' (as the local election draws closer we will see) but what a shame that this below inflation increase was so predictable!!