5.5% (From Barry And District News)

5.5%

COUNCIL tax in the Vale is to increase by 5.5 per cent - more than TWICE the rate of inflation - it was decided last week.

The Vale of Glamorgan Cabinet originally recommended a hike of 5.9 per cent.

But according to the leader of the council, they opted for the lower level rise, because almost half of properties in the Vale are still suffering the effects of the revaluation process.

The near 170 million budget will mean an average Band D tax rate of 755.10 (excluding police and community precepts) - That means householders will have to pay 39.33 extra a year.

Vale Council leader Jeff James said that council tax bills in the Vale are still one of the lowest of the 22 Welsh local authorities.

Cllr James said: "There are always very tough decisions to be made, and even though we have come a long way in the last few years, we must continue to improve.

"I feel this is a balanced and sustainable budget, which will allow us to make further progress in the year ahead."

Labour council members voted for a council tax in-crease of five percent at last week's meeting. But this was voted down by the other parties.

Vale Labour party spokesman Mark Wilson said: "There is no need for a council tax increase of this magnitude, especially from a council which has the highest reserves in Wales."

Labour councillor Andrew Dobbins added: "The level of council tax increase this year, supported by the Tory/Plaid coalition, will prove to be one of the highest in Wales and England - a further blow to hard-pressed Vale taxpayers."

Plaid Cymru councillor Chris Franks said: "The constant increase in council tax is not acceptable. It is time the system was scrapped.

"Plaid wants a fairer way to pay for council services."

He also hit out at the Welsh Assembly Government's 1.2m cut in funding to the Vale council.

"The long suffering public has been hit yet again," he added.