RESIDENTS in East Dorset will see their council tax increase by the maximum amount without the need for a referendum.

The decision was made by members at a full council meeting earlier this week, with the authority's leader stating "hope" is the key to the area's future.

He also said on the subject of local government reorganisation that without a new Dorset unitary council East Dorset faced a "challenging and uncertain future".

The agreed rise, which will be implemented from April, will see a 2.99 per cent increase in the East Dorset District Council's portion of council tax.

Dorset County Council's portion will rise by 5.99 per cent, while the payments to Dorset Police & Crime Panel, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Authority and town & parish average will rise by 6.17, 2.99 and 3.35 per cent respectively.

The increase in the district council's portion equates to around an extra 12 pence per week - £6.34 for the full year - for a Band D household.

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of East Dorset District Council, said: “This council has responded well to the financial challenges it has faced. Service delivery has been maintained and we can be proud that a balanced budget has been set each year.

“For some years we have adopted a policy of modest increases in council tax year-on-year. As we await the final decision of the Secretary of State, if the budget we have set for 2018/19 proves to be our final budget for East Dorset District Council I believe we can move forward inspired by the change ahead of us and knowing we have done, and continue to do, the best for the residents of East Dorset.”

At Monday's full council meeting 26 members of East Dorset District Council voted for the proposed increased, with just one abstention.

The total annual charge for a Band D household in East Dorset will be £1,904.28, plus any town or parish charge. Aside from the £218.66 district council precept, the council tax bill is made up of £1406.34 towards Dorset County Council services, £206.58 to Dorset Police & Crime Panel and £72.70 to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

At full council, Cllr Flower said: "Hope is the key to our future because without hope we have nothing. Let us be inspired by the prospects of change, whether this be as a District Council or in the world of a new Dorset unitary council, because without change we will face a challenging and uncertain future."