A COUNCIL tax contribution rise of just under three per cent to Christchurch Borough Council is set to gain approval.

Members of the council’s resources committee unanimously backed plans to raise council tax by the maximum amount allowed by the Government without a local referendum being held.

The 2.99 percent increase, if agreed by the full council on Tuesday, will apply from April.

The precepts paid to Dorset County Council, Dorset Police & Crime Panel and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Authority are also set to rise by 5.99, 6.17 and 2.99 per cent respectively.

Ian Milner, Christchurch Borough Council’s strategic director, said: “We have suffered significant financial loss from Government funding. That’s why we are presenting it at 2.99 per cent.”

Cllr Trish Jamieson requested details about setting the increase at 2.5 per cent, which she said would look good “politically”, but Mr Milner advised this would make very little difference to the amount of money residents paid.

Cllr Jamieson said: “I would have liked to have seen less than the 2.99 per cent, I would quite like to see the 2.5 per cent.

“We have got to keep living within our means and the last thing we want is to have more cut backs on staff at this difficult time.”

Cllr Colin Bungey added: “I’m not interested in the politics, I’m interested in balancing the books.

“We’re fighting LGR because this council has balance its books by putting up council tax over recent years unlike our neighbours and the rest of the county who have got major, major problems.”