THOUSANDS of New Forest residents are bracing themselves for an increase in council tax.
The annual amount levied by the district council is set to rise from April as the Conservative-controlled authority strives to balance the books and safeguard frontline services.
Members are meeting on February 26 to set the council’s budget for the 2018/19 financial year.
Under proposals due to be put to the meeting the average band D council tax payer will be charged £168.36 - an increase of £5, or just over three per cent, on the current figure.
But families are also facing a hike in the sums levied by the other charging authorities.
Most of the council tax collected in Hampshire goes to the county council, with smaller amounts funding town and parish councils, Hampshire Police and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
The county council is proposing to increase its share of the council tax by almost six per cent, with each band D household paying the authority an extra £67.86 in 2018/19.
Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, is seeking an additional £12 a year from every band D family.
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