Council's tax plan unveiled

Schools will benefit from the new budget

Householders in Wiltshire will see their county council tax bill rise by almost 11% next year.

Wiltshire County Council has approved its £363m budget for 2003/2004, which includes a 10.8% rise in its council tax charges.

This equates to a Band D precept from the county council of £845.26 - plus whatever the district and town councils, and the police, then add on top.

The council's budget is blamed for the above-inflation increase.

School funding

The council says above-inflation increases in costs, and the Government's new spending formula which has resulted in a £6m shortfall to run services are at fault.

Council leader Peter Chalke, said: "This budget will enable us to provide services to more of the people that really need them.

"More money will go into making it easier to recycle - £350,000 - and into buying new library books - £100,000."

Mr Chalke also said that schools will benefit, with an increase in funding going directly to schools of 2%.