Council revises tax rise

The council says spending has risen sharply

Council tax is expected to rise by just over 9% in Leicestershire this year.

The cabinet has revised its initial proposals, which had suggested an increase of just over 10%.

In its original budget projections, released last month, Leicestershire County Council said it would have to increase spending to £500m to meet demand for its services.

And it predicted council tax would therefore have to rise by 10.3%.

Concessionary travel

But in its revised proposals, which were published today, the cabinet's managed to bring that increase down to 9.3%.

It says that makes the rise well below the national average.

The changes also include an extra £125,000 allocated to allow the extension of concessionary travel before 0930 GMT, a responsibility shared with the district councils.

The final budget will be agreed at a full council meeting on the 19 February.