Tax payers promised lower increase

Tax payers living in Shropshire have been promised next year's council tax increases should be kept at 6%, but the county council has warned services will face cutbacks.

The move follows a government warning that this year's increases, which averaged 13% nationally, were too high and big spending councils faced having their budgets capped.

Shropshire's 16.5% hike was above the national average.

Now the county council has promised to try and keep any increase for 2004/05 to the government's guideline of 6%.

But it said any improvements to services will have to be financed by the current budget.

Concerns listened to

During the autumn it will be asking residents and groups to help decide where money needs to be spent, and where cutbacks can be made.

Laura Rowley, director of resources, said "The council listened to the concerns expressed by people following last year's tax increase, and is taking positive steps to acknowledge and act upon the feedback received.

"We are hoping that as many people as possible will come forward and, in working with the council, help develop the budget strategy for the coming year."