COUNCIL tax payers in Haslemere and the surrounding area are set to face a staggering increase of more than 11 per cent to this yearÕs final bills.

The increase, which is more than four times the rate of inflation, is made up of rises in the charges from Surrey County Council, local town and parish councils, Surrey Police, and Waverley Borough Council.

Together, the charges mean that residents in average band D properties will have to dig deep into their pockets to find an extra £96.62 per year, taking the total average band D charge from £865.77 to £962.39.

The highest increases in council tax this year will come from Surrey Police Authority, which is planning to raise its yearly charge by 16.1 per cent.

This means that residents in band D properties could be paying £96.42 per year just for police charges - an increase of 26 pence a week.

A spokesman for the police authority said the massive rise was due to increased demand from the public to see more officers on the beat and investment by the authority in the launch of a single non-emergency telephone number.

Chairman of the finance panel at the police authority, Sheila Gruselle, said: ÒSurrey Police Authority is being responsive to the needs of the people of Surrey, and the requirement for visible policing.

ÒWith this in mind and due to central government directives which will need extra funding, we have set as prudent a precept increase to council tax as possible.Ó

Surrey County Council is planning to raise its charge by 11.42 per cent - an increase for the average tax payer of £1.43 per week to a yearly charge of £722.

At a budget meeting last week, council leader Nick Skellett blamed the increase on underfunding by the government.

He said that a cut to the social services budget of £22 million would result if government recommendations were followed, which would represent an ÒunacceptableÓ reduction in services for elderly and vulnerable residents.

He added: ÒThe tax increase will not be popular - increases in tax never are - but the alternative would be even less palatable.Ó

Waverley Borough Council is expected to increase its charges by 6. 2 per cent, covering the cost of government initiatives including expanding the boroughÕs recycling scheme and raising the amount spent on homelessness.

At a meeting of WaverleyÕs executive committee last week, leader of the council, David Harmer, said: ÒWaverley has only been given a 2.3 per cent increase by the government.

ÒNevertheless, after careful consideration we have managed to come up with a good balanced budget which has allowed us to keep the council tax increase below the expected rises of our neighbours and of Surrey County Council.Ó

The council tax increases for Waverley residents are expected to come at a time when council tenants in the area are set to face rent increases of up to 13.9 per cent.

The increases were expected to be rubber stamped at a meeting of Waverley Council as The Herald went to press.

Across the county border in East Hampshire, district councillors have been giving themselves a pat on the back for holding council tax rises to the government inflation guideline of 2.5 per cent.

The councilÕs £5.148m budget will mean an average Band D tax charge next year for the district councilÕs services of £114.32 - an increase of £2.79.

Throughout East Hampshire including Liphook and Grayshott, the average rise in council taxes bill overall will be 8.3 per cent.

This includes £734.67 which goes to Hampshire County Council, £114.32 to East Hampshire and £75.15 to the police authority, as well as the town or parish tax bill.

Grayshott district councillor and EHDC portfolio holder for finance and economy Ferris Cowper said: ÒDespite falling interest rates, tighter government grants and improved services, we are able to present a balanced budget for the third time in a row.

ÒWe have met all our costs from income without drawing on reserves and without going into debt.Ó

He said it was an Òoutstanding achievementÓ.

ÒOnly one other council in Hampshire is planning a lower rate of council tax inflation than East Hampshire and the majority are indicating rises of five per cent to nine per cent, with some well into double figures,Ó said Mr Cowper.