EAST Hampshire District Council's Conservative cabinet members gave themselves a "pat on the back" during last Tuesday's north west area community committee briefing for producing what they believe to be "the best budget" for some time. In describing the 2006/07 proposals as "a good news story", Patrick Burridge, the member for Downland, pointed out that EHDC had bucked the national trend by keeping the increase to 2.5 per cent for six years out of seven - and this budget was no exception. It equates to a £3.11 increase on a band 'D' Council Tax bill, bringing the amount for the district council element of the charge to £127.67. In an address by EHDC strategic manager Bill Price, the meeting heard that the council had managed to set a balanced budget which did not call on its reserves, that was in line with inflation and had shown an ability to move resources around in order to enhance or change services and to bring in new initiatives without adverse impact on the tax payer. Taking into account inflation, efficiencies but no growth, the figures show the need for a 5.2 per cent increase (£699k) bringing the requirement to just over £14m - the increase being met by an increased government grant settlement and a council tax increase of 2.5 per cent. There had been unavoidable pressures on the budget, among them a £127k bill for concessionary fares, a £106k reduction in income from land charges, additional employers pension contributions of £100k, and the need to carry out essential maintenance on Penns Place at an estimated cost of £102k. Key projects included the introduction of a £240k kerbside glass recycling service, to be piloted mainly in urban areas. It was intended to repeat last year's successful free Christmas parking scheme in Alton and Petersfield; provide an extra £100k for local community projects; and introduce free bus travel for the over-60s and people with disabilities. In addition, there was a proposal to invest more in the planning service, with the employment of two extra officers and to fund a community safety officer. But in what will be welcome news for the business community, there was no plan to increase car parking charges. According to Mr Price, one of the biggest costs in the £14m budget (£9m) was on staff salaries, with 12 per cent of that cost going to the staff pension plan. The intention was to make savings in this area, one example being a proposed £60k saving on staff recruitment by making more use of the EHDC website. The outsourcing of work to external auditors was considered a risk area with expected increase in charges of up to £23k but that, said Mr Price, could be absorbed. The proposed capital programme for the year, amounting to £2,264k produced more good news for the Alton area with £80k allocated to phase one of a new community centre building which, according to Mr Price, would include the design and initial preparation work with the issuing of a contract expected in 2007/08 and completion by 2008/09. There was money also for the construction of new public toilets in Selborne, and for extensive car park maintenance and improvement work across the district. While Alton councillors welcomed the allocation of money for the community centre and for car park maintenance, they also expressed relief that car park charges were to remain the unchanged. There was some debate also over the need for a glass kerbside recycling service, a question shot down by Mr Burridge who, In stressing the need to move away from landfill, said that the people of East Hampshire should be proud of their recycling record. And he pointed out that while East Hampshire did not figure among the top councils for recycling when green waste was included in the equation, it was number one for recycling mixed items. EHDC's 2006/07 budget is to be ratified at full council on February 22.