THERE was further bad news for householders this week, as the Surrey Police Authority announced a 5.8 per cent increase in the size of its demand on council tax payers. The authority's spending accounts for only about 12 per cent of the council tax householders in Waverley pay. But the announcement comes after Surrey County Council, whose spending accounts for three-quarters of the tax bill, agreed a five per cent increase last week. The county council's increase will add around £46 to the council tax of an average, Band D, tax payer, who in the current financial year is paying £1,248.33. The police authority's spending will bump up the cost by a further £9, with increases from Waverley Council and the relevant town or parish council taking the total rise still higher. The police authority and the county council have both laid the blame for the inflation- busting increases on low contributions from central government in comparison to what other parts of the country are receiving. The police authority said that recent consultation exercises had indicated that people are prepared to pay a little more for their policing and pledged to make the extra cash count. "The budget will provide for improvements in neighbourhood policing, including more resources focused on reducing death and serious injury on the road, and the recruitment of more police community support officers.  "The standards and quality of service offered will improve and a service charter will follow.  "The police will keep people better informed about the progress of inquiries and respond more effectively to requests for help. In addition more resources will be put into the fight against serious crime and terrorism. Chief Constable Bob Quick commented: "The stretch on the force continues to grow as we are funded as though we are a rural force, hundreds of miles from London.  "The fact is that being so close to London presents enormous policing challenges and this settlement will help sustain service and performance while we argue for a proper financial settlement for Surrey Police." In a bid to square its five per cent increase with council tax payers, Surrey County Council has developed an online budget game, "intended as a lighthearted, simplified approach to explaining the budget process". The game, available at http://www.surreycc.gov.uk">www.surreycc.gov.uk, gives players a limited amount of money to spend on which services they wish. As they do this, the player will automatically be shown the effect their spending has on the service - for example, putting more money into social care will see better facilities at Surrey care homes. But spending too much means you will exceed the budget, resulting in high council tax rises. David Munro, deputy chairman of the county executive committee, said: "Although it can be viewed as a bit of fun, the game carries a very serious message. We want people who live and work in Surrey to be able to see the difficult balancing act councils face." Waverley Borough Council will formally sets its council tax next Tuesday, and a 2.4 per cent rise is being proposed by the ruling Liberal Democrats. The Lib Dem proposal involves dipping into balances against the advice of council officers, who recommended a rise of 4.9 per cent. The move is expected to be opposed by Conservatives on the council, who this week denounced it as "a cynical electioneering ploy designed to win votres in the short term at the expense of long term stability".