EAST Hampshire householders look set to face rises in their council tax bills of just over four per cent when demands come through their letter boxes in March. Among the services they will get for their money this year will be the trialing of a new district-wide doorstep glass collection and the freezing of car parking costs as well as the implementation of a generous concessionary bus fares scheme for elderly and disabled passengers. Hampshire County Council, which takes by far the largest slice of the tax cake, is due to set its precept on February 10, when councillors are being recommended to set a precept which will mean a 4.7 per cent increase to householders. This will put £40.86 onto the bills of the average band D tax payer who this year stumped up £869.40 for the county council's share of the funds. East Hampshire District Councillors met last Wednesday night to set their own precept at a special meeting of the Cabinet. If rubber-stamped by full council on February 22, EHDC will increase its tax slice by just 2.5 per cent. This will add a further £3.11 onto the bills of the average council tax payer taking them from the current £124.56 to £127.67. EHDC portfolio holder for finance Ferris Cowper said: "I am delighted to recommend another balanced budget for East Hampshire District Council. Due to prudent financial management at the council and a slightly higher than expected government grant, we will be able to invest more in improving our services, while keeping the increase well within government guidelines." Among the many service improvements proposed are: l additional staff in the Planning department to drive in further improvements to both the quality and the responsiveness of the service. l trials of a new district-wide kerbside glass collection and recycling service to ensure EHDC remains in the top 10 recycling authorities in the nation. l freezing of car park ticket machine prices for yet another year. l implementation of an outstanding concessionary 'bus fares scheme for the over 60s and disabled, that will far exceed the government's ambitions by offering free travel at any time for any 'bus journey that starts and finishes anywhere in Hampshire. l a repeat of the 12 free days of Christmas car parking which was so successful in 2005. l an extra £100,000 for local community projects Mr Cowper told The Herald: "There is little doubt in my mind that EHDC is one of the best financially managed councils in the south, if not the UK. While others complain about their government grant, we are pleasantly surprised that ours is better than we expected. "Our budget was balanced with some service improvements before the government announced its 2006 grants. Now we have more than we expected I am proposing even more improvements in services that will benefit almost every taxpayer in the district." The Hampshire Police Authority meets on February 7 for a final decision on its precept. A spokesman told The Herald: "At the moment members are still looking at the priorities, but they probably will not be breaching the capping limit of five per cent." This year the average tax payer foots a 113.76 police precept bill and with a four per cent rise this will rise to £118.32. Members of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority were due to set their budget on Wednesday and were not expected to breach the capping limit either. At a four per cent rise their demands will go from £52.11 for the average council bill to £54.19. Earliest indications are that the average Band D council tax bill could look like this for the 2006 to 2007 financial year: l Hampshire County Council £910.26 - up from £869.40 this year (4.7 per cent rise) l East Hampshire District Council £127.67 - up from £124.56 this year (2.5 per cent rise) l Hampshire Police Authority £118.32 - up from £113.76 this year (4 per cent rise) l Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority £ 54.19 - up from £52.11 this year (4 per cent rise) l Alton Town Council £56.02 - up from £53.41 this year (4.9 per cent rise).
