POLITICIANS will be on hand at Ely Library on Saturday to answer questions about setting next year s county council budget. East Cambridgeshire residents are being given the chance to have their say on how much Council Tax should rise to balance the books

POLITICIANS will be on hand at Ely Library on Saturday to answer questions about setting next year's county council budget.

East Cambridgeshire residents are being given the chance to have their say on how much Council Tax should rise to balance the books.

Representatives from each of the political parties will be at the library between 2pm and 4pm to explain their priorities.

Cambridgeshire County Council is planning to spend just over £510 million over the next year on services such as schools, roads and transport schemes, care for older and disabled people and vulnerable children, libraries, waste disposal and trading standards.

But, despite a six per cent budget rise, a poor Government cash settlement has left the county facing cuts in services.

However, Council leader, Cllr Keith Walters, has said he wants to keep the Council Tax rise to a maximum of five per cent.

Residents will be consulted on council tax increases of four, five and six per cent, outlining the impact on services of each of these rises.

A five per cent increase would cost a mid-range Band D property an extra 81p a week in council tax.

Cllr Walters said: "We have some extremely difficult decisions to make but I am reluctant to increase council tax by more than five per cent. These meetings are an important part of our budget consultation and I would encourage people to come along and tell us what they think of our proposals.