TAXPAYERS will pay around 4.8 per cent more on their total Council Tax bills after district councillors agreed their budget. They pegged their tax increase for next year at just 2.5 per cent after backing a package of savings and efficiency measures. Whe

TAXPAYERS will pay around 4.8 per cent more on their total Council Tax bills after district councillors agreed their budget.

They pegged their tax increase for next year at just 2.5 per cent after backing a package of savings and efficiency measures.

When added to the county and police share of the tax, the rise will mean taxpayers living in an average Band D home paying around an extra £1.10 a week.

The move was backed by East Cambridgeshire District Council at its meeting on Thursday after councillors agreed savings and efficiency measures totalling £300,000.

They have outlined plans to save £58,000 on community services, £40,000 on environment and transport and increase council fees which will raise £10,000.

After agreeing the budget, the council went on to approve spending on new recycling initiatives, improvements to customer services, reducing homeless in the district and contributing to putting more Police Community Support Officers on the beat.

There will also be support for community transport services and free concessionary fares for the over 60s travelling around the district in line with the Government's directive.

Council chief executive, John Hill, said: "This is a prudent but robust budget which will enable the council to continue working in partnership with local organisations to deliver the range and quality of services to which the residents of East Cambridgeshire are entitled, but also to assist those within the district most in need of support.