Ipswich people pay the highest council tax rate

SUFFOLK: People in Ipswich will be paying the highest rate of borough or district council tax in the whole of Suffolk.

Council tax bills for many households in the county are set to increase by the smallest annual percentage rise since it was introduced.

A survey by The Evening Star shows that most households in the county will see their bills rise by between �28 and �30 a year. That will equate to a rise of between 2.3% and 2.6%.

Exact figures will vary from parish to parish - and the county's police authority will not announce its increase until this week.

Ipswich is putting up its element of the council tax by 1.94% and has the highest rate of borough or district council tax in the county.

However, unlike the rural parts of Suffolk there are no parish or town council charges in the borough. Babergh is putting up its element by 3%.

The county council element of the bills - which makes up about two-thirds of the total bill for households - is going up by 2.4%, the lowest it has ever levied. That works out at �26.37 for the “average” Band D home.

In Ipswich, the council tax increase for a Band D home will go up by about �38.50.

Suffolk County Council's budget was steered through by deputy leader Jane Storey. She said authorities were aware of the need to keep council tax down to a minimum.

However, Matthew Sinclair, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: “We believe there are a great deal more efficiency savings that could be made by councils and that they should be looking to reduce the tax burden on families and businesses by cutting council tax demands.”

n What do you think of the council tax increases? Email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk