TAXPAYERS in Tendring face an above-inflation council tax increase.

Town hall finance bosses have proposed a four per cent rise.

Tendring Council’s portion of the bill for band D properties will go up £5.76 in total to approximately £150 a year – an increase of about 11p a week – if councillors agree.

At least one other authority has announced a council tax cut amid fears of a recession in early 2009.

Leader David Lines said a reduction would be unrealistic, with tougher times around the corner.

“Once you reduce council tax it will be gone forever,” said Mr Lines.

“If you suddenly need to increase it by ten per cent the Government will come down on you like a ton of bricks.

“The next two years will be even tougher.

“We are trying to be as efficient as possible, as we have been last year and this year, and offer value for money.”

Mr Lines said inflation was five per cent when the council started the 2009/10 budget.

He stressed that the budget was a work in progress and could change before February.

The council forked out £2.6 million on one-off projects in 2008/09.

No similar list exists in the 2009/10 budget.

The council will spend about £1.1 million on high priority items – which includes covering loss of income and paying for repairs.

More than £4 million of items will miss out.

The authority plans to leave just over £1 million unallocated.

Neil Stock, Conservative group leader, described the proposed rise as disappointing.

“That’s way above inflation which is going down and down,” he said.

“We should be looking to do a nought per cent increase.

“They say the recession will start to bite in February or March, which is when the council will send out these bills.

Mr Stock’s group will present an alternative budget.

A report to councillors says factors like uncertainty in the banking sector, the continued fall of house sales, rising utility costs and an increase in the costs of renegotiated contracts has put the council under pressure.

The report adds the 2009/10 strategy must be focused on protecting the 2010/11 financial position as far as possible.

Cabinet members will discuss the budget at Clacton town hall on Tuesday at noon.

It will be discussed by the corporate management committee before it is voted on at full council on February 19.

Essex County Council, the police, fire and parish and town councils will set their precepts over the coming months.