Essex County Council has approved a council tax rise of 2.9 per cent for the next year.

The increase will mean an extra 50p a week on the bill for the average home, putting the county council's share to £917.73 from this year's £891.54.

Charges from district council, the police and fire brigade will be added to the final bill sent out to residents next month.

Council leader Lord Hanningfield said the budget was a culmination of three years' work and greater efficiency.

Labour councillors made no changes to the budget, which was passed by the full council yesterday, and insisted the low increase was down to the Government.

However, the Liberal Democrats wanted to see less money put into reserves and extra cash put into services.

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Published Wednesday, February 16, 2005

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