Council taxpayers in the Rochford district are set to face a nine per cent rise to pay for local services - but the actual amount which will be taken out of their pockets will almost certainly be a great deal more.

Rochford only accounts for a small amount of the council tax bill, with the vast majority going to Essex County Council.

It is likely to have a large increase and there are no figures yet for the fire and police authorities charges, or the parish councils.

Members of the council will be asked to agree its budget proposals for the coming year at a special meeting on January 28.

When the final figures have been collated, the council tax will be fixed at the full council meeting on February 18.

Previously, a figure of 14 per cent had seemed likely, but the reduction to nine per cent was possible because of an increased amount allocated to the council by the Government, said head of finance David Deeks.

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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