Planned council tax rise set to be below average for residents

COVENTRY residents are set to face a below average council tax increase in April with the controlling Labour group on the city council proposing a 3.95 per cent hike.

- By DAVID LAWRENCE

The majority of local authorities are expected to increase it by 4.99 per cent which is the maximum allowed by the Government.

It will mean there will be less coming into the coffers which can be spent on services but finance chiefs believe the decision - if agreed at full council on February 24 - is the correct one with nearly £8m of additional funding coming to Coventry due to what they see as a fairer settlement deal from Whitehall.

If approved, the council’s annual budget report will include pots of money for a range of things from extra waste removals to tackle fly-tipping through to improving employment opportunities for young people. The ongoing improvements to the city's roads and pavements will also continue.