Cumbria County Council today agreed to increase its share of the council tax by 4.6 per cent for the year from April.
The full council voted in favour of spending plans in revenue and capital budgets for the financial year 2005/6 entailing the increase in its 75 per cent share of household council tax costs.
Councillor Mike Ash, deputy leader of the council and budget spokesman, said: "We think this is the right budget for the county. We have again had to contend with extra Government spending requirements and a disappointing funding settlement from Westminster.
"We are proud of this budget because we believe it strikes the best possible balance between spending on services and keeping tax increases down to acceptable levels for the people of Cumbria.
Cumbria County Council leader Tim Stoddard said: "A lot of hard work and careful planning has gone into getting this right. Over the last four years this authority's council tax increases have been among the very lowest in the country and we expect this year's budget to continue that trend."
Cumbria County Council has in recent years argued that funding settlements from central government have left the authority facing tough choices on spending and council tax. In spite of these problems, Cumbria County Council has scored some notable successes such as a three-star rating from the Audit Commission for its education service, a "good" rating for the library service. The council has also had recognition for the work it has done to turn things after a poor inspection report on social services.
Cumbria County Council takes around 75 per cent of the council tax bills paid by households in the county. The rest is taken by the six district councils, around 12 per cent, the Police Authority, also around 12 per cent, while the remainder goes to town, city and parish councils.
A full break down of the budget approved today can be seen in the Full Council Agenda which is available on the county council website at www.cumbria.gov.uk