COTSWOLDS householders face a 3.5 per cent rise in the district council element of their council tax bills from April.

Cotswold District Council agreed on Tuesday (feb 26) to increase council tax by £4.64, from £132.51 to £137.15, for the average band D council taxpayer.

When added to the 4.9 per cent increase already agreed by Gloucestershire County Council and the 4.99 per cent agreed by the county police authority, it means a band D council tax payer in the district face an overall increase of 4.8 per cent from £1,300 to £1,362 a year.

On top of that, most householders have to pay a parish precept.

Cotswold District Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said after the meeting: "The level of district council tax reflects our aim to keep increases broadly in line with inflation and represents good value for money for the range of services we provide.

"Like all councils, we are facing increased financial challenges due to the rising costs of utilities and fuel and the increasing pressure on local authority pension funds."

Cllr Stowe said the Cotswolds had seen a reduction in government support in "real terms" and the district council had to find ways to bridge the gap without passing on too much of the burden to council taxpayers.

"We're doing this by working more efficiently, such as joint working with other councils, and by increasing or introducing fees and charges, such as car parks and green waste," he said.

The Gloucestershire County Council element of the council tax bill for an average band D household is £1,036.37 and for the police is £188.45.

Stratford District Council agreed a 3.5 per cent increase in its council tax element at its meeting on Monday. (feb 25) The district share of the bill for an average band D household rises from £119 to just over £123, an increase of £4.15.