Council tax capped?

[Grumbler]

We read last week that Keswick town's precept for 2007/8 was likely to rise by 13-14%, and this week that Cumbria CC is having to take drastic action to avoid a massive increase in their portion of council tax, partly because of a successful equal pay claim by their female workers (which I wholeheartedly support). I have not seen Allerdale's figures yet.

And today the government has been reported as saying that they will increase the central grant to councils by 3.8% - and that in turn, councils will be capped to a 5% increase. The figures don't add up around here. Something has to give and more cuts are inevitable. Shame that this is just before a round of local government elections.

[Guesthouseowner]

I read in the Herald that Cumbria CC are looking at a 4.9% increase for their own portion of the council tax. But in order to do that there will be massive cutbacks in service, and an increase in costs for services provided to the elderley. Not an ideal solution.