Council tax is likely to go up next year after the Government announced Wandsworth is in line for a four per cent rise in its grant levels.

Wandsworth Council says the rise is the minimum the Government could have given and will not cover an increase in the cost of providing services.

But the council's Labour group leader, Councillor Tony Belton, said the claims are just a "well-tried spin" to scare the electorate.

Each November the Government announces the grant it will give to local authorities the following year. The difference between the grant and cost of providing services is met by collecting council tax.

According to the council, it is too early to say by how much council tax will rise. The figures will need to be examined in more detail and are still subject to consultation.

But a council spokesman said Wandsworth is concerned that more and more Government funding is being set aside for specific purposes.

He added that this method of ring-fencing increases the amount of control the Government has over what local authorities spend their money on.

However, Coun Belton said Wandsworth was just trying to build up the expectation that bills will rise before subsequently announcing a council tax freeze in an election year.

He added: "The grant increase is clearly above the rate of inflation, which has been 2.5 per cent all the time."

December 11, 2001 16:05