COUNCIL tax payers in Blackburn look likely to be paying 4.8 per cent more on their council tax bills from April.

Blackburn with Darwen has revealed its budget for the coming financial year which may also see council house rents rise by three per cent meaning an average rise of £1.49 a week for residents.

A total of £3.7million looks set to be cut from budgets to so that the tax rise can be kept to 4.8 per cent - although some of this will be offset with extra grant money from the government, particularly in education.

The proposed budget will now be discussed with residents in the borough before any final decisions are reached.

Front line services, which will be noticed most by the public, have largely been protected in the proposed cuts.

Social Services will be hardest hit with £619,000 saved through a service review throughout 1999/2000.

A further £200,000 will be saved from the transfer of home care services to the independent sector.

In education savings will be made on school maintenance budgets, student awards and from the council's youth service. But 3.7 per cent extra will be spent on schools overall with nearly £4million of government cash giving the council a helping hand.

The effect of teachers' pay rises may yet mean budgets have to be revised before they are finally set in March.

Changes in working conditions for town hall employees in line with a national agreement will also save the council money.

Town hall running expenses will also provide savings and employees will receive a 2.75 per cent pay rise rather than the three per cent originally proposed. The council's investment programme for the new financial year will see £11 million spent on specific projects in housing, highways and transport as well as education.

Deputy Council leader Councillor Gail Barton said: "We expect our council tax will be one of the lowest increases in Lancashire, if not the lowest."

"Our aim has been to protect key services. We have placed the emphasis on education while maintaining other main services."

The chairman of the council's housing committee, Councillor Mohammed Khan, said: "Council house rents in Blackburn with Darwen remain highly competitive and provide value for money for quality homes."

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