COUNCIL tax payers in Fareham are set to face an increase after the authority unveiled its budget proposals for the next financial year. 

Residents face an increase of 3.3 per cent, with total revenue collected from council tax expected to rise from £6.36 million in 2017/18 to over £6.6 million next year. 

It means owners of an average band D property would pay an extra £5, up from £150.22 to £155.22. 

However, central government support will also be slashed by 11 per cent to just over £1.85 million in 2018/19.

In total, civic chiefs will have a budget of £46 million to spend on public services. 

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “The increase is one of the lowest in the country, giving Fareham residents value for money at an increase of just a 1p a day.

“The quality of council services is expected to be maintained across all areas for residents.”

Councillor Woodward added that they have had over £26.5 million invested in the last three years into commercial property with income from this coming in at £1.88 million a year.  

Without this council tax would have to be increased by nearly 30 per cent, he said. 

Councillor Roger Price, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, supported the proposals. 

He said: “I think council tax has to increase to keep our services running. It is only a suggestion for the moment”

The proposals will be approved next month.