COUNCIL tax is set to rise by 3.4 per cent from April, the smallest increase for 10 years.

Announcing the increase, Wigan Council leader Peter Smith pledged that no vital services would be cut as a result of the new budget, and there would be extra money for schools and protecting children.

He said: "We had the most generous increase in external government funding for many years.

"That, plus good housekeeping and the extra freedom we won after being rated an excellent council, have all helped to make possible a lower rise than in many other parts of the country."

Cllr Smith said the tax rise for Wigan services alone was 2.5 per cent, but police and fire services funding increased this by almost one per cent.

He added: "As we pledged last year, the level of council tax rise for Wigan services is under 3 per cent and is around the rate of inflation.

"We have also been able to provide for some growth in high priority services. This includes an extra £800,000 for protecting vulnerable children, and there will be £2.6m more for schools"

Also included in the new budget is a pledge, believed to be £1.3m, to underwrite part of the Leigh Sports Village development before grants are obtained, to enable an early start to be made should planning permission be granted.

There is also a small increase in the budget for public toilets.

Cllr Smith said: "This year Wigan got 60 new police officers from the increase in the police precept. Next year the increase is smaller at 7.5 per cent so there won't be as much growth, but it does mean we can maintain the extra police.

"We received £13.8m extra from the Chancellor this year and have also made efficiency savings of £700,000. This will allow us to increase spending in areas that people have told us are a priority, while keeping our own tax increase to the rate of inflation."

The rise takes the headline Band D council tax in Wigan to £1135, a £37 rise on last year. This is likely to be lower than all but one of Wigan's neighbouring areas. However nearly half of all the borough's residents are in Band A, and for them the increase is just £25, taking their annual bill to £756.

The new council tax is set to be confirmed at a special council meeting on March 3.

Cllr Smith said this year's budget announcement had been the easiest he'd had to deliver and he was hopeful the trend of low tax rises would continue.