JUBILANT Ribble Valley Council bosses have announced one of the lowest community charge increases in the country.

But a hike in charges from Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Police Authority means taxpayers in the rural borough will still be paying more than the national average.

Members of the Ribble Valley Council's policy and finance committee heard the government had recommended a council tax increase of 6.1 per cent to £1,037 for a Band D property.

Finance director Marshall Scott told councillors the increase in the borough council's part of the charge would be just 3.27 per cent.

But a proposed nine per cent hike from Lancashire County Council and 18 per cent from the Lancashire Police Authority was likely to push the charge on a Band D property in the rural borough up by nine per cent. As a result, Band D council taxpayers in the borough would be facing a £1,145.92 charge, £108.92 more than the government's recommendation.

"The government is expecting a council tax increase of six per cent and has recommended an amount for a Band D property that is lower than the charge for Ribble Valley properties.

"Our share of the increase is far lower than the government recommendation, but the charges from other authorities far higher."

Council leader Chris Holtom said the Ribble Valley increase was probably the lowest in Lancashire, and possibly in the country.

He said the council had benefited from an extra £265,000 in grants from the government and planned to increase its services in line with inflation. "We have got a lot to be proud of. Our increase is just over three per cent, which is more than a reasonable achievement."

The proposed 3.27 per cent increase was endorsed by the meeting and now goes to the full council in March to be rubber-stamped.