ANOTHER hefty council tax rise is on the cards despite Bury's best financial settlement for years.

It seems likely that town hall bosses will impose an increase of at least 6.2 per cent, in line with Government expectations.

Such an increase would enable the council to fix a "standstill" budget once inflation and other increased costs are taken into account.

And the rise could be more than that, depending on financial pressures within departments, and how much the police and fire authorities demand from local taxpayers.

The alternative would be to make more serious cuts: department heads have already identified some savings.

However, it looks certain that schools will have the full increase in their education allowance passed onto them: Bury received an increase of 8.3 per cent in this area, the highest in the region.

Councillors at Wednesday's (Dec 18) executive gave the settlement a cautious welcome, saying it compared well to other authorities. Bury's grant from Government towards its spending has gone up by 8.2 per cent to £127.8 million, higher than the metropolitan average.

Budget roadshows will be taken to meetings of the borough's six area boards in early February, just before the budget is formally set.