BLACKPOOL residents could be paying around £100 extra per year in council tax as the cash-strapped council look to increase it by more than 15 per cent.

But in nearby Wyre and Fylde Boroughs, early indications show very little change in council tax at all!

One Blackpool resident has branded the rise as "disgusting" and opposition councillors have slammed the Labour leader of the council for not listening to councillors who didn't share his point of view.

The council executive decided yesterday (Wednesday) that for a band D property in Blackpool the bill for the year should be stepped up from £662.57 to £762.57 -- an increase of 15.08 per cent.

The total bill will actually be £830.46 when the police "precept", which will be set by the Police Authority at around £67, is added.

These figures are recommendations due to go before the full council on March 2.

Linton Peters, who lives in Layton, contacted The Citizen this week when he heard about the rise and is furious, saying he can't afford it. "I don't know where I'm going to find the extra money from -- things are tight as it is," said Mr Peters.

"I think it is a disgrace and just typical of this council.

"We've got this huge tourist industry bringing all this money into the town, but the residents still have to pay for it all. Where is all this tourism money going?"

But council leader George Bancroft (pictured) said that although these figures would go forward to the full council, there could be future reductions if the Government step in.

"We are badgering the Government for more money -- if we get some good news before the meeting of the full council then these figures might change.

"But we cannot rely on that money being forthcoming."

He blamed the situtation on the fact that the council was forced to reduce taxation by 14 per cent when it became a unitary authority in 1998 and this rise was just making up ground.

"Even with this new figure we are still the lowest in Lancashire.

"The people of Blackpool know that nothing comes for free -- it's all got to be paid for.

"It's not just about keeping pace -- we have to improve. I still believe as a council we are providing value for money." But Liberal Democrat Coun Doreen Holt slammed Coun Bancroft for what she called an "appalling performance" at the meeting yesterday.

"I wrote down all the insulting comments he made to opposition members Coun Robert Wynne and Coun Peter Callow.

"They were called incompetent, cowards, sulky, pathetic, infantile and they were accused of smirking, lying, distorting facts and having a negative attitude -- all because they did not agree with Coun Bancroft's point of view."

MP for Blackpool North Joan Humble said she wants to see details of the council's decision to find out why they are suggesting such a large increase.

"Clearly this is well above inflation and local people will need to know why they will be expected to pay so much more," she said.

Wyre Borough Council will decide by how much to raise council tax at a meeting of the policy and resources committee on February 27.

A spokesman said that until proper procedure had been adhered to it would be incorrect to speculate on the figure. But sources have indicated that the rise will not be as dramatic as 20 per cent.

Fylde Borough Council bosses have indicated there will be very little change in its council tax.

A spokesman said there were pretty good early indications that the combined council tax for band D properties would be around 3.8 per cent.