A COUNCIL leader has said the decision to hike council tax by £5 “represents excellent value for money”.

At a Maldon District Council meeting last Thursday leader Miriam Lewis presented the budget for 2017/18 to the council.

Members approved plans for a council tax rise of 2.47 per cent rise.

This means an average band D property will pay £187.37 and is equivalent to 9p a week extra.

Last year, Maldon District Council increased tax by 1.95 per cent.

In her budget speech, Ms Lewis said: “The Government has recognised the financial pressures on district councils and I have already explained the disproportionate cuts absorbed by district councils to date.

“As a result the government is allowing us the flexibility to increase our council tax by £5 before a referendum is triggered.

“We are proposing to use this £5 increase our Band D council Tax which amounts to around nine pence per week in real terms.

“We are not proposing this increase lightly and I believe the council tax charge from this council represents excellent value for money for the wide range of good, quality services we provide.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Essex County Council and the Essex Fire Authority are all also set to raise their portion of the council tax bill.