Tax increase above national average

Rochdale's Council Tax increase has been hailed as the lowest in eleven years, but it is higher than the national average.

Rochdale's 3.7% rise for Band D properties is 0.7% higher than the national average. The average household council tax bill in the town is more than £400 lower than the average Band D amount, and will increase by 3.2%, which is again higher than the national average of 2.6%.

The Government has been clear it expected an average council tax increase substantially below 5% next year and Rochdale is one of the vast majority of local authorities to have complied with that request. But 23 councils, excluding their parish precepts, actually froze or reduced council tax.

Local Government Minister John Healey said: "Most councils across the country are tightening their belts, which is exactly what the public wants to see. Today's figures show that the vast majority of local authorities have kept increases to a minimum.

"An extra £8.9 billion from the Government's three year funding settlement and £4.9 billion of planned efficiency savings are helping councils maintain both high quality public services and low council tax, and for the first time ever the public now see on their bill how efficient their council is.

"With a tough economic year ahead councils will need to do even more to control costs and I remain ready to be tough with capping powers to protect council taxpayers from excessive increases."