Spelthorne residents are set to have lighter pockets as they face the highest council tax rise possible.

The borough council had originally sought to increase its part of council tax by 4.4 per cent but at a meeting of the executive on Tuesday it was decided it could afford to reduce this to a rise of 3.9 per cent.

However, with Surrey Police planning to increase its share of council tax by 6.7 per cent, people living in band D properties face a rise of £72.28 per year as the cost would rise by 5.4 per cent overall.

It is likely the rise would equate to five per cent as the Government would cap it.

Speaking at the executive meeting, deputy council leader Richard Smith-Ainsley said: "They (the police) are just trying to do their job and not being given the money needed.

"As usual the problem goes back to the Government. So we are left with the problem.

"I think it is commendable that we can reduce our request to 3.9 per cent to lessen the burden on our residents."

The council has also been given the extra financial burden of having to supply all over 60s free bus travel anywhere in the country, costing £76,000.

Councillor Viviene Leighton, portfolio holder for adult and elderly services, said: "The voluntary sector, the health sector, the police, everywhere you go they are scraping around looking for more money, even in parts of the country where more money is being given."

The police authority is closing the funding gap caused by, what it calls, an unfair funding formula. It said that were its grant at the London average Surrey would receive an additional £18.2 million.

Chairman of Surrey Police Authority Jim Smith said: "The Home Office has not helped us address our significant funding shortfall. We recognise that we are asking Surrey residents to increase, above Government expectations, the amount they contribute towards policing this year."

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