West Dorset District Council s share of the council tax looks set to increase by 2.5 per cent.

West Dorset District Council's share of the council tax looks set to increase by 2.5 per cent.The district council had been working towards a 3.9 per cent rise in its share of the council tax. But last week its Executive Committee proposed a lower rise to help local people.If a 2.5 per cent rise is approved by the full council on February 24 the average charge (band D) for the district council's services in 2009/10 would increase by �2.97 a year to �123.57.Council leader Robert Gould said: "These are difficult times for us all. The district council has seen a cut in government funding and income from our investments is falling due to the problems in the financial world."However, over the past year we have been taking a thorough look at where we spend our money, ensuring that services are as efficient as possible. We are recommending that some of the savings identified should be used to help keep our share of the council tax down at this time, when local people may be struggling to pay their household bills."The district council's charge is among the lowest in the country and makes up just eight per cent of the total bill, although it has the job of collecting the whole council tax bill from local people.