COUNCIL tax in Warrington is set to rise by up to six per cent from April.

The rise will mean that for an average band D house the tax will rise from £700 a year to £740.

There are fluctuations in price between parishes as there is a levy for each parish council and Cheshire Police Authority for the services they provide.

The projected increase comes with a package of £4 million cuts due, says the council, to a poor government grant for the next financial year.

The council's standard spending assessment, which is the amount the government thinks it will cost to provide a level of service per adult in each authority area, is one of the lowest in the country for education and social services.

Council Leader John Gartside says that with the current savings and council tax increase they can continue to provide an excellent standard of education and services.

"I suspect that the increase will be one of the lowest increases in the country.

"It will be above inflation but within guidelines."

But he insists the people of Warrington are getting good value for money.

"There are good standards of education, community safety strategies and a whole set of town centre opportunities and redevelopment. There are also a wide range of community facilities.

"We recognise there are deficiencies such as highway maintenance and the increase will help us to improve these."

The exact percentage will not be agreed until the council have their budget meeting in February.