HOUSEHOLDERS in County Durham are facing a tax hike of more than five per cent following a budget meeting this morning.

Councillors agreed a 2.99 per cent council tax rise for Durham County Council services and a two per cent rise for adult social care.

It follows a 7.09 increase in the precept for Durham Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner with a rise of 2.95 per cent for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

It means an increase of 5.08 per cent across the board, bringing the amount requested from a band D household to £1,796.82 for the year.

In County Durham, 58 per cent of properties are Band A, meaning most households will be charged £1,197.86 for the year.

The figure does not include precepts for parish or town councils, or the Charter Trustees for the City of Durham.

Cllr Simon Henig, the county council’s Labour group leader, said: “I still don’t think some people fully grasp the extent of the financial challenge this council has been forced to deal with since 2010.

“Unfortunately, the current Government continues with their austerity policies.”

An amendment by Liberal Democrat Cllr Mark Wilkes, to bring empty houses back into use over a three year period, by spending £103,350, was adopted by the council.

Cllr Craig Martin’s motion to spend £5m a year for three years to repair the county’s roads and footpaths was rejected.

The council also rejected the Conservative group’s proposals, which included stopping publishing the County Durham News, releasing £364,000 funding to spend on highways projects.

Independent Councillor John Shuttleworth also proposed ending the publication of council magazine, along with reducing the staff in the communications department to one press officer and two assistants to save £1.5m.

Cllr Shuttleworth suggested a general council tax increase of 0.99 per cent, but he was voted down by fellow members.

The ruling Labour group’s council tax proposals were passed 67-33 with 3 abstentions.