A COUNCIL tax increase of 4.4 per cent has been agreed by Chester-le-Street District Council.

The district council element of the tax for a Band D property will rise from £153.42 to £160.23 in April this year - an increase of £6.81 per year.

More than half of householders in the district will pay an extra 9p per week. The budget has placed emphasis on the environment of the district, with an additional £78,000 being invested in environmental services.

Council leader Linda Ebbatson said: "Our whole budget process has been a prudent one, which has set foundations for sounder, long-term planning and long-term use of increasingly scarce resources.

"A recent residents' opinion survey conducted on our behalf told us what mattered to people in the district - 74 per cent wanted to see clean streets and open spaces.

"We've listened to that and this council tax increase will help support initiatives in this area. Residents can expect to see visible improvements over the coming year."

"All Council services have a huge impact on the quality of people's lives in the district. These services will all be provided at a cost of £2.05 per week for the average householder in the district."

The increases relate exclusively to those set by the council.

It excludes the rises set by Durham County Council, police, Durham and Darlington Fire Authority and excludes parish precepts.