TRAFFORD Council has been praised for having the lowest council tax increase in the North West — at 4.99 per cent.

But the compliment from Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Sajid Javid has been criticised by Trafford Labour leader Cllr Andrew Western, who hit out at the ongoing effects of austerity.

Mr Javid praised the Conservative-controlled, which set the increase at a full council meeting last night.

He said: “Trafford is a fantastic example to other councils of how to provide excellent services, while balancing the books at the same time.

“Local government is at the front of democracy in this country with councillors and officers working at the heart of the communities that they serve.

“Council leader Sean Anstee and his team at Trafford work hard to ensure everyone across Trafford benefits and they should be applauded for their dedication.”

Under the plans, households in Trafford will be paying less council tax than anywhere else in the North West, but over three years will still see council tax bills rise by at least 13 per cent.

The latest budget will also result in no cuts to services, no job losses and see car parking charges reduced from 70p to 20p for 30 minutes in all council car parks and all day parking reduced from £7 to £5.

There will also be about £5 million allocated for adult social care, £1 million for children’s services and library fines will also be scrapped.

And £14.4 million is also being earmarked to be spent on highways and road improvements for the next three years.

Cllr Anstee, said: “The council continues to strive to find the right balance between keeping council tax low and raising the money we need to fund our essential services, which is seeing us reap the rewards, with job growth and business investment across the region.”

But Cllr Western said: "It says it all that local Tories have clamoured to win support for their Budget from their national paymasters.

“This year's budget takes the total amount cut from Trafford's coffers to more than £128 million since 2010, and the consequences of ongoing austerity are clear.

“Residents are paying more in council tax — up five per cent again this year — and getting less for their money.

“Libraries, children's centres and day care centres have all been closed while our roads and pavements are an embarrassment and litter and fly-tipping rife.

"Potholes are dangerous and streets are full of litter and other debris. At the same time, the most vulnerable in Trafford are paying the highest price

“The endorsement of a Tory minister doesn't hide what residents can see for themselves: the borough is in a terrible mess.”

Proposals by Labour, in an alternative budget, to provide adult social care and tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour issues were rejected.

The meeting heard that the borough is committed in trying to reduce the overall deficit, which now stands at £40.67 million, comprising of £26.51milllion of additional cost pressures and £14.16 million in funding cuts.

The new increase is likely to see bills for Band A properties rising by at least £45 this year, Band B properties £50, Band C by £60, Band D by £70, Band E by £85, Band F by £100, Band G by £115 and Band H by £140.

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